Excellence in education and an unwavering commitment to student success.
Areas of Study
Nursing
Bachelor of Science
The Department of Nursing, an integral part of Wheeling University, seeks to fulfill the Catholic tradition of educational excellence and service to others. The mission of the Department of Nursing is to provide baccalaureate and graduate nursing education and service to the community. Through an integrated program of classroom and clinical practice, the graduate is prepared as a professional nurse to promote health/wellness in a variety of settings.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Wheeling University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
The goals of the Department of Nursing are:
1. To provide the following educational programs based on professional nursing standards and guidelines of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the West Virginia Nurse Practice Act.
- A baccalaureate program that prepares graduates to enter professional nursing practice and function competently at the entry level.
- A baccalaureate program that is accessible to registered nurses in the community and builds upon their knowledge.
- A graduate program that prepares registered nurses for professional leadership and advanced practice roles and to contribute to the development of nursing and health care knowledge.
2. To serve the campus community, the local community, and the nursing community.
The baccalaureate program reflects the AACN Essentials of Baccalaureate Education and the standards of the West Virginia Nurse Practice Act. These standards were developed from those of the American Nurses Association. The graduate programs reflect the AACN Essentials of Master’s Education. The Family Nurse Practitioner Program also follows the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner guidelines and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioner’s Standards of Practice.
Nurses are key to the health of a nation. Nurses are in every community providing expert care from birth to end of life. A registered nurse (RN) with a BSN prepares the graduate for many rewarding career opportunities. Numerous employers prefer applicants who have a 4-year BSN degree versus applicants with diplomas or associate degrees.
Nurses’ roles range from direct patient care and case management to establishing nursing practice standards, developing quality assurance policies and directing complex nursing care systems. Potential job opportunities upon graduation include: staff nurse, home health or hospice nurse, nurse manager, case manager, nurse researcher, information technologist, flight nurse, military nurse, public health nurse, legal consultant, insurance review, pharmaceutical sales, and nurse educator. The BSN degree also leads the way for a nurse to seek further education for a career in nursing administration or an Advanced Practice Specialist Role such as: nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist or certified nurse midwife.
The Nursing faculty believe in preparing their graduates for the “real world”. Based on this philosophy, clinical courses are designed to give the student practical experience in a variety of nursing settings. The faculty have expertise in the clinical setting where students practice, and many faculty members continue to practice in their specialties in addition to teaching in the classroom and clinical setting. Specific methods that prepare the nursing graduate to enter the work force and add marketability are: emphasis on the development of strong assessment skills; continual NCLEX review using computer-based software and testing; diverse clinical experiences in medical/surgical units, critical care units, emergency, obstetrics, pediatrics, school health, psychiatry, community health clinics, operating room, recovery room, and ambulatory care centers.
Outcomes of the Baccalaureate Curriculum
The graduates of the BSN nursing program will be expected to:
- Synthesize knowledge from the sciences and the humanities as a basis for theory and practice in nursing within an evidence-based practice framework.
- Communicate both written and orally with patients and with members of the interprofessional team in the promotion of health/wellness.
- Provide leadership for decision making related to safe, quality care following ethical principles.
- Integrate information management and patient care technologies into the delivery of safe, quality care.
- Synthesize altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity and social justice in nursing practice.
- Achieve a passing score on the NCLEX exam upon completion of the program.
Nursing Admission Requirements
Declared nursing majors must have the WU CORE requirements completed at the end of their sophomore year. Completion of these CORE courses is a consideration for admission to the nursing program.
To enter the nursing program and progress to junior year nursing courses, the student must have:
- an overall, cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.
- achieved a minimum score of 68% on the TEAS test.
- completed a background check and drug screen with clean results.
- all pre-requisite classes that are listed below must be completed and the student must have achieved a “C” or better in each course:
| BIOL 150 Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 credits |
| BIOL 151 Anatomy & Physiology lab | 1 credits |
| BIOL 152 Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 141 Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 142 Chemistry Lab | 1 credits |
| GSCI 215 Concepts of Epidemiology & Microbiology | 2 credits |
| MATH 115 or PSVC 115 Statistics | 3 credits |
| NURS 227 Clinical Nutrition | 2 credits |
| PHIL 305 Ethics | 3 credits |
| PSVC 110 General Psychology | 3 credits |
| PSVC 212 Developmental Psychology | 3 credits |
| Total | 27 credits |
Nursing Curriculum
Core Curriculum
33-35
The Wheeling University core curriculum provides all students, regardless of their major, with the skills that will allow them to pursue their own integral development and to contribute to the common good. All Wheeling University students must complete this Core Curriculum in addition to the requirements of their major. View Core Curriculum »
Nursing Curriculum
69
NURS 201
Pathophysiology
2 cr
Pathophysiology will focus on the comprehension of the following body systems; endocrine, neurological, cardiac, respiratory, and renal as a foundation for nursing care. It requires correlations between normal and abnormal A & P as well as the processes resulting in the manifestations of disease. Prerequisites: none.
Course Offered: Every Spring, Summer
NURS 203
Health Assessment
2 cr
This course introduces the concepts and techniques of health and cultural assessment of individuals and families across the life span, for use with the nursing process. Emphasis is on history taking, inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. Normal assessment findings, frequently, seen variations from normal, and cultural differences are discussed. The course introduces the concept of physical assessment across the lifespan.
Prerequisites: successful completion of NURS 227, PSYC 110, BIOL 150. Course Offered: Every Spring, Summer
NURS 227
Clinical Nutrition
2 cr
A study of clinical nutrition as it relates to the nurses role in promoting health. Grade options: A-F. Prerequisites: none.
Course Offered: Every Fall, Summer
NURS 230C
Fundamentals of Nursing (Clinical)
2 cr
Fundamentals of nursing provides the student with all the nursing concepts and skills needed as a beginning nurse. It is a study and practice of basic patient care.
Prerequisites: successful completion of NURS 227, BIOL 150, PSYC 110. Course Offered: Every Spring, Summer
NURS 230D
Fundamentals of Nursing
3 cr
Fundamentals of nursing provides the student with all the nursing concepts and skills needed as a beginning nurse. It is a study and practice of basic patient.
Prerequisites: successful completion of NURS 227, BIOL 150, PSYC 110. Course Offered: Every Spring, Summer
NURS 309C
Intro into Nursing (Clinical)
3 cr
This course examines the fundamental principles of the delivery of care for the medical surgical population. Health care issues and diseases are explored and students are introduced to basic nursing concepts. This course also covers the study of public health and community nursing.
Prerequisite: successful completion of NURS 227, NURS 230, BIOL 150, BIOL 152, PSYC 212, GSCI 215. Course Offered: Every Fall
NURS 309D
Intro into Nursing
3 cr
This course examines the fundamental principles of the delivery of care for the medical surgical population. Health care issues and diseases are explored and students are introduced to basic nursing concepts. This course also covers the study of public health and community nursing.
Prerequisites: successful completion of NURS 227, NURS 230, BIOL 150, BIOL 152, PSYC 212, GSCI 215. Course Offered: Every Fall
NURS 319C (O)
Maternal Health (Clinical)
2 cr
This course focuses on the care of clients with acute health care needs with emphasis on the maternal and newborn client. Health care (normal and abnormal) aspects of each client population. Health care issues are explored. Grade Option: A-F.
Prerequisites: NURS 227, NURS 230, NURS 309, NURS 327, NURS 329. Course Offered: Every Spring
NURS 319D (O)
Maternal Health
3 cr
This course focuses on the care of clients with acute health care needs with emphasis on the maternal and newborn client. Health care (normal and abnormal) aspects of each client population. Health care issues are explored. Grade Option: A-F.
Prerequisites: NURS 227, NURS 230, NURS 309, NURS 327, NURS 329. Course Offered: Every Spring
NURS 320C
Medical/Surgical Nursing 1 (Clinical)
2 cr
This course examines the care of patients with multisystem needs throughout the lifespan with major emphasis on the adult client. Lifelong care and prevention of complications are emphasized. Grade Option: A-F.
Prerequisites: NURS 230, NURS 309, NURS 327, NURS 329. Course Offered: Every Spring
NURS 320D
Medical/Surgical Nursing 1
3 cr
This course examines the care of patients with multisystem needs throughout the lifespan with major emphasis on the adult client. Lifelong care and prevention of complications are emphasized. Grade Option: A-F.
Prerequisites: NURS 230, NURS 309, NURS 327, NURS 329. Course Offered: Every Spring
NURS 326C
Mental Health Nursing (Clinical)
2 cr
This course focuses on mental illness specifically diagnosis, etiology, and treatments. The study of mental health is essential in order to understand the rationale for medical and psychological therapies. The nurse, as the regulator of the clinical environment, needs an understanding of these in order to coordinate nursing care. Grade Option: A-F.
Prerequisites: NURS 329, NURS 309, NURS 327. Course Offered: Every Spring
NURS 326D
Mental Health Nursing
3 cr
This course focuses on mental illness specifically diagnosis, etiology, and treatments. The study of mental health is essential in order to understand the rationale for medical and psychological therapies. The nurse, as the regulator of the clinical environment, needs an understanding of these in order to coordinate nursing care. Grade Option: A-F.
Prerequisites: NURS 329, NURS 309, NURS 327. Course Offered: Every Spring
NURS 327
Elements of Nursing Research
3 cr
This course is designed to introduce students to the process of research. Principles, types, and methods of research will be examined as they apply to the principles of evidence based practice in the care of individual families, and communities. Peer-reviewed research will be retrieved, critically appraised, and synthesized with regards to design, level of evidence, rigor, dissemination/translation to practice, and conduct to protect the rights of research subjects.
Prerequisites: MATH 115-junior standing in the nursing department. Course Offered: Every Fall
NURS 329
Pharmacology
2 cr
Assessing a patient’s response to drug therapy as an ongoing nursing responsibility. This course presents the principles of pharmacology as related to the nurses role in the assessment of the patient while promoting health.
Prerequisites: none-junior standing in the department of nursing. Course Offered: Every Fall
NURS 330 Pharmacology II
2 cr
NURS 335 Community & Public Health Nursing
3 cr
NURS 405C
Medical/Surgical Nursing II (Clinical)
4 cr
This clinical experience includes interventions in acute crisis as well as monitoring and promoting health maintenance.
Prerequisites: NURS 309, NURS 320. Course Offered: Every Fall, Summer
NURS 405D
Medical/Surgical Nursing II
3 cr
This course examines the care of patients with multisystem needs throughout the lifespan with major emphasis on the adult client. Lifelong care and prevention of complications are emphasized.
Prerequisites: NURS 309, NURS 320. Course Offered: Every Fall, Summer
NURS 406C
Pediatrics/Genetics (Clinical)
2 cr
This course focuses on the care of the pediatric client and their family with acute healthcare needs who require adaption across the lifespan. This course focuses on the needs of the child as a unit where they play, live and go to school.
Prerequisites: NURS 309, NURS 320. Course Offered: Every Fall, Summer
NURS 406D
Pediatrics/Genetics
2 cr
This course focuses on the care of the pediatric client and their family with acute healthcare needs who require adaption across the lifespan. This course focuses on the needs of the child as a unit where they play, live and go to school.
Prerequisites: NURS 309, NURS 320. Course Offered: Every Fall, Summer
NURS 422C
Critical Care Nursing (Clinical)
2 cr
This course examines care of the client with complex needs. Emphasis is placed on setting priorities in acute crisis as well as long term health to prioritize and make decisions while delivering complex care in varied settings.
Prerequisites: NURS 320. Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring
NURS 422D
Critical Care Nursing
3 cr
This course examines care of the client with complex needs. Emphasis is placed on setting priorities in acute crisis as well as long term health to prioritize and make decisions while delivering complex care in varied settings.
Prerequisites: NURS 320. Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring
NURS 423C
Leadership and Role Development/Precepting (Clinical)
4 cr
This course is the clinical portion for senior year nursing students to complete their precepting before graduation.
Prerequisites: NURS 320, NURS 405. *Satisfies EXSL Core Requirement. Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring
NURS 423D
Leadership and Role Development
2 cr
This course is designed as the didactic portion for senior year nursing students completing their precepting before graduation. The course is composed of case studies that are presented by the faculty and by the students to enable the students to combine knowledge from didactic learning with hands on nursing care.
Prerequisites: NURS 320, NURS 405. Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring
NURS 426
Nursing Trends and Issues
2 cr
This course focuses on analysis and discussion of current trends in nursing and the health care delivery system. Included is the consideration of the historical, social, political, economic, legal and ethical forces interacting with the issues in nursing.
Prerequisites: None. Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring
NURS 480
NCLEX Prep I
2 cr
The purpose of this course is to assist the senior level student in beginning to review nursing knowledge for the NCLEX-RN Exam. The course will help to develop skills in test taking strategies and review specific nursing content areas.
Prerequisites: None. Course Offered: Every Fall, Summer
NURS 481
NCLEX Prep II
2 cr
The purpose of this course is to assist the senior level student in beginning to review nursing knowledge for the NCLEX-RN Exam. The course will help to develop skills in test taking strategies and review specific nursing content areas.
Prerequisites: NURS 480 NURS 405, C & D, NURS 406 C& D. Course Offered: Every Fall, Summer
Electives
BIOL 101 Medical Terminology
2 cr
Total Credits
120
* Nursing majors may double count CHEM 141 AND MATH 115 in the core and in the major.
Nursing 4-Year Plan of Study
To graduate, all students must fulfill the core, major, and elective (if applicable) requirements.
Freshman Traditional Students
Fall Semester
BIOL 150 Anatomy & Physiology I
3cr
BIOL 151 Anatomy & Physiology Lab
1cr
PSYC 110 General Psychology
3cr
FYS
1cr
Core
3cr
Core
3cr
Total Credits
14cr
Spring Semester
BIOL 152 Anatomy & Physiology II
3cr
GSCI Intro to Epidemiology & Microbiology
2cr
PSYC 212 Developmental Psychology
3cr
Core
3cr
Core
2cr
Total Credits
14cr
Sophomore Traditional Students
Fall Semester
CHEM 141 Chemistry
3cr
CHEM 142 Chemistry Lab
1cr
MATH 115 Statistics
3cr
PHIL 305 Ethics
3cr
Core
3cr
Core/Elective
2cr
Total Credits
15cr
Spring Semester
NURS 201 Pathophysiology
2cr
NURS 203 Health Assessment
2cr
NURS 227 Clinical Nutrition
2cr
BIOL 101 Medical Terminology (elective)
2cr
Core
3cr
Core/Elective
3cr
Total Credits
14cr
Junior Year Traditional Students
Fall Semester
NURS 329 Pharmacology I
2cr
NURS 335 Community and Public Health
2cr
Fall Session 1
NURS 230D Fundamentals
3cr
NURS 230C Fundamentals Clinical
2cr
Fall Session 2
NURS 309D Intro to Nursing
3cr
NURS 309C Intro to Nursing Clinical
3cr
Total Credits
15cr
Spring Semester
NURS 326D Mental Health
3cr
NURS 326C Mental Health Clinical
2cr
NURS 319D Maternity/Woman’s Health
3cr
NURS 319C Maternity/Woman’s Health Clinical
2cr
NURS 320D Medical/Surgical Nursing
3cr
NURS 320C Medical/Surgical Nursing Clnical
2cr
NURS 330 Pharmacology II
2cr
Total Credits
17 cr
Senior Year Traditional Students
Fall Semester
NURS 327 Research/EBP
3cr
NURS 405D Medical/Surgical II
3cr
NURS 405C Medica/Surgical II Clinical
4cr
NURS 406D Pediatrics
2cr
NURS 406C Pediatrics
2cr
NURS 480 NCLEX Prep I
2cr
Total Credits
16cr
Spring Semester
NURS 422D Critical Care Nursing
3cr
NURS 422C Critical Care Nursing Clinical
2cr
NURS 423D Leadership
2cr
NURS 423C Leadership/precepting
4cr
NURS 481 NCLEX Prep II
2cr
NURS 426 Nursing Trends and Issues
2cr
Total Credits
15cr
Accelerated BA/BS to BSN
Second Degree Nursing
The Accelerated BA/BS to BSN program at Wheeling University provides a pathway for individuals who are looking to make a career change into the field of nursing. The program is structured to allow those who currently hold a bachelor’s degree in another major to complete Wheeling University’s nursing curriculum without repeating general education requirements. Students complete the Second-Degree nursing curriculum in 4 semesters.
Admission Requirements:
To be admitted to the accelerated nursing program, the student must have:
- A diploma from an accredited college/university with an overall, cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Completed and achieved a “C” or better in each prerequisite science course: chemistry, anatomy and physiology I & II, microbiology/epidemiology, general psychology, developmental psychology, and statistics. A nutrition course also is required but may be taken at Wheeling University.
- Achieved a minimum score of 68% on the TEAS test.
- Complete an online application.
Tuition and Fees: Tuition $9,000 per semester (4 semesters). Graduation fee: $265. ATI testing and malpractice insurance fees should be obtained from the nursing department and added to the program cost. ATI testing is billed once each semester.
BA/BS to BSN 16-month plan of study
Junior Year
Fall Semester
NURS 201 Pathophysiology
2cr
NURS 203 Health Assessment
2cr
NURSE 329 Pharmacology I
2cr
Fall Session 1
NURS 230D Fundamentals
3cr
NURS 230C Fundamentals Clinical
2cr
Fall Session 2
NURS 309D Intro to Nursing
3cr
NURS 309C Intro to Nursing Clinical
3cr
Total Credits
17cr
Spring Semester
NURS 326D Mental Health
3cr
NURS 326C Mental Health Clinical
2cr
NURS 319D Maternity/Woman's Health
3cr
NURS 319C Maternity/Woman's Health
2cr
NURS 320D Med/Surg Nursing
3cr
NURS 320C Med/Sug Clinical
2cr
NURS 330 Pharmacology II
2cr
Total Credits
17cr
Senior Year
Summer Semester
NURS 327 Research/EBP
3cr
NURS 405D Med/Surg II
3cr
NURS 405C Med/Surg Clinical
4cr
NURS 406D Pediatrics
2cr
NURS 406C Pediatrics
2cr
NURS 480 NCLEX Prep I
2cr
Total Credits
16cr
Fall Semester
NURS 422D Critical Care Nursing
3cr
NURS 422C Critical Care Clinical
2cr
NURS 423D Leadership
2cr
NURS 423C Leadership/precepting
4cr
NURS 481 NCLEX Prep II
2cr
NURS 426 Nursing Trends and Issues
2cr
NURS 335 Community and Public Health
2cr
Total Credits
17cr