Overview
Mission Statement
The mission of the Nursing Department is to prepare a generalist in nursing who has the foundation to practice as a professional and/or to pursue graduate studies. The department provides a curriculum based on the concepts that promote holistic health for individuals, families, and communities. The department also serves as a resource for campus and community health-related activities.
Approval and Accreditation
The four-year baccalaureate nursing program at University of Jamestown maintains approval by the North Dakota Board of Nursing and accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE):
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
655 K Street NW Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001
ccneaccreditation.org
Declaration of Major
Students planning to apply to the nursing program are encouraged to declare a nursing major in the freshman year. Declared students receive important communication from the Department of Nursing.
Admission and Progression
There are two types of admissions into the nursing program.
- Traditional Admission. Occurs after three semesters of nursing prerequisite and general education courses. A student may be admitted conditionally if all admission criteria are not fully met.
- Freshman Admission. Some students may be admitted formally into the nursing program as entering freshmen.
Traditional Admission
Students must apply and be accepted to the University of Jamestown prior to applying for acceptance into the nursing program. Applications are available on-line via the UJ Department of Nursing web page. A student may apply at any time, once all the prerequisites are met. Notification regarding admission into the nursing program will be sent via email. The criteria for admission to the nursing program are as follows:
- Prior to applying to the nursing program, all of the following nursing pre-requisites, or their equivalents, must be successfully completed with a grade of C- or above: PSYC 203, NRSG 205, BIOL 208 and lab, BIOL 216 and lab, SOC 101 or SOC 230. BIOL 209 and lab may be taken before or concurrently with sophomore courses. Students who have received a grade lower than C- in one prerequisite may repeat that course and still be eligible to apply for the nursing major. Students who have received a grade lower than a C- in more than one prerequisite course will not be considered for admission into the nursing program. An applicant may petition for an exception to this rule if the failed prerequisite courses are more than 5 years out have been retaken and received a grade of C- or above. A Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.2 or higher is required for application to the nursing program.
- Submit a brief essay describing the extracurricular and work activities in which you have been involved that have contributed personally to you and/or the community. Indicate how you believe these experiences have prepared you for a career in nursing.
- Enrollment is limited. The admission process gives University of Jamestown students some advantage over transfers. No candidate is excluded on the basis of race, national origin, ethnicity, disability, religion, gender, veteran status, or sexual orientation.
- Acceptance into the nursing program may be rescinded at the discretion of the University of Jamestown based on the results of a criminal background check.
- Prerequisites cannot be fulfilled via CLEP or PEP.
- All official transcripts of credit transfers from other colleges and universities must be in the Registrar’s Office before entrance into the nursing program.
- Following admission, a grade of C- or above must be earned in all nursing courses and A&P II + lab. Refer to the Readmission Policy as stated below.
- Admitted students are considered conditionally approved until all required documents are received, including all clinical requirements.
Readmission After Nursing Course Failure
After receiving one failing grade (D+ or below) in a nursing course the student will be required to submit a letter requesting re-admission to the nursing program. The nursing faculty will meet and consider the student’s re-admission status. A decision will be made based on the student’s perceived ability to successfully progress through the major and to pass the NCLEX. Students who fail a nursing course are strongly advised to work with their advisor to formulate a plan outlining actions to facilitate successful course completion. After receiving a D+ or below in a subsequent nursing course the student will be ineligible for continued progression through the major.
Freshman Admission
A select number of students may be admitted directly into the nursing program on entrance to the University. The criteria for Freshman Admission to the nursing program are as follows:
- Applicant must be admitted to University of Jamestown before application to the nursing program will be accepted.
- Minimum high school GPA of 3.4 on 4.0 scale.
- Preferred ACT score of 25 or SAT (R&M) score of 1200.
- High school science and math courses strongly recommended.
Progression in the Nursing Major for Freshman Admits
All freshmen accepted to the nursing program will be required to achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 prior to the beginning of the nursing coursework. Failure to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.2 will make the student ineligible to enter the nursing program in the second semester of their sophomore year, even though they were admitted as a freshman. The student may reapply to the program when all admission criteria are met. Freshman students declaring nursing as a major must pass all prerequisite and corequisite courses with a grade of C- or higher. A student earning a grade lower than a C- in two or more prerequisite/corequisite courses will be deemed ineligible for application to or progression in the nursing program.
All nursing prerequisites or their equivalents must be completed prior to beginning clinical coursework: PSYC 203, NRSG 205, BIOL 208 and lab, BIOL 216 and lab, SOC 101 or SOC 230. BIOL 209 and lab may be taken before or concurrently with sophomore nursing courses. Students who have received a grade below C- in one prerequisite may repeat that course and still be eligible to apply for the nursing program.
Freshman students accepted into the nursing program are expected to work very closely with their academic advisor to help ensure necessary coursework is completed on time.
Clinical Requirements
Each semester, prior to beginning any clinical experience, the following documentation must be on file before a student will be allowed to attend clinicals. Clinical affiliation agreements require all students to meet certain requirements. Students will be required to maintain a current account with an external compliance tracker as directed by the nursing department after formally being admitted to program.
- Health Record Requirement which will be stored with external compliance tracker:
Record of a current TB Test (completed through the Department of Nursing, if not obtained prior to admission). NOTE: Although the CDC requires a chest x-ray for a positive TB test, the student should follow her/his health care provider’s advice.
- Record of MMRs (rubeola or rubella vaccination), OR Positive Titer
- Record of 2 Varicella Vaccinations OR a Positive Titer.
- Record of Tdap.
- Record of annual influenza vaccine.
- Record of Covid vaccination series as recommended by manufacturer.
- Record of 3 Hepatitis B Vaccinations OR a Positive Titer.
- Record of Health History Report completed within the past six months of admission to program.
- Proof of Health Insurance/Health Insurance Waiver.
- Completion of CPR and OSHA/HIPAA training provided by the University of Jamestown nursing department.
- Disability Accommodation—Reasonable accommodations will be made in assisting students who have disabilities to fulfill clinical and professional requirements. The ultimate determination regarding the reasonableness of accommodations will be based on the preservation of client safety and the resources of University of Jamestown and the Department of Nursing. Students requesting disability accommodations should refer to the Office of Disability Services.
- A criminal background check will be completed per affiliating healthcare agencies requirements. Participation in the criminal background check is necessary for obtaining clearance for a student’s participation in clinical learning opportunities at various healthcare facilities. Depending on the criminal background check results, the student may be denied progression in the nursing program. For the complete policy, refer to the Department of Nursing Student Handbook.
Fees and Expenses
In addition to tuition and general university fees, nursing students assume additional fees. Fees are attached to your bill each semester you are in the nursing program. Clinical fees and ATL (an integrated testing service utilized in the nursing department) fees are assessed each semester. Charges for a lab tote with necessary supplies will be charged to you your first semester in the program.
You will be required to open an account with an external compliance tracker that will maintain and store your immunization records. Before you are formally admitted to the nursing program, a criminal background check will be required. The external compliance tracker and criminal background check are additional charges that you pay directly and are not billed for through the billing department.
All of the above are required as part of the nursing program. Total fees and charges assessed by the billing department will be approximately $3,500.00 over the course of the program.
Additionally, costs incurred to maintain current immunization status, as required by the nursing department, are the responsibility of the student nurse. These costs will vary dependent on your health insurance coverage.
The University of Jamestown provides professional liability insurance for sophomore, junior and senior nursing students. Coverage applies while the insured is acting in his/her capacity as a student of the University. Students are expected to provide their own health insurance and required immunizations.
Transfer Students
Applicants with previous college credits are evaluated in terms of college and departmental requirements. Students seeking transfer into the nursing major should contact the Admissions Department for enrollment into the college. All nursing prerequisites must be completed prior to entrance into the second-semester sophomore courses.
BIOL 209 and lab may be taken before or concurrently with sophomore nursing courses. A student may also petition to the nursing faculty for permission to take EITHER SOC 101 or SOC 230 or PSYC 203 concurrently with sophomore nursing courses in the spring. These courses must also be passed with a C- or above to continue in the nursing program as a junior.
LPNs wishing to earn baccalaureate degrees may enroll in the nursing program at University of Jamestown. It is recognized that LPNs possess certain requisite knowledge and skills. Therefore, LPNs may be allowed credit in designated courses. General education requirements may be fulfilled through the approved transfer of previously earned college credit. The length of time required to complete the baccalaureate program depends on the approved transfer of college credits and whether the student is enrolled part-time or full-time. A grade of C- or above must be earned in all courses that are required in a major.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (continuing) to Doctor of Physical Therapy
The BSN to DPT Curriculum enables highly motivated students to achieve a BSN degree while they are completing Pre-Physical Therapy Requirements. Students are advised to declare a nursing and pre-PT major during their freshman year in order to receive important communication from the Department of Nursing and from the DPT Program.
Policies for admission to the Nursing Program and to Doctor of Physical Therapy Program will apply.
RN to BSN
RN students admitted to the University of Jamestown must meet the same criteria and adhere to the same policies as traditional students. All students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program must fulfill the same academic requirements for graduation. In addition, the RN student's current unencumbered license will be verified prior to granting full admission.
Prior to admission to the program, all officials transcripts will be reviewed by the Director of the RN to BSN program. Through collaboration with the University Registrar and the Nursing Department Chair, placement within the nursing program is determined and the applicant is notified.
General education requirements can be met by: 1) approved transfer of previously earned college credit; 2) validation with CLEP written examinations as per university policy; 3) validation by approved departmental challenge examinations; 4) enrollment in the courses at the University of Jamestown or another approved college/University.