JMU and Nursing

1. JMU and Nursing CHOICES September 18, 2010

2. Employment Opportunities for JMU Nursing Graduates Patient Education Administration Pediatrics Flight & Trauma Long-Term Care Public Health Doctors Office Traveling

3. JMU Nursing Mission: To provide quality, professional undergraduate and graduate nursing education that prepares nursing leaders to influence a changing profession, society, health care system, and global health needs.

4. Sources of Information • Nursing Department: • Office Staff Contact–Kelly Brown • Freshman Advisors • Undergraduate Academic Counselor-Charles West, M.Ed., NCC • BSN Program Director-Vicki Martin, PhD, RN • Department Head – Merle Mast, PhD, RN, ANP • Web page – www.nursing.jmu.edu • Phone – 540-568-6314

5. Nursing at JMU • 4-year program • 2 years General Education & Nursing Pre-reqs • 2 years (61 credits) Nursing • Accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) • BSN  NCLEX  RN • NCLEX national; States license RNs • Resources throughout curriculum to help prepare for NCLEX

6. JMU BSN Program prepares YOU as . . . • As a generalist • Adult Health • Pediatrics • Mother-Baby • Psychiatry • Community Health • Ways to specialize prior to graduation • Summer externship • Capstone Experience • Nursing Electives

7. About the Program • Classroom courses • Varied practicum activities • Health Assessment & Skills labs • Simulation Lab Experiences • Learning: Theory, Skills, Application

9. Now…… if this sounds good to you so far……

10. How do you get admitted to Nursing? • Enter program at Junior level • 60 students admitted each fall • 60 students admitted each spring • Supplemental application to program due • After you have completed 36 total credit hours • Completed Chemistry, Statistics, and at least two of the required Biology courses • September 30th for the following fall • February 15th for the following spring • Reapply each time that you wish to be considered for admission • HIGHLY competitive!! • Average GPA for fall 2010 was 3.6, fall 2011 was 3.54 • Approx. 125 qualified applicants for 60 spots (fall 11) • Average GPA for spring 2011 was 3.34 • Approx. 153 qualified applicants for 60 spots

11. Nursing Prerequisite Courses: • Chem 120 • Math 220 statistics • Bio 270 Physiology • Bio 280 Microbiology • Bio 290 Anatomy • Nutrition 280 • Psych 160 Human Growth and Dev • Sophomore Level NSG 270

12. What if I don’t get accepted the first time that I apply….NOW WHAT? • Pick up a Minor • Chronic Illness • Medical Spanish • ETC, ETC, ETC • Study Abroad • Leave of Absence for a semester

13. How Can You Be More Competitive NOW ? • Take your AP courses seriously and strive for 4’s on each test! • Consider taking an elementary statistics course at your local community college this summer! • Get some experience NOW for nursing • Shadow a nurse • Volunteer at a local nursing home • Come into JMU with a mindset to work hard and to succeed!

14. Heads up…. • Transportation to practicum sites • Documentation required by agencies: • Criminal check • Drug Screen • Various immunizations • TB testing • CPR certification • Costs: • Uniforms, equipment, NCLEX prep, professional organization dues and conference attendance, etc.

15. Once at JMU . . . • Balance fun with learning • Continue to develop critical reading and writing skills • Organize and prioritize your time • Get to know your nursing advisor • Join the JMU Student Nurses Association EARLY! • Find study partners or study groups • Use campus resources: • Writing center • Counseling center for test taking skills and test anxiety • Free tutoring for pre-requisite classes • Explore opportunities to serve your community through campus organizations and nursing

16. Questions?