Tanner Health System School of Nursing

Jenny Schuessler, Ph.D., RN, Dean
Tanner Health System School of Nursing • 678-839-6552
http://nursing.westga.edu

Professors:

M. Byrne, C. Epps (Associate Dean), J. Schuessler (Dean), L. Ware (Associate Dean)

Associate Professors:

B. Bar, L. Caramanica, J. Carlisle, S. Welch

Assistant Professors:

C. Barbour, M. Bishop, C. Berding, C. Brown, J. Bryan, L. Cody, J. Crager, M. Downs, K. Dyar, A. Farmer, R. Mahmoud, L. Mason Barber, T. McClenny, P. Moran, D. Morris, L. Patterson, S. Richter, L. Robinson, D. Volkert, 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 traditional students, 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 completion track, is for individuals who are licensed registered nurses. Students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program for Registered Nurses (RN-BSN) will be granted transfer credit for ASN and Diploma courses as defined by University of West Georgia policies and as described in the Georgia RN-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 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
One Dupont Circle, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036-1120
www.aacn.nche.edu
202-887-6791

Admission Requirements

Admission to the BSN Program in both Carrollton and Newnan 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 before declaring pre-nursing as a major. 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.

Traditional BSN Track

In addition to the admission requirements for the University of West Georgia, students applying for admission to the Traditional 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-BSN Track for Registered Nurses

In addition to the admission requirements for the University of West Georgia, students applying for admission to the RN-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 back-ground check and drug screen, required yearly for participation in clinical learning opportunities. Inability to complete the 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. Traditional 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 in-formation, please refer to the BSN Student Handbook at www.westga.edu/academ-ics/nursing/index.php and click on the Current Students link.

Curriculum

The BSN Program requires 120 semester credit hours for graduation and combines a rich and liberal foundation in the arts, sciences, and humanities with a unique program emphasizing the art and science of nursing.

Programs

Bachelor of Science in Nursing