JMU and JMU and NursingNursingCHOICESCHOICES

September 18, 2010September 18, 2010

Employment Opportunities Employment Opportunities for JMU Nursing Graduatesfor JMU Nursing Graduates

Public Health

Long-Term Care

Doctors Office

Pediatrics

Flight & Trauma

Traveling

AdministrationPatient Education

JMU NursingJMU NursingMission: Mission:

To provide quality, professional To provide quality, professional undergraduate and graduate nursing undergraduate and graduate nursing

education that prepares nursing education that prepares nursing leaders to influence a changing leaders to influence a changing profession, society, health care profession, society, health care

system, and global health needs. system, and global health needs.

Sources of InformationSources of Information• Nursing Department:Nursing Department:

– Office Staff Contact–Kelly Brown Office Staff Contact–Kelly Brown – Freshman AdvisorsFreshman Advisors– Undergraduate Academic Counselor-Undergraduate Academic Counselor-

Charles West, M.Ed., NCCCharles West, M.Ed., NCC– BSN Program Director-Vicki Martin, PhD, BSN Program Director-Vicki Martin, PhD,

RNRN– Department Head – Merle Mast, PhD, RN, Department Head – Merle Mast, PhD, RN,

ANP ANP – Web page – Web page – www.nursing.jmu.edu– Phone – 540-568-6314Phone – 540-568-6314

Nursing at JMUNursing at JMU• 4-year program4-year program

– 2 years General Education & Nursing Pre-reqs2 years General Education & Nursing Pre-reqs– 2 years (61 credits) Nursing2 years (61 credits) Nursing

• Accredited by Commission on Collegiate Accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)Nursing Education (CCNE)

• BSN BSN NCLEX NCLEX RN RN• NCLEX national; States license RNsNCLEX national; States license RNs• Resources throughout curriculum to help Resources throughout curriculum to help

prepare for NCLEXprepare for NCLEX

JMU BSN Program JMU BSN Program prepares YOU as . . .prepares YOU as . . .

• As a generalist As a generalist • Adult HealthAdult Health• PediatricsPediatrics• Mother-BabyMother-Baby• PsychiatryPsychiatry• Community HealthCommunity Health

• Ways to specialize prior to graduationWays to specialize prior to graduation– Summer externshipSummer externship– Capstone ExperienceCapstone Experience– Nursing ElectivesNursing Electives

About the ProgramAbout the Program

• Classroom coursesClassroom courses• Varied practicum activities Varied practicum activities • Health Assessment & Skills labsHealth Assessment & Skills labs• Simulation Lab ExperiencesSimulation Lab Experiences• Learning: Theory, Skills, Learning: Theory, Skills,

ApplicationApplication

Now…… if this Now…… if this sounds good to sounds good to you so far……you so far……

How do you get admitted to How do you get admitted to Nursing?Nursing?

• Enter program at Junior levelEnter program at Junior level• 60 students admitted each fall60 students admitted each fall• 60 students admitted each spring60 students admitted each spring

• Supplemental application to program due Supplemental application to program due • After you have completed 36 total credit hoursAfter you have completed 36 total credit hours• Completed Chemistry, Statistics, and at least two of Completed Chemistry, Statistics, and at least two of

the required Biology courses the required Biology courses • September 30September 30thth for the following fall for the following fall• February 15February 15thth for the following spring for the following spring• Reapply each time that you wish to be considered for Reapply each time that you wish to be considered for

admissionadmission

• HIGHLY competitive!!HIGHLY competitive!!• Average GPA for fall 2010 was 3.6, fall 2011 was 3.54Average GPA for fall 2010 was 3.6, fall 2011 was 3.54

• Approx. 125 qualified applicants for 60 spots Approx. 125 qualified applicants for 60 spots (fall 11)(fall 11)

• Average GPA for spring 2011 was 3.34Average GPA for spring 2011 was 3.34• Approx. 153 qualified applicants for 60 spotsApprox. 153 qualified applicants for 60 spots

Nursing Prerequisite Nursing Prerequisite Courses:Courses:

• Chem 120Chem 120• Math 220 statisticsMath 220 statistics• Bio 270 PhysiologyBio 270 Physiology• Bio 280 MicrobiologyBio 280 Microbiology• Bio 290 AnatomyBio 290 Anatomy• Nutrition 280Nutrition 280• Psych 160 Human Growth and DevPsych 160 Human Growth and Dev

• Sophomore Level NSG 270Sophomore Level NSG 270

What if I don’t get What if I don’t get accepted the first time accepted the first time

that I apply….NOW WHAT?that I apply….NOW WHAT?• Pick up a MinorPick up a Minor

• Chronic IllnessChronic Illness• Medical SpanishMedical Spanish• ETC, ETC, ETCETC, ETC, ETC

• Study AbroadStudy Abroad• Leave of Absence for a semesterLeave of Absence for a semester

How Can You Be More How Can You Be More Competitive Competitive NOWNOW ? ?

• Take your AP courses seriously and Take your AP courses seriously and strive for 4’s on each test!strive for 4’s on each test!

• Consider taking an elementary statistics Consider taking an elementary statistics course at your local community college course at your local community college this summer!this summer!

• Get some experience Get some experience NOWNOW for nursing for nursing• Shadow a nurseShadow a nurse• Volunteer at a local nursing homeVolunteer at a local nursing home

• Come into JMU with a mindset to work Come into JMU with a mindset to work hard and to succeed!hard and to succeed!

Heads up….Heads up….• Transportation to practicum sitesTransportation to practicum sites• Documentation required by agencies:Documentation required by agencies:

•Criminal checkCriminal check•Drug ScreenDrug Screen•Various immunizationsVarious immunizations•TB testingTB testing•CPR certificationCPR certification

• Costs:Costs:•Uniforms, equipment, NCLEX prep, Uniforms, equipment, NCLEX prep,

professional organization dues and professional organization dues and conference attendance, etc. conference attendance, etc.

Once at JMU . . .Once at JMU . . .• Balance fun with learningBalance fun with learning• Continue to develop critical reading and writing Continue to develop critical reading and writing

skillsskills• Organize and prioritize your time Organize and prioritize your time • Get to know your nursing advisor Get to know your nursing advisor • Join the JMU Student Nurses Association EARLY!Join the JMU Student Nurses Association EARLY!• Find study partners or study groupsFind study partners or study groups• Use campus resources:Use campus resources:

– Writing centerWriting center– Counseling center for test taking skills and test anxietyCounseling center for test taking skills and test anxiety– Free tutoring for pre-requisite classesFree tutoring for pre-requisite classes

• Explore opportunities to serve your community Explore opportunities to serve your community through through

campus organizations and nursingcampus organizations and nursing

Questions?Questions?