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 Nursing Baccalaureate

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) prepares you to enter more advanced roles in nursing as well, such as management. If you pursue additional education beyond your BSN, 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/Robert Packer Hospital Department of Nursing offers a state-approved, National League of Nursing-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. In addition, the Department offers a certificate program in Community Health Nursing for current registered/professional nurses.

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 Robert Packer Department of Health Sciences - Nursing 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.

Home Health Nursing Certificate Program
A four-course certification program in Home Health Nursing is offered for RNs and RN to BSN students. All credits may be used toward a BSN at Mansfield University. This certificate program can be completed within one to one and a half years. Fees are based upon current Mansfield University tuition rates and fees at the time of each course. For further information contact Mansfield University's Health Science Department or Mansfield University's Center for Lifelong Learning at (570) 662-4244.

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 admissions department or one of the Sayre campus resources.

Advanced Standing for LPNs
Licensed Practical Nurses who hold a current license as an LPN or who have recently graduated from and accredited LPN program may receive advanced standing in the Mansfield University Nursing Program after they have successfully completed the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) Mobility Profile I exam/s.

National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission

61 Broadway

New York, NY 10006

Phone: 1-800-699-1656

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 2.3 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 Department are required to complete a pre-entrance health examination at their own expense. The department will provide the applicant with two health forms (medical and dental). The student must schedule their medical and dental examinations with a physician or nurse clinician and dentist of their choice. These forms must be completed by the health care providers and returned to the Nursing Department. These forms must be reviewed and approved by the University Health service provider prior to enrollment in the program.

The pre-entrance Medical Examination Form includes the following information: complete physical examination; laboratory work including: CBC, serology, and urinalysis; immunizations: to include hepatitis B, polio, rubella, rubeola, tetanus-diptheria and tuberculin test. If the applicant is over 40 years of age, the department requires additional lab tests (SMA 6/60 and SMA 12/60) and an electrocardiogram report as part of the pre-entrance medical examination. An eye examination is included in the general medical examination. Hepatitis B immunization is a mandatory requirement. If a student wishes to have this requirement waived, he or she must present a waiver from a physician detailing the specific circumstances under which they may be exempt.

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: admissns@mnsfld.edu
Internet: http://www.mnsfld.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 203A,
Mansfield, PA 16933
(570) 662-4522
e-mail: jsheehe@mnsfld.edu

OR, on the Sayre Campus:

Jackie Wisniewski, Student Services at the Gutrhie/Mansfield Education Center
Phone: (570) 882-4716
e-mail: Wisniewski_Jacquelyn@guthrie.org

Michele Garrett, M.S.N., RN - Assistant Professor/Assistant
Chairperson, Dept. of Nursing
(570) 882-4724