SCHOOL OF NURSING

The School of Nursing, as an integral part of the University of Pittsburgh, subscribes to the University’s commitment to teaching, research, and service. Through these major functions, the school strives to have a positive impact on the quality of health care for all people.

The school offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctor of philosophy programs that anticipate and reflect healthcare needs locally, nationally, and internationally. It prepares graduates to function effectively in multifaceted roles in a variety of settings to promote the health and well-being of people. It strives to instill a spirit of inquiry, encourage academic excellence, and foster lifelong learning in all students. The school seeks to enroll highly qualified students who represent racial, cultural, and geographic diversity and to prepare students for employment in a multicultural society. In keeping with the University’s emphasis on excellence in undergraduate education, the school is committed to providing an undergraduate program with a strong clinical focus that builds upon a background in the liberal arts and sciences and provides the foundation for its graduates to become outstanding clinicians.

The knowledge, skill, teaching effectiveness, and diversity of the faculty are important factors in the success of our graduates. The school is committed to fostering excellence in teaching through the faculty’s clinical expertise and practice, instructional competency, and development of state-of-the-art knowledge through research. Up-to-date technology is used to enhance student access and learning when feasible and appropriate.

The school supports an environment conducive to research, encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, and seeks to make research an integral part of the learning environment. The success of the school’s research agenda will determine its national recognition and realm of influence.

The school believes that faculty and students should engage in public, professional, and community services as a way for them to share their knowledge, positively influence patient care delivery, and enhance their own and their peers’ professional growth. Such involvement provides leadership for societal change, helps develop effective healthcare policies, and betters health care for all people. Service is reflected in leadership and volunteer responsibilities related to the political process, professional organizations, and community service agencies.

Nursing Living Learning Center (NLLC)

The NLLC, combined with the School of Nursing’s commitment to giving a small campus experience at a large institution, will provide students with a well-rounded approach to their studies as well as University life. This learning community is situated in Lothrop Hall, conveniently located adjacent to the Victoria Building, which houses the School of Nursing. The resident assistant on the floor is an upper class nursing student and works closely with the faculty and staff in the School of Nursing. First-year students will be in the classrooms together studying the basic sciences required in the School of Nursing. Various activities such as study group sessions, nursing presentations, and social gatherings will be scheduled in the NLLC.

Contact Information

University of Pittsburgh
School of Nursing
Student Services Office
239 Victoria Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
412-624-4586 or 1-888-747-0794
nursao50@pitt.edu
www.nursing.pitt.edu

Admission Requirements

The School of Nursing admits applicants to the regular baccalaureate program who are one of the following:

• High school graduates
• Students transferring from the regional campuses and other schools of the University of Pittsburgh
• Students transferring from other colleges and universities

All students wishing to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree must apply and be accepted into the School of Nursing. Admission to other University schools or to regional campuses does not guarantee admission to the School of Nursing. The Board of Nursing may prohibit a person convicted of any felonious act from licensure as a registered nurse (RN) in various states. Prospective students in that situation should call the Board of Nursing in the state where they plan to practice. (See sections five and six of the Pennsylvania Professional Nursing Law for more information.)

Registered nurses interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree or a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing should apply directly to the School of Nursing for admission into the RN Options Program. For details, see RN Options Applicants or call 412-624-4586 for more information.

High School Graduates

All applicants should obtain application forms and materials from the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid (see Pittsburgh Campus Freshman Admissions). Visit the School of Nursing’s Web site, www.nursing.pitt.edu, for specific information about the program.

All high school applicants must meet the requirements for admission to the University of Pittsburgh as well as those specifically for the School of Nursing. High school courses required of all applicants are

*A unit is allowed for the successful completion of one year of work in an accepted course.
**Two units of foreign language as an elective are highly recommended.

Each high school applicant is required to submit results of either the SAT or the ACT. The faculty may prescribe the right to require such additional information, examinations, or measures for determining eligibility as the School of Nursing requires.

Students Transferring from within the University

Students who wish to transfer from schools within the University (College of Arts and Sciences, College of General Studies, and regional campuses) to the undergraduate program in the School of Nursing must consult with their advisor in order to officially initiate the transfer process. All records, including fall term grades, must be received in the School of Nursing’s Student Services Office by the date designated on the Nursing Web site in order for students to be considered for admission for the fall term. The School of Nursing makes transfer decisions on a competitive basis. A student must have a cumulative QPA of 3.0 and B grades or better in science classes to be considered for transfer.

Students Transferring from Other Universities or Colleges

Applicants who have completed at least 12 credits or one full-time term of study at any institution of higher education other than the University of Pittsburgh will be considered for transfer into the School of Nursing on a competitive basis. Prospective transfer students are required to complete a Transfer Application and submit all necessary supporting materials to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid by the date designated on the Nursing Web site (www.nursing.pitt.edu) (see Transfer Student Admissions for more information).

Admission to the School of Nursing is contingent upon vacancies in the class. It is suggested that transfer applicants have a minimum QPA of 3.00 and B grades or better in sciences classes; however, exceptions are considered upon request. Applicants who have completed fewer than 24 college credits will be evaluated on their academic performance in both high school and a college or university. Applicants who have completed 24 or more college credits will be evaluated primarily on their academic performance in a college or university. The following points govern the allowable advanced-standing credits:

• Official transcripts of courses taken at other accredited universities or colleges must be presented.
• Course descriptions for each course must be presented to be considered for advanced-standing credits.
• Course content must be comparable to that offered at the University of Pittsburgh.
• Credits for nursing courses must have been earned in a National League for Nursing (NLN)-accredited program of nursing in order to be transferable.
• The credit transferred for any course can be no greater than the credit given at the University of Pittsburgh.
• Only courses with letter grades of C or better are transferable.
• Credit for service, correspondence, or extension courses is not transferable.
• Courses must have been taken within the past eight years (except for some designated liberal arts courses). The associate dean for clinical education (or designee) must approve any exception to the eight-year guideline.

Readmission

A student who has not been in attendance in the school for more than one year will be required to seek readmission through the School of Nursing. A student who has attended another school while not attending the University of Pittsburgh is required to reapply through the University Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. Readmission will be contingent upon a vacancy in the class to which the student is to be readmitted. The program of studies will be based on courses completed, current curriculum, and placement considerations.

Admission of Students from Other Countries

International applicants should obtain the International Student Undergraduate Application from the Office of International Services (see International Student Admissions for more information).

Applicants are required to submit official, original academic credentials. Official, original academic credentials that are submitted in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. The application process should be started nine to 12 months in advance of the intended enrollment date.

An applicant whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and submit official test results. Applicants must have a level of English proficiency reflected by a score of at least 213 or greater (computer-based test) or 550 or greater (paper-based test). Applicants seeking fall term admission must take the TOEFL no later than the preceding March. See the International Student Admissions section of this bulletin for more information on the TOEFL.

RN Options Applicants

Registered nurses who wish to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing may apply directly to the School of Nursing to be admitted to the RN Options Program. Admission to the RN-BSN program is contingent upon the applicant meeting the following requirements:

• An associate’s degree or a diploma program transcript, including an official transcript from the college or university where courses were taken during the diploma program
• A current Pennsylvania RN license
• A resume or work history
• A personal essay indicating professional goals
• All college or university transcripts showing a minimum grade point average of 3.00 in the following 50 prerequisite credits taken at either the University of Pittsburgh or at another accredited college or university. Applicants whose QPA is between 2.50 and 2.90 may be admitted on provisional status:

Chemistry	4 credits
Anatomy and Physiology	6 credits
Microbiology	3 credits
Psychology	3 credits
Lifespan Development	3 credits
English Composition	3 credits
Sociology	3 credits
Electives	25 credits

Eighteen of the elective credits must be in academic courses. Seven credits are “free” electives from any college-level courses. RN-MSN applicants are required to take an approved statistics course. RN-MSN applicants are required to have a QPA of 3.0 or higher in prerequisite course work and submit three letters of recommendation. Some programs may require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) for admission. (See www.nursing.pitt.edu for current information.)

The School of Nursing has adopted the Pennsylvania Articulation Agreement. Students who have an RN license and meet one of the following criteria will be awarded 40 credits advanced standing for basic nursing education and will not be required to take the Excelsior Challenge Examination:

• Graduation from an NLN-accredited program within three years prior to consideration for admission to the RN Options Program.
• Graduation from an NLN-accredited program within 10 years and at least 1,000 hours nursing practice within three years prior to consideration for admission to the RN Options Program.

Students who do not meet either of the above conditions must successfully complete the following Excelsior Challenge Examinations prior to consideration for admission to the RN Options Program:

Send for applications at the following address:

Excelsior College Examinations
7 Columbia Circle
Albany, NY 12203-5159
1-888-647-2388
www.excelsior.edu

Academic Standards

Students have the obligation to exhibit honesty and to respect the ethical standards of the nursing profession in carrying out their academic assignments. The academic standards of the school are as follows:

• A student may be placed on probation or dismissed for illegal or unethical professional conduct.
• Students must maintain a cumulative QPA of 2.00 or better throughout the program.
• Students must fulfill the requirements for the baccalaureate degree within a period of eight years.

Students should view the School of Nursing Web site’s Student Services Web page (www.pitt.edu/~sal49/policies.html) for the most current policies.

Advising

The advising process for undergraduate students is initiated with summer advising sessions where individualized plans of study are developed. All students meet individually with the director of undergraduate student services or designated undergraduate faculty.

The RN Options Program coordinator, RN Options Program faculty, and a student services specialist advise all RN Options Program students.

Preclinical Requisites

Before beginning their clinical experience, students in the nursing program must have satisfied the following requirements:

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification
• Liability insurance
• Health insurance
• ACT 33/34 clearances (child abuse/criminal record check)

It is mandatory that all students carry their own health insurance.

Each year, students must have validated that their health insurance will cover payment of treatment and follow-up procedures.

Degree Requirements

To earn the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the student must demonstrate satisfactory academic achievement in required course work prescribed by the curriculum with an overall academic achievement of a minimum QPA of 2.00. All students enrolled in the prelicensure program will be required to successfully complete and pass standardized tests throughout the curriculum in order to progress in and graduate from the program. (Refer to curriculum design at www.nursing.pitt.edu for specific degree requirements.)

Special Academic Opportunities/Programs

Students in the nursing program begin their clinical experience during the first semester of the sophomore year and continue to have complex, rigorous, and unique experiences throughout the junior and senior years. The culmination occurs during the senior year when students identify the area of nursing that interests them the most and then complete a 336-hour internship under the direction of a nurse preceptor.

Many opportunities are available for nursing students and include independent study with advanced practice nurses and/or nurse researchers, summer internships in various parts of the country, research projects, and volunteer activities through the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). All students are members of the Nursing Student Association (NSA) and participate in local, state, and national activities. Such programs as tutoring groups and special instruction sessions for chemistry, microbiology, anatomy, and physiology are available for all nursing students.

Program Description

Upon completion of the undergraduate program, nursing students receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which is considered their first professional degree. Students should see their academic advisor for independent study or areas of concentration.

Regular Baccalaureate Program Curriculum

The curriculum for the undergraduate program in nursing for those students who are not already registered nurses is as follows (subject to change):

+ Must be taken prior to NUR 1060
++ Must be taken prior to NUR 1054
* Placement varies in the sophomore year
** Placement spring sophomore or fall junior year
*** Placement varies in junior year
**** Placement varies in senior year

RN-BSN Curriculum

Students in the RN Options Program may take courses on a full- or part-time basis. The following is a sample RN-BSN curriculum (which is subject to change):

Total credit hours for BSN: 120, at least 30 credits earned at the University of Pittsburgh.

School of Nursing Course Offerings

The following courses are offered by the School of Nursing: