Purposes

• To prepare competent, responsible practitioners who are committed to service and leadership as professional nurses;
• To equip graduates with the skills to function at an entry level of professional practice in a wide variety of health care settings;
• To expose students to the dynamic changes occurring in health care today to better prepare them for the changing careers of the future.

Tradition of Excellence

The nursing program at Point Loma Nazarene University is highly respected in the San Diego community and around the world. Classes provide for individualized attention by caring faculty who are dedicated to the academic and clinical success of each student. The faculty who are professionally qualified and in many cases with doctoral preparation, focus on effective teaching, and take seriously their call to be Christian role models and mentors. The School of Nursing is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Graduates are thus eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and apply for public health nursing certification upon graduation. This accredited program provides preparation for graduate study.

Career Opportunities

The program is designed around five core outcomes: critical thinking, therapeutic nursing interventions, communication, spirituality and service. Nursing majors compile a portfolio as they progress in the Nursing major, showing their progress toward meeting competencies in each of these areas. Their progress is monitored throughout the program, and their finished portfolio may be used as a marketing tool as they interview for a position in Nursing. The compassionate attitudes and excellent preparation of PLNU nurses make them highly sought after by San Diego County health care agencies.

Admission Requirements

Students are admitted as freshman to pre-nursing status, and must complete the required prerequisite courses to be considered for the nursing major. Transfer students who have completed the required pre-requisites may also apply for the Nursing program. Students are selected for admission to the sophomore class annually for the fall semester. Selection is made on the basis of cumulative GPA, GPA at PLNU, strength of application, letter of recommendation and completion of pre-requisite classes. A minimum overall 2.700 college/university GPA is required on a 4-point grade scale. LVN’s and RN’s licensed in the State of California are accepted into the program with advanced standing based on transfer of credit on a space available basis.

Students who have a previous bachelor’s degree in a major other than Nursing may be considered for admission into sophomore Nursing class, however, a full three years will be required to complete Nursing coursework. The course load may be lighter depending on the number of general education classes already completed.

Eligibility

Students are eligible to be considered for the Point Loma Nazarene University Nursing Program when the following conditions are met:

• Acceptance to Point Loma as a pre-nursing student.
• Submission of an application for the nursing program. (Application forms are available in December at the School of Nursing office, and due by February 1 preceding the fall semester entry date.)
• Overall University grade-point average (GPA) of 2.700 or better on a four-point scale. A cumulative GPA of 2.700 alone does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
• Completion of the following prerequisites (or their equivalent) with a minimum grade of “C” (2.000) in each: Inorganic/General and Organic/ Biological Chemistry (minimum 5 semester units);  Human Anatomy and Physiology (8 semester units); and General Psychology (3 or 4 semester units). Nutrition (3 semester units) and Human Development (3 semester units) are strongly recommended. A repeat of any prerequisite course may disqualify a student from admission to the Nursing program.
• Successful placement in Mathematics according to PLNU placement test results or Mathematics 099 with a grade of “C” (2.000) or better.
• Submission of one letter of recommendation using the School of Nursing form. This is in addition to the two letters of recommendation required by the Admissions Office at the time of application to Point Loma.
• An interview may be requested.

Selection

Eligible students are selected for admission to the nursing program by the School of Nursing Selection Committee. Selection is made on the basis of cumulative GPA, GPA at Point Loma, quality of entire application, letter of recommendation, and units at Point Loma.

• Priority consideration will be given to applicants who have completed:

• Secondary consideration will be given to transfer applicants who have completed:

• Final consideration will be given (on a space available basis) to applications received after February 1.
• Per agreement with the San Diego Nursing Service Consortium and affiliated hospitals, a background check and drug screening will be required prior to the first clinical experience.

Health Status

Students must provide evidence that they are physically and emotionally able to perform the duties required. A physical examination by a physician or nurse practitioner with information completed on a form provided by the School of Nursing is necessary. The examination includes current immunizations and tests as required by the School of Nursing. Forms are available after student has been accepted into the Nursing program.

Annual physical examination and tuberculin skin test must be performed before beginning junior and senior level Nursing courses.

Other Provisions

• Clinical facilities have a wide geographical distribution. Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to clinical facilities. Student car pools may be possible until the senior year, when access to an individual car is mandatory. This also requires a valid driver’s license and proof of auto insurance.
• A fee for liability insurance and testing services is assessed yearly to sophomore, junior, and senior Nursing students.
• Students are required to purchase uniforms, student arm patches, name tags, watch with second hand, stethoscope, and other equipment as necessary.
• Students should be aware that the B.S.N. program is a full four years in length. Those with transfer credits may still need three years of Nursing courses to complete the degree.
• A current American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Provider certification is mandatory for all Nursing majors in order to participate in clinical coursework.

Transfer Students

• All courses accepted in transfer from another university must be equivalent in content and credit. Students who complete course work at Point Loma will be given priority for selection into Nursing classes.
• Students with previous preparation in Nursing are admitted to the program as space is available providing requirements are met for admission to the University and to the School of Nursing. Academic placement is determined on an individual basis through evaluation of past preparation and experiences, Excelsior College Exams in nursing theory, and a challenge procedure for clinical courses is required. Further information may be obtained from the School of Nursing upon request.

Majors

Nursing

Courses

Faculty