The College of
NURSING
Chandice Y. Covington, Dean

MISSION AND ORGANIZATION

The mission of the College of Nursing is to educate individuals for professional roles in nursing and nutrition. The College strives to enhance the health of people in the region by preparing leaders in nursing and nutrition through innovative, accessible programs, and significant faculty and student scholarship and service.

The College is committed to fostering critical thinking and intellectual inquiry in a caring environment that assumes a positive regard for others and that affirmatively supports and promotes diversity. Students are encouraged to be self directed and participatory learners and to commit themselves to learning as a life-long process that is essential to meeting the needs of society in a constantly changing environment.

The College of Nursing offers professional programs with a foundation in the liberal arts leading to undergraduate degrees in nursing, community nutrition, and dietetics. Graduates of the nursing program are prepared in all areas of basic clinical nursing practice, have a solid foundation for graduate school, and are eligible to sit for the national licensing examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN). The baccalaureate program in dietetics, offered as a coordinated program, combines academic preparation with supervised practice experiences for students who wish to become registered dietitians (RD). Upon completion of this degree, graduates are eligible to take the examination for professional registration. The major in community nutrition is designed to enable students to develop a thorough understanding of nutrition and the ability to communicate those principles to the public. Graduates are prepared to work cooperatively with other professionals in improving the overall health of individuals and communities.

Graduate specialties within the masters program in nursing include: Anesthesia Nursing, Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Nursing Therapeutics, Nursing Education, Health Administration and Family Nurse Practitioner preparation. Admissions to the Health Administration and Clinical Nurse Specialist in Nursing Therapeutics Specializations are on hold at the time of this printing. The Ph.D. in nursing focuses on research with vulnerable and diverse populations.

The College of Nursing includes two nursing departments: Family and Community Nursing and Practice and Role Development; and the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. The two departments in nursing jointly administer the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, while the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics oversees the undergraduate programs in community nutrition and dietetics and a minor in nutrition.

ACCREDITATION

The Coordinated Program in Dietetics is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association.

The graduate and undergraduate nursing programs are approved by the North Dakota Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The nurse anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.

DEGREES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

The College of Nursing offers the following degrees to students who successfully complete the prescribed courses of study and who fulfill the degree requirements of the University:

· Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)
· Bachelor of Science in Dietetics (B.S.D.)
· Bachelor of Science in Community Nutrition (B.S.C.N.)
· Master of Science (M.S.)
· Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

All programs within the College of Nursing have minimum grade point averages that must be maintained.

LICENSING

Professional programs of nursing and nutrition are accountable to the public through licensure and registration processes. Many nursing and nutrition licensing boards may not grant licensure to practice if one has been convicted of a felony, and in some cases, a misdemeanor. Those with questions in this regard are encouraged to consult with the regulatory board in the appropriate state prior to applying for admission to a program. Additionally, many field work and clinical facilities are currently requiring proof of immunizations, drug testing, fingerprints, and/or criminal background checks. Students are responsible for any associated costs.

NURSING PROGRAM

Admission and Progression Requirements

Students who wish to pursue an undergraduate degree in Nursing should first apply to the University to be admitted as pre-nursing majors in the College of Nursing. Once a pre-nursing major has been declared, a nursing advisor will be assigned. Students must complete a formal application to the College of Nursing and be approved for admission by the College before enrolling in the nursing curriculum. See nursing major listing for specific requirements for admission and progression. All persons who wish to apply for admission to the undergraduate nursing major are advised to become informed of all admission requirements and to follow the suggested curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Since the College of Nursing strives to reflect current trends in the nursing profession, there may be on-going changes in the curriculum.
Students with Disabilities

The UND College of Nursing is committed to providing equal access to qualified students who experience a disability in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Qualified students with disabilities have the right to request accommodations and will be provided with those accommodations which meet their needs and are appropriate.

Disabilities Covered by the ADA

Students with disabilities who may receive accommodations under the ADA experience learning, physical, sensory, vision, health, or psychological disabilities which substantially affect a major life activity (such as reading, writing, walking, communicating, seeing, hearing.) Some students have “non-apparent” disabilities such as learning, depression, Attention Deficit Disorder, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, arthritis, etc and may also be covered under ADA.

Student Disclosure

Students who seek reasonable accommodation for a disability should register with UND’s Disability Support Services. This is the office that determines a student’s eligibility for accommodations and recommends appropriate accommodations. DSS is located in McCannel Hall #190, 701-777-3425, dss@und.nodak.edu. If students are not sure they have a disability, but question the functional abilities (common tasks) that may be required to be successful in the nursing program, they should talk with the Director of Student and Alumni Affairs. The director also assists the students with disabilities who have registered with DSS in considering and arranging any recommended accommodations.

Additional information on requesting accommodations in nursing can be accessed on the College of Nursing web site at: http://www.nursing.und.edu under “Nursing Undergraduate” or is available on request.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Each year, nursing majors may apply for College of Nursing scholarships. Awards and criteria are listed in the College of Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook, also available on the Nursing Undergraduate web pages. Selection is based on a variety of factors including GPA, financial need, disadvantaged background, interest, and potential nursing ability. Additional information is available from the Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook. Students in the nursing program are eligible to apply for federal nursing student loans and/or North Dakota Board of Nursing Scholarship/Loans and institutional grants. A listing of selected web sites which feature scholarships and loans for nursing education is available from the College of Nursing web site.

Cooperative Education

Elective Cooperative education experiences are offered through the College to students who have completed two semesters in the nursing program. Students have the opportunity to perform skills learned in prior and concurrent nursing courses while under the guidance of agency staff. Students can increase their understanding of specialty areas within nursing. Each learning/working experience is individualized according to the student’s prior academic and work experiences and the needs of the employing agency.

Student Organizations

College of Nursing Student Council. The College of Nursing supports a student council that represents the students within the university student governance.

Nursing Student Association. NSA is the nursing student’s pre-professional organization. UND-NSA is affiliated with the North Dakota Student Nurses Association and the National NSA.

Nursing Honor Society. Eta Upsilon is the UND chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, the international honor society for nursing. Sigma Theta Tau fosters excellence, scholarship, and leadership in nursing to improve health care worldwide.

Graduate Studies

The College of Nursing offers graduate coursework leading to a Master of Science degree with a major in nursing and a Doctor of Philosophy in nursing. Students interested in graduate study may contact the Director of Graduate Studies in the College of Nursing. Consult the Graduate School section of this catalog for further information or visit our web site at http://www.nursing.und.edu/.

NUTRITION AND DIETETICS

Academic Advising
Students are assigned to an adviser in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the time of admission to the university if the student has declared a Dietetics or Community Nutrition major. Majors within the department are advised to follow the appropriate curriculum leading to either a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics or a Bachelor of Science in Community Nutrition (see department listing). There may be on-going curricular changes since the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics strives to reflect current trends in the profession.

Coordinated Program in Dietetics

The baccalaureate program in dietetics, offered as a coordinated program, combines academic preparation with supervised practice experiences for students who wish to become registered dietitians (RD). Upon completion of this degree, graduates are eligible to take the examination for professional registration.

Admission to the professional phase of the Coordinated Program in Dietetics. Application to the professional component of dietetics occurs annually in the spring semester for admission in the following fall semester. The application deadline is the last class day on the academic calendar prior to the break for spring semester recess. To be considered a candidate for admission, the student must have already completed, be currently enrolled in, or plan completion through summer school enrollment of all pre-professional courses (see department listing). Criteria for admission include a demonstrated interest in the field of dietetics, a minimum GPA of 2.6, and a grade of “C” or better in all nutrition, foods, and science courses.

To be eligible for consideration, the student must complete an application and submit it with a letter outlining professional goals and describing personal qualities that would assist in attaining these goals. Each candidate requests references from two individuals and completes a personal interview with each selection committee member. After all applicants have completed the steps in the admission procedure, the selection committee determines the members of the class entering in the fall. The number of students admitted is determined by the availability of faculty and clinical facilities.

Admission of transfer students to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics. Transfer students seeking admission to the professional phase of dietetics must fulfill the same prerequisite requirements as students who complete the preprofessional courses at the University of North Dakota. Students planning to transfer from another accredited institution to UND are advised to contact the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics to verify equivalency of courses on other campuses with those offered at UND prior to applying for admission. All qualified students, whether currently enrolled at or planning to transfer to UND, are considered on merit.

Progression requirements. Students in the professional component of the Coordinated Program in Dietetics will be placed on probation if performance evaluations are unsatisfactory, if the grade point average drops below 2.6, or if a grade of less than a “C” is earned in any course. Dietetic program faculty will meet with the student to discuss the probationary status and develop plans to correct the deficiency. All deficiencies must be removed before advancing to the next semester of the program. If deficiencies remain more than one year, the student must complete a re-acceptance application. Re-acceptance into the program will be on the basis of space available.

Additional expenses. The professional phase of the program has additional expenses due to supervised practice experiences, travel, and professional activities. Additionally, the schedule of classes and supervised practice experiences must have precedence in planning other time commitments, thus limiting employment opportunities. Definite plans for financing the costs of the two years of the professional phase should be arranged prior to application. An estimate of expenses is available from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. Financial aid and scholarships are available from various sources. The UND Financial Aid Office can assist in determining which resources are available to individual students.

Community Nutrition

The community nutrition curriculum is designed to allow students to develop an in-depth understanding of nutrition based on the biological and social sciences; the ability to communicate nutrition principles effectively and accurately to the public; and the ability to participate as a team member with other community and health care professionals. Through coursework and supervised practice experiences, graduates will be skilled in conducting community nutrition assessments, identifying problems, developing and conducting effective interventions, and collaborating with other professionals involved to improve the overall health of individuals and communities.

Students majoring in community nutrition select from two options. A graduate who completes N&D 441, Advanced Nutrition, is eligible to become a licensed nutritionist (L.N.) in the state of North Dakota.

Graduation requirements. The student must earn a grade of “C” or better in all nutrition, foods, and science courses taken to fulfill requirements of the community nutrition major and must attain an overall grade point average of at least 2.2.

Minor in Nutrition

Students in other majors may elect to earn a minor in nutrition. The requirements of the minor are the completion of 20 semester hours of credit in nutrition-related courses. To develop the program of study, students must consult an adviser in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Scholarships

Students may apply annually for awards and scholarships offered within the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. Various professional organizations also offer competitive scholarships. Information regarding eligibility and application guidelines may be obtained from the department.

Cooperative Education

The opportunity to develop individualized cooperative education experiences is offered to students in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. This experience allows students to integrate learning from courses with professional work experiences in nutrition and dietetics.

Student Organizations

Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics (SAND). SAND is the student association for all majors within the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. Information regarding SAND may be obtained from its officers or from the faculty or staff in the department.

College of Nursing Student Council. The College of Nursing supports a student council that represents the students within the UND student government, including students with majors in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics.