Nursing (B.S.)

West Liberty University offers a bachelor of science in nursing degree with the following three tracks: a traditional four-year track for students with a high school degree, an accelerated program for those with a college degree, and an RN completion program for registered nurses who have a diploma or associate degree. The program incorporates various educational opportunities to prepare students to be professional nurses. The highly qualified faculty, comprehensive curriculum and clinical learning experiences in dynamic healthcare agencies contribute to making this nursing program one of high quality. Graduates of this program who were not previously registered nurses are eligible to apply to write the examination for licensure as professional registered nurses. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at West Liberty University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Entry- Level Admission Process

  1. Persons desiring to study nursing at WLU must be admitted to the university, declaring Nursing as their major.
  2. Admission to the nursing major is through either of two methods: Direct Admission or Application made during the second semester of the sophomore year.
  3. Direct Admission: High school students who are admitted to West Liberty University and meet the qualifications below will be given a spot in the Nursing Program in their junior year as long as they maintain a 3.0 University GPA and satisfy the requirements listed in item #4 below (related to full admission). Qualifications for direct admission to nursing are any one of the three combinations of high school grade point average and ACT or SAT scores:
    1. A GPA of 3.8 or higher and either a 25 or higher composite ACT or an 1150 or higher SAT (combined Critical Reading and Math)
    2. A GPA of 3.6 -3.79 and either a 26 or higher composite ACT or an 1190 SAT (combined Critical Reading and Math)
    3. A GPA of 3.5 – 3.59 and either a 28 or higher composite ACT or an 1260 SAT (combined Critical Reading and Math)
  4. Application to the Nursing Program may be made during the second semester of the sophomore year. Admission criteria include:
    1. ACT composite score of 20 or combined critical reading and math SAT score of 1030.
    2. Satisfactory completion of a pre-admission examination as determined by the Nursing Program.
    3. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 upon completion of at least 42 hours of credit.
    4. A grade of “C’ or higher in all science prerequisite courses: BIO 124/125; CHEM 100/101 or CHEM 110/111; BIO 212.
  5. The Nursing Academic Standards Committee reviews applications and notifies the candidate of its decision. Students desiring priority consideration should submit all application material by February 1.
  6. Students not meeting initial requirements may re-apply.
  7. Full admission to the Nursing Program will occur at the completion of the sophomore year and includes;
    1. Satisfactory completion of all general studies courses and nursing support/prerequisite courses with an overall GPA of 3.0 in the general studies and nursing support/prerequisite courses required for the degree
    2. A grade of “C” or higher in each science course (BIO 214, and BIO 216) and the prerequisite nursing courses (NUR 202 and NUR 203).
    3. A background check with “unremarkable” findings and a drug screen with “clean” results (from a specified vendor).

The West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses reserves the right to deny a license to practice registered professional nursing to persons who have been convicted of some felonies or engaged in other improper activities as stated in the WV Code and legislative rules.

Requirements

Required Courses

BIO 212Anatomy & Physiology (Health Professionals)

4

BIO 214Anatomy & Physiology II

2

BIO 216Microbiology & Lab

3

MATH 160Introduction to Statistics

3 or 5

NUR 202Introduction to Professional Nursing

2

NUR 203Medical Terminology

1

NUR 309Health Assessment

3

NUR 315Professional Nursing I

7

NUR 317Clinical Nursing I

3

NUR 319Pharmacology I

3

NUR 320Pharmacology II

3

NUR 322Evidence-Based Practice & Informatics

4

NUR 323Professional Nursing II

7

NUR 324Clinical Nursing II

4

NUR 405Population-Based Care

2

NUR 406Professional Nursing III

7

NUR 407Clinical Nursing III

5

NUR 409Nursing Synthesis I

2

NUR 436Professional Nursing IV

3

NUR 437Clinical Nursing IV

2

NUR 438Leadership & Management

3

NUR 439Nursing Synthesis II

3

NUR 440Clinical Capstone

4

PSYC 101Introduction to Psychology

3

PSYC 252Life Span Development

3