Admission of Students
Requirements for admission into the RN-BSN program are: (1) graduation from a nationally accredited associate degree or diploma nursing program, (2) unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in all states where licensed with no pending legal action, (3) good standing at William Carey University, and (4) cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on all courses taken toward meeting the nursing degree requirements. The unencumbered license (#2 above) must be maintained throughout enrollment in the program.
All students wishing to enter the RN-BSN completion program must submit an RNBSN application. No incomplete application will be considered. Applications are available online at the William Carey University website.
A grade of “C” or better is required in each prerequisite course. A “C” average is required on core courses. RNs entering the program are given credit for NUR 300, NUR 303, NUR 310, NUR 311, NUR 426, NRN 348 . Only 60 hours from a community college can be counted toward the remaining coursework required for the BSN degree. The last 30 hours must be completed at William Carey University.
William Carey University prelicensure BSN credit will not be applied as RN-BSN credit for students who have previously been unsuccessful in the William Carey University prelicensure BSN program. To be eligible for degree, all RNs admitted to the
William Carey University BSN program must successfully complete all courses listed in the RN-BSN plan of study.
Criminal background check. All students enrolled in nursing must receive a clear criminal background check completed within the past two years by the Mississippi State Department of Health. This is a mandatory requirement as part of the Mississippi state law, Section 43-13-11 of Mississippi Code of 1972. RN-BSN students may provide evidence of a clear criminal background check upon entry, or the School of Nursing will offer fingerprinting services for students to acquire a criminal background check as part of the admissions process. All fees associated with the criminal background check and fingerprinting process are the responsibility of the student and must be paid through the William Carey University business office. Criminal background check fees are
nonrefundable.
After initial enrollment, any subsequent disciplinary action, arrest, charge, addiction, or impairment shall also be reported immediately to the academic coordinator. Failure to report any and all subsequent disciplinary actions, arrests, or impairment will constitute falsification of records and may result in denial of licensure or continued licensure as a registered nurse.
Drug testing. All students enrolled must provide evidence of a negative drug screen prior to participating in nursing clinical courses. Failure to provide a sufficient hair or urine sample or refusal to submit to testing will result in denial of admission for new students and immediate dismissal from the School of Nursing for continuing students. Random drug screening will be done for students enrolled in clinical courses.
Any admitting student who tests positive for illegal drugs must meet with the campus program coordinator to determine the course of action. If the action taken is for the student to withdraw from the program, the student may reapply for admission in six months and will be admitted based on admission criteria as any new student making application.
Any continuing student who tests positive for illegal drugs must withdraw from nursing courses. The student may make a written appeal for re-admission in six months to the nursing leadership team.
All costs associated with drug testing and criminal background checks are the responsibility of the student. Substance testing fees are nonrefundable.
Insurance
All students in nursing courses must have malpractice insurance before entering the clinical setting. This fee is assessed during fall registration.
Attendance
Refer to School of Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook and individual course syllabi.
Health Status Requirements
All students entering nursing courses are required to have a completed School of Nursing history and physical form. All students must submit evidence of immunization compliance. Students must also submit the results of appropriate screening for TB and evidence of influenza vaccination annually. Failure to comply with all health requirements will result in the inability to attend the clinical portion of a course and failure of the course.
All students must complete (re)certification of CPR for the Health Care Providers course either annually or every two years, depending on the clinical facility used by your campus or the agency teaching the CPR course. Only certification by American Heart Association will be accepted. This will be done at an institution of the student’s choice. Students are responsible for the cost of certification. Students are responsible for submitting evidence of current certification to the nursing office for their file. Failure to do so will result in the inability to attend the clinical portion of a course and failure of the course. All health status requirements must be submitted to the medical compliance tracking system for approval. The fee for this service is assessed as a program fee.
Refer to School of Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook for health status requirements for the School of Nursing.
Progression
The requirements for successful progression through the RN-BSN program are listed below.
- Complete all nursing courses with a grade of “C” or better. Two failing grades in the same theory course or any two failures in a clinical course renders the student ineligible to continue in nursing.
- Successful completion of core courses with a “C” average.
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