Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing

Nina Ouimette, Dean     
ACU Box 28035 
Abilene, Texas 79699-8035
Office location: 
Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing
2149 Hickory Street
Abilene, Texas 79601

Phone: 325-671-2399
Fax: 325-671-2386
Email:  phssn@phssn.edu
Web: www.acu.edu/nurs or www.phssn.edu

Faculty
Stephenie Akins, Instructor
Cynthia Castel, Instructor
Andrea Cheek, Instructor
Kimberly Cooper, Assistant Professor
Awilda Hayes, Instructor
Susan Kehl, Assistant Professor, BSN Coordinator
Valerie Miller, Assistant Professor
Alice Murphy, Assistant Professor
Cathy Northrup, Instructor
Nina Ouimette, Associate Professor, Dean
Monica Smola, Instructor
Barbara Stafford, Assistant Professor
Amy Toone, Associate Professor, MSN Director
Jeanne Tucker, Assistant Professor
Lisa VanCleave, Assistant Professor
Janis Walsh, Instructor
Kate Woehl, Instructor

Major: Nursing (BSN)

The Master of Science in Nursing is also available. See the Graduate School section of this catalog.   

Abilene Christian University is part of a three-member consortium which provides collegiate nursing education in Texas. Through the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing (PHSSN), Abilene Christian University offers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. 

Mission Statement   
 The mission of the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing is to educate baccalaureate and advanced practice nurses for lives of Christian service and leadership to meet the ever-changing health care needs of a global society.

Purpose/Introduction
Baccalaureate education in nursing prepares the graduate to function as a registered nurse who can effectively participate as a change agent in the delivery of a broad spectrum of health services required by society today and in the future. It also provides the foundation required for graduate education. The School of Nursing exists for the purpose of preparing entry-level practitioners of nursing whose personal, social and nursing potentials have been developed to provide a foundation for continued learning and growth. The theoretical courses and clinical experiences are designed to assist students to develop understanding and conceptual integration of the nursing role in today’s complex health care environment.

The faculty of the School of Nursing exists for the purpose of contributing to excellence in nursing, the body of knowledge needed for nursing practice, teaching, research and public services. Additionally, the faculty provides for the nursing student an environment in which classroom theory may be applied and evaluated under close supervision. The aim of the BSN faculty of the School of Nursing is to prepare students for satisfactorily completing all undergraduate requirements in the School of Nursing and for subsequent graduation with the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN). Upon graduation, the graduate is eligible to write the NCLEX-RN (National Council of Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) that leads to licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN).

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Program Outcomes
 Upon completion of this program of nursing the graduate will be prepared to:

  1. Use the nursing process as a guide to competently deliver holistic (physical, psychosocial, and spiritual), ethno-culturally sensitive, ethical and evidence-based nursing care to clients across the life span in a variety of settings.

  2. Demonstrate integrity, responsibility and accountability to clients, other health care workers and the profession of nursing in political, legal and ethical issues.

  3. Communicate effectively with clients and other members of the health care team.

  4. Demonstrate leadership and management skills in the delivery of health care services and the practice of professional nursing.

  5. Use research findings and community resources in interacting with clients to promote wellness and facilitate restoration of health or a dignified death.

  6. Accept accountability for practice behaviors, action and responsibility for life-long personal and professional development.

Accreditation
 The School of Nursing programs are accredited by the Texas Board of Nursing  and the graduate is eligible to sit for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Exams for licensure as a Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). The baccalaureate program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The School of Nursing is a member of the Southern Regional Education Board, the Southern Council on Collegiate Education in Nursing and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

High School Preparation
 High school students wishing to major in nursing are advised that their preparation for nursing study will be strengthened by inclusion of high school credits of one unit each in chemistry, physics and biology; three to four units in mathematics; two units each in social and behavioral sciences; and four units in English.

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Lower-Level Requirements
 All freshmen students accepted for admission in the consortium institutions, and stating a preference for nursing as a major, will be placed in lower-level core courses. Acceptance into the lower-level courses, however, does not guarantee that students will be selected for enrollment in Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing (PHSSN). Students having an ACT composite score of 18 or less should seek career counseling.

PHSSN Admission Requirements   
 Students must meet all parent university degree requirements. A separate admission process is required for students to be admitted to the School of Nursing. Admission is competitive, and the size of the classes is determined by the availability of space and clinical facilities. Admission to Abilene Christian University does not guarantee admission to PHSSN.

  1. The School of Nursing will review all applications with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in the lower-level nursing curriculum based on a 4.0 scale. Nursing core courses completed with a letter grade less than "C," or 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, will not be accepted toward the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Applicants must have a grade of "B" or better in BIOL 291 Anatomy and Physiology I, BIOL 292 Anatomy and Physiology II, and in NURS 310 Pathophysiology.
     
  2. Students are required to take a Nursing Entrance Exam.
     
  3. Students are required to submit two recommendation forms from faculty who have taught the student a nursing core prerequisite course.
     
  4. Students must have all nursing core prerequisites completed before entering the School of Nursing and have all prerequisites completed within the first year of admission to PHSSN. Students must complete NURS 301 Introduction to Nursing Skills or obtain the CNA certificate before entering PHSSN. Students must also complete NURS 310 Pathophysiology or its equivalent with a grade of "B" or better before entering.
     
  5. Students must apply for admission to the School of Nursing. The deadline for submitting application for admission in the fall semester is the first week of February of the same year. Late applications will not be accepted. Applicants are required to have personal contact with the School of Nursing Director of Learning and Student Development January 1.
     
  6. Once accepted, students must submit evidence of physical examination and of physical health, which is consistent with meeting the objectives of the program. Tetanus, diphtheria, typhoid and hepatitis B immunizations are required. If not administered, a healthcare provider’s statement is required. Rubella screening is required and immunizations required if screening titer indicates lack of immunity. Evidence of negative tuberculosis must be presented with application for admission. Health reports and test results will be available to health agencies used for student learning experience upon request by an authorized representative of the agency. Additionally, students  accepted for admission will be required to submit to a criminal background check  organized by the Texas Board of Nursing prior to beginning the nursing program. Students will also be required to submit random drug screenings in order to practice in the clinical facilities. 
     
  7. Students who have any physical or learning disability (i.e. ADD, ADHD ) must provide official written medical documentation of the disability and information in regard to his/her ability to meet the requirements of the program.
     
  8. Throughout the program, students must maintain a level of mental and physical health consistent with meeting the objectives of the curriculum. If a mental and/or physical health problem occurs during the student’s educational program in nursing, the nursing faculty members responsible for clinical practice will assess the student’s ability to continue in the program and will make recommendations for action to the Dean.

  9. Students accepted into the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing are responsible for providing their own transportation to class and all clinical facilities.

  10. Students accepted into the School of Nursing must annually provide proof of medical health insurance; if not on parent’s insurance, the student must have either the University Health Insurance or a private policy.

  11. Students must achieve a grade of "C" (grade of 75 on a 100 scale) or better in each upper-level nursing course attempted and, in addition, achieve an average of "C" (grade of 75 on a 100 scale) or better on examinations within each upper-level nursing course in order to continue in the School of Nursing.

  12. Applicants seeking admission by transfer must meet all of the same standards required of those students who have matriculated at ACU and the other consortium universities.

  13. If the student’s performance is unsatisfactory in the clinical setting, the faculty may recommend immediate dismissal to the Dean.

  14. The student must annually provide proof of current CPR certification. The student will not be allowed in the classroom or clinical area without this certification. American Heart Association CPR for Health Care Provider or American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer is required. (National Safety Council, Heart Saver and Heart Saver Plus are not acceptable.)

  15. Professional liability insurance is required of each student. This insurance is included in the student’s tuition fees.

  16. All entering students are required to purchase physical assessment equipment that is supplied through the School of Nursing. The cost of the equipment will be charged as a fee for the Health Assessment course.

  17. BSN nursing students are required to take diagnostic program examinations each semester. The cost of the examinations will be announced, and the cost of exams will be charged to student’s parent university account.

  18. In order for a student to meet program requirements for the completion of the BSN curriculum, the student must demonstrate minimal competency in nursing theory and practice. This competency is demonstrated through successful scoring on the identified exit exam.

  19. Students seeking the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) may take a minor outside the School of Nursing. This minor is NOT required as a part of the BSN degree, and credit hours beyond the minimum hours required may be needed to complete the minor.

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NURSING (BSN)   

Admission to the School of Nursing is a prerequisite to all nursing courses (or approval by the School of Nursing Dean).

BSN: NURSING DEGREE PLAN (NURS)  
UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS  

Please see the University Requirements section of this catalog.

 
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS  

Nursing

    NURS 301 Intro to Nursing Skills (Course is optional if student

         has CNA certificate) 

**NURS 310 Pathophysiology  

    NURS 321 Health Assessment  

    NURS 322 Process I - Fundamentals of Nursing  

    NURS 323 Pharmacology - Nursing Implications  

    NURS 324 Dimensions of Professional Nursing  

    NURS 335 Mental Health Nursing  

    NURS 336 Process II - Nursing Care of the Childbearing

         and Childbearing Family  

    NURS 435 Community Health Nursing  

    NURS 443 Nursing Theories and Research (writing-intensive course)  

    NURS 446 Process III - Acute Care Nursing  

    NURS 451 Process IV - Critical Care Nursing  

    NURS 452 Leadership and Management  

    NURS 495 Professional Nursing Practicum  

Advanced Nursing Elective  

TOTAL  

 

 

3

4

4

6

3

3

3

 

8

3

3

8

6

3

4

3

61-64

SUPPLEMENT FOR MAJOR  

Mathematics

    *MATH 120 Quantitative Reasoning  

Psychology

    *PSYC 120 Introduction to Psychology or

          *SOCI 111 Introduction to Sociology 

    *PSYC 232 Developmental Psychology  

    PSYC 311 Elementary Statistics  

Science

    *CHEM 113 Introductory Chemistry with Lab  

    *CHEM 111 Introductory Chemistry Lab 

    *CHEM 114 Introductory Organic and Biological Chemistry   

    *CHEM 112 Introductory Organic and Biological Chemistry Lab 

    **BIOL 291/293 Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab  

    **BIOL 292/294 Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab  

    *BIOL 353/357 Microbiology with Lab  

TOTAL 

1 Hours (in parenthesis) may also fulfill university requirements
and are not included in total major hours

 

(3)¹

 

 

(3)¹

(3)¹

3

 

(3)¹

1

(3)¹

1

4

4

4

32

ELECTIVES  
Minimum  0          
TOTAL MAJOR HOURS 78          
OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS  

*Minimum grade for most core courses  

**Minimum grade required for BIOL 291, 292, and NURS 310 

  Minimum total hours  

Courses numbered 0** do not count in
minimum hours required for degree.

C

B

131-134

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Degree Requirements - Suggested Course Sequence
Note: Some courses are offered only once a year in a specified semester. Failure to complete the courses in the specified semester as offered may delay admission to the nursing program by one year. Summers may be used to lower the loads during the long terms.

Freshman Year
Fall Semester:

·   CORE 110 The Question of Truth

·   BIBL 101 Life and Teachings of Jesus (3-0-3)

·   CHEM 111/113 Introductory Chemistry with Lab (3-0-3), (1-2-1)

·   ENGL 111 Composition and Rhetoric (3-0-3)

·   EXSC 100 Lifetime Wellness (1-2-1)

·   MATH 120 Quantitative Reasoning (3-0-3)

Spring Semester:

·   CORE 120 The Question of Identity

·   BIBL 102 Acts–Revelation (3-0-3)

·   CHEM 112/114 Introductory Organic and Biological Chemistry with Lab (3-0-3), (1-2-1)

·   ENGL 112 Composition and Literature (3-0-3)

·   PSYC 120 Introduction to Psychology or SOCI 111 Introduction to Sociology

·   EXSC Activity (0-3-1)

Summer Session:

·   BIBL 211 Message of the Old Testament (3-0-3)

·   ENGL Sophomore Literature (3-0-3)

 

Sophomore Year
Fall Semester:

·   CORE 220 The Question of Community

·   BIOL 291/293 Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab (3-0-3), (1-2-1)

·   BIOL 353/357 Microbiology with Lab (3-0-3), (1-2-1)

·   COMS 240 Speaking Well: Foundations of Rhetoric (3-0-3)

·   PSYC 232 Developmental Psychology (3-0-3)

Spring Semester:

·   CORE 320 The Question of Transcendence

·   BIOL 292/294 Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab (3-0-3), (1-2-1)

·   NURS 310 Pathophysiology (4-0-4)

·   EXSC Activity (0-3-1) PSYC 311 Elementary Statistics (3-0-3)

Summer Session

·   NURS 301 Introduction to Nursing Skills (Course is optional if student has CNA certification)

·   NURS 324 Dimensions of Professional Nursing (3-0-3) (online)

Junior Year
Fall Semester:

·   NURS 321 Health Assessment (2-2-4)

·   NURS 322 Process I - Fundamentals of Nursing (3-3-6)

·   NURS 323 Pharmacology (3-1-4)

Spring Semester:

·   NURS 335 Mental Health Nursing (3-0-3)

·   NURS 336 Process II - Nursing Care of the Childbearing and Childbearing Family (4-4-8)

·   Advanced Nursing elective  (3-0-3)

Summer Term 1 (May)

·   BIBL 440 Christian Vocation & Mission (2)

Senior Year
Fall Semester:

·   NURS 435 Community Health Nursing (3-0-3)

·   NURS 443 Nursing Theories and Research (3-0-3)

·   NURS 446 Process III - Medical-Surgical Nursing (4-4-8)

Spring Semester:

·   NURS 451 Process IV - Critical Care Nursing (3-3-6)

·   NURS 452 Leadership and Management (3-0-3)

·   NURS 495 Professional Nursing Capstone  (0-16-4)

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ARTICULATION PROGRAM FOR REGISTERED NURSES   

Admission Requirements
Before being admitted to the nursing program, a student must be admitted to ACU and satisfy the admission requirements of the Bachelor of Applied Studies program. In addition, a separate admission process is required for students to be admitted to the School of Nursing. Acceptance into the lower-level courses and BAS program does not guarantee that students will be selected for enrollment into the School of Nursing.

The selection process for admission to the School of Nursing is highly competitive. The selection process is based on your cumulative GPA of all schools attended. The available seats will be given to those scoring the highest on these criteria. The School of Nursing will review all applicants with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Applicants seeking admission by transfer must meet all the standards required by the university. Nursing core courses completed with a letter grade of less than “C” will not be accepted toward the Bachelor of Applied Studies in Nursing degree.

Bachelor of Applied Studies Admission Requirements

1.        Minimum age of 25;

2.        Minimum of two years work or volunteer experience;

3.        Interview with BAS advisor;

4.        BAS Application and non-refundable fee;

5.        Satisfactory official transcripts of all previous college work;

6.        A two-page, typed statement of purpose;

7.        Two letters of recommendation from non-family members.

Graduation Requirement
A minimum of 34 hours must be completed at ACU to receive a Bachelor of Applied Studies in Nursing degree.

Application Process
To make application the student must be admitted and have completed 45 semester hours of nursing prerequisites. Any remaining prerequisites must be completed prior to the start of the fall semester of the senior year. Applicants must make personal contact with the PHSSN Director of Student Services prior to January.

The deadline for submitting application is the first week of April of the same year. Students must verify that ALL transcripts from transferring institutions have been submitted and processed by ACU. If your materials are not submitted and processed by the first week of January of the same year, you will NOT receive credit in the evaluation process for completion of coursework taken at other institutions.

 

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School of Nursing Requirements   
Students accepted to the RN-BASN Articulation program are required to have:

  1. Been accepted to the ACU BAS program. All entrance requirements applicable to the BAS student apply to the registered nurse student.

  2. A current unencumbered Texas RN License with the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners;

  3. Current CPR certification; American Heart Association CPR for Health Care Provider or American Red Cross for Professional Rescuer required;

  4. A current physical examination (form provided by PHSSN with application);

  5. Proof of successful completion of a Physical Assessment Course approved by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners;

  6. Achieved a total percentile score of 75 or greater on the NLN Physical Assessment Exam;

  7. Demonstrated competence through a head-to-toe physical exam observed by faculty;
     
  8. Successfully passed the NLN RN Mobility II Examination (ACE II) administered by the School of Nursing. Successful completion of examination will earn 29 hours of upper- level nursing credit. The examination must be taken prior to the fall semester in which the registered nurse will enter the School of Nursing. It is highly recommended that students take the Mobility exam before starting any of their work for the baccalaureate degree;

  9. An Associate of Science in Nursing or diploma from an accredited program;

  10. 34 hours of remaining courses needed for degree at ACU.

RN Articulation Courses Senior Year

Note: Students attending ACU must fulfill the university requirements set forth for the BASN.

 

SENIOR YEAR

 

**NURS 310 Pathophysiology (offered Spring or Summer)  

**NURS 323 Pharmacology  

**NURS 321 Health Assessment  

**NURS 335 Mental Health Nursing  

Total Credit Hours  

**Students may either receive transfer credit, challenge the course or enroll in the course to receive credit for the course.

4

4

4

3

15

Fall Semester

    NURS 460 Professional Nursing  

    NURS 461 RN – Evidence-based Practice I  

    NURS 443 Nursing Theories and Research (writing-

         intensive course)  

Total Credit Hours  

 

3

6

 

3

12

RN Articulation Courses (Continued) 

Spring Semester

    NURS 462 RN – Evidenced-based Practice II  

    NURS 452 Leadership and Management  

    NURS 435 Community Health Nursing  

Total Credit Hours 

 

6

3

3

12

Course Descriptions

Please see the Course Descriptions section of this catalog . Courses offered by the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing include those with the following designation: NURS.

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