Nursing, BSN

Program Description

The philosophical foundations of the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Baccalaureate Nursing Program are based on the belief that caring is the essence of nursing. Students are unique individuals with differing backgrounds, needs, and interests, and have the freedom and responsibility to make considered choices. Nursing faculty subscribe to the belief that professional nurses must have a solid foundation in the arts, sciences, and humanities that provides a reservoir of knowledge from which to draw when making critical clinical decisions in the roles of care provider or care coordinator (A.A.C.N., Essentials of Baccalaureate Nursing, 2021). To this purpose, baccalaureate students complete 62 semester hours of pre-requisite program coursework. In addition, they complete 58 semester hours in the nursing courses. Total program hours = 120.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). 

Program Options and Tracks of Study

The Nursing Program provides a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree through the pre-licensure option (i.e. Traditional or eLine tracks) for the individual who wishes to earn the BSN degree while preparing to become a Registered Nurse (RN).

Student Learning Outcomes

The expected outcomes of the pre-licensure track of the BSN are as follows:

Graduates of this program will:

1. Incorporate the philosophy, “Caring is the Essence of Nursing” into nursing practice.

2. Practice nursing utilizing the nursing process and other systematic approaches derived from the sciences and liberal arts to promote optimum health for individuals, families, and communities from diverse populations.

3. Communicate and collaborate purposefully, using creative approaches that acknowledge interdependent roles and relationships.

4. Demonstrate leadership through the application and utilization of theories for the improvement and enhancement of care and health status.

5. Display critical thinking and independent decision-making that utilize and apply theory and research in practice.

6. Show awareness of political, ethical, and social issues; accountability for professional practice and commitment for continuing professional development.

7. Accept nursing leadership roles that respond to a changing society and health care delivery system.

Admission Requirements and Procedures

Please visit the TAMUCC CONHS Nursing Education website (https://www.tamucc.edu/nursing-and-health-sciences/nursing-education/index.php) for details and updates.

Program Completion Requirements for All Undergraduate Students

Immunization Requirements

Students will be considered out of compliance if they fail to update the required immunizations or other necessary items in the CONHS-designated database by the specified deadlines during their clinical courses. Moreover, clinical facilities may have additional requirements that students must fulfill. Students who do not comply may be subject to disenrollment from their classes.

1. The Texas Department of State Health Services has specific immunization requirements for students involved with direct patient contact. These requirements, as stated in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 97, Subchapter B, Rule 97.64, include the following:
   1. “Students cannot be provisionally enrolled without at least one dose of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine if direct patient contact will occur during the provisional enrollment period.”
   2. “Polio vaccine is not required. Students enrolled in health-related courses are encouraged to ascertain that they are immune to poliomyelitis”
   3. “One dose of tetanus-diphtheria toxoid (Td) is required within the last ten years.”
   4. “Students who were born on or after January 1, 1957, must show, prior to patient contact, acceptable evidence of vaccination of two doses of measles containing vaccine
   5. “Students must show, prior to patient contact acceptable evidence of vaccination of one dose of rubella vaccine.”
   6. “Students born on or after January 1, 1957, must show, prior to patient contact, acceptable evidence of vaccination of one dose of mumps vaccine.”
   7. “Students shall receive a complete series of hepatitis B vaccine prior to the start of direct patient care or show serologic confirmation of immunity to hepatitis B virus.” 
   8. “Students shall receive two doses of varicella vaccine unless the first dose was received prior to thirteen years of age.”
      For additional information, please see the Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 97, Subchapter B, which is accessible at http://www.sos.state.tx.us/tac/index.shtml. Please note that some hospitals have stricter requirements than the state minimum standards.
      Rule 97.65 lists the following exceptions to the immunization requirements:
      1. “Serologic confirmations of immunity to measles, rubella, mumps, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or varicella, are acceptable. Evidence of measles, rubella, mumps, hepatitis A, or hepatitis B, or varicella illness must consist of a laboratory report that indicates either confirmation of immunity or infection.”
      2. “A parent or physician validated history of varicella disease (chickenpox) or varicella immunity is acceptable in lieu of vaccine. A written statement from a physician, or the student’s parent or guardian, or school nurse, must support histories of varicella disease.”
         (Immunizations are available for a nominal fee at Coastal Bend Wellness Center, the City of Corpus Christi Health District or Amistad Health Center.)

1. Results of tuberculosis PPD screening are required annually.

1. To meet CPR requirements, students will complete their HeartCode® BLS Course during the Fundamentals course lab days. Semester one students will be given more information once classes begin.                                                                                                         
2. All Students are required to complete a criminal background check through the Texas Board of Nursing before acceptance into the program.

Insurance Requirements

1. The College will provide clinical facilities, upon request, with proof of blanket professional liability insurance coverage for students or on their behalf.
2. Medical insurance coverage is strongly recommended. The University and affiliating clinical agencies accept no responsibility for medical care sought due to accidents/incidents that occur during the course of nursing instruction or clinical assignments (See CONHS Student Handbook) 
3. Students whose regular rotation is interrupted due to personal or academic reasons must consult their academic advisor for the next steps.

Grading Policies: Progression, Retention and Dismissal

The following requirements refer to grading policies.

1. A scholastic grade point average of 2.25 is a minimum requirement in the upper division nursing courses designated for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. A minimum grade of C is required in all courses in the nursing major.
2. If a student earns a grade of less than C (i.e. D, F, or W*) in a nursing course, that course must be repeated. Such a course may be repeated only once.
3. A student who has earned a grade of less than C (i.e., D, F, or W*) in two nursing courses or twice in the same nursing course will be dismissed from the nursing program.
4. A grade of D, F, W*, or I* in a nursing course may prevent student’s progressing to subsequent courses that require it as a prerequisite.
5. The College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CONHS), including its administration and faculty, reserves the right to dismiss students without prior warning for unsafe and/ or unprofessional behavior. Nursing students are expected to uphold the ethical standards set by the American Nurses Association (ANA) in the Code of Ethics for Nurses. As personal integrity is reflected in professional judgments, any deviation from these standards may lead to dismissal from the program. See CONHS Student Handbook for further examples and to review the Academic Honesty and Professional Integrity Policy.
6. Students must adhere to the standards for minimal performance and progression established by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. See more in the catalog section on Academic Policies and Regulations (https://catalog.tamucc.edu/undergraduate/general-academic-policies-regulations/ ).
7. Compliance with immunizations, BLS CPR, and Hospital Orientation regulations is essential for students to progress through the program. (See CONHS Student Handbook for consequences for noncompliance to these policies.)
8. Students must complete the University Core Curriculum Program. For details, refer to “Core Curriculum Program” in this catalog. Transfer students can find information on fulfilling requirements under “General Education Requirement” in the “Undergraduate Programs” section of this catalog. Additionally, students must take the required support courses.

* Grades - What They Mean

Advising

Every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information in this catalog. However, information is subject to change without notice. Therefore, students must consult with their Nursing Program advisors each semester prior to registration. Transfer students must meet with their advisors.

Please visit the TAMUCC CONHS Nursing Education website (https://www.tamucc.edu/nursing-and-health-sciences/nursing-education/index.php) for more details and updates.

RN-MSN Option

See the Nursing section of the Graduate catalog.

General Requirements

Pre-licensure Option

¹

Full-time, first time in college students are required to take university seminar.

• USSE 1201 University Seminar (2 sch)

²

Overlap may occur between the Core Curriculum Program and Nursing Support Courses. There is a nursing elective area of the degree plan which may be utilized to ensure student meets the minimum 120 Sem Hrs requirement. Students should seek advisement to confirm which courses can be utilized to meet the nursing elective block, if needed. The nursing elective block may not be utilized if student meets the minimum 120 Sem Hrs requirement.

Degree Requirements

Pre-licensure Option

¹

Overlap may occur between the Core Curriculum Program and Nursing Support Courses. There is a nursing elective area of the degree plan which may be utilized to ensure student meets the minimum 120 Sem Hrs requirement. Students should seek advisement to confirm which courses can be utilized to meet the nursing elective block, if needed. The nursing elective block may not be utilized if student meets the minimum 120 Sem Hrs requirement.

²

MATH 1342 or MATH 2342 are acceptable from other institutions

³

The numbers of weekly lecture and laboratory hours associated with each course are designated by (lecture:lab) following the semester hours (1 lab hour = 3 contact hours.)  Additional laboratory work may be required to complete the assignments.  All courses involving labs will require appropriate fees.

*

Online offering

Course Sequencing

Pre-licensure 

Note: All University Core Curriculum, Nursing Support Courses, and any transfer courses are taken before starting program.

Courses