1. JMU and Nursing
CHOICES
September 18, 2010 1

2. Nursing Attributes *Responsibility *Integrity *Critical Thinking
*Altruism and Empathy
*Responsibility
*Integrity
*Critical Thinking
*Initiative
*Leadership and Advocacy Skills
*Value Life-long Learning

3. Employment Opportunities for JMU Nursing Graduates
Patient Education
Administration
Pediatrics
Flight & Trauma
Long-Term Care
Public Health
Doctors Office
Traveling

4. JMU Nursing
Mission:
To provide quality, professional undergraduate and graduate nursing education that prepares nursing leaders to influence a changing profession, society, health care system, and global health needs.

5. Sources of Information
Nursing Department:
Office Staff Contact–Kelly Brown
Freshman Advisors
Undergraduate Academic Counselor-Charles West, M.Ed., NCC
BSN Program Director-Vicki Martin, PhD, RN
Department Head – Merle Mast, PhD, RN, ANP
Web page –
Phone –

6. Nursing at JMU 4-year program
2 years General Education & Nursing Pre-reqs
2 years (61 credits) Nursing
Accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
BSN  NCLEX  RN
NCLEX national; States license RNs
Resources throughout curriculum to help
prepare for NCLEX

7. JMU BSN Program prepares YOU as . . .
As a generalist
Adult Health
Pediatrics
Mother-Baby
Psychiatry
Community Health
Ways to specialize prior to graduation
Summer externship
Capstone Experience
Nursing Electives

8. About the Program Classroom courses Varied practicum activities
Health Assessment & Skills labs
Simulation Lab Experiences
Learning: Theory, Skills, Application

9. Nursing semesters: SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 Mainly Classroom:
14 Classroom Credits
1 Practicum Credit (approx. 3 hours per week)
SEMESTER 2
Mainly Clinical
6 Classroom Credits
8 Practicum Credits (approx. 24 hours per week)

10. Nursing semesters: SEMESTER 3 SEMESTER 4 Mainly Classroom
13 Classroom Credits
2 Practicum credits (approx. 6 hours per week)
SEMESTER 4
Mainly Clinical
3 Classroom Credits
Capstone! 9 Practicum Credits
(approx. 27 hours per week)

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

13. How do you get admitted to Nursing?
Enter program at Junior level
60 students admitted each fall
60 students admitted each spring
Supplemental application to program due
After you have completed 36 total credit hours
Completed Chemistry, Statistics, and at least two of the required Biology courses
September 30th for the following fall
February 15th for the following spring
Reapply each time that you wish to be considered for admission
HIGHLY competitive!!
Average GPA for fall 2010 was 3.6, fall 2011 was 3.54
Approx. 125 qualified applicants for 60 spots (fall 11)
Average GPA for spring 2011 was 3.34
Approx. 153 qualified applicants for 60 spots

14. Nursing Prerequisite Courses:
Chem 120
Math 220 statistics
Bio 270 Physiology
Bio 280 Microbiology
Bio 290 Anatomy
Nutrition 280
Psych 160 Human Growth and Dev
Sophomore Level NSG 270

15. What if I don’t get accepted the first time that I apply….NOW WHAT?
Pick up a Minor
Chronic Illness
Medical Spanish
ETC, ETC, ETC
Study Abroad
Leave of Absence for a semester

16. How Can You Be More Competitive NOW ?
Take your AP courses seriously and strive for 4’s on each test!
Consider taking an elementary statistics course at your local community college this summer!
Get some experience NOW for nursing
Shadow a nurse
Volunteer at a local nursing home
Come into JMU with a mindset to work hard and to succeed!

17. Heads up…. Transportation to practicum sites
Documentation required by agencies:
Criminal check
Drug Screen
Various immunizations
TB testing
CPR certification
Costs:
Uniforms, equipment, NCLEX prep, professional organization dues and conference attendance, etc.

18. Once at JMU . . . Balance fun with learning
Continue to develop critical reading and writing skills
Organize and prioritize your time
Get to know your nursing advisor
Join the JMU Student Nurses Association EARLY!
Find study partners or study groups
Use campus resources:
Writing center
Counseling center for test taking skills and test anxiety
Free tutoring for pre-requisite classes
Explore opportunities to serve your community through
campus organizations and nursing

19. Questions?