Nursing

Interim Chairperson: Charita Barlow-Walls

Phone: (773) 995-3942

Location: BHS 225

Department Overview

Chicago State University’s Nursing Department offers a traditional four year bachelor’s program. We prioritize individual attention to the students and offer small class sizes with personalized mentoring. Students can also expect their teachers to be highly trained and experienced.

The curriculum covers theory, labs and clinical hours and is designed for non-traditional students. Our structured yet attainable curriculum encourages academic success while allowing for work-life-study balance. During the final semester of the program, students focus on portfolio building and job interview preparation. CSU nursing program is accredited by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) https://www.csu.edu/accreditation/

Vision

The Department of Nursing at Chicago State University seeks to educate nurses who will be able to demonstrate excellence through practice, scholarship, leadership, and service, while caring for diverse populations.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Nursing is to provide educational experiences that empower learners, promote competence in the area of professional nursing, strengthen the capacity for employment in a variety of clinical practice settings within the healthcare community, and develop a sense of civic responsibility.

Through high quality and creative instruction, the faculty strives to provide an environment that is conducive to learning, stimulates intellectual inquiry, and encourages personal and professional growth. The faculty creates an environment that fosters scholarship and a desire for lifelong learning. The nursing faculty is sensitive to the unique characteristics of learners as these relate to issues of access, retention, and graduation. The faculty strives to prepare graduates who are able to function as compassionate, caring professionals. By providing a high-quality program, the faculty endeavors to prepare nursing leaders to meet the changing and comprehensive health needs of the community. Both faculty and learners attempt to create and strengthen community linkages in order to develop collaborative research and service projects that will enhance the health status of the underserved communities.

Student Learning Outcomes

The graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) will be able to:

Demonstrate clinical judgment that is derived from nursing, biophysical and behavioral sciences, and the humanities in the care of clients, families, and populations.
Provide person-centered nursing care using the nursing process and care coordination; engaging the client in a caring relationship focused on achievement of self-care management.
Collaboratively engage in population health services that address social determinants of health, emergency preparedness and equitable health policy.
Using standardized processes for conducting evidence based practice, evaluate research findings in nursing and healthcare research for the improvement of nursing practice.
Incorporate an understanding of client safety principles and quality improvementpractices to enhance the care of clients on a healthcare unit, agency or in a community setting.
Demonstrate respectful, effective communication and team performance skills in interactions with clients, nursing colleagues, and interprofessional partners.
Apply an understanding of healthcare systems to facilitate effective nursing care across units and agencies.
Utilize technology in managing information to meet the healthcare needs of clients in a variety of healthcare settings.
Show consistent accountability, legal practice, and ethical comportment as part of a deep understanding of the nature of professional nursing practice that includes valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Engage in the pursuit of personal health and well-being, demonstrating leadership behaviors that show professional maturity.

The professional nursing program begins in the spring semester of the sophomore year. Graduates of the nursing program qualify for the following:

Admission to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN);
The practice of professional nursing, if licensing examination is passed;
Beginning-level leadership positions in nursing;
Advanced study in nursing; and
Expanded roles in the health care delivery system.

*NOTE: Felony Conviction Policy. If a student has been convicted of a felony, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) will not consider his or her application for licensure in the State of Illinois until a review hearing has been conducted by the Committee of Nurse Examiners. The Committee will not conduct this hearing until the individual has completed the required approved nursing program in an approved school and has completed the necessary application forms for licensure required by the IDFPR. The decision to allow an individual to take the examination for licensure rests with the Committee. All individuals applying for initial licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) must submit verification of fingerprint processing from the Illinois Department of State Police, or its designated agent, for fingerprint processing.

Accreditation

The Department of Nursing is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations (IDFPR). The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education (ACEN). Program graduates of the Department of Nursing are qualified to apply to take the National Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) examination administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Information about the NCLEX-RN examination may be obtained at: https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex.htm. After successful completion of this examination, the individual will be a registered nurse and will be fully qualified to practice professional nursing.

University Accreditation Chicago State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association of Colleges and Universities.

Basic to BSN Track

Admission into the Department of Nursing takes place at the end of the fall semester of the sophomore level. The Department of Nursing Admission, Progression, Retention, and Graduation (APRG) Committee adheres to the department admission policies and makes recommendations to the department chairperson regarding student admission.

Admission Requirements

Meet the general admission requirements of the university.
Successfully complete the required university placement examinations in English, mathematics, and reading. Math placement examinations may be waived if transferring in college math and physics. University placement examinations are waived for second baccalaureate degree students, Associate of Arts degree students and Associate of Science degree students.
Successfully complete the battery of standardized examinations for the nursing program.
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. Admission to the program is on a competitive basis, and applications will be rank ordered based on the selection criteria: Applicants having the highest performance score will be given preference for admission. Only those prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better will be accepted.
Submit a letter of intent, nursing data form, and three letters of reference to the Department of Nursing. Have a personal interview with a nursing faculty advisor. Credentials will be reviewed by the APRG Committee for formal acceptance into the professional component of the program. (Applications and supporting documents from sophomore and transfer students must be received by September 30th to be considered for January admission into the professional component of the program. Registered Nurse (RN) students see RN to BSN Track.
Adjustments in the basic nursing curriculum may occur from year to year. Upon admission to the nursing program, each student will be given a curriculum pattern indicating the courses for which they will be held responsible. Any student who drops/withdraws or leaves the nursing program for any reason and is re-admitted will have to meet the requirements of the current nursing curriculum. Any consideration for re-admission of the student is dependent upon space availability.

Specific Requirements

Prerequisite courses required for admission may be repeated only once, when a grade of D or F has been achieved. BIOL 2059 will be accepted if taken within the past five years. BIOL 1080 , BIOL 2020 , BIOL 2021 , and CHEM 1050 do not have an expiration date. Admission to the program is not guaranteed. A competitive ranking scale is used for admission.
Students admitted into the professional program are expected to: (1) assume responsibility and cost for transportation in connection with clinical experiences and field trips, (2) carry health insurance and CPR certification, (3) pay program fees required for the professional courses, and (4) file a current and complete medical examination, specifying immunizations, and background check.

CNA to BSN Track

Consistent with the Illinois Articulation Initiative, certified nurse assistants who have graduated from a state-approved nurse assistant course and have passed the Illinois Nursing Assistant Competency Evaluation are awarded 3 credit hours in nursing. The department of nursing will award these 3 credit hours after admission into the professional nursing sequence and these students will not have to take a nursing elective. Certified nursing assistants admitted under this pattern will subsequently follow the same curriculum pattern as Basic nursing students.

Admission Requirements

Complete the general requirements for admission to Chicago State University. (Call 773/995-3992 for an admission application.)

Prospective students must submit all documents to the Department of Nursing. Incomplete folders are not considered for admission. RN students must meet the same University criteria as Basic nursing students in order to be considered for admission to the Department of Nursing.

RN students from accredited programs are awarded 30 credit hours of nursing credits according to the Illinois Articulation Initiative.

Program Admission Requirements/Application Requirements:

A nonrefundable university application fee
Minimum one year of clinical experience
Official transcripts from degree-granting institution, reflecting a minimum grade point average of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale
An Associate’s degree in nursing or nursing diploma from an accredited nursing program
RN license verification and work experience acknowledgement form that verifies current unrestricted RN license to practice in Illinois
Meet the university prerequisite requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree criteria as traditional nursing students

Progression Policy

Junior Level Progression Requirements

Freshmen and transfer students must comply with the general admission requirements of the University, complete the prerequisite courses and attain the expected level of academic achievement prior to admission to the professional sequence. Students are admitted into the professional sequence at the junior year.

Students must meet the requirements for nursing practice outlined in (225 ILCS 65/50-35) (was 225 ILCS 65/5-23) http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=1312&ChapterID=24
Students must meet the clinical affiliate’s requirements for compliance prior to attending clinical. Failure to meet these requirements will result in failure in the course. Two course withdrawals or unsuccessful clinical attempts will result in dismissal from the nursing program.
Students who pass all nursing courses including the end-of-course (EOC) examinations at the Junior Level will progress to the Senior Level.
Students with a “D” or “F” grade in a nursing course must repeat the course. Students can only repeat any nursing course once.
An individualized plan of study (IPS) will be identified for students with specific academic needs for any student who fails a nursing course.

Senior Level Progression Requirements

Please see specific course syllabus for required levels of End-Of-Course (EOC) achievement for each course based on national standards.

Students who pass all required nursing courses and EOC examinations at the Senior Level are eligible to take the Comprehensive Exit Examination.
In order to graduate, a student must pass the Comprehensive Exit Examination (HESI) with a minimum score of 900 points.
A student who fails the Comprehensive Exit Examination (HESI) on the first attempt must participate in an individualized plan of study (IPS) that is based on the content analysis of the performance on the Comprehensive Exit Examination (HESI) results. The student must show progress towards individualized plans to sit for the retake. Students must complete the review and EOC exam within 90 days.
If the student fails the Comprehensive Exit Examination (HESI) for the 2nd time, the student must enroll in a nursing review course (chosen by the student) before re-taking the Comprehensive Exit Examination (HESI) for the 3rd time. Students must successfully pass the Comprehensive End of Program Exit Exam before eligibility for graduation and completion from the program.

RN to BSN Track

The nursing major provides registered nurse graduates from a state approved and nationally accredited associate degree or diploma program in nursing an opportunity to obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Faculty in the Department of Nursing recognize that the RN student differs from an undergraduate student beginning a course of study. These differences reflect the RN student as an adult learner who has successfully completed either an associate degree or diploma program with a major in nursing and is also licensed to practice professional nursing. Licensure is seen as meeting minimum competency standards in nursing. The RN student, in contrast to the beginning basic nursing student, has therefore met and in many cases exceeded minimum competency.

The RN to BSN track curriculum was developed to build on this prior knowledge and skills so as to avoid redundancy. The RN to BSN Track consists of 120 credit hours distributed among the natural sciences, social sciences, general education, humanities, nursing, and electives.

Students interested in the RN to BSN track may call the Nursing Office at 773/995-3992 for an appointment to discuss the requirements and for an unofficial transcript evaluation prior to applying for admission to the University.

Dismissal Policy

Failure in any required course for a second time will result in dismissal of the student from the program.
Failure in a second nursing clinical and/or theory course or a second nursing course will result in the student’s dismissal from the program.
Failure in the Nursing Fundamentals course will result in dismissal and a student will not be considered for readmission to the professional sequence of the nursing program

Readmission Policy

For students who were once admitted and are re-applying for admission, a letter of intent form for re-application to the nursing program may be submitted in lieu of a complete application packet to APRG.

The following rules also apply:

Readmission applications must be received by May 1 for Fall readmission and October 1 for Spring readmission consideration.
All readmissions will be dependent upon space available in the upcoming course sequence.
The amount of time granted for a leave of absence (LOA) from the program will be up to a maximum of one year.
Students requesting a LOA for one year must be aware of the possibility of repeating nursing courses to ensure competency with current program expectations and must meet the requirements of the existing curriculum pattern.
Any student attempting readmission to the nursing program must meet all current undergraduate program admission requirements including cumulative GPA (minimum of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale).
For readmission, a student will contact the Chairperson of the Department of Nursing in writing.
The letter submitted by the student requesting readmission must include the following:
1. A description of the circumstances surrounding dismissal or withdrawal from program/school.
2. A description of activities during the interval of leaving school and reapplying that justifies readmission into the program.
3. The student’s academic plan to promote success upon readmission.

The department reserves the right to terminate students’ enrollment in the nursing program when their health, academic record, or nursing performance indicate that it would be inadvisable and/or unsafe for them to continue in the preparation for the practice of professional nursing. If at any time during the program a student exhibits behavior that the faculty regards as unethical (disruptive, dishonest, disrespectful, or involving alcohol or drug abuse), the APRG Committee will give the student a hearing, and a recommendation will be made to the chairperson regarding retention or dismissal from the nursing program. The department chairperson will convey her/his decision to the student. All nursing majors must follow the policies, procedures, and curriculum in the Department of Nursing Student Handbook on admission, progression, retention, and graduation, and adhere to all university policies including academic conduct (e.g. plagiarism, cheating, etc.).

Graduation Requirement

In addition to the University Graduation Requirements, all students must achieve a satisfactory grade of C or better in each nursing course and co-requisite course. Nursing courses can be retaken one time only. In addition, students must successfully pass all end-of-course examinations and successfully pass the senior comprehensive exit examination in order to qualify for graduation.

In general, course-for-course credit for nursing courses completed in other schools of nursing is non-transferable. Students who enter the Chicago State University nursing program with RN licensure will receive 30 hours of nursing credits, with LPN licensure, 15 hours of nursing credits, and students who are certified nursing assistants (CNA) will receive 3 nursing credits, according to the Illinois Articulation Initiative.

Adjustments in the basic nursing curriculum may occur from year to year. Upon admission to the nursing program, each student will be given a curriculum pattern indicating the courses for which he or she will be held responsible. Any student who drops/withdraws or leaves the nursing program for any reason and is re-admitted, will have to meet the requirements of the current nursing curriculum. Any consideration for re-admission of the student is dependent upon space availability.

Licensing Information

IDFPR | Professional Licensing in Illinois

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Nursing, BSN