Programs of Study   Mission Statement The Mission of the Howard University Division of Nursing is to provide quality undergraduate and graduate nursing education within an urban setting that prepares students for nursing practice as a generalist or advanced practice nurse within diverse local, national and international health care settings. The faculty places an emphasis on the education of individuals from under-represented groups. The faculty promotes the development of students for leadership in the practice of nursing in service, education, and research within a global community. The faculty engages in leadership roles in the practice of nursing in service, education, and research. Vision The Division of Nursing will be a unique nationally and internationally recognized center of excellence in education for preparing underrepresented students for leadership in service, research, education and public policy. Core Values • Leadership • Excellence • Truth • Service • Accountability • Teamwork •  Integrity Philosophy The Division of Nursing seeks to assure quality health care for all recipients of nursing care. The faculty promotes excellence in the profession of nursing through its teaching, research, scholarly endeavors, and service to the community. The faculty believes that a person, by uniquely integrating physical, intellectual, psychosocial, spiritual, cultural, and environmental components, develops perceptions about life and health through a variety of interpersonal relationships. We believe that the family contributes to the development of strong communities by nurturing and socializing its members. The environment is comprised of physical, biological, chemical, and social forces that influence a person internally and externally. Health is a state of physical, mental, spiritual, and social well being. We believe in promoting, maintaining, and restoring optimal health and/or in providing for comfort and a peaceful death. Illness occurs when there are disturbances in growth, development, function, or adjustment to forces within a person’s internal and external environments. Nursing is an art and a science that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and support to promote and restore health for individuals, families and communities. Caring is the foundation of nursing. The profession has the responsibility to generate and refine the knowledge of the discipline through ongoing scientific inquiry. The practice of nursing is carried out independently and collaboratively with other disciplines to facilitate optimal well being across the lifespan. Effective communication is essential to the practice of nursing. We believe that the nursing profession must continue to provide leadership in health care for the global community. Education is an interactive, goal-oriented process between the teacher and the learner involving multi-sensory approaches, which result in changes in cognitive, psychomotor, and affective behaviors. Education is most meaningful when it relates to personal goals, and embraces cultural differences and practices. Principles of adult learning are an integral part of the educational process. The faculty promotes the pursuit of lifelong learning. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree Program Outcomes At the completion of the undergraduate program, the graduate will; 1. Synthesize knowledge from liberal arts, sciences and humanities, and nursing discipline in critical thinking and decision-making for the implementation, management and evaluation of safe, holistic care for individuals, families and communities. 2. Practice professional nursing within ethical, legal, and professional standards of practice. 3. Provide culturally competent care across the life span in partnership with the inter-professional health care team. 4. Demonstrate communication skills essential to the role of the nurse as provider, designer, manager, coordinator of care, and member of the profession. 5. Collaborate with colleagues and other members of the inter-professional health team to promote health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. 6. Engage in professional role behaviors that serve to improve nursing and health care delivery systems and address the changing needs of a multicultural society. 7. Apply leadership and management skills to provide quality, cost-effective nursing in a variety of settings. 8. Engage in critical inquiry and incorporate evidence-based research in the practice of professional nursing. Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program Plans of Study The baccalaureate program is built on the foundation of liberal arts and nursing education that is aimed towards developing students’ abilities in critical thinking, effective communication, and the use of a systematic process of decision- making. There are (3) three program plans of study at the baccalaureate level – Generic, LPN to BSN and RN to BSN, and each is offered to a different type of entering student. The Generic Plan of Study is offered for high school graduates and transfer students. College graduates with a non-nursing degree and transfer students who have completed the required prerequisite courses are eligible to apply. The LPN to BSN and RN to BSN plans of study offer a mechanism for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and Associate Degree or Diploma registered nurses (RNs) to pursue a bachelor of science in nursing degree. The curriculum consists of a minimum of 124 credit hours (61 credit hours of required prerequisites and 63 credit hours of required nursing courses). Clinical experiences are obtained in a variety of health centers, hospitals, and community health agencies in the DC, MD and Virginia tri-state area. 1. GENERIC PLAN OF STUDY The Generic Program is sequenced over four (4) years and one summer session. The sequence of study is organized in two (2) divisions. The Lower Division includes courses generally taken during the first two (2) years of college. Completion of the Lower Division Plan of Study provides a foundation in the Natural and Physical Sciences, Psychosocial Sciences, Humanities, and Fine Arts. A foundation in liberal education provides the requisite knowledge for the development of critical thinking and decision-making for nursing practice. The Upper Division Plan of Study concentrates on core nursing theory and clinical courses. The Upper Division Plan of Study begins with a summer session and is followed by four (4) semesters. Students who have completed prerequisite course requirements prior to the summer session may apply for admission into the Upper Division Plan of Study. BSN Lower Division Plan of Study BSN Upper Division PLan of Study 2. RN TO BSN TRACK The RN to BSN Track is a program of study for the RN with an associate degree or diploma to pursue study for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree. Students must complete a total of 63 hours of pre-requisites before entering the program. Students will be awarded thirty (30) nursing credit hours from their prior nursing program of study and can complete the degree requirements in a minimum of one (1) year of full-time study or longer for part-time study. The program of study begins in the SUMMER and continues for one Academic year. RN to BSN Plan of Study 3. LPN TO BSN TRACK The LPN to BSN Track is a program of study for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree. The LPN applicant must possess a current LPN license. Eleven (11) academic credits will be awarded for the following courses: Fundamentals of Nursing (3 credits), Introduction to Pharmacology (3 credits); and Adult Health Nursing (5 credits), pending successful completion of a challenge exam administered by the Division of Nursing. Students unsuccessful on the challenge exam are required to enroll in the particular course. All pre-requisite liberal arts and science courses must be completed by the end of the spring semester prior to enrolling in the SUMMER. The program of study begins in the SUMMER and continues for two (2) consecutive academic years.LPN to BSN Plan of Study