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Nursing

Chair: Professor Cheever
Associate Professors: Adamshick, August-Brady, Hoffman, Scholtz; Assistant Professors: Goodolf, Gotwals, Specht; Visiting Professors: Kohler, Sipple; Visiting Associate Professor: Thompson; Instructors: Colancecco, Farber, Groller, Grube, Halliday, Keeler

The Department of Nursing offers an educational program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing and a generalist professional program that prepares graduates for entry-level positions in nursing practice. The purpose of the program is to assist the student to achieve the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for professional nursing practice. It prepares the baccalaureate student to practice as an entry-level, self-directed professional, providing compassionate nursing care as practitioner, counselor, educator, advocate, and coordinator. It also serves as a basis for graduate study and provides a foundation for lifelong learning. Upon completion of the program, the nursing graduate is eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) leading to licensure as a registered nurse.

The nursing curriculum consists of a 12-unit course sequence that begins in the first year. The sequence includes nursing theory and more than 1,000 hours of supervised clinical instruction. Students are assigned to practice in many Lehigh Valley area health agencies, clinics, and hospitals, to apply nursing theory to individuals and groups of all ages and states of health and illness.

Program Accreditation

The nursing program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Information on the accreditation process for nursing programs can be obtained from these agencies or the Department of Nursing office on campus.

Though the prescribed course curriculum has been designed to prepare the graduate in taking Pennsylvania's licensing examination for nursing, the College cannot and does not guarantee that the degree will assure the graduate's passing such licensing examinations or of satisfying any other state board requirements for licensure. Each Moravian College nursing graduate is responsible for meeting all state board requirements for licensure.

Program Outcomes

The outcomes listed below are congruent with and extensions of Moravian College’s mission. It is expected that the graduate will:

  • Synthesize knowledge from the humanities, sciences, and nursing theory as a basis for making decisions in the practice of nursing;
  • Provide holistic nursing care that contributes to safe and quality outcomes among individuals, families, and communities;
  • Collaborate with other healthcare team members to foster optimal health of individuals, families, and communities;
  • • Provide culturally sensitive care with diverse populations in local, regional, national, and global settings;
  • Plan and implement theory-based and evidence-based nursing interventions in the care of individuals, families, and communities;
  • Exhibit civic and leadership behaviors to guide practice and foster the attainment of health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities; and
  • Demonstrate professional accountability and advocacy in making ethical decisions through adherence to professional standards.

General Education Requirements for Nursing Majors

Nursing majors must select Mathematics 107 to fulfill the Quantitative Reasoning (F2) requirement and Chemistry 108 for the Laboratory Science (F4) requirement.

The Major in Nursing

To receive the B.S. degree with a major in nursing, students must earn a total of 32 course units. The following program of nursing studies is prescribed (subject to change):

  • First Year. First semester: Biology 103, Nursing 115. Second semester: Biology 104, Chemistry 108.
  • Sophomore Year. First semester: Biology 205, Mathematics 107 (may be taken in junior year), Psychology 207, Nursing 212. Second semester: Biology 206, Nursing 311.
  • Junior Year. First semester: Nursing 310, 312, and 331.2. Second semester: Nursing 314, 332.2, and 339.
  • Senior Year. First semester: Nursing 313 and 315. Second semester: Nursing 316 and 317.

International Clinical Placement

Nursing students have an opportunity to participate in electives with an international clinical placement. Travel usually is scheduled during break periods or at the end of the spring or fall semesters. Faculty may supervise this experience in a variety of international settings, including Central America and Australia. International savings accounts may be established at the College to help students save money for this additional academic expense.

Additional Requirements

In addition to meeting College admission requirements, all nursing majors will be required to show proof of the following as prerequisites for clinical nursing courses:

  • Background clearance on criminal and child-abuse behavior.
  • Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.
  • Negative urine drug screen.

Students' personal health also should be consistent with requirements for a professional nurse, including required immunizations as prescribed in the policy statement in the School of Nursing Student Handbook.

Applicants and students should be aware that Pennsylvania law prohibits licensure of individuals convicted of felonies related to controlled substances and may prohibit licensure if there is a conviction for any felonious act. For details, refer to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing regulations. Prior to enrolling in Nursing 212, all nursing students are required to submit to the Department of Nursing a Federal Criminal Record Check and a Child Abuse History Clearance. These clearances must be updated periodically and are maintained electronically on file in the Department of Nursing. Copies will be provided to clinical sites upon request.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to the requirements of the College, students enrolled in the nursing program must complete the following:

  • Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better in nursing courses, an overall cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better, and a GPA of 2.67 or better in biology and chemistry courses that are required of the major.
  • Satisfactory clinical evaluations in all nursing courses.
  • Completion of the prescribed nursing program of study, including the standardized nursing assessment program, NCLEX-RN preparation, and end-of-program survey/exit interview.

Additional Expenses in the Nursing Program

In addition to general matriculation fees—tuition, room and board, books, etc.—for all undergraduates, students in the nursing program incur additional expenses for such things as physical examinations, specialized immunizations, uniforms, malpractice insurance, graduation pin, clinical laboratory fees, and normative-based testing fees. Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from clinical practice sites.

Academic Policies in the School of Nursing

Acceptance to Moravian College does not guarantee that a student will be accepted into the nursing program. General academic policies specific to the nursing program appear below. (These policies are effective beginning with the graduating class of 2013.)

Progression in the Program

Declaration of and Acceptance into the Nursing Major

  1. For the student to declare nursing as a major, and prior to entering any nursing course that has a clinical requirement (e.g., Nursing 212), the student must earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.67 or higher in required biology and chemistry courses (Biology 103 and 104, and Chemistry 108) and have an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or better.
  2. The student must complete the Declaration of Major (pink) form (available in the Registrar’s Office or the Nursing Department Office).

Progression into the Major

  1. Once a student declares nursing as a major, then a nursing grade point average of 3.00 or better must be achieved and maintained by the end of the first clinical course (i.e., Nursing 212). The student must also continue maintaining the overall cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better, and a GPA of 2.67 or better in biology and chemistry courses required of the major (Biology 103, 104, 205, and 206; and Chemistry 108) for progression purposes. The student will not be permitted to retake a nursing course to boost the nursing GPA. The student will not be permitted to retake a biology or chemistry course to boost the natural science GPA. The student must maintain the above cumulative GPA requirements at the end of each semester in the nursing program in order to progress in the nursing major.
  2. All required biology and chemistry courses (Biology 103, 104, 205 and 206; and Chemistry 108) are to be completed prior to beginning the junior-level nursing courses (Nursing 310, 312, 314, 331.2, 332.2, and 339).
  3. There is no probationary period for the student who does not meet the science, overall, and/or nursing major GPA requirements.
  4. Students who transfer into nursing, either internally or externally, are required to have an overall cumulative GPA of B (=3.0) or better, a natural science cumulative GPA of B- (=2.67) or better, and a nursing cumulative GPA of B (=3.0) or better. Students who transfer science courses from non-LVAIC institutions are required to earn a B (=3.0) or better in the required sciences in order to have those courses count toward the nursing program requirements. Previous C work in the required sciences will transfer to the college as a general elective, and students will have to take the appropriate prerequisite or co-requisite course at Moravian. Once the student transfers into Moravian College, the student is held to the same standards as previously described in order to declare nursing as a major and to progress in the program.

Note: Once the student matriculates at Moravian College, only those grades earned at Moravian College count towards the GPA targets; that is, the GPA targets are not based on an average of grades earned at Moravian and grades earned at other institutions.

Other Criteria

Students are required to possess the physical, cognitive, and emotional ability to perform the functions which are necessary for the safe practice of nursing and essential to the licensing requirements. Students must be capable of meeting the performance standards (see the Department of Nursing Student Handbook) with or reasonable accommodation in order to be admitted to the nursing program. A criminal background check, child abuse check, urine drug screen, and health screen are required for all students prior to entering clinical nursing courses. Negative finds from criminal background checks, child abuse checks, urine drug screenings, and health examinations, as well as a satisfactory record of immunizations against common communicable diseases, are required for all students prior to entering clinical nursing courses and at periodic intervals during the program of study.

Transfer students are typically not awarded nursing course credit for previous nursing courses taken at other institutions. Previous coursework, total Moravian equivalency units, and the preceding criteria will determine admission and placement in the nursing program.

The program uses Kaplan Nursing Integrated Testing to continuously monitor individual student progress and overall curricular benchmarks. This program consists of a variety of review materials, online videos, online practice assessments, and proctored assessments. Students must achieve predetermined benchmark proficiency levels on the proctored assessments in order to progress in the program without remediation. More specific information on utilization of Kaplan is included in the Department of Nursing Student Handbook.

The nursing faculty uses a uniform standard of numerical equivalents for the assignment of letter grades. For details, consult the Department of Nursing Student Handbook.

Nursing students are required to meet the prerequisites for progress in the nursing course sequence; therefore, a grade of incomplete may disrupt the student's progression.

Student Clinical-Performance Evaluation

Students are required to earn a Satisfactory evaluation of clinical performance in each nursing course in order to progress in the curriculum. Further information on clinical performance requirements appears in the Department of Nursing Student Handbook.

Procedure for Challenge of Nursing Courses

Departmental policies concerning class attendance, professional dress, temporary medical disability, bloodborne pathogen exposure control, infectious exposure, health screening, and other issues appear in the Department of Nursing Student Handbook. Nursing majors are held accountable to these standards.

Courses in Nursing

115. Foundations of Nursing and Healthcare. The process of critical thinking as a basis for open inquiry into assumptions, beliefs, and values about the discipline of nursing will be analyzed for nursing in a dynamic, multidisciplinary health care environment. Professional, historical, and socio-cultural issues, as well as ethical and legal standards, will be discussed within the context of health care challenges of the 21st century. Course open to non-nursing majors.
Groller, August-Brady, Grube, Hoffman

212. Holistic Assessment. A clinical course and practicum utilizing the techniques of physical, psychosocial, functional, spiritual, and cultural assessments. Assessments will be performed in a variety of practicum settings and will include individuals and families across the life span during various states of health. Students will utilize data collected for an interpretive analysis of health status. Prerequisites: Biology 103 and 104; Nursing 115. Co-requisite: Nursing 115, if not taken prior to enrolling in Nursing 212.
Keeler, Halliday

216. Intersection of Culture and Healthcare. (Also Interdisciplinary 216) In this course the student will develop an understanding of health, illness, and the meanings of these concepts for members of non-western socio-cultural populations. Topics include culturally bound practices; the impact on healthcare practices and decision-making; structures that promote access to healthcare and structures that impede access. The concept of delivering culturally competent care will be examined and strategies for promoting competence will be explored. (M5)                                                            
Goodolf

310. Quest into Phenomenology of Nursing. Application of nursing knowledge and interventions to clinical practice in association with the lived experiences of humanity as part of a system. Students apply theory and knowledge related to selected acute and chronic health problems to the care of individuals, families, and communities. Nursing role behaviors of the practitioner, counselor, educator, advocate, collaborator in various settings. Prerequisites: Biology 206; Nursing 115, 212, 311. Co-requisite: Nursing 331.2. Theory 3 hours, clinical 8 hours.
Farber, Specht

311. Quest toward Individual Well-Being. Application of fundamental concepts of nursing, health and well-being in theory and practice. Students develop a foundation for holistic nursing practice utilizing physical and psychosocial skills to plan and deliver nursing care. Prerequisites: Biology 103, 104, and 205; Chemistry 108; Nursing 115 and 212. Co-requisite (if not taken previously): Chemistry 108. Theory 3 hours, clinical 8 hours.
Groller, Colancecco

312. Embracing the Dynamic Family. A clinical practicum course that provides a foundation to facilitate growth and development of children and their families. Students experience nursing role behaviors in addressing health needs in a variety of dynamic family systems. Prerequisites: Biology 103, 104, 205, and 206; Chemistry 108; Nursing 115, 212, and 311; Psychology 207. Co-requisite: Nursing 331.2. Theory 3 hours, clinical 8 hours.
Grube, Scholtz

313. Embracing the Challenged Family. A course that emphasizes integration of nursing skills and knowledge to facilitate the individual’s and families’ meeting severe episodic and chronic health challenges across the life span. Students analyze these critical challenges to individual and family systems in order to provide holistic and comprehensive nursing care given the resources available to the family within their community. Prerequisite: Nursing 115, 212, 310, 311, 314, 339, 331.2, and 332.2. Theory 3 hours, clinical 8 hours.
August-Brady, Colancecco

314. Embracing the Dynamic Community. A clinical practicum course that provides a foundation to facilitate community partnerships and collaboration in promoting health and assessing care. Students experience nursing role behaviors in a multiplicity of health care situations within the community. Prerequisites: Biology 103, 104, 205, and 206; Chemistry 108; Nursing 115, 212, 310, 311, and 331.2. Co-requisites: Nursing 332.2. Theory 3 hours, clinical 8 hours.
Gotwals

315. Embracing the Challenged Community. Application of nursing knowledge, interventions, and attitudes for vulnerable populations challenged by acute and chronic alterations in physical and mental health. Students analyze responses to mental health crises and episodic interruptions of health, and experience collaborative health care delivery in a variety of settings. Prerequisites: Nursing 115, 212, 310, 311, 314, 329, and 331.2. Theory 3 hours, clinical 8 hours.
Adamshick, Gotwals

316. Applied Research in Nursing. A clinical practicum course in which the student collaborates with a nurse researcher in an ongoing nursing research project during one or more of the investigative phases. Students develop insight into process and application of research in nursing practice. Writing-intensive. Prerequisites: Mathematics 107; Nursing 313 and 315. Theory 3 hours; clinical 8 hours.  
Adamshick, August-Brady, Specht, Cheever

317. The Professional Nurse. Incorporation of leadership and management principles with a clinical practicum in which students establish their role as a professional nurse. Students transition to entry-level practitioners by incorporating concepts of autonomy, interdependency, leadership, and collaboration. Prerequisites: Nursing 313 and 315. Theory 3 hours, clinical 8 hours.                                                                                          
Farber, Groller, Grube

320. Nursing of Populations at High Risk for Health Problems. Elective helps senior-level student understand a specific population's health problems. International placement for this course experience is encouraged.
Staff

321. Integrative Therapies in Health. This nursing elective course seeks to examine selected complementary and alternative therapies. Issues related to the integration of complementary therapies into health care and development of a nursing perspective on utilization of complementary therapies for treatment and healing will be discussed. Selected opportunities for clinical experience and internship may be included. Two 70-minute periods each week.
Adamshick, Specht

322. Populations at High Risk for Health Problems: Honduras. (Also Interdisciplinary 322 and Health 322). This course seeks to facilitate student understanding of a specific population of people at high risk for health problems. The population may be found in any location. International placement for this course experience is required. [M5]
Staff

331.2. Pharmacology I. Examination of the pharmacological process utilized by nurses, including knowledge of medications, administration of medications, and medication calculations in patients throughout the lifespan. Pharmacological issues, over-the-counter medications, and herbal medication use will be examined. Reactions, compliancy, and other patient responses to pharmacological therapies will be discussed. This course will be built upon prior nursing knowledge and coordinate with current required nursing course. Prerequisite: Biology 103, 104, 205, and 206; Chemistry 108; Nursing 115, 212, and 311. Co-requisites: Nursing 310 and 312. One 70-minute period.
Specht, Colancecco

332.2. Pharmacology II. Examination of the pharmacological process utilized by nursing including knowledge of medications, administration of medications, and medication calculations in patients throughout the lifespan. Pharmacological issues, over-the-counter medications, and herbal medication use will be examined. Reactions, compliancy, and other patient responses to pharmacological therapies will be discussed. This course will be built upon prior nursing knowledge and coordinate with current required nursing course. Prerequisites: Biology 103, 104, 205, and 206; Chemistry 108; Nursing 115, 212, 310, 311, and 331.2. Co-requisites: Nursing 314, 339. One 70-minute period.
Specht, Colancecco

339. Individual Health Challenges. A course which applies nursing knowledge, interventions, and attitudes for the management of individuals' complex health problems throughout the adult years in theory and in clinical practice. Students analyze various human responses to challenging health conditions to provide holistic ad comprehensive nursing care. Prerequisites: All major-required natural science courses, Nursing 115, 212, 310, 311, 331.2. Co-requisites: Nursing 332.2. Theory 3 hours, clinical 8 hours.
Specht, Keeler, Halliday

360. Ethical Dilemmas in Healthcare. This course provides the foundation of ethical theories and bioethics relative to healthcare. The relevance of ethics to decision-making within the healthcare system is explored. Ethical issues that affect healthcare professionals and individuals across the lifespan are analyzed. (U2)
Scholtz

190-199, 290-299, 390-399. Special Topics.

286, 381-384. Independent Study.

288, 386-388. Internship.

400-401. Honors.