Department of Nursing

Department Chair Selwyn Layton – SCA 108B	Faculty & Staff
Graduate Program Lead Mark Siemon – SCA 012B	Student Success Advisors
Nursing Program Manager Teresa Higbee – SCA 108C	Website
Administrative Assistant II/Admissions Vikki Robertson – SCA 108A

Overview of Programs

Undergraduate

The Department of Nursing provides academic programs that prepare individuals for professional nursing practice. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing is recommended for students preparing for entry into nursing practice. We offer a learning-centered education that meets the requirements for a baccalaureate degree at SUU and ensures that graduates have the abilities to be successful professional nurses.

Graduate

The Master of Science in Nursing in Leadership and Administration (M.S.N. Leadership) program is designed for registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree interested in learning and developing leadership skills to advance health equity, promote population health outcomes, and help organizations and governments improve quality and value in healthcare. The 30-credit online program includes courses in leadership theory, leadership ethics, evidence-based practice in leadership, innovation and informatics, health policy for nurse leaders, and practice-based clinical experience. The M.S.N. Leadership curriculum includes three core courses from the M.B.A. program. The M.S.N. Leadership program meets the requirements established by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Standards for Accreditation (2018) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing (AACN, 2011). The M.S.N. Leadership program is currently in the application phase for accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The program is currently not accredited by CCNE.

Mission

The Department of Nursing is made up of academic programs that prepare individuals for professional nursing practice. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing is recommended for students preparing for entry into nursing practice. We offer a learning-centered education that meets the requirements for a baccalaureate degree at SUU and ensures that graduates have the abilities to be successful, excellent, professional nurses. The purpose of the Department of Nursing is to provide learning opportunities that engage students in a comprehensive program of classroom and experiential learning that emphasizes caring, critical thinking, patient safety, ethical decision making, and communication, civic responsibility and professional excellence

Goals

Undergraduate

The observable, measurable goals of the Department of Nursing and our outcomes by which we will accomplish them are:

To prepare graduates to successfully enter professional nursing practice and graduate school by offering well-planned and pedagogically sound learning experiences that explore diverse culture and ideas. Courses are focused on authentic, meaningful engagements that develop skills in analysis, critical thinking, problem solving, and ethical decision making.
To develop technically proficient nurses by offering students hands-on experiences with state-of-the-art health care equipment, one-on-one instructional experiences, and varied hands-on clinical practicum opportunities that include intentional and transformative learning experiences.
To excel in its commitment to high-quality outcomes and student achievement by supporting faculty members as health care professionals. Faculty will demonstrate excellence in teaching, scholarly endeavors, practice, and professional community service and provide leadership in nursing practice by fostering good teaching, encouraging participation in clinical practice, professional service, and scholarly engagement.

Graduate

To prepare and empower registered nurses to develop and grow in leadership roles through graduate education focused on leading teams, promoting community health, advocating for systems change and equitable health policy, fostering the redesign of healthcare organizations and systems, and advancing efforts to achieve health equity.

Program Learning Outcomes

Undergraduate

Upon completion of the Southern Utah University Baccalaureate Nursing Program, graduates will be able to do the following:

Provide quality professional nursing care based on a synthesis of theoretical and empirical knowledge from nursing, physical and social sciences, arts and humanities, and life experiences.
Use evidence as the basis for clinically competent contemporary nursing care.
Communicate effectively using various means in a variety of roles and settings.
Optimize health care to diverse individuals, families, groups and communities through collaboration with interdisciplinary health care teams.
Demonstrate intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and motivation toward life-long learning.
Influence the quality of nursing and health care using leadership skills, management concepts, and a knowledge of the political system.
Be legally and ethically accountable for clinical nursing practice.
Assume the role of generalist nurse and become a responsible member of the profession.

Graduate

The learning outcomes for the M.S.N. in Leadership and Administration include

Development of leadership skills to advance health equity and promote population health outcomes.
Development of leadership skills to help organizations and governments improve quality and value in healthcare.
Ability to lead teams to improve population health outcomes.
Ability to advocate for systems change and health policy and advance efforts to achieve health equity
Ability to work with collaborative multisector partnerships to address population health disparities.
Ability to understand how to effect change in organizations and communities, and promote innovation and adoption of programs and policies to improve population health outcomes and equity.

Learning objectives for courses are based on the AACN (2011) Essentials for Master’s Education in Nursing and the American Organization of Nursing Leadership (2015) Nurse Executive Competencies: Population Health.

Undergraduate Admission and Graduation Information

All pre-nursing and nursing students should seek advisement every semester to remain current and on track for application to, progression through, and graduation from the nursing program.

For Department of Nursing Admission Information:

Vikki Robertson, Administrative Assistant II/Admissions
Nursing Department, SCA 108A
351 W University Blvd
Cedar City, UT 84720
(435) 586-1906, RobertsonV@suu.edu

Admission to the SUU Baccalaureate Nursing Program is competitive. Students must apply and be accepted to enter the nursing program. In addition to an outstanding academic record, the program admits students based on numerous qualities, including leadership, work and volunteer experiences, and potential for success as presented in the application.

Nursing - Health Professionals to BSN Program Admission Procedure

The selective admission process for Health Professionals (HP) to BSN students occurs once per year for the summer semester. Admission packets and deadlines are available from the Department of Nursing and College of Health Sciences Student Success Advisors or on the department website. SUU Department of Nursing admission is competitive and based on review of all application materials.

Minimum requirements to apply for admission include the following:

Completed admission application packet for Health Professionals to BSN option.
Acceptance to SUU with all transcripts transferred to SUU (official transcripts are required).
Completion of ALL prerequisites, including Core Course Requirements, Knowledge Area Requirements, and Required Support Courses.¹
Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on all “Nursing Required Support Courses” with no course grade less than a “C” (2.0).
Completed “Department of Nursing Advisement Sheet” signed by applicant and CoHS Student Success Advisor. Consult with CoHS Student Success Advisors prior to submitting your application.
$40.00 non-refundable Nursing application fee (checks made payable to “SUU Nursing”).
A copy of license or certificate (if testing copy must be submitted to the Department of Nursing by the first Friday of September).

¹Students who are finishing prerequisite courses during the semester they apply to the Nursing Program should hand-deliver their grade report to the Department of Nursing the Friday of the week following finals week. Students must have no more than 18 credits of outstanding prerequisite courses to be eligible to apply.

Letter of Applications. Southwest or Dixie Technical College students just finishing their LPN program, please contact the Department of Nursing for the Letter of Application form to request your position in the Health Professional (HP) to BSN Nursing program upon completion of your LPN program. Proof of NCLEX-PN licensure is to be submitted to the SUU Department of Nursing by the first Friday of September of the year you start the program.

Please note that meeting the above requirements does not guarantee admission. From the applicants who meet minimum requirements, 20 of those who are deemed best qualified will be admitted.

We emphasize that in addition to grades and test scores, the Admissions and Advancement Committee uses other factors in their evaluation of who will be successful in nursing school. The goal of the Admissions and Advancement Committee is to select the most capable students. GPA and course grades are carefully scrutinized and are an important part of the application process. The application package assists the committee in evaluating the strengths of each candidate. Throughout the application process, the committee expects applicants to be courteous, respectful, truthful, and professional at all times.

Applicants are notified of the decision by mail (U.S.P.S.). All decisions by the Admissions and Advancement Committee are final and may not be appealed.

If the applicant pool exceeds the maximum number of positions available, several students will be considered as alternates for admission. If accepted applicants decline their acceptance or are not admitted for medical or other reasons, alternates will be notified of acceptance. The Department of Nursing does not keep a waiting list.

Applicants not accepted to the program are encouraged to reapply for admission the following year. Applications will not be used a second time; therefore, a new application must be submitted. Applications from individuals who have applied in the past are not given special consideration and are reviewed as a member of the current applicant pool. Applications from individuals granted alternate status are given consideration; however, they are reviewed as a member of the current applicant pool.

Nursing - Pre-Licensure Program Admission Procedure

The selective admission process for pre-licensure BSN students occurs twice per year, fall and spring semesters. Admission packets and deadlines are available from the Department of Nursing and College of Health Sciences Student Success Advisors or on the department website. SUU Department of Nursing admission is competitive and based on review of all application materials.

Minimum requirements to apply for admission include the following:

Completed admission application packet for pre-licensure BSN option.
Acceptance to SUU with all transcripts transferred to SUU (official transcripts are required).
Completion of ALL prerequisites, including Core Course Requirements, Knowledge Area Requirements, and Required Support Courses.¹
Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on all “Nursing Required Support Courses” with no course grade less than a “C” (2.0).
Completed “Department of Nursing Advisement Sheet” signed by applicant and CoHS Student Success Advisor. Consult with CoHS Student Success Advisors prior to submitting your application.
$40.00 non-refundable Nursing application fee (checks made payable to “SUU Nursing”).

Please note that meeting the above requirements does not guarantee admission. From the applicants who meet minimum requirements, 40 of those who are deemed best qualified will be admitted.

We emphasize that in addition to grades and test scores, the Admissions and Advancement Committee uses other factors in their evaluation of who will be successful in Nursing school. The goal of the Admissions and Advancement Committee is to select the most capable students. GPA and course grades are carefully scrutinized and are an important part of the application process. The application package assists the committee in evaluating the strengths of each candidate. Throughout the application process, the committee expects applicants to be courteous, respectful, truthful, and professional at all times.

Applicants are notified of the admission decision by mail (U.S.P.S.). All decisions by the Admissions and Advancement Committee are final and may not be appealed.

If the applicant pool exceeds the maximum number of positions available for the specified semester, several students will be considered as alternates for admission. If accepted applicants decline their acceptance or are not admitted for medical or other reasons, alternates will be notified of acceptance. The Department of Nursing does not keep a waiting list from semester to semester.

Applicants not accepted to the program are encouraged to reapply for admission the following semester. Applications will not be used a second time; therefore, a new application must be submitted. Applications from individuals who have applied in the past are not given special consideration and are reviewed as a member of the current applicant pool. Applications from individuals granted alternate status are given consideration; however, they are reviewed as a member of the current applicant pool.

Nursing - RN to BSN Program Admission Procedure

An affordable, CCNE-accredited program is delivered in an 100% online format and designed for working professionals. Begin when you are ready and complete your nursing core in as few as 10 months by taking advantage of six (6) starting points per year and accelerated seven-week courses.

For more information: Visit online.suu.edu/online/sap/nur or www.suu.edu/nursing/rn-bsn.html

Minimum requirements to apply for admission include the following:

Acceptance to SUU with all transcripts transferred to SUU (official transcripts are required).
Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
An unencumbered RN license.

Graduate Admissions and Graduation Information

M.S.N. - Leadership and Administration Admission Requirements

A baccalaureate degree in Nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program (e.g., ACEN or CCNE).
A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5.
A completed graduate application, including official transcripts from the accredited institution that awarded the Nursing degree.
An active, unrestricted Registered Nursing License to practice in the United States (e.g., State RN License) (may be provided during the first course of the program).
A background check and drug screen (both may be completed during the first course of the program).

Graduation Information

All courses must be passed with a minimum grade of “B-” (2.7) to count in the program. Any failed course (“F” or “UW”) may result in dismissal from the program. Students must earn a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 to graduate.

Other Information

Licensure Preparation

Graduation from the SUU Department of Nursing is not a guarantee of licensure; successful completion of the SUU B.S.N. degree entitles the graduate to apply for the registered nurse national examination for licensure (NCLEX®-RN). In order to be licensed as a registered nurse in the State of Utah, the applicant must be in conformity with the Utah Nurse Practice Act. The Utah State Board of Nursing makes the final decision as to whether a license will be issued to practice nursing in the State of Utah. If you have questions regarding this, please contact:

Department of Professional Licensing
Utah State Board of Nursing
160 East 300 South
PO Box 146741
Salt Lake City, UT 84111-6741
Phone Number: 801-530-6628 or Toll Free in Utah: 866-275-3675
Website: dopl.utah.gov/nurse/index.html

Programs

Bachelor’s Degree

Joint Bachelor’s / Master’s Degrees

Nursing - RN to BSN Emphasis (B.S.N.) / Master of Science in Nursing in Leadership and Administration (M.S.N.)

Master’s Degree

Master of Science in Nursing in Leadership and Administration (M.S.N.)

Joint Master’s Degrees

Master of Science in Nursing in Leadership and Administration (M.S.N.) / Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)