Nursing Undergraduate

Holzer School of Nursing
College of Professional & Technical Studies
McKenzie Hall
740-245-7302 or 740-245-7415 office; 740-245-7177 fax
schoolofnursing@rio.edu

Accreditation

Assessment is an ongoing process within the Holzer School of Nursing. A variety of activities is used to assess students throughout the program. The Holzer School of Nursing programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, 404-975-5000. www.acenursing.org

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing Technology is regulated by the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN), 17 S. High St., Suite 660, Columbus, OH 43215, 614-466-3947. www.nursing.ohio.gov/ The OBN regulates nursing education programs in Ohio that prepare students for initial licensure as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. The OBN accomplishes this regulation by assuring that new and existing programs meet and maintain the requirements set forth in Chapter 4723-5 Ohio Administrative Code, as evidenced by the Board’s granting of its approval.

Associate of Applied Science - Nursing Technology

Programs Offered and Lengths:

Traditional Associate Degree - 5 semesters
On-Campus Advanced Placement Track for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN-RN) - 3 semesters
Hybrid Advanced Placement Track for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN-RN) - 6 semesters

Mission Statement

The mission of the Holzer School of Nursing is to provide the learner with the opportunity to attain a high quality and high value education. To this end, the Holzer School of Nursing provides the learner the knowledge and skills necessary to meet challenges and opportunities encountered in the nursing profession. An emphasis on the unique lifelong learning needs of the learner in the Holzer School of Nursing will promote successful careers and professional citizenship.

Admission Requirements and Procedures for Traditional AAS

Students are admitted into the traditional five-semester Associate Degree Nursing Program sequence only in the Fall Semester of each year. There is a limit on the class size for the Associate Degree Nursing Program. Traditionally, Holzer School of Nursing attracts many more qualified applicants than there are spaces available for the Fall Semester. Therefore, it is advisable to apply early. The deadline to apply for the upcoming Fall semester is the first day of classes for the previous Spring semester.

A Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) card (valid for the enrollment period in the School of Nursing), a completed medical history form, and the Hepatitis B Vaccination Series (and any other requirements as stipulated by the University Health Services Office) are required for admission of officially accepted students into the first semester of the Associate Degree Nursing Program.

Requirements for admission into the School of Nursing are:

Official acceptance to the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College. The Admissions Application (https://www.rio.edu/admissions/apply/), all official high school and college transcripts must be submitted directly to the Admissions Office.
An additional Application Form for the School of Nursing must be completed. This application form is available online (https://www.rio.edu/academics/find-your-program/nursing), as well as in the University Admissions Office. The completed application must be submitted directly to the Admissions Office by the announced application deadline. There will be one review of nursing applicants yearly.
High School or College cumulative Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) (most recent): a minimum of 2.5 cumulative G.P.A. for high school is required OR a minimum 2.5 cumulative G.P.A. with a minimum of 12 semester hours of college level coursework is required if the college cumulative G.P.A. is used.
The ACT and/or University Placement Test is required for all nursing applicants.
Completion of the HESI A2 Entrance Exam is required for traditional Associate Degree students. The exam fee of $60.00. This fee is the responsibility of the applicant.
Graduation from high school or a G.E.D.
High school or college-level courses required with a final grade of “C” or better for each course: Algebra, Biology (with lab), and Chemistry (with lab).

Final acceptance into the School of Nursing will be contingent upon the above stated criteria and maintenance of a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.5 or higher at the beginning of the entrance Semester. Acceptance into the School of Nursing will also be contingent upon a criminal background check (FBI/BCI) and a negative drug screen. Both background check and drug screen must be conducted by a qualified, specialized agency. The criminal background check and drug screen must be conducted within the specified time frame for each program cohort. Results are to be sent directly to the Director, Holzer School of Nursing one month prior to the start of the entrance semester.

Admission Requirements and Procedures for Advanced Placement LPN-RN Tracks

L.P.N./L.V.N.s are accepted and admitted into the Advanced Placement Track only in the Summer Term of each year for the on-campus offering and the Fall Semester of each year for the hybrid offering.

Requirements for admission into the School of Nursing are:

Official acceptance to the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College. The Admissions Application (https://www.rio.edu/admissions/apply/), all official high school and college transcripts must be submitted directly to the Admissions Office.
An additional application for the School of Nursing must be completed (Allied Health & Nursing Admissions | University of Rio Grande). Students choose the On-Campus LPN-RN application or the Hybrid LPN-RN application. The completed application must be submitted directly to the Admissions Office by the announced application deadline. There will be one review of nursing applicants yearly.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5.
- The admission representative will review the applicant’s LPN school transcript. Transcripts using the clock hour format will be converted to semester hours (Calculation: clock hours divided by 15).
- The applicant’s LPN transcript will be reviewed and calculated for Quality Points if not explicitly stated (Calculation: total LPN transcript semester hours multiplied by LPN transcript final GPA).
- Semester hours and quality points from the applicant’s University of Rio Grande transcript will be totaled (if applicable).
- Semester hours and quality points from outside institutions accepted for transfer by the University of Rio Grande will be totaled (if applicable).
- Semester hours and quality points from all of the applicant’s transcript sources (LPN transcript, all coursework completed at University of Rio Grande, and all hours accepted by University of Rio Grande for transfer) will be added to determine total hours earned and total quality points earned.
- The applicant’s final GPA for eligibility will be determined by dividing the total quality points by total hours earned.
Applicants must complete the specialized entrance exam for the LPN-RN program as required for program admission consideration. Payment of the $60 exam fee is the responsibility of the applicant and must be made prior to the exam. The exam questions are similar to the NCLEX-PN.
Final acceptance into the School of Nursing’s Advanced Placement Track LPN-RN program option will be contingent upon the above stated criteria and maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 at the beginning of entrance semester.
Applicants are also required to complete criminal background checks (FBI and BCI) and have a negative ten-panel drug screen. The criminal background checks and drug screen must be conducted within the specified time frame for each program option cohort by a qualified, specialized agency.

Readmission

All readmission students wishing to re-enroll at the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College (after an absence of one or more academic terms, excluding Summer Term) need to contact the Admissions Office and will be required to complete an Application for Readmission and identify the appropriate program as the intended field of study.

Health Requirements

Vision Capabilities: Normal or corrected refraction within the range of 20/20 to 20/60 and ability to identify and distinguish colors
Hearing Capabilities: Possess normal or corrected hearing abilities within 0-45 decibel range.
Motor Capabilities: Maneuver hospital equipment without assistance. Assist in lifting patients in excess of 100 pounds using proper body mechanics. Stand for extended periods of time. Walk long distances without assistance while maneuvering/transporting patients. Possess hand/eye coordination and fine motor skills to provide adequate patient care.
Language Capabilities: Communicate effectively with patient and other medical personnel. It is recommended that a second language is possessed or attempted.
Mental Capabilities: Think and act quickly in emergencies. Cope effectively with stress. Comprehend daily work activities and understand all pathology needed to present care plan or needs to members of the health care team. Possess the ability to work under close supervision, achieve deadlines, as well as adjust to irregular activity schedules. Applicant must also have the ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail while performing patient care, patient assessments, completing required documentation, and preparing and administering medications.
Exposure to Hazards: Occasionally exposed to dust, odors, bodily fluids, toxic substances, unpleasant patient care activities, and infectious diseases. May frequently be exposed to noise.

Length of Program

While the traditional Nursing Program is designed to be completed in five (5) semesters on a full-time basis, many students may choose to take more time for a variety of reasons. Those students who wish to progress in school at a slower pace may do so by electing to complete some or all of the General Education course requirements prior to applying for admission and being admitted into the Nursing Program. Prior to a student’s official acceptance into the Nursing Program, the student is highly encouraged to clarify the process which is required for possible acceptance into the Program by contacting the Admissions Office. Enrollment in University or Community College courses neither implies nor guarantees a student eventual acceptance into the Nursing Program. The L.P.N. /L.V.N. Advanced Placement Track Program is designed to be completed in two (2) semesters and a fifteen-week summer term for on-campus students, and four (4) semesters and two (2) ten-week summer terms for hybrid students.

Once a student is admitted into the Nursing Program, however, all General Education courses and required nursing courses must be taken in sequence and be successfully completed prior to enrolling in the next semester.

Continuation in the Nursing Program requires a grade of “C” or better in theory for all required nursing courses and a “satisfactory” designation for the clinical experience in nursing courses where this is a requirement, and a “C” or better for the following required general education courses:

Associate Degree Graduation Requirements

Meet all Rio Grande graduation requirements
Earn a minimum “C” grade in all required NUR courses
Earn a minimum “C” grade in AHC 13101 , MTH 11903 , BIO 10104 , BIO 10204 , BIO 10302 (traditional track only)

Facilities

A variety of clinical agencies are utilized as clinical experience sites for the Associate Degree nursing students (ADN) each semester for various nursing courses. Those with which the School of Nursing and the University have entered into formal contractual agreements (with telephone numbers) are listed below:

Adena Health Systems, Chillicothe, OH (740-772-7500)
Appalachian Behavioral Health Care, Athens, OH (740-594-5000)
Cabell-Huntington Hospital, Huntington, WV (304-526-2000)
Camden Clark Medical Center, Parkersburg, WV (304-424-2111)
Charleston Area Medical Center, Charleston, WV (304-388-4170)
Gallia County Health Department, Gallipolis, OH (740-441-2018)
Gallipolis City Schools, Gallipolis, OH (740-446-3211)
Holzer Health Systems, Gallipolis, OH (740-446-5000)
Ironton City Schools, Ironton, OH (740-532-4133)
Jackson County Health Department, Jackson, OH (740-286-5094)
King’s Daughters’ Medical Center, Ashland, KY (606-327-4000)
Lakin Hospital, West Columbia, WV (304-675-0860)
Memorial Health Systems, Marietta, OH (740-374-1400)
Meigs Local School District, Pomeroy, OH (740-992-7814)
Oak Hill Union Local School District, Oak Hill, OH (740-682-6616)
Ohio Health- Multiple Locations
Pleasant Valley Home Health, Pt. Pleasant, WV (304-675-4340)
Scioto County Health Department, Portsmouth, OH (740-355-8358)
Southern Ohio Medical Center, Portsmouth, OH (740-356-5000)
St. Mary’s Medical Center, Huntington WV (304-526-1234)
Symmes Valley Local Schools, Willow Wood, OH (740-643-2371)
University of Rio Grande Health Services, Rio Grande, OH (740-245-7350)
Vinton County Schools, McArthur, OH (740-596-5258)
Wellston City Schools, Wellston, OH (740-384-2152)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing - RN-BSN

Mission Statement

The School of Nursing strives to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the challenges and opportunities encountered in the nursing profession. Recent emphasis on promotion of health, prevention of illness, as well as advances in caring for the ill, has opened new areas of employment and has created added responsibilities for practicing nurses. The Holzer School of Nursing introduces students to many opportunities for development of individual interests in varied health care settings. Today’s nurse may work in a hospital, a nursing home, a clinic, industry, the community, or physician’s office, as well as the Armed Forces. Within these settings, there are many opportunities to care for persons with varied age groups in various medical, surgical, maternal-newborn, pediatric, and mental health needs. Nursing today offers a wide range of possibilities for the nurse to develop and progress. The Holzer School of Nursing provides a foundation for life-long learning and professional development and offers degree programs leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing Technology, as well as the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing designed specifically for registered nurses. The program of learning of the RN-BSN program is consistent with the Philosophy and Mission of the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College and the Holzer School of Nursing. Through didactic academic courses and clinical rotations, each student is expected to develop knowledge and competency in critical thinking and effective decision making, use the nursing process in applying and evaluating nursing care for patients through the life cycle, and use basic research to explore issues in providing nursing care. As adult learners, students are expected to bring a unique set of life and educational experiences, values, beliefs, attitudes, expectations, and goals to the learning environment. As a result, the faculty expects that the student will be an active partner with faculty in creating a learning atmosphere that stimulates individual creativity, critical thinking, and intellectual curiosity.

Admissions Procedures and Requirements of the RN-BSN Program

Complete the required admission procedures and policies for the University of Rio Grande as follows:
1. New Students must submit:
  1. A complete Application Form for admission and the $25.00 application fee (contact the Admissions Office for the Application Form).
  2. A complete University Medical Record Form (General form required of all students).
  3. Official transcripts from all schools of nursing, colleges, or universities attended (a high school transcript is not required for RN-BSN applicants).
  4. Identify “BSN Program” as the intended major field of study on the University Application Form.
2. Re-admission Students:
  All re-admission students wishing to re-enroll at the University of Rio Grande (after an absence of one or more academic terms, excluding Summer Sessions) need to contact the Admissions Office and will be required to complete an Application Form for Re-admission and identify “BSN Program” as the intended major field of study on the University Re-admission Form. (This also applies to all Associate Degree Nursing Program graduates from the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College.)
Complete the required admission procedures and policies for the Holzer School of Nursing Program as follows:
1. Submit evidence of graduation from a State Board of Nursing approved pre-licensure R.N. associate degree or diploma program in nursing (official transcript).
2. Present evidence of original, current, and valid R.N. License from the state of residence and the state where the student will do their clinical experiences. Student must be a licensed R.N. before attending NUR 30707 offered the second eight weeks of fall semester and all subsequent courses.
3. Present evidence of original, current nursing professional liability insurance coverage (prior to NUR 30707 ).
4. Present evidence of original, current, and valid CPR certification card (prior to NUR 30707 ).
5. Provide evidence of completion of all course transfer prerequisites for admission to the RN-BSN Program (official transcripts).
6. Submit completed Confidential Medical History Form to the School of Nursing.

* Licensure, liability insurance, CPR certification, and immunizations must remain current throughout enrollment in the Nursing Program.

** Online RN-BSN students are required to have access to a computer and the internet to complete their distance learning requirements. The computer needs to have a copy of (and be able to utilize) Firefox, Chrome, and Microsoft Office. It is recommended that computers have a minimum of 500GB Hard Drive and 8GB of RAM to effectively function in the distance education environment.

Health Requirements

Vision Capabilities: Normal or corrected refraction within the range of 20/20 to 20/60 and ability to identify and distinguish colors.
Hearing Capabilities: Possess normal or corrected hearing abilities within 0-45 decibel range.
Motor Capabilities: Maneuver hospital equipment without assistance. Assist in lifting patients in excess of 100 pounds using proper body mechanics. Stand for extended periods of time. Walk long distances without assistance while maneuvering/transporting patients. Possess hand/eye coordination and fine motor skills to provide adequate patient care.
Language Capabilities: Communicate effectively with patient and other medical personnel. It is recommended that a second language is possessed or attempted.
Mental Capabilities: Think and act quickly in emergency situations. Cope effectively with stress. Comprehend daily work activities and understand all pathology needed to present care plan or needs to members of the health care team. Possess the ability to work under close supervision, achieve deadlines, as well as adjust to irregular activity schedules. Applicant must also have the ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail which performing patient care, patient assessments, completing required documentation, and preparing and administering medications.
Exposure to Hazards: Occasionally exposed to dust, odors, bodily fluids, toxic substance, unpleasant patient care activities, and infectious diseases. May frequently be exposed to noise.

Length of Program

A student may enroll in the RN-BSN Program on a full-time or part-time basis. The required nursing courses for the Online RN-BSN program may be completed within two semesters and one summer term. General Education courses are required in addition to the required nursing courses. Enrollment in the University or Community College courses neither implies nor guarantees a student’s eventual acceptance into the Nursing Program.

NOTE: A grade of “C” (74%) or higher in theory is required for all nursing courses and a “satisfactory” designation for the clinical experience in nursing courses where this is a requirement.

BSN Graduation Requirements

Meet all Rio Grande graduation requirements
Earn a minimum “C” grade in all required NUR courses

Facilities

RN-BSN students reside in a variety of different states. RN-BSN students will determine the location for their clinical experiences and the School of Nursing and the University of Rio Grande will enter into a contractual agreement prior to the student beginning their clinical experiences.

Programs

Associate of Applied Science

Bachelor of Science in Nursing for Registered Nurses (R.N. - B.S.N. Program, 2+2 program)

Nursing - Online RN-BSN, B.S.N.

Courses

Nursing