Ira D. Pruitt Division of Nursing

MARSHA A. CANNON, CHAIRPERSON

General Information

This is an associate degree program approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing and accredited by The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. The curriculum consists of six consecutive semesters (two academic years and two summer semesters). Sequential nursing courses begin in the second semester of the program. In addition, fifteen semester hours in biological science, six semester hours in behavioral science, six semester hours in English, and three hours in humanities/fine arts are required. Upon successful completion of the prescribed course of study, totaling seventy-two semester hours, the student is qualified to receive the degree of Associate in Science and is eligible to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination for the Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN).

The legal requirements established by the Alabama Board of Nursing for licensure as a registered nurse are detailed in the Alabama Board of Nursing Administrative Code. Applicants who have been found guilty of any offenses listed in the Code may be denied licensure by the Alabama Board of Nursing. Any applicant who has had a criminal conviction, alcohol and/or drug abuse/treatment or mental illness must provide the Alabama Board of Nursing with a full explanation and the appropriate court/treatment records at the time of application for examination and licensure. The Alabama Board of Nursing will determine whether or not the applicant may write the examination and be licensed as a registered nurse.

Students in the nursing program are required to purchase authorized nursing uniforms, a liability insurance policy, and pay a fee for standardized achievement tests. In addition, a fee is charged the first semester of nursing courses for background screening and drug testing. Travel to and from clinical facilities for laboratory experiences must be arranged by the student.

Students enrolled in clinical nursing courses must meet the following requirements established by the Alabama Board of Nursing and clinical agencies utilized by the nursing program for clinical laboratory experiences:

1. Completion of the Essential Functions Form
2. Verification of current certification in cardiopulmonary certification
3. Medical verification that the student is free from tuberculosis (skin test or chest X-ray)
4. Verification of immunization for hepatitis B or signed waiver
5. Verification of a negative drug screen according to guidelines established by the clinical agencies utilized by the nursing program.
6. Background screening conducted according to guidelines established by the clinical agencies utilized by the nursing program with adherence to the Background Screening Policy located in the Division of Nursing Student Handbook.
    

The Division of Nursing meets all requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Each applicant to the nursing program receives a list of essential functions necessary for participation in the nursing program. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the Chairperson of the Division of Nursing of any reasonable accommodations necessary for successful completion of the nursing program.

Students admitted to the Division of Nursing are required to comply with the Alabama Infected Health Care Worker Management Act. This legislation mandates that any health care worker infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or the hepatitis B virus (HBV) who performs invasive procedures shall notify the State Health Officer, or his designee, of the infection.

Mission and Goals

The mission of the Ira D. Pruitt Division of Nursing is to provide a quality education program which prepares competent, caring and culturally sensitive graduates who have the knowledge and ability to meet the diverse and changing health care needs of a global society. The Division of Nursing strives to fulfill the mission by valuing the development of independent thinking, respecting the ideas of others, promoting the development of personal integrity and character as well as the pursuit of knowledge.

Policies

1. Admission Requirements
   Applicants for admission to this program, in addition to meeting all requirements for admission to the University, must:
   
   1. Have acceptable credit for secondary or post-secondary biology.
   2. Have a minimum ACT composite score of 21 for unconditional admission. A student with an ACT composite score of 19 or 20 OR a grade point average of at least 3.0 in required general education courses may be considered for conditional admission. Applicants who meet the requirements for unconditional admission will be admitted upon receipt of ACT scores and transcripts of courses completed at other institutions. Applicants who meet the requirements for conditional admission will not be considered for admission until after March 1.
   3. In addition to ACT scores, all applicants are evaluated according to grade point average in required general education courses completed prior to application for admission.
   4. Applicants who hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited post-secondary institution may be considered for exemption of the ACT requirement.

2. Progression Requirements
   In order to progress in the nursing program, students must:
   
   1. Achieve a minimum grade of “C” (80%) in each nursing course attempted.
   2. Achieve a minimum grade of “C” in each general education course.
   3. Maintain a cumulative grade point ratio of 2.0 in general education course requirements.
   4. Achieve a clinical laboratory grade of “satisfactory” in each nursing course.
   5. Maintain current CPR certification, negative TB skin test or chest X-ray, and negative drug screen.
       

Failure to meet any of the above admission and progression requirements results in academic dismissal from the nursing program. In addition to academic dismissal, the student’s enrollment in the nursing program may be terminated at any time if, in the judgment of the nursing faculty, the student demonstrates behaviors inappropriate to nursing practice. Students whose health status and/or clinical performance jeopardizes the clients assigned to his/her care may also be dismissed from the nursing program. Misconduct will be handled according to the Code of Conduct as outlined in the University of West Alabama Student Handbook and the Progression Policy of the Division of Nursing.

3. Graduation Requirements
   Candidates for graduation must have met the progression requirements of the Division of Nursing as well as all University graduation requirements as outlined in the General Catalogue. In addition, a minimum of one academic year in residence and completion of 28 semester hours credit in nursing must be earned at UWA.
   
   Further information on the nursing program can be obtained by writing to the Chairperson, Ira D. Pruitt Division of Nursing, Station 28, the University of West Alabama, Livingston, Alabama 35470.