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Program Advisors: Bruun, Buechler, Busch, Doerner, Dunnigan, Fladeland, Gebhardt, Johnson, Klein, Leetun, Maier, Nolan, Reemts (Chair), Thompson-Korte.

The Division of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in nursing. The curriculum prepares the graduate to: (1) practice professional nursing in a variety of environmental and cultural settings, (2) become leaders in health care, and (3) pursue graduate study in nursing.    

The division traces its beginnings to the St. Alexius Hospital School of Nursing founded in 1915. The sponsoring body, the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, recognized the necessity of baccalaureate education and began Mary College; a major in nursing was among its initial programs. The first nursing students received a baccalaureate degree from the college and graduated in 1964. In 1986 the graduate program was initiated and the name, Mary College, changed to the University of Mary.    

Continuing the Benedictine tradition which formed its beginnings, the division offers a program holistic in nature and characterized by Benedictine values. These values are manifested in the community-focused nursing curriculum with a health promotion, health support, and health restoration framework. With this preparation, the nurse can continue to learn both through experience and further academic study and meet the demands of the role of the nurse in contemporary society.    

Through its Kappa Upsilon Chapter-at-large, the Division of Nursing has membership in Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society in nursing. Candidates for membership must demonstrate superior scholarly achievement, evidence of leadership, and marked potential for achievement in the field of nursing.    

The baccalaureate and master's programs are approved by the North Dakota Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.    

Successful completion of this program of study prepares the graduate to apply for licensure through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing to take the NCLEX-RN Exam.    

Required courses:    

BIO 207, 208, 209; CHE 110; PSY 201, 207; ANT 171; MAT 180; NUR 202, 216, 222, 248, 308, 317, 319, 322, 330, 332, 334, 336, 420, 421, 430, 432, 434; and an ethics course. Students enrolled in the completion program take 228.99 and substitute 306.99 for 308 and 338.99 for 330 and 332.    

Cooperating Clinical Agencies    

Nursing students receive nursing practice experience in a variety of settings in addition to the classroom and laboratory. These settings include homes of clients, clinics, public health agencies, nursing homes, hospitals, special population agencies, schools, human service centers, community agencies, and childcare agencies.    

Curriculum Pathways    

Required nursing courses may be completed following the traditional pathway or a completion pathway. Program objectives are the same in both pathways but the course content is organized differently to facilitate learning for different types of students.     

The traditional pathway is designed for those who enter the Department of Nursing without formal nursing knowledge or skill. This is the pathway presented in this bulletin.    

The completion pathway is designed for persons who have formal nursing knowledge and skills and are licensed either as an LPN or RN. LPNs and RNs may choose to take courses in either the traditional or a completion pathway. The Completion Pathway for LPNs combines distance learning with limited on-site instruction. The RN Completion Pathway combines distance learning with accelerated coursework. A description of this option is available upon request.    

Admission Policy    

Application into the Division of Nursing begins during the fall semester of the sophomore year. Requirements for acceptance into the Division are:     

• Completed Application form.    
• Two completed recommendation and appraisal forms    
• Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher on UMary and transferred courses.    
• Grade of "C" or higher in each of the following nursing prerequisite courses and official transcript for transferred credits:    
      
  • ANT 171 Anthropology or Soc. Substitute    
  • BIO 207 Anatomy & Physiology I    
  • BIO 208 Anatomy & Physiology II    
  • BIO 209 Microbiology    
  • CHE 110 Intro to Org. & Biochemistry    
  • MAT 180 Elementary Statistics    
  • PSY 201 Intro to Psychology    
  • PSY 207 Lifespan Psychology    
  • *NUR 202 Nursing Foundations (current CNA license required)
  *Enrollment in NUR 202 is restricted to students who have declared nursing as a major and hold a current CNA license. All other nursing courses are restricted to students who have been accepted into the Division of Nursing.    
• The total number of prerequisite courses which may be repeated is limited to two. The grade received during the student's second attempt will be used in evaluation for admission. Repeated classes will also include those from which a student has withdrawn (W, WP, WF). Students who withdraw due to nonacademic reasons may request consideration for admission.    
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers Certification is required (two year certification). This must be obtained and in place at the start of the junior year.    
• Criminal background checks.    
• Signed disclosure form.    
• Acceptable score on preadmission exam and essay.    
• Documentation of health requirements as given below:    
      
  • Documentation of physical assessment, health history, current immunizations, and Hepatitis B Series must accompany the application to the division.    
  • TB testing is required, but will be done Fall Semester of the Junior year at the University.
      
• Students must verify that they meet the Physical & Mental Requirements to Provide Safe Patient Care for Students, Faculty, and Preceptors. Applicants are considered primarily on the basis of academic achievement as evidenced by a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 by admission. This GPA must be maintained through the sophomore year to progress into the junior year. Preferential consideration is given to applicants who have taken all prerequisite coursework at the University of Mary, and have demonstrated participation in volunteer activities. Entry into the nursing major is competitive and class size is limited.

Once admitted, the total number of nursing courses (NUR) which may be repeated is limited to one. Repeated classes will also include those from which a student has withdrawn (W, WP, WF). Students who withdraw due to nonacademic reasons may request consideration for continuing.