Fall 2009- Spring 2010

Admission to the Nursing Program
Humboldt State University

Admission to the nursing major for all students is a two-step process consisting of:

1. Applying to Humboldt University under published guidelines and meeting regular requirements for admission.

  • New applicants to the University MUST apply during the initial filing period to be considered: Fall Semester (October 1- November 30) – Spring semester (August 1-31).
  • These filing periods do not apply to students who have been previously admitted to HSU and are currently enrolled at HSU or on an official planned educational leave. Students needing to be readmitted to the University MUST request readmission during the initial filing periods as specified above.

2. Submitting a secondary application to the nursing major directly to the Department of Nursing.

  • All applicants must submit supplemental application directly to the Department of Nursing which must be received or postmarked by the specific deadline: Fall semester (deadline February 1) – Spring Semester (deadline October 1). Priority admission to the program must be given to California residents.

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATION FOR SPRING 2009 IS CLOSED. THE NEXT APPLICATION PERIOD IS FOR FALL 2009.

Fall Semester '09 Deadlines

Spring Semester '10 Deadlines

University application due to HSU Office of Admissions and Records

November 30

August 31

Application due to the Nursing Department for students who applied in November for Fall Semester or in August for Spring Semester and to eligible pre-nursing students already enrolled at HSU

February 1

October 1

Last day to submit transcripts, official tests scores, verification of courses in progress and other pertinent information to the School of Nursing Office

February 15

October 15

Freshmen students, before entering the program, are urged to take a high school chemistry course with a lab, one other lab science course, a high school or college elementary algebra course, and a higher mathematics course. Freshmen accepted to Humboldt State University are admitted as Pre-nursing majors. This status enables the student to complete all necessary prerequisite courses, meet with department advisors, and clarify learning objectives.


Transfer students should pay careful attention to the CSU "transfer student policies" for general education (GE). Students with lower division GE deficits may be denied admission to the university when more applications are received than can be accommodated.

Second Bachelor Degree students should note that only the last 60 units of work are considered in computing overall GPA. University requirements for GE, Institutions and Diversity and Common Ground (DCG) are waived for nursing students seeking a second baccalaureate degree.

Honorably Discharged Veterans that have been discharged with in the last four years and meet minimum requirements are given priority. DD214 papers are sufficient documentation for proof of veteran with honorable discharge status.

All Students: In addition to requirements for admission to the university and required prerequisite courses, students must also meet Essential Performance Standards consistent with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American Disabilities Act of 1990 (standards are available directly from the Department of Nursing and at end of this document.) in order to be admitted into the major.

FILING PERIOD FOR APPLYING TO THE UNIVERSITY

Applications to the university should be submitted to the University Office of Admissions and Records. Applications may be made to the University for either Fall or Spring semester, but students intending to apply to the nursing major MUST apply to the university by November 30th for Fall 2009 semester and August 31 for Spring 2010 semester.  

FILING PERIOD FOR APPLYING TO THE NURSING PROGRAM

A separate application for admission to nursing major courses is required. This application must be filed with the department by February 1th for Fall 2009 semester and October 1st for Spring 2010 semester whether or not you have heard from the university about acceptance.

Only completed application files will be reviewed. Applicants are encouraged to review the application carefully as several items of documentation are necessary.

 Failure to meet either filing deadline automatically disqualifies your application.

APPLICATION INFORMATION FOR THE DEPARMENT OF NURSING

The selection process for admitting students to the major is based on a ranked point system. 

Requirements that must be met in order for your application to be considered:

  1. California residency by the first day of major coursework.
  2. Overall grade point average (GPA) must be 2.5 or above. 
  3. You must have a “C” grade or higher in each pre-requisite course. Your total GPA for all pre-requisite courses must be 2.5 or higher. Prerequisite courses can only be repeated once.
  4. Prerequisite courses in progress as of the application deadline are limited to 2 science and 2 non-science courses as described below.
  5. Course descriptions for each of the pre-requisite courses excluding classes taken at HSU or College of the Redwoods.
  6. Unofficial transcripts for each college you have attended.
  7. TEAS score (www.atitesting.com) May be repeated no more than once. For current testing dates at Humboldt State click here.
  8. If you are eligible for health care experience or foreign language, you must provide supporting documentation. Supporting documentation involves:
    • Documented evidence for health care experience requires one letter on official letterhead describing work experience.
    • Foreign language documentation may be in the form of high school or college transcripts, or an official letter from a fluent speaker that can attest to your abilities.

PRE-REQUISITE COURSES NEEDED TO BE CONSIDERED

SCIENCE COURSES:

  • CHEM 107 (Fundamentals of Chemistry)
  • CHEM 117 (Fundamentals of Chemistry for Nursing Students-Organic and Biochemistry)
  • ZOOL 270 (Human Anatomy)
  • ZOOL 214 (Elementary Physiology)
  • BIOL 210 (Medical Microbiology)

NON-SCIENCES COURSES:

  • Lower GE Area A1: COMM 100 (Speech)
  • Lower GE Area A2: ENGL 100 (Reading & Composition)
  • Lower GE Area A3: Critical Thinking Course
  • STAT 106 (Statistics for Health Sciences)

These courses MUST be completed by the end of the spring semester for Fall applicants (and Fall semester for Spring applicants) following application to the major.

Only complete application files are considered by the Nursing Department Admissions Committee. It is the responsibility of the applicant to verify that the file is complete before the submission of the application.

Applications will be screened during the Spring semester for Fall applicants and Fall semester for Spring applicants. This process usually takes 2-3 months.

We will notify you by email provided by you in the application. Students who are provisionally accepted will be notified first.  Final notification regarding acceptance into the major are sent after final grades are received for in-progress course work. This notification is distinctly separate from correspondence related to University acceptance. All prerequisite course work must be completed by the end of Spring semester for Fall Applicants (Fall for Spring applicants); summer completion is not acceptable.


Points for Determining Ranked Admission

Points are awarded in the following categories – 1) Prerequisite GPA, 2) Overall GPA, 3) TEAS Score, 4) Health-Related Experience, 5) Foreign Language Competency, 6) Local Service Area Residency.

I. Prerequisite GPA (55 points possible)
Weighted GPA in the following required prerequisite classes or their equivalency: Chemistry 107, (Fundamentals of Chemistry); Chemistry 117, (Fundamentals of Chemistry for Nursing Students); Zoology 270, (Human Anatomy); Zoology 214, (Elementary Physiology); Biology 210, (Medical Microbiology); Statistics 106, (Statistics for Health Sciences);Lower GE Area A1: COMM 100 (Speech); Lower GE Area A2: ENGL 100 (Reading & Composition); Lower GE Area A3: Critical Thinking Course

GPA of 3.70 or higher

55 points

GPA of 3.30 to 3.69

45 points

GPA of 3.00 to 3.29

35 points

GPA of 2.70 to 2.99

25 points

GPA of 2.50 to 2.69

15 points

A=4.0

C+=2.3

A-=3.7

C=2.0

B+=3.3

C-=1.7

B=3.00

D+=1.3

B-=2.7

D=1.0


II. Overall GPA (15 points possible) - Computed on work completed prior to the November 30th (August 31) HSU deadline.

GPA of 3.70 or higher

15 points

GPA of 3.30 to 3.69

12 points

GPA of 3.00 to 3.29

9 points

GPA of 2.70 to 2.99

6 points

GPA of 2.50 to 2.69

3 points

III. TEAS scores- "Percentile Rank - Program" (20 points possible)

75 or greater

20 points

55-74

15 points

40-54

10 points

16-39

 5 points

15 or less   0 points

IV. Health Related Experience (5 points possible)

Paid employment or volunteer experience in a health care setting providing direct patient interaction:

Fill out the Health Care Experience form and attach documentation by employer or volunteer coordinator, on letterhead, describing the activities performed.

1-2 points

30-60 hours of work experience with no certification or special training, or volunteer experience

3-4 points

Training or certification of 150 hours or less (e.g. CNA, EMT, HHA, Phlebotomist ) and no work experience; or 60-150 hours of work experience with or without certification or special training, or volunteer experience

5 points

Training or certification of greater than 150 hours (e.g. LVN, Psych Tech, Paramedic) or greater than 150 hours of work experience with or without certification or special training, or volunteer experience

V. Second Language Proficiency (5 points possible)

Language proficiency in English and one other language (including ASL)

Proficiency in second language may be documented in one of 4 ways:

  1. 3 years of high school (met by providing unofficial high school transcripts)
  2. 2 years (4 semesters or 6 quarters) of college (meet by unofficial college transcripts),
  3. 1 year (2 semesters) of American Sign Language (ASL), or
  4. Letterhead from a professional who is fluent in the language

Coursework must be completed at the time of your application.

VI. Local Applicant Additional Points (5 points)

Local service area residency documented by mailing address in Humboldt, Trinity or Del Norte County or a current class schedule from Humboldt State University or College of the Redwoods.


Summary of Courses Required for the Nursing Major

 I.         NON-NURSING COURSES REQUIRED FOR DEGREE

A.  Prerequisites

(Required for admissions consideration)

B. Concurrent with major courses

(Required completion within 1st year of the program)

  • CHEM 107- Fundamentals of Chemistry         
  • CHEM 117- Nursing Chemistry          
  • ZOO 214- Elem. Physiology**                       
  • Lower GE Area A1 - COMM 100 (Speech)
  • Lower GE Area A2 - ENGL 100 (Reading & Composition)
  • Lower GE Area A3 - Critical Thinking Course
  • ZOO 270- Human Anatomy                           
  • BIO 210 - Medical Microbiology**                  
  • STAT 106- Statistics for Health Sciences*     
  • PSYCH 311- Human Development
  • HED 231- Human Nutrition
  • PSYCH 104- Introduction to Psychology
  • SOC 104 - Introduction to Sociology –or-ANTH104- Cultural Anthropology

*ELM score of 550+ needed for enrollment (unless exempted by SAT math score)

** Biology 104 or 105 or equivalent is required before taking these courses.

Note: Chemistry 107, 109 or equivalent is required before taking Biology 105 at HSU

^Honors or Advanced Placement (AP) courses taken in 11th and 12th grades with grades of C or higher are awarded prerequisite credit only, if a score of 4-5 is achieved.

II.         NURSING COURSES REQUIRED FOR THE B.S. DEGREE (To be competed during the program)

  • NURS     260       Holistic Health Assessment
  • NURS     262       Foundations of Professional Nursing
  • NURS     268       Clinical Nursing I: Foundations in Adult Responses to Health and Illness
  • NURS     306       Pathophysiology & Pharmacotherapeutics in Health Care
  • NURS     368       Clinical Nursing II: Critical Thinking in Adult Responses to Health and Illness
  • NURS     372       Psychiatric – Mental Health Nursing
  • NURS     374       Maternal/Child/Family Nursing
  • NURS     462       Community as Client and Public Health Practice
  • NURS     468       Clinical Nursing III: Analysis of Adults with Complex Needs
  • NURS     470       Leadership and Professional Nursing Practice
  • NURS     472       Senior Clinical Capstone
  • NURS     495       Introduction of Research & Scholarship for Professional Nursing Practice


POLICY ON ADMISSION TO THE NURSING MAJOR
ESSENTIAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Background: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 was instituted by Congress to prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities. Schools of nursing and state university systems, like other state and federally funded entities, are required to comply with the stipulations of the ADA. The ADA defines a qualified individual with a disability as an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the employment position that such individual holds or desires. In addition, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination in admissions of a qualified person with disabilities.

ADA and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 eligibility requirements vary depending on the type of services, activities, and functions needed in particular areas. Because the practice of nursing is an applied discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective, and motor components, students must be able to perform the functions which are necessary for the safe practice of nursing and essential to the licensing requirements for nursing. Students must be capable of meeting the following eight core performance standards with or without reasonable accommodations in order to be admitted to the Nursing Program at Humboldt State University:

Core Performance Standards

  1. Ability to think critically, such that the student can begin to make clinical decisions, identify cause-and-effect relationships with clinical data, and develop nursing care plans.
  2. Ability to demonstrate interpersonal abilities such that the student can appropriately interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.
  3. Ability to clearly communicate in verbal and written forms such that students can communicate nursing actions, interpret client responses, initiate health teaching, document and understand nursing activities, and interact with clients, staff and faculty supervisors.
  4. Ability to maneuver in small spaces and move from one place to another such that the student can move around in clients' rooms and bathrooms, into and out of work spaces, access treatment areas, and procure needed emergency materials when indicated. While health care agencies must meet ADA physical access standards, potential clients and equipment may limit the amount of available space in which to move.
  5. Ability to demonstrate gross and fine motor skills sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care such that the student can move and position clients in and out of bed, calibrate and use equipment, and perform cardiopulmonary procedures.
  6. Ability to hear well enough to monitor and assess clients health needs such that the student can hear cries for help, alarms on equipment, emergency signals, breath and heart sounds on auscultation, and various overhead codes.
  7. Ability to see well enough to observe and assess clients health status and changes in condition such that student can see grimacing, movement, changes in skin color, rashes, and other observed client changes or responses.
  8. Ability to have tactile capabilities sufficient for physical assessment such that the student can successfully perform palpation, note changes in skin temperature, perform skills related to therapeutic activities and identify by touch other changes in client condition.

Denial of Licensure

Individuals applying for licensure by the Board of Registered Nursing who have been convicted of a felony may be investigated by the Board and denied licensure. (see the BRN website at www.rn.ca.gov/).

ESSENTIAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS