Professors
Stephanie E. Burgess (Clinical), Ph.D., University of South Carolina, 2003
Peggy O Hewlett, Ph.D., University of Mississippi, 1993

Associate Professors
Frederick Astle (Clinical), Ph.D., University of South Carolina, 1999
Judith W. Alexander, Ph.D., University of South Carolina, 1982
Mary R. Boyd, Ph.D., University of Virginia, 1994
De Anna L. Cox (Clinical), M.N., University of South Carolina, 1989
Sara G. Fuller, Ph.D., University of Texas Medical Branch, 1986
Kimberly A. Glenn (Clinical), M.N., University of South Carolina, 1986
JoAnne Herman, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin, 1984
David Hodson (Clinical), Ed.D., Argosy University, 2004
De Anne Messias, Ph.D., University of California at San Francisco, 1997
Phyllis C. Poyner (Clinical), M.S.N., Vanderbilt University, 1979
Kathleen M. Scharer, Ph.D., University of Illinois, 1996
Jane M. Weilert (Clinical), Ed.D., Oklahoma State University, 2005
Debra Woda (Clinical), D.N.P., Case Western Reserve University, 2006
Lydia Zager (Clinical), M.S.N., University of Texas, 1988

Assistant Professors
Beverly Baliko, Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University, 2005
Xiaoyan Bu, D.N.S., University of Buffalo, 2005
Toriah Caldwell (Clinical), M.N., University of South Caorlina, 1989
Mary F. Cox, Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 2003
J. Lynne Douglass (Clinical), M.S.N., University of South Carolina, 2002
Gloria Fowler (Clinical), M.N., University of South Carolina, 1989
Kathleen M. Head (Clinical), M.S., University of South Carolina, 1993
Laura Hein, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, 20006
Pat Hickey (Clinical), Dr.P.H., University of South Carolina, 2004
Mary Ellen Howell (Clinical), M.N., University of South Carolina, 1987
Pat Johnson (Clinical), M.S.N., University of South Carolina, 2000
Carolyn Jones (Clinical), M.N., University of South Carolina, 1977
Kara Jones-Schubart (Clinical), M.S.N., University of South Carolina, 2002
Elizabeth Kolb (Clinical), M.N., University of South Carolina, 1996
Erin McKinney (Clinical), M.N., University of South Carolina, 1985
Deborah McQuilkin (Clinical), M.Ed., University of North Carolina, Greensboro, 1996
Christine Milligan-Jones (Clinical), M.S.N., Medical College of Virginia, 2000
Carol Mitchell-Hamilton (Clinical), M.S.N., Drexel University, 2005
Kathleen Moser (Clinical), M.S.N., University of South Carolina, 1999
Jeong-Hwan Park, Ph.D., University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 2004
Karen Roberts (Clinical), M.S.N., University of South Carolina, 1999
Laree Schoolmeesters, Ph.D., Frances Payne Bolton, 2005
Eileen Shake (Clinical), M.S.N., Queens University, 2002

Instructors
Katherine Chappell, M.S.N., University of South Carolina, 2006
Amy Parks (Clinical), M.S.N., University of South Carolina, 2003
Ella S. Weinkle (Clinical), M.S.N., Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, 2003
Amber Williams (Clinical), M.S.N., University of South Carolina, 2003

Dean Emerita
Mary Ann C. Parsons, Ph.D., University of Florida, 1976

Distinguished Professors Emeriti
Gwen M. Felton, Ph.D., University of South Carolina, 1984
D. Jean Wood, Ph.D., University of Michigan, 1977

Professors Emeriti
Wanda F. Anderson-Loftin, Ph.D., Medical College of Georgia, 1996
Opal F. Brown, Ph.D., University of South Carolina, 1984
Marlene C. Mackey, Ph.D., University of Illinois, 1984
Carol A. Williams, D.S.N., University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1982

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Baccalaureate Degree Program

The College of Nursing offers a four-year undergraduate program on the Columbia campus leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The baccalaureate program is approved by the State Board of Nursing for South Carolina and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Entrance Requirements

Lower Division. In order to be admitted into the College of Nursing, freshmen must meet all University and College of Nursing admission requirements. Students who have not successfully completed one high-school unit each of biology and chemistry are required to make up the deficiencies prior to admission. Acceptance into the University with a lower-division classification does not guarantee progression into the upper-division nursing major. Transfer students must have a cumulative 2.75 GPA in all college work attempted and must meet freshman requirements if less than 30 semester hours have been completed. Transfer students' performance in all science and nursing courses taken at other institutions must be reviewed upon admission. Nursing courses will be considered for transfer credit only from accredited nursing programs. To progress into the upper division, transfer students must meet the College of Nursing requirements for progression through completion of the lower-division science and nursing courses. All entering students are expected to have basic computer skills.

Advanced Placement

Students must adhere to the University requirements for advanced placement in general education courses. Only those general education courses identified by the University can be used for advanced placement through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). University departmental exams may be used for advanced placement if offered by the appropriate department and if the student meets the expected testing level identified by the department.

Progression Requirements

Lower Division. All students in the lower division in the baccalaureate program are subject to the following regulations:
1. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75.
2. All incomplete grades posted on the transcript must be removed before progression into the upper division.
3. Students must earn a minimum grade of C in all required courses in the nursing program. Only one course in either science or lower-division nursing for which an unsatisfactory grade was earned may be repeated once to earn a grade of C or better. All attempts at courses will be included in the calculation of the progression GPA.

Upper Division. Progression into upper-division nursing occurs in the spring and fall semesters. Beginning fall 2008, progression into the upper division will occur in the fall of each year. Students who have completed at least 45 credit hours (including 8 hours of the required courses and 9 hours of required lower-division nursing courses) and wish to apply to upper-division nursing must submit a completed College of Nursing Progression Application no later than December 1 for the following fall semester or May 1 for the following spring semester in which registration is desired. Factors considered in the progression decision include:

1. a minimum cumulative USC and collegiate summary grade point average of 2.75 or better (Progression is competitive, based on progression GPA, and limited to a set number of qualified students.)

2. a grade of C or better in all required courses in the nursing program

3. verified completion of 45 prerequisite credits in general education and lower-division nursing courses by the end of the term in which the progression application is submitted

4. successful completion of 8 hours of the required sciences in the 45 hours presented for progression consideration

5. successful completion of 9 hours of the required lower-division nursing courses in the 45 hours presented for progression consideration.

Students must have a completed application on file, provide evidence of completion of remaining lower-division course work, and be admitted to the upper division prior to registering for their first upper division nursing courses (300 level).

A minimum grade of C is required in each nursing course. Only one upper-division nursing course may be repeated once to earn a grade of C or better. All students must maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA on all USC and collegiate summary course work in order to maintain good standing in the nursing program. Grades are reviewed at the end of each semester. Students who have less than a 2.75 cumulative GPA on USC work are placed on probation within the college for one semester but may continue to take all required courses. If at the end of the probationary semester their USC GPA is still less than 2.75, they are removed from their required course sequence.

All students must achieve satisfactory performance on selected comprehensive achievement tests to progress through the upper division.

Combined Bachelor's/Master's Education Plan

This plan of study allows a student to earn up to 9 semester hours of graduate course work that may be used for both the bachelor's degree and the master's degree. Only upper-division students may qualify for the combined bachelor's/master's education plan. The student must meet any prerequisite for each graduate course. Admission to this combined plan may be requested if the student has met the following criteria:

1. completion of at least 90 semester hours toward the bachelor’s degree.
2. a minimum USC and a collegiate summary GPA of 3.40.
3. a minimum GPA of 3.40 in the nursing major.
4. approval of the graduate director.

The courses that may be used to earn 9 graduate credit hours to be applied toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees are: EDRM 710 or BIOS 700; NURS 700; and NURS 790. Completion of graduate courses under the combined B.S.N./M.S.N. education plan does not guarantee admission to The Graduate School.

Attendance Requirements

The College of Nursing adheres to the University's attendance policy. In addition, students are expected to attend all clinical nursing activities with absences permitted up to 10 percent only if certified as unavoidable because of sickness or other cause. Make-up time for missed clinical nursing experiences will be determined at the discretion of the faculty and availability of clinical facilities. Faculty may require withdrawal of any student who has missed sufficient practice to prevent completion of clinical objectives.

Other Regulations

Readmission. A student who has been suspended or has withdrawn from the College of Nursing and subsequently readmitted will be subject to the current College of Nursing academic standards and available space in courses.

Waiver of academic standards. Any student seeking relief from academic standards shall petition the College of Nursing to waive specific standards or regulations. Information on procedures may be obtained from the College of Nursing Office of Student Services.

In addition to the regulations of the University as a whole, the following additional regulations apply to students in the nursing program.

Health requirements. In addition to meeting the health requirements of the University, students enrolled in clinical nursing courses are required to provide evidence of annual tuberculosis screening; documentation of positive titers for varicella, rubella, and rubeola; and evidence of vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus within the last 10 years. Students shall have on file prior to entry into clinical courses at least one of the following: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) immunization record or antibody titer showing a previous antigen response to HBV. Information on all clinical requirements is available in the College of Nursing Office of Student Services. A current Clinical Requirements Information form must be on file in the College of Nursing Office of Student Services by December 1 for the spring semester and by June 1 for the fall semester. Admission to the upper division in the College of Nursing is contingent on passing a drug screen and background check. Students are not eligible to participate in practice activities at clinical sites until this information is on file. Students are encouraged to have health insurance coverage throughout the course of their studies.

Special requirements and associated expenses. Students enrolled in nursing courses with a lab or practicum must carry professional liability insurance purchased in conjunction with the courses (approximately $20 per course); one-time expenses include nursing uniforms (approximately $200) and clinical equipment and supplies (approximately $165). Maintenance of current CPR certification during enrollment in clinical courses is required (approximately $50). Thomson Student Health Center offers an HBV immunization program to students (approximately $100). All students shall complete selected achievement tests, primarily in the upper division, and an NCLEX review course during the final semester; the cost is approximately $600, and is distributed over the upper division.

Transportation to clinical practice sites. Each student should have a valid driver's license and is responsible for transportation to and from hospitals and other clinical practice sites in both urban and rural areas. Sites used for clinical experiences are usually confined to the eleven-county Greater Midlands area of the state.

Application for licensure in professional nursing. Prior to completion of the second semester of the senior year, students are expected to apply for the professional nursing licensing examination, which is administered by the State Board of Nursing for South Carolina or its counterpart in the jurisdiction where the student will seek initial employment after graduation (approximate cost is $120). Students in the College of Nursing are also bound to conduct themselves according to the professional standards set forth by the American Nurses Association Code for Nurses. Conviction of a crime other than a minor traffic violation could result in ineligibility for professional licensure. Under these circumstances, early notification to the Board of Nursing is recommended to clarify mechanisms related to eligibility determination.

Curriculum

The baccalaureate curriculum provides for eight semesters of study in general education and professional nursing. Upon admission, students are assigned an advisor to guide planning throughout the program. Students should obtain guidance in the selection of courses as early as possible. Transfer students are encouraged to contact the College of Nursing Office of Student Services for advisement on course selection and registration procedures.

Computer skills are required throughout the curriculum. Skills required for class assignments and clinical practice include: word processing, computerized assisted instruction, e-mail, listserv, Web access, Internet searches, database searches, computerized patient documentation, and computerized medical equipment.

The upper division focuses on clinical practice and requires full-time study. Clinical practice is supported by concurrent classroom study. Students practice in a variety of settings such as hospitals, extended-care facilities, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, schools, and other community agencies.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree requires a minimum of 128 hours. These credits are distributed between general education requirements and electives, and professional nursing requirements.

All lower-division requirements must be completed before progressing to upper-division courses. Upper-division courses must be taken in sequence as outlined in the Undergraduate Student Handbook.

Program of Study

(128 hours)

Lower Division Courses: English (6 hours); social sciences (6 hours); analytical reasoning (6 hours); CHEM 102 and BIOL 243, 244, 330 (16 hours); history (3 hours); fine arts (3 hours); NURS 210, 212, 216, 220, 231, 326 (18 hours); electives (6 hours) (64 total hours)

All lower division courses must be completed before progression to the upper division.

Upper Division Courses: NURS 311, 312, 314, 317, 319, 324, 400, 411, 412, 420, 422, 423, 424, 425, 430, 431, 432, 433, and a nursing elective (64 total hours)

General Education Requirements

General education course selections must meet University general education requirements.

English: ENGL 101-102 or higher

Social Sciences: Two courses from one of these: sociology or psychology. One course must cover life-span content.

Analytical Reasoning: To be satisfied in one of the following ways: 1) STAT 110 and MATH 122 or 2) STAT 110 and STAT 201.

Foreign Language: Students must demonstrate ability in a foreign language equivalent to that obtained by two years of high-school study of one language. This ability may be demonstrated by placing at level two or higher on the Foreign Language Placement Exam for the language studied in high school. Those failing to do so must satisfactorily complete equivalent study of a foreign language at USC. These students must pass 109 and 110 in French, German, Latin, or Spanish or 121 and 122 in any of the other languages.

Electives: UNIV 101 is strongly recommended.

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Registered Nurses

Registered nurses (RNs) interested in a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing should contact the College of Nursing Office of Student Services. Monthly prospective student sessions are offered, in which information on the RN plan is presented by the RN advisor. Transcripts of all previous college or university credits may be evaluated if brought to the session.

Entrance Requirements

Lower Division. Registered nurses are subject to the regulations required of all students with a lower division classification in the baccalaureate program except that registered nurses are not required to take the SAT. Additionally, upon admission the registered nurse must present verification of current authorization to practice as a registered nurse in South Carolina or another jurisdiction. The RN license must be issued on the basis of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).

Upper Division. All progression requirements of the college apply to registered-nurse students.

Advanced Placement

1. Registered nurse students must adhere to the University requirements for advanced placement in general education courses. Only those general education courses identified by the University can be used for advanced placement through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). University departmental exams may be used for advanced placement if offered by the appropriate department and if the student meets the expected testing level identified by the department.

2. ADN graduates from an NLN-accredited school may earn up to 40 semester hours of nursing course work through direct transfer.

3. NURS 250 is a course designed for registered nurses to bridge content in technical and professional nursing. Successful completion of this 3-credit course with a minimum grade of C results in earned credit for NURS 210.

4. Graduates from diploma or non-NLN-accredited ADN nursing programs may earn academic credit by examination in courses for which faculty-approved equivalency examinations are available, provided that University residency and college major requirements are met. Credit earned by examination does not contribute to the residency requirement for graduation.

Second Baccalaureate Degree

1. Registered nurses who hold a non-nursing baccalaureate degree and wish to obtain a second baccalaureate degree in nursing must meet the University requirements and the College of Nursing requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

2. Registered nurses who hold a non-nursing baccalaureate degree and wish to obtain a second major (nursing) must abide by the policy that no course that satisfies a general education major, minor, cognate, or requirement other than a free elective for the first degree may be applied to the major field of the second degree. See the "Academic Regulations" section of this bulletin regarding additional regulations for a second baccalaureate degree.

Curriculum

Curriculum requirements for registered nurses in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program are equivalent to those of other BSN students. Registered nurses must complete the University's general education requirements for graduation including foreign language.

Required Nursing Courses for R.N.-B.S.N. Students (39 hours)

Credit must be earned through enrollment at USC Columbia for the following courses: NURS 231 (3 hours), NURS 250 (3 hours), NURS 311 (2 hours), NURS 316 (3 hours), NURS 317 (3 hours), NURS 326 (3 hours), NURS 400 (3 hours), NURS 420 (2 hours), NURS 430 (3 hours), NURS 431* (4 hours), NURS 432 (3 hours), NURS 433* (4 hours), and one nursing elective.

*Clinical courses

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Course Descriptions (NURS)

• 110 -- Self-Care Behaviors. (3) Introduction and exploration of concepts, skills, techniques, and strategies that influence self-awareness, thinking, motivation, and self-care behaviors.
  
• 210 -- Facilitative Communication. (3) (Prereq: ENGL 101) Examination of communication theory and development of communication skills. Focuses on non-directive and directive interviewing techniques with dyads, small groups, and families.
  
• 212 -- Evolution of Nursing Science. (3) Examination of development of nursing as a scientific discipline.
  
• 216 -- Biophysical Pathology. (3) (Prereq: CHEM 102, NURS 220, and MATH 111 or placement score of B22) Pathology associated with biophysical alterations.
  
• 220 -- Clinical Nutrition. (3) (Prereq: CHEM 102) Utilization of principles of therapeutic nutrition with consideration for the physiological and chemical disturbances of various health problems; the role of the nurse in clinical nutrition.
  
• 226 -- Socio-Cultural Variations in Health and Illness. (3) Diverse health care belief systems and how they influence human responses to health and illness. Focus on African-American and other cultural groups.
  
• 231 -- Foundations of Community Health Nursing. (3) Basic concepts and principles of aggregate and community health.
  
• 250 -- Nursing Science in Professional Practice. (3) Nursing as a science; selected concepts of self-care and communication within the context of nursing science. Transition course for registered nurse students only. Credit received for NURS 110 and NURS 210 upon completion.
  
• 309 -- Nursing Health Assessment. (3) (Coreq: NURS 310) Cognitive skills, psychomotor skills, and technologies necessary to perform health assessment. Practicum required.
  
• 310 -- Clinical Therapeutics. (3) (Coreq: NURS 309; prereq or coreq: NURS 316) The cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills and technologies necessary to nursing intervention. Practicum required.
  
• 311 -- Introduction to Health Assessment. (2) (Coreq: NURS 312, 314) Cognitive skills, psychomotor skills, and technologies necessary to perform health assessment. Laboratory required.
  
• 312 -- Foundations of Nursing Practice. (4) (Coreq: NURS 311, 314) Cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills and technologies necessary to nursing intervention. Practicum required.
  
• 314 -- Clinical Reasoning in Nursing Practice. (2) (Coreq: NURS 311, 312) The process of making clinical judgments.
  
• 315 -- Nursing of Adults I. (5) (Prereq or coreq: NURS 310, 317) Nursing intervention for clients experiencing mental health problems, with focus on promotion, restoration, and support. Practicum required.
  
• 317 -- Psychosocial Pathology. (3) Pathology associated with biopsychosocial alterations.
  
• 319 -- Health Across the Life Span. (3) Study of factors that influence health across the life span, with emphasis on children, women, and the elderly.
  
• 320 -- Clinical Reasoning. (3) (Prereq or coreq: NURS 315) The process of making clinical judgments.
  
• 322 -- Nursing of Adults II. (5) (Prereq: NURS 310) Nursing intervention: promotion, restoration, and support of adults experiencing acute physiological alterations in health. Practicum required.
  
• 323 -- Nursing of Older Adults. (5) (Prereq or coreq: NURS 322, 320) Nursing interventions focusing on health promotion, restoration, and support of older adults. Practicum required.
  
• 324 -- Chemical Therapeutics. (3) (Prereq: CHEM 102, NURS 216) Principles of pharmacology for restoration and support of psychological, physiological, and chemical disturbances in human capacities. Role of the nurse in clinical pharmacology.
  
• 327 -- Perioperative Nursing. (3) (Prereq: NURS 322, 323) Perioperative care of clients with common, recurring nursing problems requiring surgical intervention. Perioperative practicum required.
  
• 398 -- Selected Topics. (3) (Prereq: consent of instructor) Topics of special interest in nursing. Individual topics to be announced in newspaper schedule by suffix and title.
  
• 399 -- Independent Study. (1-6) (Prereq: consent of instructor) Number of credits to be contracted with instructor at the beginning of the course. Contract approved by instructor, advisor and department head is required for undergraduate students.
  
• 400 -- Evidence-based Nursing Practice. (3) (Prereq: STAT 110, NURS 314) Introduction to the language and process of research and the use of best practices to guide nursing practice.
  
• 406 -- Critical Care Nursing of Adults. (3) (Prereq: NURS 323 or equivalent) Introduction to nursing of the critically ill adult. Application in selected clinical settings.
  
• 410 -- Nursing Research. (3) (Prereq: STAT 110, NURS 320) Introduction to the language and processes of research as applied to professional nursing.
  
• 411 -- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing. (5) (Prereq: NURS 312, 317) Nursing care of clients experiencing psychiatric/mental health problems, with focus on promotion, restoration, and support. Practicum required.
  
• 412 -- Acute Care Nursing of Adults I. (5) (Prereq: NURS 311, 312, 314) Nursing care of acutely ill adults in a variety of settings. Practicum required.
  
• 414 -- Nursing of Childbearing Families. (5) (Prereq: NURS 322, 323) Nursing interventions focusing on health promotion, restoration, and support of childbearing families. Practicum required.
  
• 415 -- Nursing of Childrearing Families. (5) (Prereq: NURS 322, 323) Nursing interventions focusing on health promotion, restoration, and support of childrearing families. Practicum required.
  
• 420 -- Emerging Issues in Nursing Practice. (2) (Prereq: NURS 400) Examination of emerging health-related issues and their relevance to professional nursing practice.
  
• 422 -- Acute Care Nursing of Adults II. (5) (Prereq: NURS 411, 412) Nursing care of acutely ill adults in a variety of settings. Practicum required.
  
• 423 -- Nursing Leadership and Management. (3) (Prereq: NURS 411 and 412 or equivalent) Conceptual basis of leadership and management of patient care in health care systems.
  
• 424 -- Maternal/Newborn Nursing. (3) (Prereq: NURS 411, 412; Coreq: NURS 425) Nursing care of childbearing women and their neonates and families. Focus on uncomplicated pregnancy and birthing processes. Practicum required.
  
• 425 -- Nursing of Children and Families. (3) (Prereq: NURS 411, 412; Coreq: NURS 424) Nursing care of families throughout their childrearing years, focusing on health promotion, restoration, and support of their children. Practicum required.
  
• 427 -- Clinical Leadership in Nursing. (5) (Prereq: NURS 414, 415) Clinical experience in leadership and management in health care systems. Practicum required.
  
• 428 -- Nursing the Community. (5) (Prereq: NURS 414, 415) The community as client; facilitation of the health of families and groups in the community through health promotion, restoration, and support processes. Practicum required.
  
• 430 -- Policies and Politics. (3) Relationships between policies and politics in the health field and strategies for effective nursing activism. Policy analysis and its implications for the health professions.
  
• 431 -- Community Health Nursing. (4) (Prereq: NURS 423) Examines health of local, national, and global communities, including work sites and other subcommunities. Ethical, economic, environmental, and other considerations of community health are explored. Practicum required.
  
• 432 -- Adult Health Nursing Preceptorship. (4) (Prereq: NURS 422) Clinical experiences in management of multiple adult patients with complex physiological health problems in acute care settings. Practicum only.
  
• 433 -- Nursing Leadership and Management Preceptorship. (4) (Prereq: NURS 423) Clinical experiences in leadership and management of patient care in health care systems. Practicum only.
  
• 491 -- Community and Environmental Assessment. (1) (Coreq: NURS 708) Comprehensive assessment and analysis of a community and its environment within the framework of community health nursing. Practicum only.
  
• 503 -- Congregational Nurse Role. (2) Nursing practice within faith communities.
  
• 503A -- Congregational Nurse Role Practicum. (1) (Coreq: NURS 503)
  
• 504 -- Emergency Preparedness: Implications for Health Care Professionals. (3) (Prereq: permission of department for nursing students and permission of professor for non-nursing students) Principles of emergency preparedness with implications for health care at the local, regional, national, and global levels.
  
• 534 -- The Rural Interdisciplinary Practicum. (1-6) Students live and practice in a rural, interdisciplinary environment and participate in an organized community-based health care activity. Contract approved by instructor and department chair is required for undergraduate students.
  
• 541 -- Issues in Women's Health. {=WOST 541} (3) An exploration of women's health and health care concerns from multiple perspectives.
  
• 553 -- In-Service Education. (3) (Prereq: consent of instructor) Organizing, developing, implementing, and evaluating the in-service education program.
  
• 571 -- Special Topics. (3) (Prereq: consent of instructor)