Jenny Schuessler, Ph.D., RN, Dean
Tanner Health System School of Nursing • 678-839-6552
https://www.westga.edu/nursing
Professor:
J. Schuessler (Dean)
Associate Professors:
M. Bishop, C. Brown, L. Caramanica, J. Carlisle, A. Farmer, L. Robinson, W. Taylor, S. Welch (Associate Dean)
Assistant Professors:
C. Barbour, C. Berding, J. Bryan, N. Capponi (Interim Associate Dean), B. Cates, L. Cody, J. Crager (Experiential Learning Center Director), O. Duah, K. Dyar, J. Gandia, S. Jonassen, T. McClenny, P. Moran, D. Morris, L. Patterson, L. Phillips, S. Richter (MSN Director), J. Ruvalcaba, E. Santiago, D. Volkert (Ed.D. Director), C. Whitley, D. Wise
The Tanner Health System School of Nursing at the University of West Georgia offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree with two tracks. The first track, for pre-licensure students with programs in Carrollton and Newnan, prepares graduates who are eligible to apply to take NCLEX-RN, the national licensing examination to become a registered nurse (RN). The second track, the RN to BSN track, is for individuals who are licensed registered nurses with associate degrees or diplomas in nursing. Students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program for Registered Nurses (RN to BSN) will be granted transfer credit for ASN/ADN and Diploma courses as defined by University of West Georgia policies and/or as described in the Georgia RN to BSN Articulation Agreement. The BSN curriculum combines a strong foundation in the arts, sciences, and humanities with a unique program emphasizing the art and science of nursing. Courses are taught using online and face-to-face instruction. Agencies utilized for clinical experiences in the BSN program include, but are not limited to, hospitals, home health, public health, schools, and industry.
Mission Statement
The University of West Georgia, Tanner Health System School of Nursing exemplifies academic excellence in a caring environment by providing quality undergraduate and graduate education to meet current and evolving health care needs within the global community.
Program Objectives
- Provide holistic nursing care to persons (individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations) across the continuum of healthcare in a variety of settings at local and global levels, focusing on health promotion and disease and injury prevention across the lifespan.
- Practice quality caring as the essence of nursing for persons of diverse cultures, values, beliefs, and lifestyles.
- Utilize critical thinking and clinical reasoning based on theoretical, empirical, and experiential knowledge from the liberal arts and sciences to provide safe, competent, evidence-based care.
- Communicate and collaborate effectively within inter-professional teams utilizing technology and information systems to improve health outcomes and healthcare systems.
- Participate in analysis, critique, and reform of healthcare regulatory, policy, and financial systems that influence nursing and healthcare environments.
- Apply leadership and management principles to empower nurses and achieve high standards of quality and safety in the delivery of person-centered care.
- Assume altruistic legal and ethical responsibility and accountability for personal and professional behavior.
- Utilize effective teaching strategies to empower persons to achieve healthcare goals.
Accreditation
The BSN program has approval of the Georgia Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Information about approval and/or accreditation may be obtained from the following:
Georgia Board of Nursing
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, Georgia 31217-3858
478-207-1640
www.sos.state.ga.us/pbl/m/
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
655 K Street, NW, Suite 750
Admission Requirements
Admission to the BSN Program is a separate and independent process that occurs after admission to the University of West Georgia. It is competitive and spaces are limited. Students who wish to pursue a degree in nursing should consult with a nursing advisor. Because of the limited number of spaces available in the BSN program and the academic demands of the program, applications of all students who meet the minimum admission requirements will be evaluated by the BSN Admissions Committee, and the most qualified students will be selected. This evaluation and selection process includes current students, transfer students, and students seeking readmission.
Pre-licensure BSN Track
In addition to the admission requirements for the University of West Georgia, students applying for admission to the Pre-licensure BSN Program must have a program grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. All students should refer to the nursing website for up-to-date admission criteria (www.westga.edu/academics/nursing/index.php)
RN to BSN Track for Registered Nurses
In addition to the admission requirements for the University of West Georgia, students applying for admission to the RN to BSN Program should refer to the website for up-to-date admission criteria www.westga.edu/academics/nursing/index.php
Criminal Background Check & Drug Screen
Healthcare facilities are requiring nursing students to have a certified criminal background check and drug screen, required yearly for participation in clinical learning opportunities. Inability to complete these requirements may interfere with successful completion of degree requirements.
Academic Standards
Nursing students must maintain a semester grade point average of 2.0 (“C”) to progress in the BSN program. A minimum grade of “C” is required in all major courses. Major courses are defined as all required nursing courses plus Anatomy and Physiology I & II and Medical Microbiology. Pre-licensure BSN students must complete the nursing sequence within four academic years. Students who receive a “W”, “F”, “WF”, or “U” in any nursing course may repeat that course one time only on a space available basis. Students who receive any two of the following: “W”, “F”, “WF”, or “U” in any two nursing courses may not continue in the program. Students who fail a course in the first semester of the program must compete and reapply for readmission with the next applicant pool.
Expenses
In addition to the general university fees listed in this current bulletin, nursing students will have expenses related to the purchase of books, uniforms, professional liability insurance, and criminal background check and drug screen; lab practicum and testing fees; required immunizations; and transportation to clinical laboratory experiences. For more information, please refer to the BSN Student Handbook at www.westga.edu/nursing/ and click on the Students, then Current Students links.
Curriculum
The BSN Program pre-licensure track requires 123 semester credit hours for graduation while the RN to BSN Program requires 120 semester credit hours. The BSN Program combines a rich and liberal foundation in the arts, sciences, and humanities with a unique program emphasizing the art and science of nursing.
Note:
The following pre-licensure BSN and RN to BSN programs of study are subject to change. At its sole discretion, the University may revise this schedule and any information contained herein, without advance notice. No contract, either expressly or implied, is created by this schedule.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing