Nursing

Two tracks, one degree.

The Nursing program has both a basic track described below and an R.N.-to-B.S.N. completion track, which is described in the Adult and Continuing Studies section of this catalog.

Basic track

Admission process

Applicants should be in the upper half of their high school graduating class. The high school program should include foreign language, algebra, chemistry, and biology. Physics is also recommended. Applications to the professional nursing program are submitted during the second semester of the freshman year. Applications are due by February 12 and are processed by March 11 for priority consideration. The first nursing course begins in the fall of the sophomore year (some exceptions may be made to accommodate SST schedules). The nursing department uses a holistic admissions framework in assessing  the applicant’s readiness for admission. Holistic admission is based on metrics (GPA minimum of 2.7), personal attributes (determined by references), and student’s life experiences (assessed through an essay in the application process). The applicant’s readiness for placement in clinical experiences is determined by academic performance, health record completion, and a background security check.

Transfer students from other nursing programs

Students who wish to transfer to the nursing program at Goshen College from another pre-nursing or nursing program will be reviewed on an individual basis. Admission to the nursing program will be based on the academic and clinical performance of the student. The Department of Nursing may request a reference letter from the previous nursing programs regarding academic and clinical performance.

Academic and professional requirements

General. Admission to Goshen College as outlined on the Admission website.
Professional. Essential abilities necessary to learn the professional nurse role include critical thinking, conceptual and judgmental skills, neurological function so that the senses can be used to make correct clinical judgments and perform psychomotor skills safely; the ability to communicate clearly; effective emotional coping skills; accountability; and the ability to engage in activities consistent with safe nursing practice.
Academic. Grade of C or above in supporting and nursing courses and a cumulative college grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 or higher. The Goshen Core requirement in Quantitative Literacy must be met prior to or concurrently with the first science class required for the major.
Other. The nursing department reserves the right to adjust the current admission criteria when outcome assessment data demonstrate the need for such changes.

Continuation criteria

A grade of C or above in all supporting and nursing courses and a college GPA of 2.7 or higher is required for continuation in the nursing major. A grade of C- or below in a supporting or nursing course interrupts the student’s plan of study. The course must be repeated with a grade of C or higher prior to advancement to the next level. Nursing and supporting courses may be repeated only once. The number of repeated courses is limited to two supporting courses and one nursing course. The nursing department reserves the right to place a student on probation or require a student to withdraw from the nursing major when the GPA falls below 2.7 or when that student displays behaviors deemed inappropriate to the practice of professional nursing.

Graduation requirements

Completion of 120 credit hours accepted by Goshen College, successful completion of all nursing courses, cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher in all college course work.

Licensure exam

Upon completion of the degree, the student who meets criteria is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination – RN (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as a registered professional nurse. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and is approved by the Indiana State Board of Nursing.

Major in nursing (basic track)

82-86 credit hours

Modified Goshen Core program for nursing students

The same Goshen Core requirements apply as for students in other majors, with two exceptions.
Perspectives courses: Natural World, Social World and Peacemaking requirements are met by courses in the nursing major.
Intercultural education: Nursing students may select an on-campus alternative program with three elements:

1. Language prerequisite: 101 level of any world language by placement test, course credit, or CLEP (or native language other than English)
2. 6 credit hours from the on campus SST alternate list (see Global Engagement pages).
3. Core 300, Global Issues Seminar

Supporting courses (31-35 credit hours)

• Chem 101, Introductory Chemistry 3
• Chem 103 NW, Chemistry and Health 4
• Biol 203, Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4
• Biol 204, Human Anatomy and Physiology II 3
• Biol 206, Microbiology 3
• Chem 220, Human Nutrition 3
• Psyc 100, General Psychology 3
• Psyc 210 SW, Developmental Psychology or Psyc 221, Human Behavior 3
• Soc 200, Principles of Sociology 3
• Biol 319, Human Pathophysiology 3
• Psyc 380, Statistics in Research 3

Nursing courses (51 credit hours)

• Nurs 210, Introduction to Professional Nursing 3
• Nurs 211, Fundamentals of Nursing3
• Nurs 212, Holistic Client Assessment* 3
• Nurs 305, Pharmacology 3
• Nurs 306, Nursing Care of the Adult I* 4
• Nurs 307, Nursing Care of the Adult II* 4
• Nurs 308, Gerontological Nursing 3
• Nurs 309 PX, Health Care Ethics 3
• Nurs 311, Nursing Care of the Expanding Family* 3
• Nurs 312, Nursing Care of the Child* 3
• Nurs 403, Nursing Research 3
• Nurs 405, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing* 3
• Nurs 406, Acute Care Nursing* 3
• Nurs 408, Community Health Nursing* 3
• Nurs 409, Leadership in Nursing* 3
• Nurs 410, Senior Seminar in Nursing 1
• Nurs 415, Capstone 3

*Denotes courses with a clinical component or practice-based project.

Planning and advising notes

Students who had two semesters of high school chemistry with a grade of B- or higher are exempt from Chem 101 but are required to take Chem 103.

Nursing faculty advisors work with each student to develop a four-year plan.

Student learning outcomes

Graduates in nursing will:

1. Utilize knowledge from the arts and humanities, theology, natural and social sciences, nursing theories, and intercultural experiences in providing nursing care.
2. Demonstrate leadership for promoting quality care and patient safety.
3. Utilize the ability to think actively and strategically in applying selected research findings for evidence-based practice.
4. Demonstrate skills in using patient care technology and information systems that support safe nursing practice.
5. Integrate healthcare policy for the promotion of quality and safety in practice environments.
6. Communicate and collaborate with clients and the interdisciplinary team in providing comprehensive health services and the promotion of therapeutic nurse-patient relationships.
7. Practice health promotion and disease prevention to improve health for individuals, families, communities, and populations.
8. Provide patient-centered care by employing critical thinking, decision-making, psychomotor, and interpersonal skills.
9. Demonstrate professional values that foster the ability to resolve conflicts, examine ethical issues, promote accountability, and pursue practice excellence.
10. Demonstrate a faith that is active and reflective, and responsive to the spiritual needs of self and others.

Planning guide

First year	Goshen Core courses Supporting courses Language
Second year	200 level nursing courses Concurrent 200 level courses Supporting courses May term SST alt (if needed) OR SST in fall semester (with advanced planning)
Third year	300 level nursing courses Supporting courses May term SST alt (if needed)
Fourth year	400 level nursing courses Artistic World and Religious World Core 300