Mission

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.

Philosophy

The PHSSN functions within the structure of an educational consortium consisting of Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University and McMurry University. We accept the underlying philosophy and objectives of the consortium universities that individuals be educationally prepared in a manner that promotes the development of intellectual, cultural, moral and religious values. Faculty believe the role of private, church related universities is to provide the scientific and liberal arts foundation and the moral and religious values needed for individuals seeking intellectual, spiritual, cultural and economic self-improvement

Faculty believe that nursing is a profession that is responsive to the changing health care needs of individuals and is supported by an ever-changing foundation of knowledge from both the arts and the sciences. This knowledge establishes a foundation for development of a core competency in professional nursing. Nurses, through study and interdisciplinary collaborations, expand their understanding of health, environment and person. This expansion of knowledge provides a holistic foundation for nursing care.

Faculty believe that development of critical thinking, communication, clinical skills, creativity and self-direction are essential elements in nursing education. Through the educational process faculty seek to promote awareness of social, cultural, racial and ethnic diversity, and provide opportunities for students to experience success in their professional pursuits. We value diversity in both students and faculty, believing it enriches professional growth and development. The educational process is a shared responsibility between faculty and students that promotes progressive mastery and increased learner maturity.

Faculty believe that baccalaureate education in nursing prepares a generalist capable of providing and coordinating care to clients. Faculty believe that graduates of baccalaureate nursing programs should be able to synthesize information from various disciplines, reason logically, analyze critically, apply principles of teaching and learning and communicate effectively with clients and other health care professionals. Faculty expect graduates to be able to apply knowledge exemplifying legal, ethical and professional standards in formulation of judgment and performance of skills in a broad range of clinical situations and settings. Graduates of PHSSN are able to demonstrate entry level competencies and function in the role of Provider of Care, Coordinator of Care and as a Member of a Profession.

Implicit in the practice of professional nursing is the acceptance of accountability for lifelong learning as foundation for professional growth, competent practice and effective leadership. Lifelong commitment to intellectual inquiries supports optimal development of both the individual and the profession. (Adopted Spring 2004)

Admissions

Acceptance by and admission to the parent university does not quarentee that the student will be selected for enrollment in the School of Nursing. A separate admission process is required for a student to be admitted to PHSSN. Admission is competitive, and the size of each class is determined by the availability of space and clinical facilities.

The School of Nursing will review all applications with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in the lower division nursing curriculum based on a 4.00 scale. Nursing core courses completed with a letter grade less than C will not be accepted toward the Bachelor of Science in Nursing or the Bachelor of Applied Studies in Nursing degrees.

Students are also required to take and successfully complete a nursing entrance exam (ERI)

Students must have ALL nursing core prerequisites completed before entering the PHSSN.

Students must complete a Certified Nurse Aid (CNA) program or equivalent before entering PHSSN. The School of Nursing offers a Introduction Nursing Skills Course that will meet the requirement.

Students must successfully complete a Pathophysiology course with at least a grade of "C" before entering PHSSN.

Students must apply for admission to PHSSN. The deadline for submitting application for admission in to the fall 2008 semester is from November 1, 2007 until February 15, 2008 at 5:00 PM. Late applications will NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Once accepted, students must submit evidence of physical examination and of physical health that is consistent with meeting the objectives of the program. Tetanus, diphtheria, and hepatitis B immunizations are required. If not administered, a physician's statement is requried. Rubella screening is required. Immunizations will be necessary if screening titer indicates lack of immunity. Evidence of negative tuberculosis must be presented. Health reports and test results will be availalbe to health agencies used for student learning upon request by an authorized representative of the agency.

Students who have any physical or mental disabilities (i.e. ADD, ADHD) must provide official medical documentation of the disability and information in regard to his or her ability to meet the requirements of the program.

Undergraduate Program Purpose

Baccalaureate nursing education prepares the graduate for the practice of professional nursing. It prepares a 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. The School of Nursing exists for the purpose of preparing entry-level professional nurses whose personal, social and professional potentials have been developed to provide a foundation for continued growth and learning. The courses and clinical experiences are designed to help students understand and integrate the role of the professional nurse in today's complex world of health care.

Through the educational process, faculty seek to promote awareness of social, cultural and ethnic diversity as well as legal/ethical issues in nursing and to provide opportunities for students to experience success and satisfaction in their professional pursuits. The faculty of PHSSN exist for the purpose of contributing to excellence in nursing, the body of knowledge of nursing, teaching, research, and public service. Further, the nursing faculty provides the professional nursing student an environment in which classroom theory may be applied and evaluated under close supervision in a clinical setting. The undergraduate program provides a foundation for graduate education.

Program Outcomes

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

• Use the nursing process as a guide to deliver ethical and competent comprehensive nursing care to clients in a variety of settings.
• Demonstrate responsibility and accountability to clients, other health care workers and the profession of nursing.
• Communicate effeciently with clients and other members of the health care team.
• Demonstrate leadership and management skills in the delivery of health care services and the practice of professional nursing.
• Use research findings and community resources in interacting with clients to promote wellness and facilitate restoration of health or a dignified death.
• Accept accountability for practice behaviors, action and responsibility for life long personal and professional development.

Board of Nurse Examiners

The Board of Nurse Examiners has identified certain circumstances that may render a potential candidate ineligible for licensure as a registered nurse in the State of Texas. The Board provides individuals the opportunity to petition the Board of Declaratory Order as to their eligibility in accordance with article 4519(a) of the Nursing Practice Act.

If you are required to answer “YES” to any of the following questions, please detach the request for a Declaratory Order Petition on the back of this page and return it to the Board’s office. Remember, only if you answer “YES” to one of the questions, do you need to fill out the Declaratory Order Petition. Processing your Petition may take 6 to 9 months or longer, depending on your circumstances. Once all requested documents have been received, the Petition will be submitted to the Legal Department for review. You will be notified when the review is complete.

1. Have you ever been denied licensure by any licensing/certifying authority in any country, state, or province?

2. Have you ever had disciplinary action taken against you by any licensing/certifying authority in any country, state, or province?

3. Have you ever been convicted of a crime or received deferred order, with or without an adjudication of guilt, for felony or misdemeanor offense other than a minor traffic violation?

4. Have you ever been diagnosed with or treated or hospitalized in the past five (5) years for schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, paranoid personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or borderline personality disorder. (You may answer “no” if you have complete and/or are in compliance with TPAPN for mental illness.)

5. Have you been addicted or treated for the use of alcohol or any other drug within the past five (5) years? ( You may answer “no” if you have completed and/or are in compliance with TPAPN for substance abuse.)

6. Have you been issued any order concerning your eligibility for examination or licensure by this Board or have you ever received a proposal of ineligibility from the Board?