Nursing

For LPN Mobility Program Policies, click here.
For Paramedic Mobility Program Policies, click here.

NURSING PROGRAM POLICIES
 

Note: Subject to change due to statewide standardization of nursing programs.

General Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements for the College, admission to the Nursing Program requires:

1. Unconditional admission to the College
2. 2.5 grade point average (GPA) calculated on completed academic core courses
3. Meeting minimum admission test score on the ACT
4. Current or previous Southern Union students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA or higher at SUSCC.
5. Transfer students must enter SUSCC on clear academic status (cumulative2.0 GPA)
6. Official transcripts received by Records Office (Wadley Campus) from ALL post-secondary institutions attended (or official transcripts from high school/ GED scores for those who have never attended college)
7. Meeting eligibility requirements for English 101 and Math 100 and satisfaction of the College reading requirement
8. An official score on ACT National or ACT Residual with a minimum composite score of 18.
9. Submission of application for the Nursing Program by deadline

Admission to the Nursing Program is competitive, and the number of students admitted is limited by the number of clinical facilities available. After meeting minimal application requirements, applicants are rank-ordered for acceptance using a points system based on score on ACT National or ACT Residual (minimum composite score of 18) and quality points from selected college courses. Students may be eligible to earn additional points (Maximum of 10 points). See program application for details. Meeting minimal requirements does not guarantee acceptance.

Effective summer 2020, all students admitted to the Nursing Program are eligible to take semesters 1-5 of the Nursing Program. Students are admitted to the SUSCC Nursing Program each semester. The Opelika campus admits students in the spring and fall semesters. The Wadley campus admits students for the summer semester. Semesters 1-5 of the Nursing Program are offered on the Opelika campus. Semesters 1-3 of the Nursing Program are offered on the Wadley campus. Students admitted to the Wadley campus will attend fourth and fifth semester classes on the Opelika campus.

Progression Requirements

In order to continue in the nursing program, the student must:

1. Achieve a grade of C or better in all required general education and nursing courses.
2. Be accepted by all clinical agencies for clinical experiences.
3. Maintain program health requirements.
4. Maintain ability to meet essential functions for nursing with or without reasonable accommodations.

Definitions:

Reinstatement: Students who have a withdrawal or failure in a nursing course and are eligible to return to that course will be considered for reinstatement to the program.

Readmission: Students not eligible for program reinstatement may apply for program ad- mission as a new student and must submit all new application criteria. If accepted as a new student, the student must take or retake all Nursing Program courses.

Reinstatement Policy

In order to progress in the nursing program the following policy should be followed:

1. A total of two unsuccessful attempts in two separate semesters (D, F, or W) in the Nursing Program will result in dismissal from the program.
2. A student may be reinstated to the Nursing Program only one time. The reinstatement is not guaranteed due to limitations in clinical spaces. All Nursing Program admission standards must be met.
3. A student must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the current institution for reinstatement.
4. If a student has a documented extenuating circumstance that should be considered related to a withdrawal or failure, then this student may request a hearing before the Admission Committee or other appropriate college committee for a decision on repeating a course or readmission to the program.
5. Nursing students whose second unsuccessful attempt occurs in NUR211 or NUR221 are eligible to apply for the LPN Mobility program (NUR 209 entry). These students must meet all admission requirements for LPN Mobility, including a 2.5 cumulative GPA and valid Alabama Practical Nursing License.
6. Track II Mobility students who are unsuccessful in NUR 211 are eligible to apply for the LPN Mobility Program ( NUR 209 entry). These students must meet all admissions requirements for mobility, including a 2.5 cumulative GPA and valid Alabama Practical Nursing License.

Process for Reinstatement

1. Students who are unsuccessful or withdrawn from their first nursing course should schedule an appointment with the Health Sciences Advisor and/or Program Director to discuss eligibility for reinstatement.
2. Students who are eligible must apply for reinstatement to the Nursing Program and submit the application by published deadlines. Students who submit reinstatement requests after the deadline may be considered at next course availability. See program handbook for more detail.
3. Students must apply for readmission to the college if not currently enrolled. College readmission must be accomplished by published deadlines.
4. Reinstated students who have been out of nursing classes for more than one semester must repeat their criminal background check and drug testing.
5. Updated immunizations and other health records as required for clinical experiences must be submitted after reinstatement by the scheduled deadline.
6. Students applying for readmission will be required to demonstrate competency in clinical skills.
7. Students who are unsuccessful in NUR 112 or NUR 209 must apply for readmission as a new student to the program and are not eligible for reinstatement.

Transfer Policy

Students desiring to transfer from their current nursing program must meet minimum admission/progression standards for Southern Union’s Nursing Program.

1. Must possess a grade of C or better in all required general education courses taken at other regionally accredited institutions and possess a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative GPA at time of transfer.
2. Previous Southern Union students must have a minimum 2.0 at SUSCC.
3. Must be a student in good standing and eligible to return to the previous nursing program.
4. Provide a letter of recommendation from the Dean/Director of the previous program.
5. Complete at least 25% of the total program at the accepting institution.
6. Acceptance of transfer students into the Nursing Program is limited by the number of faculty and clinical facilities available. Meeting minimal standards does not guarantee acceptance.
7. No more than one (1) semester in which a grade of D or F has been earned in a nursing course.
8. Less than one (1) calendar year since enrolled in nursing course.

Comprehensive Exams

Students in the nursing program will be required to take comprehensive examinations at the end of nursing courses within the curriculum. The test results will be part of the course grade and may serve as the course final in selected courses. Students will be charged for these tests. To comply with graduation requirements, students in the nursing program will be required to take a comprehensive program exam in NUR 115: Evidence Based Clinical Reasoning and/or NUR 221: Advanced Evidence Based Clinical Reasoning.

PRACTICAL NURSING CERTIFICATE

Upon completion of semesters 1-3 of the Nursing Program, a Certificate is awarded and students are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Following successful completion of the examination, the graduate is eligible to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE

Upon completion of semesters 4 & 5 of the Nursing Program, the student is awarded the Associate in Applied Science Degree (ADN). Graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Following successful completion of the examination, the graduate is eligible to practice as a Registered Nurse.

Notes:

• Classes in italics may be taken prior to entering nursing or taken in consecutive nursing semesters.
• BIO 201 is a prerequisite for BIO 202.
• NUR 114 and NUR 115 are co-requisites. NUR 115 may only be taken with NUR 114, or after the successful completion of NUR 114.