Location: 233 McFaddin Ward Health Sciences Building, Phone: Nursing Advising for ADN and B.S.N. (409) 880-8868; Advising for M.S.N. (409) 880-7720
Chair: Eileen Deges Curl
Chair E-mail: eileen.curl@lamar.edu
Degree Coordinators:
The JoAnne Gay Dishman Department of Nursing faculty believe in preparing students to become competent graduates who provide quality nursing care to diverse populations in an ever-changing society. Personal, social, and professional strengths of the graduates are developed to form a basis for continued growth.
Nursing is based on the concepts of professional integrity, effective communication, active inquiry, and service to the community. The goals of nursing are to assist humanity in disease prevention, health promotion, health maintenance and restoration, and the support of death with dignity. Nursing utilizes a spirit of caring, interpersonal communication, critical thinking, and therapeutic interventions to contribute to the health of the individual and society. The responsibility of nurses is to utilize the nursing process to assist people to meet health care needs and to attain health related goals. The faculty believe in the preparation of professional nurses for three major roles: provider of care, coordinator of care, and member of the profession.
Associate Degree graduates are prepared as competent entry-level practitioners to assess the health needs of individuals and families. General education courses provide a foundation for nursing content in the associate degree program. As members of the profession, graduates are able to plan, implement, evaluate and coordinate care for clients in a variety of health care settings. Through education, articulation, and experience, graduates are able to pursue lifelong learning.
Baccalaureate Degree graduates are prepared with a broad perspective and understanding of society, the environment, and people as diverse individuals, families, groups, and communities. Baccalaureate education incorporates a broad range of basic, behavioral, and social sciences, communication and data analysis content to provide a strong foundation for future critical thinking and problem solving. A baccalaureate degree is the most common requirement for entry into graduate nursing education where nurses may further develop their professional roles to become nurse educators, researchers, administrators, or advanced practice nurses.
Nursing students meet course requirements through didactic courses, laboratory and simulation activities, and clinical experience in healthcare facilities under the supervision of University faculty. Students are expected to adhere to rules and regulations of ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University and the various agencies to which they are assigned. Specific policies may be obtained from the Director of Undergraduate Nursing Studies.
Graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) in order to receive licensure to practice professional nursing. Graduates will be required to meet criteria established by the Texas Board of Nursing in order to take the NCLEX-RN examination.
ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University nursing programs, both associate and baccalaureate degrees, are fully accredited by the Texas Board of Nursing and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC, 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, phone (409) 975-5000, fax (409) 975-5020).
Students wanting to be admitted to nursing must submit an Application for Admission to Nursing. Students wishing to major in nursing must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, have met the THEA requirement, and be in good standing in the university.
Students not enrolled at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ must submit two separate applications: one for admission to ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ (obtained from the Office of ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ), and one for admission to the specific nursing program (obtained from the Advising Center, Room 255, McFaddin-Ward Health Sciences Building).
Applications for admission to the nursing programs must be received by March 1 prior to the fall semester admission and October 1 for spring admission. The following items must accompany the application:
• Application fee,
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended,
• Official transcript evaluation by ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University, and
• Written documentation of passing all components of THEA.
Applicants are urged to follow application instructions carefully to ensure processing by the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Committee. Students are responsible for assuring that their applications are complete, including the transcript evaluation. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Students seeking readmission are required to submit an application and fee.
Applications for admission to nursing are evaluated on the following basis:
Official transcript evaluation by ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University is required for all transfer credits. Transfer credits which are not equivalent to ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ credits must be evaluated on an individual basis by the appropriate department chair.
As part of the admission process, students are required to:
Students accepting admission into the Undergraduate Program must demonstrate essential physical competencies for nursing. (Request a copy from the Director of Undergraduate Nursing Studies). Students must also demonstrate emotional capability for completing the program’s instructional and clinical practice. The Texas Board of Nursing (TBON) requires students to report significant mental diagnoses and treatment to TBON.
For progression in the program, a minimum grade of “C” must be earned in English composition, nursing and science courses, and an overall GPA of 2.0 must be maintained in all course work. A student who fails a nursing course must apply for re-admission to progress. If re-admitted, the student must repeat all designated co-requisite courses.Students may be readmitted only one time. Under no circumstances may a nursing course be repeated more than once. Failing two nursing courses results in program failure.See the Undergraduate Nursing Studies Handbook for specific policies. The handbook is available by contacting the Dishman Department of Nursing, (409) 880-8821.
Students are required to complete nursing courses in the sequence identified on the program of study. Due to the required sequencing of the nursing program courses, students who fail a nursing course will not be allowed to progress to the next courses. Re-admission to the program is not guaranteed and is based upon space availability, assessment of previous performance in the program, and grades. Progression policies are published in the Undergraduate Nursing Studies Student Handbook.
Students requesting readmission or transfer must submit an application for readmission or transfer to the Nursing ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Committee by October 1 for Spring admission and March 1 for Summer and Fall admission. Students who have been unsuccessful (“D” or lower) in one or more nursing course(s) at another nursing program are not eligible for admission. Transfer students are admitted on a space-available basis. See department transfer policy available from the Nursing Advising Center.
Additional costs above tuition and fees are involved in nursing programs. Uniforms, equipment, instruments, liability insurance, health examinations, immunization costs, CPR certification, special testing fees, course packet fees, additional laboratory/clinical fees and transportation to clinical facilities are the student’s responsibility. Financial aid is available for eligible students (see Financial Aid and Awards section of this bulletin).
Liability insurance, CPR certification, health examinations and immunizations must be renewed each year of the nursing programs. Students may be assigned to clinical experiences during day, evening, night or weekend hours. Clinical agencies may require additional health examinations, dress codes or conformity with other policies. Students will be informed in advance of such requirements.
In addition to the university graduation requirements and compliance with the written degree plan, students must pass a nationally standardized examination designated by the department in order to graduate from the respective program. The courses of the final semester of each program constitute the capstone experience. The Department recommends that all other course requirements are completed prior to entry into the final capstone semester. Further explanation is provided in the Undergradaute Nursing Studies Handbook.
Undergraduate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – 128 hours
R.N.-B.S.N. Articulation Track – 128 hours
(Up to 66 hours of non-nursing hours can transfer from a community college in addition to 32 hours of escrow credit for prior nursing courses.)
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing – 69 hours
LVN to ADN Articulation Track – 72 hours
(10 hours of escrow credit given for prior nursing courses)
Graduate
Master of Science in Nursing – 37 hours
Post-Masters Certificate – 20 hours
Director of Undergraduate Nursing Studies: Iva Hall
254 McFaddin-Ward Health Sciences Building
Completion of the program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree. Recipients of the degree are eligible to make application to take the NCLEX-RN exam to become a Registered Nurse (R.N.).
The baccalaureate program also provides an opportunity for Registered Nurses who wish to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. This special track is called the R.N.-B.S.N. Articulation Track. Please refer to separate admission requirements in the appropriate section.
To be considered for admission to the B.S.N. program, the student must:
Applications are available by calling the Advising Center at (409) 880-8868 or via the web at . B.S.N. students are admitted for Spring and Fall semesters.
| First Year | Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | Fall Semester | ||
| BIOL 2401 A & P | 4 | BIOL 2420 | 4 |
| ENGL 1301 | 3 | NURS 1373* | 3 |
| MATH 1314 | 3 | PSYC 2315 | 3 |
| PHIL 1370 | 3 | NURS 1102** | 1 |
| HIST 1301 | 3 | PSYC 2471*** | 3 |
| PEGA PA | 1 | ||
| 17 | 14 | ||
| Spring Semester | Spring Semester | ||
| BIOL 2402 A & P II | 4 | NURS 2340 | 3 |
| ENGL 1302 | 3 | NURS 2241 | 2 |
| CHEM 1406 | 4 | NURS 2213 | 2 |
| FCSC 1322 | 3 | NURS 2210 | 2 |
| HIST 1302 | 3 | NURS 2316 | 3 |
| 17 | 12 | ||
| Summer I | Summer I | ||
| POLS 2301 | 3 | NURS 2330 | 3 |
| ENGL Literature | 3 | ||
| Summer II | Summer II | ||
| POLS 2302 | 3 | Fine Art | 3 |
| Communication | 3 | ||
| Third Year | Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | Fall Semester | ||
| NURS 3420 | 4 | NURS 4320 | 3 |
| NURS 3221 | 2 | NURS 4221 | 2 |
| NURS 3210 | 2 | NURS 4340 | 3 |
| NURS 3230 | 2 | NURS 4241 | 2 |
| NURS 3231 | 2 | Social Science elective | 3 |
| 12 | 13 | ||
| Spring Semester | Spring Semester | ||
| NURS 3560 | 5 | NURS 4180 | 1 |
| NURS 3361 | 3 | NURS 4381 | 3 |
| NURS 3282 | 2 | NURS 4350 | 3 |
| NURS 3390 | 3 | NURS 4251 | 2 |
| NURS 4360 | 3 | ||
| 13 | 12 |
*NURS 1373 – must be taken
**NURS 1102 – Nursing as a
***PSYC 2471 – Statistics is a prerequisite for NURS 3390
| First Year | Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | Second Semester | ||
| BIOL 2401 A & P I | 4 | BIOL 2420 | 4 |
| ENGL 1301 | 3 | PSYC 2471*** | 3 |
| MATH 1314 | 3 | PSYC 2315 | 3 |
| PHIL 1370 | 3 | POLS 2301 | 3 |
| HIST 1301 | 3 | Social Science elective | 3 |
| PEGA PE | 1 | ||
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Spring Semester | Spring Semester | ||
| BIOL 2402 A & P II | 4 | NURS 1373* | 1 |
| ENGL 1302 | 3 | NURS 1102** | 3 |
| CHEM 1406 | 4 | POLS 2302 | 3 |
| FCSC 1322 | 3 | ENGL Literature | 3 |
| HIST 1302 | 3 | Communication | 3 |
| Fine Art | 3 | ||
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | Fall Semester | ||
| NURS 2340 | 3 | NURS 3560 | 5 |
| NURS 2241 | 2 | NURS 3361 | 3 |
| NURS 2213 | 2 | NURS 3282 | 2 |
| NURS 2330 | 3 | NURS 3390 | 3 |
| NURS 2210 | 2 | ||
| NURS 2316 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Spring Semester | Spring Semester | ||
| NURS 3420 | 4 | NURS 4320 | 3 |
| NURS 3221 | 2 | NURS 4221 | 2 |
| NURS 3210 | 2 | NURS 4340 | 3 |
| NURS 3230 | 2 | NURS 4241 | 2 |
| NURS 3231 | 2 | ||
| 12 | 10 | ||
| Final Semester | |||
| NURS 4180 | 1 | ||
| NURS 4381 | 3 | ||
| NURS 4350 | 3 | ||
| NURS 4251 | 2 | ||
| NURS 4360 | 3 | ||
| 12 |
*NURS 1373 – must be taken
**NURS 1102 – Nursing as a
***PSYC 2471 – Statistics is a prerequisite for NURS 3390
Coordinator: Carol Hammonds
206 McFaddin-Ward Health Sciences Bldg.
Phone 880-7817
This flexible online track is designed for the career-oriented registered nurse seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree. The nurse must be a registered nurse in the state of Texas with an unencumbered license. Progression through the track is dependent upon the nurse's initial nursing preparation. Admission to ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University is required as well as admission to the R.N.–B.S.N. Articulation Track. Transcripts must be evaluated by the Coordinator of the R.N.-B.S.N. Articulation Track prior to application being made. Official transcripts from other colleges or universities must be evaluated by ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ. This program is also offered online.
Students are not officially admitted to the R.N.-B.S.N. track until they have completed all prerequisite courses. R.N.-B.S.N. students are admitted for Summer and Spring semesters. Applications may be obtained from the Nursing Advising Office (Room 255), or by calling (409) 880-8868. An application fee is required. (The R.N.-B.S.N. Articulation Application is separate from the basic B.S.N. Application.) Applications are available on the Dishman Department of Nursing website ().
Applicants for the R.N.-B.S.N. Track must meet the same admission requirements as specified for the basic B.S.N. program in addition to holding an unencumbered license to practice professional nursing in Texas prior to taking practicum courses. A meeting with the R.N.-B.S.N. Articulation Coordinator is required to develop a degree plan. Advising is available by phone or in person.
This plan of study is the minimum prescribed program. The remaining 24 credit hours of non-nursing core curriculum (general education) courses can be taken while enrolled in nursing courses. Consult with the R.N.-B.S.N. Articulation Coordinator for the best options, (409) 880-7817. Students enrolled full time can complete the nursing courses within 12 months. Part-time study is available.
| Prerequisite Courses | Core Nursing Courses | ||
| BIOL 2401 | 4 | NURS 2213 | 2 |
| BIOL 2402 | 4 | NURS 2316 | 3 |
| BIOL 2420 | 4 | NURS 3390 | 3 |
| CHEM 1406 | 4 | NURS 4320 | 3 |
| NURS 1373 | 3 | NURS 4221 | 2 |
| PSYC 2315 | 3 | NURS 4340 | 3 |
| PSYC 2471 | 4 | NURS 4241 | 2 |
| MATH 1314 | 3 | NURS 4180 | 1 |
| FCSC 1322 | 3 | NURS 4381 | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | 3 | NURS 4350 | 3 |
| ENGL 1302 | 3 | NURS 4251 | 2 |
| PHIL 1370 | 3 | NURS 4360 | 3 |
| PEGA Phys. Ed. | 2 | ||
| 41-43 | 30 |
Thirty-two hours of essential upper division credit will be added to the R.N. to B.S.N. student’s transcript in order to have enough upper division courses for graduation. The student is responsible to pay the cashier $25 per course for hours to be added to the transcript.
| Escrow Courses | |
| NURS 2340 | 3 |
| NURS 2241 | 2 |
| NURS 2210 | 2 |
| NURS 3420 | 4 |
| NURS 3221 | 2 |
| NURS 3210 | 2 |
| NURS 3230 | 2 |
| NURS 3231 | 2 |
| NURS 3560 | 5 |
| NURS 3361 | 3 |
| NURS 3282 | 2 |
| NURS 2330 | 3 |
| Total | 32 |
Non-Nursing Credits: Only non-nursing credits which carry college credit may transfer. See Transfer Credit Evaluation in this bulletin.
Transfer credits from a junior college are limited to 66 semester hours of the number of hours required by the University during the freshman and sophomore years in the chronological order in which the student plans to enroll. No junior college credits will be considered for upper (junior-senior) level.
Director of Undergraduate Nursing Studies: Iva Hall
254 McFaddin-Ward Health Sciences Building
Completion of the program leads to an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree. Recipients of the degree are eligible to make application to take the NCLEX-RN exam to become a Registered Nurse (RN). The associate degree program complies with the SCANS guidelines and the THECB Workforce Education Course Manual.
The Associate Program also provides an opportunity for Licensed Vocational Nurses who wish to pursue an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree. This special track is called the LVN-ADN Articulation Track. Please refer to separate admission requirements in the appropriate section.
To be considered for admission, the student must:
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing students are admitted into nursing for the Fall semester.
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Curriculum Plan
| Prerequisite Courses | |
| BIOL 2401 | 4 |
| BIOL 2402 | 4 |
| BIOL 2420 | 4 |
| NURS 1373* | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | 3 |
| MATH 1314 or TM Option | 3 |
| 21 | |
| Pre-Nursing Elective | |
| NURS 1102 | 1 |
| First Year | Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | Fall Semester | ||
| RNSG 1413 | 4 | RNSG 2201 | 2 |
| RNSG 1160 | 1 | RNSG 2160 | 1 |
| RNSG 1215 | 2 | RNSG 2208 | 2 |
| RNSG 1105 | 1 | RNSG 2161 | 1 |
| PSYC 2315** | 3 | RNSG 2213 | 2 |
| Elective | 3 | RNSG 2162 | 1 |
| Humanities/Fine Art | 3 | ||
| 14 | 12 | ||
| Spring Semester | Spring Semester | ||
| RNSG 1341 | 3 | RNSG 2221 | 2 |
| RNSG 1161 | 1 | RNSG 2260 | 2 |
| RNSG 1144 | 1 | RNSG 2231 | 2 |
| RNSG 1343 | 3 | RNSG 2207 | 2 |
| RNSG 1162 | 1 | RNSG 2263 | 2 |
| RNSG 1301 | 3 | ||
| 12 | 10 |
*NURS 1373 must be taken within three years prior to starting the
nursing program.
**PSYC 2315 is a prerequisite to RNSG 1341
Non-Nursing Hours – 27
Nursing Hours – 42
Total – 69
Coordinator: Judy Smith 219 Ward Health Sciences Bldg.
Phone 880-8829
The LVN to ADN Articulation Track is an alternate track leading to an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing (ADN). This track facilitates educational mobility for the experienced Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Students enrolling in this track are required to hold an unencumbered license as a LVN in Texas. All prerequisite courses require a grade of “C” or better prior to admission. Students must meet all of the admission requirements for the basic ADN program.Students must be accepted by the University and have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better prior to admission. Students are admitted to nursing based on space availability and completion of all prerequisite courses. Applications to the LVN to ADV track are due by March 1 for summer admission. Students will be admitted to the LVN to ADN track for the Summer 1 session. After completing all program requirements, including an exit examination, LVN to ADN students are eligible to take the NCLX-RN exam. Academic advisement by the LVN-ADN Articulation Coordinator must occur prior to the March 1 deadline. Nursing courses are completed within 12 months.
| Preadmission Courses | |
| BIOL 2401 | 4 |
| BIOL 2402 | 4 |
| BIOL 2420 | 4 |
| ENGL 1301 | 3 |
| MATH 1314 | 3 |
| PSYC 2315 | 3 |
| NURS 1373* | 3 |
| 24 |
| Summer I | Summer II | ||
| RNSG 1215 | 2 | RNSG 1343 | 3 |
| RNSG 1327 | 3 | RNSG 1162 | 1 |
| RNSG 1301 | 3 | RNSG 1144 | 1 |
| 8 | 5 | ||
| Second Year | Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | ||
| RNSG 2201 | 2 | RNSG 2221 | 2 |
| RNSG 2160 | 1 | RNSG 2260 | 2 |
| RNSG 2208 | 2 | RNSG 2231 | 2 |
| RNSG 2161 | 1 | RNSG 2207 | 2 |
| RNSG 2213 | 2 | RNSG 2263 | 2 |
| RNSG 2162 | 1 | ||
| 9 | 10 |
*NURS 1373 must be taken within three years prior to starting the nursing program.
Non-Nursing Hours - 27
Nursing Hours - 45
Total - 72
After completing RNSG 1343 and 1162, the LVN-ADN student will be awarded escrow hours for the following courses:
Director of Graduate Nursing Studies: Dr. Nancy Blume
252 McFaddin-Ward Health Sciences Building
M.S.N. Advising: (409) 880-7720
The JoAnne Gay Dishman Department of Nursing offers two graduate tracks leading to the Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) degree and one dual track in nursing and business. The graduate nursing program is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Persons seeking admission may pursue the degree on a full or part-time basis. Potential students who qualify with a high GPA and are graduates of a nationally accredited undergraduate program may waive the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) in the admission process. A Post-Master’s Certificate option is also available in Nursing Education or Nursing Administration. Applicants for the Poster Master’s Certificate program must have a M.S.N. degree and meet additional entrance requirements.
Nursing Administration Track
The Nursing Administration track provides registered nurses with preparation for advanced roles as Nurse Administrators. Primary focus is placed on advanced knowledge central to organization, management, leadership, health care policy and economics. Research and theory are used to explore issues related to patient outcomes. Nursing Administration courses and business support courses in financial accounting, economics, and marketing prepare leaders for a rapidly changing health care environment. Practicum experiences provide administrative learning and opportunities.
Nursing Education Track
The Nursing Education track provides registered nurses with the theoretical knowledge and skills necessary to become educators in academic settings. Particular focus is placed on teaching-learning strategies and theories, curriculum development, measurement and evaluation, and role development as an educator. Practicum experiences provide the student with expert teacher mentors in the nursing education environment.
*For alternate admission criteria contact the Director of Graduate Nursing Studies at (409) 880‑7720.
Degree Requirements
Core Courses (MSNC)
Nursing Administration Courses (MSNA)
Required Courses in the College of Business for Nursing Administration
Nursing Education Courses (MSNE)
Academic Standards
*See the Graduate Nursing Studies Student Handbook for specific policies. Handbook available from the Graduate Nursing Studies Office, P. 0. Box 10081, Beaumont, Texas 77710, (409) 880‑ 7720.
Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing
The Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Program is a 20 credit hour curriculum to broaden the expertise of nurses with a previous Master’s degree in Nursing to include Nursing Education or Nursing administration.Courses are track-specific for either Nursing Education or Nursing Administration.
Post-Master’s Admission Requirements
The student seeking a Post-Master’s Certificate will meet the following admission requirements:
Each track contains 20 credit hours total.
Nursing Education Track
Nursing Administration Track