Nursing Baccalaureate

The Profession
Health care today offers nursing graduates a career within a dynamic profession. Nursing graduates not only have job opportunities within hospitals, but have growing opportunities in the community setting. Patients today are being released earlier from the hospital and there is a greater emphasis on preventative care. This, in combination with an aging population, has produced more job opportunities for nurses in home health agencies, outpatient centers, long-term care and other facilities. Nurses can also work in industry as occupational health nurses and consultants in schools, medical offices, private homes, the Armed Forces and many other areas.

A baccalaureate degree in nursing science (BSN) opens the door to masters education which prepares you to enter more advanced roles in nursing as well, such as management. If you pursue a masters degree in nursing, you can become a nurse midwife and assist women during and after childbirth; a nurse anesthetist, who administers anesthesia and works with patients in operating and emergency rooms; a nurse educator, who teaches nursing students, patients or other nurses; a nurse researcher, who explores ways to improve nursing practice and patient care; a Nurse Practitioner (NP), who works in medical offices, clinics, or schools; or a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), who may act as an educator, consultant, researcher, leader and clinical expert in their area of specialty.

As central members of the health care team, nurses collaborate with all of the health care disciplines and act as patient advocates by coordinating all aspects of patient care. Nursing is unique, because nurses are not only concerned with a patient's physical ailment, but also the impact that a patient's emotional, developmental, spiritual and socio-cultural state can have on health. In this way, nurses holistically address patients, diagnose problem areas, plan and deliver healthcare, and evaluate outcomes for clients of all ages and backgrounds.

The Program
The Mansfield University nursing program offers a state-approved, National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) - accredited baccalaureate degree in nursing science (BSN). This degree, which is rapidly becoming a standard means of preparation for professional nursing, provides a solid foundation in nursing as well as the liberal arts and sciences. It prepares students to work in a variety of professional settings.

Incoming college freshmen, graduates of associate and diploma programs, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses may matriculate in the program. Advanced academic standing/credit may be given for prior experience and prior college course work.

Nursing Baccalaureate Incoming freshmen spend their first 2 years on the main campus in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, taking courses in general education and nursing. The second 2 years are spent at the Mansfield University/Guthrie Educational Center, located in Sayre, Pennsylvania, where students take the majority of their nursing courses and gain extensive clinical experience in a wide range of specialty care units within the hospital. In addition, students learn in community settings such as home health agencies, nursing homes, school districts and outpatient clinics. The Sayre site houses the Robert Packer Hospital, the Donald Guthrie Foundation for Education and Research, the Patterson Education Building and Student Residence.

The nursing program at Mansfield University blends the resources of a public university and a medical center. The combination leads to a program that is strong, both academically and clinically. It is the only one of its kind in Pennsylvania and New York.

Advanced Placement for RNs and Graduate Nurses
Nurses who hold a current license as a Registered Professional Nurse, as well as Graduate Nurses who have recently graduated from an accredited Associate Degree or Diploma Program, may be eligible to directly matriculate in the Mansfield University Nursing Program and receive advanced placement status. Serious attempt is made to give these individuals credit for previous college courses and experience. For further details, contact the Mansfield University admissions department.

National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission

3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 500

Atlanta, GA 30326

Phone: 1-404-975-5020

Admission Requirements/Academic Requirements

In addition to the criteria for general admission into the University, incoming college freshmen must have completed the following high school subjects:
- English - 4 credits
- History or Social Studies - 3 credits
- Lab sciences - 2 credits (Biology or Chemistry required)
- Math - 2 credits (one of which must be Algebra)
- Foreign language is not required
SAT scores, high school grade point average and class rank are taken into consideration
A 2.7 cumulative grade point average (GPA) or better is required to enroll in sophomore nursing courses, and this must be maintained to register for subsequent nursing courses.

Health Requirements
All students applying for matriculation in the nursing program are required to complete a pre-entrance health examination at their own expense. These forms must be completed by the health care providers and returned to the nursing program. These forms will be reviewed and approved by the University Health service provider prior to enrollment in the program.

If the health examination reveals a significant health problem, the examiner must provide an indication of how the problem will be remedied. This report will be included in the student's health file. A student with significant pathology may be requested to obtain additional health consultation (i.e., from a specialist) as well as follow-up examinations as necessary. The cost of these additional admission health requirements will be the responsibility of the student.

Application
If interested in applying, you may contact the Mansfield University Admissions Department in any of the following ways:

Mansfield University, Admissions Department, Mansfield, PA 16933
Phone: (570) 662-4243 or 1-800-577-6826 FAX: (570) 662-4121
e-mail: admissions@mansfield.edu
Internet:http://www.mansfield.edu

For specific questions regarding the program, contact the Mansfield University/Robert Packer Department of Health Sciences Chairperson:

Dr. Janeen Sheehe, Mansfield University,
Simon Elliot Hall, Room 212c,
Mansfield, PA 16933
(570) 662-4522
e-mail: jsheehe@mansfield.edu

OR, on the Sayre Campus:

Jackie Wisniewski, Student Services at the Gutrhie/Mansfield Education Center
Phone: (570) 887-4716
e-mail: jwisniew@mansfield.edu