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The School of Nursing mission:  The School of Nursing is committed to the delivery of high quality education, provision of service to the community, and promotion of the profession of nursing.

For General Information

Kim Dinsey-Read, Ph.D., MSN, MBA, RN

Annette Johnson, Academic Administrative Assistant II

Shawnee State University
940 Second Street
Portsmouth, Ohio 45662-4344

Phone: 740.351.3210

E-mail: kdinseyread@shawnee.edu
           ajohnson@shawnee.edu        
          

Selective Admission Criteria

Fulfilling the criteria for admission into a SSU nursing program does not automatically guarantee entrance into the program. The number of candidates who meet the minimal criteria for admission may exceede the number of vacancies. If this occurrs, the School will rank candidates using selected criteria in addition to the minimal admission requirements. For example, additional criteria may include, but is not limited to, college grade point average and completion of additional coursework in college level biology, mathematics, and chemistry. Information about the criteria used for the ranking of applicants may be obtained by contacting the Director of the School of Nursing.

Clinical Sites

The nursing programs utilize hospital, nursing home, and other community based clinical sites for the completion of their requirements for graduation. These affiliating sites have the exclusive right to accept or reject a student, which could result in a student being delayed in a program or unable to complete the requirements for graduation. A conviction record for certain classes of misdemeanors or any felony may result in ineligibility for licensure in specific health occupations. Also, the affiliating clinical sites have the right to reject students due to a criminal record.

Nursing Class Scheduling

The majority of all nursing classes are scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. However, it may be necessary to schedule required classes in English, natural sciences, and humanities during the evening hours as the required clinical and laboratory times in the nursing courses involve many hours during the 8:00 to 5:00 day schedules.

In order to protect the health of newborn babies, students are not permitted to schedule clinical assignments (medical-surgical, psychiatric, etc.) and mother/baby clinical to follow on the same day. There must be a minimum of 12 hours between these clinical assignments.

The RN-BSN Program nursing coursework and GEP courses are all scheduled online offerings.

Guidelines for Appealing a Dismissal From a Nursing Program

Each of the programs within the School of Nursing has minimum academic and clinical performance standards that permit a student to continue in the program. Failure to meet these standards may result in dismissal from the program. Information concerning the performance standards is available in this catalog, the School of Nursing Student Handbook, and from the School’s Director.

Dismissal from Nursing programs may be appealed by the following process.

• Within three working days following a dismissal notification a request in writing to appeal the dismissal must be made to the Director of the School of Nursing. The Director will notify the student of the result of this appeal within three working days following the meeting.
• The Director’s decision may be appealed by submitting a written request to the director to arrange for a review by the dean (or designee), the director(or designee), and the provost (or designee). The student will be informed of the result of this review within two working days following that meeting.

Dismissal from a nursing program is not the same as dismissal from the University. University dismissal policies are outlined in this catalog under the section titled ”Academic Policies.”

 Admission Requirements for School of Nurisng Programs

The following requirements apply:

• New students must submit an application to Shawnee State University, along with an application for admission to the Nursing program and the current nonrefundable application fee. Application to Nursing Programs are located on the SSU website at https://www.shawnee.edu/admission-and-financial-aid/undergraduate-admission/admission-requirements-selective-degrees
• Current Shawnee State students must submit an application for admission to the chosen nursing program, along with the current nonrefundable application fee. Application to Nursing Programs are located on the SSU website at https://www.shawnee.edu/admission-and-financial-aid/undergraduate-admission/admission-requirements-selective-degrees
• Official high school transcript or GED test score transcript (along with partial high school transcript) and all official college transcripts must be submitted.

Please note: Transcripts may be sent directly from the high school to admissions@shawnee.edu or applicants may hand carry the transcript in an envelope sealed with a guidance counselor’s signature. The University reserves the right to verify the final, official authenticity of any student’s transcript. Any transcript document found to be fraudulent becomes the student’s responsibility and the University reserves the right to withdraw admission acknowledgment and/or approval of acceptance.

College transcripts must be sent directly from the school to Shawnee State to “be official.” Photocopies, fax, and unofficial transcripts are not accepted.

• Students are not considered for admission to a nursing program until all minimum admission requirements are completed.

 Once a student has been officially accepted into a nursing program the following are requirements:

• Physical Examination. Forms are provided by the nursing department during program orientation.  Student must submit the physical on the required form.
• State/Federal BCI (background checks), Drug Screenings, Immunizations, Basic Life Support CPR certification, and documentation of annual influenza vaccinations.  These are required as part of clinical affiliation agreements.  Students will receive information about these requirements during program orientation.  All documents must be complete and on file at the School of Nursing prior to the first day of class.

Questions regarding admission procedures or application status should be directed to the School of Nursing at 740-351-3210.

Deadline for Receipt of ALL Application Materials:

After the application deadlines listed below, students who have completed application materials may be considered for acceptance on the basis of space available in the program and the academic qualifications of the student.

March 1 or until class is filled
           Associate Degree Nursing (Fall Semester entry)
           BSN (Pre-licensure Pathway) (Fall Semester entry)

September 1 or until class is filled

           Associate Degree Nursing (Spring Semester entry)

Master of Science in Nursing

The Master of Science in Nursing degree is designed for Registered Nurses (RNs) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited program who are interested in pursuing an advanced practice degree to further their professional knowledge and skills.

The MSN is professionally-focused to prepare students with advanced nursing knowledge for career advancement in their selected concentration of study: Nursing Education or Nursing Leadership. The program culminates in capstone practicums and a project devised by the student, with guidance from a faculty advisor and qualified preceptor, focused on an area of nursing practice in their concentration of study. The practicum and project offer opportunities for significant experiential learning and demonstration of specialized knowledge and skills developed throughout the MSN program.

The MSN program consists of 36 semester hours. This includes 15 credit hours of core coursework and 21 credit hours in the student’s chosen concentration, nursing education or nursing leadership.

Admission Requirements

All admission decisions are made by the MSN Program Director, and the School of Nursing Graduate Admissions Committee.

Admission requirements of SSU Graduate programs include earned bachelor’s degree in acceptable field of study for the intended graduate degree and minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (4.0 system). Conditional degree status may be granted to applicants with an overall GPA less than 3.0 but have a discipline specific GPA higher than 3.0, contingent on approval of the Graduate Program Director. In addition to these requirements, MSN program applicants must submit

1) Transcripts of Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (traditional BSN or RN-BSN) from a regionally accredited college or university

2) Documentation of 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA (4.0 system). If Conditional Degree Status, applicants must have an undergraduate 2.5 GPA minimum and a Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score above the 50^th percentile

3) Current, unencumbered Registered Nursing License 

4) 1000 hours of work experience as a Registered Nurse 

5) Personal statement of purpose  

6) Current Resume/Vita  

7) Two letters of recommendation from employers or professors addressing applicant’s potential to succeed in a graduate program 

8) Undergraduate course in Statistics 

MSN Program Outcomes

1. Disseminate scholarly inquiry findings from nursing science and related disciplines to facilitate clinical judgment and improve outcomes. (AACN Essentials, 2021, Domain 1 Knowledge for Nursing Practice; Domain 4 Scholarship for the Nursing Discipline; Domain 5 Quality and Safety)
2. Collaborate across professions to optimize healthcare and strengthen outcomes. (AACN Essentials, 2021, Domain 2 Person-Centered Care; Domain 6 Interprofessional Partnerships)
3. Promote policy change or development to incorporate principles of social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. (AACN Essentials, 2021, Domain 3 Population Health)
4. Apply informatics processes and communication technologies in accordance with best practice, professional and regulatory standards, and workplace policies. (AACN Essentials, 2021, Domain 8 Informatics and Healthcare Technologies)
5. Demonstrates moral and ethical comportment in practice and leadership roles. (AACN Essentials, 2021, Domain 9 Professionalism)
6. Demonstrate flexibility in promoting change within complex environments to advance the profession of nursing. (AACN Essentials, 2021, Domain 7 Systems-Based Practice; Domain 10 Personal, Professional, & Leadership Development)

Deadline for Receipt of ALL Application Materials for the MSN program:

After the application deadlines listed below, students who have completed application materials may be considered for acceptance on the basis of space available in the program and the academic qualifications of the student.

Fall, 2024: August 19, 2024

Spring, 2025: January 6, 2025

Summer, 2025: May 5, 2025

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