Pre-Licensure BSN Option

The BSN degree requires the completion of both general education and nursing major requirements. Students spend their freshmen year as pre-nursing students completing basic studies in the arts and sciences. Potential nursing students should consult with the CHHS Advising Center for information on prerequisite courses. When these courses are completed, the student is eligible for application to the nursing program.

In the nursing program during the next three years, students study such subjects as adult health, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatric/mental health, and community health nursing. Each major course is accompanied by clinical practice in surrounding health care settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, community agencies, and ambulatory health care facilities. Clinical experiences are supervised by faculty.

After successful completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Honors Program

Students may apply for the School of Nursing Honors Program after completion of the first term of study in the nursing program, but should apply no later than the second term of the second year of nursing coursework.

Students seeking acceptance for Honors in Nursing must meet the following criteria:
· be admitted to the University Honors College.
· have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 at EMU.
· have completed one semester in the EMU nursing major.
· apply to the School of Nursing Honors Program:
- submit written application for admission to the School of Nursing Honors Program
Advisor, and
- submit a written recommendation from a clinical nursing instructor.

To graduate "With Honors in Nursing," a student must:
· complete a minimum of 12 credit hours of Honors coursework in the nursing major that includes three credit hours of Honors Thesis/Project (NURS 499 Independent Study).
· maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 in all course work.
· maintain a grade of "B-" or better in university Honors courses.
· a "B" or better letter grade is required for all nursing Honors ("H") credits.
· if a grade is below "B," academic credit will be earned, but an "H" will not appear on the transcript.
· the pass/fail option is not available in Honors courses. A letter grade must be given.
· a letter grade of "I" representing incomplete Honors course work at the end of a term must be removed within the first seven weeks of the University's following term. Failure to satisfy course requirements in the specified time will result in removal of Honors recognition from that course.

Honors thesis or project work should be completed in the first semester of the senior year. Additional requirements:
· Students must complete NUR 372 Nursing Research course with a letter grade of "B" or better before taking Honors thesis/project.
· Honors thesis/project work must be done with either tenured or tenure-track nursing faculty unless a waiver is given by the school director.

Application Guidelines: Students should submit a completed School Honors Program Application Form and faculty recommendation to the School of Nursing Honors Program Advisor. Application materials will be reviewed by a selected faculty panel. An interview may be requested. Notification regarding admission to the School of Nursing Honors Program will be made within two weeks of application. After admission to the Honors Program, the student will meet with the School of Nursing Honors Program Advisor to prepare course work and selection of a senior thesis/project supervisor. Honors course work may begin by the second term of Level II course work or no later than the first term of Level III course work. Permission of the School Director is required if honors course work will begin at a later time.

For further information, please contact the School of Nursing.

Gerontology Minor

EMU offers an Interdisciplinary Gerontology Minor. The 21-credit-hour interdisciplinary minor is available to students who are majors in any department of the University. The minor is of particular interest to nurses since practice opportunities to work with older adults are increasing with an aging U.S. population. Patients in many health care settings are elderly with chronic conditions and acute exacerbations of chronic conditions. The knowledge gained from the gerontology minor assists the nurse to be more competent in caring for older patients. After graduation and licensure as a registered nurse, nurses who work with older adults are eligible to apply for certification as a gerontological nurse through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Contact the College of Arts and Sciences for further details about the gerontology minor.