SUNY Poly offers a curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing. The baccalaureate program is designed to serve licensed registered nurses, from state-approved associates or diploma nursing programs, who desire to advance their education, and to focus on their professional and career development.

Students may attend the SUNY Poly program on a full-time or part-time basis. Admission to the program occurs in both the fall and spring semesters.

Blackboard is the online Learning Management System. Online course content may be delivered asynchronously or synchronously. Synchronous class sessions meet at a specific day and time. The amount and frequency of synchronous class work varies among courses.

The curriculum includes coursework in the theoretical bases of professional nursing practice, comprehensive health assessment, nursing research and evidence-based practice, nursing leadership, care management, and public health nursing science. As with all programs at SUNY Poly, the nursing program includes a strong base in the arts and sciences.

Computer Requirements

Computer compatible with the current Blackboard platform. Students may go to the Blackboard link on the main web page: https://sunypoly.open.suny.edu/webapps/portal/execute/tabs/tabAction?tab_tab_group_id=_1_1 to check computer capabilities. Students must have a USB headset with microphone. A wired internet connection is preferred for engaging in Collaborate Sessions. Webcams are required for online proctored exams.

Articulation
The nursing program, in support of the mission of SUNY Poly, offers direct articulation and joint admission agreements with associates degree and diploma nursing programs. These agreements provide potential students advanced advisement regarding transfer of credits.

General Admission Information for BS Nursing

Transfer of Semester Hours

• Students must submit official transcripts of any college courses they wish to have evaluated for transfer. Transcripts should be sent to the director of admissions.
• Only coursework that meets the curriculum requirements of the nursing program will be accepted for transfer. Transfer credits are determined on an individual basis. Up to 76 credits may transfer from the lower division level, typically including 30 credits in nursing and up to 46 credits in the liberal arts and sciences.
• No “D” grade will be transferred in to satisfy any program required course.
• Only courses with a minimum grade of “C” are considered for transfer as upper division transfer semester hours.

Academic Requirements

Prior to admission in the baccalaureate nursing programs, a potential student must meet the following requirements:

• Be a graduate of a state-approved associates degree or diploma nursing program.
• Complete a minimum of 26 lower division semester hours in arts and sciences courses, or equivalent, in English composition, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, introductory psychology, and introductory sociology.

Program Policies

• Prerequisites for participation in ANY 400-level nursing course include:
• a. Licensure – A copy of the student’s online verification of current New York State R.N. Registration certificate must be on file in the Health & Wellness Office.
  b. Health Clearance – Annual completion of  physical exam, current immunization record and health clearance must be on file in the Health and Wellness Center.
  c. CPR Certification – Written evidence of current satisfactory completion of CPR certification must be on file in the Health & Wellness Office.
  d. Matriculated status – fulfillment of all prerequisite and admission requirements.
• Degree Requirements: Requirements to satisfactorily complete the B.S. degree with a major in nursing is determined by the program in place at the time of admission.
• Grading: The student must maintain a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) to remain in good standing.
  • The student must earn a minimum grade of “C+” (or 77%) in each nursing course.
  • The student must earn a minimum grade of “C+” (or 77%) in each of the following cognate courses: BIO 350 Advanced Physiology, STA 100 Statistical Methods, BIO 250 Health Care Genetics, and ANT 110 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology.
  • For any course with a practicum component that is graded numerically, the student must earn a minimum grade of C+ (77%) in the practicum component of the course.
  • For any course with a practicum component graded on a non-numerical basis, the student must earn a Satisfactory (S) grade in that practicum component of the course. The Satisfactory grade is based on the student earning a satisfactory for each objective of the experience.
  • The student must pass both the theoretical and clinical components of a nursing course, or the course must be repeated in its entirety.
  • If a student does not achieve a minimum grade of a C+ in any nursing course or in the above specified cognate courses requiring a C+, the following applies:
    • A student may repeat a nursing course only once.
    • A student may repeat a cognate course that requires a minimum of C+ only once.
    • A student may repeat a maximum of two nursing/or specified cognate courses throughout the program.
    • If a minimum grade of “C+” is not obtained a second time, the student will be required to withdraw from the nursing program.
    • If a student withdraws from a course, earning a “W” grade, that course must be repeated and is subject to the course repeat policy. The student may only repeat one (1) additional required course.
• Withdrawal from Program: The Department of Nursing reserves the right to request the withdrawal of any student whose continuance in the program would be detrimental to the health and safety of self or others.
• Add/Drop Courses: A student dropping co-requisites of a nursing course will also be required to drop the applicable nursing course.
• Academic Overload: A full-time student desiring to take more than 16 semester hours in either the fall or spring term must demonstrate the ability to carry an overload by achieving a 3.25 GPA while carrying 16 semester hours in the previous semester. Any overload must be approved in writing by the Chair of the Department of Nursing.
• Readmission: Students seeking readmission to the Department of Nursing will have their coursework evaluated by the Academic Standards Committee of the Department of Nursing. Upper division nursing credits taken more than five years before admission will be evaluated for applicability to the student’s new program of study.

R.N. Licensure
A current New York (NY) Registered Professional Nurse (RN) License is required upon completion of first semester coursework. Students who do not have a current NY State RN License by the end of the first semester may NOT take additional nursing courses until licensure is obtained.

Practicum Experiences
Principles of nursing are explored and examined more fully within a wide variety of diverse community and clinical health care patient settings which include hospitals, schools, health care agencies, community based and public health focused programs. The practicum experiences are designed to allow working registered nurses to continue their education and complete their baccalaureate degree without interruption. Students must meet licensure, CPR and health clearance requirements upon admission. These requirements must be updated prior to taking practicum courses NUR444, NUR475 and Culminating Seminar NUR490. Students must have a clear and unencumbered New York State Nursing license to participate in practicum experiences. Failure to report any license sanction or condition will result in automatic failure of the course and removal from the nursing program.

Unsafe clinical performance includes any action that seriously jeopardizes a patient’s well-being and/or causes potential or actual harm to self or others. A student demonstrating a pattern of unsafe performance will not be allowed to continue in the practicum nursing course.

In addition, students are required to adhere to legal and ethical standards as established by regulatory agencies and nursing professional standards. Failure to comply with the above is cause for immediate dismissal from the program.

Health Requirements
All students must meet the health requirements of the nursing program and health agencies. Each student must be able to perform a full range of clinical activities. Satisfactory health clearance must be complete and on file in the Health and Wellness Center upon admission, and prior to participating in each of the practicum courses (NUR 444, and NUR 475) and Culminating Seminar NUR490. Health forms will require students to be free from physical or mental impairments, including habituation or addiction to depressants, stimulants, narcotics, alcohol, or other behavior-altering substances that might interfere with the performance of their duties or would impose a potential risk to patients or personnel.

Nursing Facilities
The nursing program makes use of new and modern facilities, laboratories and equipment giving students the opportunity to learn from current research and developments. Laboratory equipment features audio-visual materials, computer software and complete health assessment laboratories with examination tables, full scale anatomical models, diagnostic instruments and video monitoring. Students also make use of the latest equipment available in health care facilities where they apply classroom theory to practical situations. All students have access to SUNY Poly computer laboratories, assessment labs and other venues throughout campus.

Transportation and Professional Attire
All students must provide their own transportation to and from, laboratory, and practicum assignments associated with their nursing courses. Students are expected to dress in professional attire for all practicum experiences. Students will adhere to the dress code specified by their practicum site mentor, course instructor or agency supervisor.

Sigma Theta Tau International
Sigma Theta Tau International is the Honor Society of Nursing. The Department of Nursing’s Iota Delta Chapter includes in its membership students, alumni, faculty, and community leaders in nursing. The purposes of this society are to recognize superior achievement and the development of leadership qualities to foster high professional standards, to encourage creative work, and to strengthen commitment to the ideals and purposes of the profession. Eligibility is determined by scholastic achievement, evidence of professional potential, and/or marked achievement in the field of nursing.

Faculty
The faculty, with their broad array of experiences are poised to facilitate the success of registered nurses in pursuit of a baccalaureate education. In addition to instruction, the faculty serve as academic advisors, mentors and role-models to all students.

Requirements

Students shall satisfy the requirements listed below.

I. SUNY General Education Requirements (30 credits)

All SUNY students must satisfy the following requirements.

No fewer than 30 credits must be attained from the SUNY approved General Education Course List with the following provisions:

• Mathematics (STA 100 required by program)
• Basic Communication (ENG 101 or equivalent)
• At least five (5) out of the following eight (8) SUNY General Education categories:
  • Natural Science (BIO 215T & BIO 215L w/lab required by program)
  • Social Science (PSY 100)
  • American History
  • Western Civilization
  • Other World Civilization
  • Humanities
  • The Arts
  • Foreign Language

NOTE: You may take more than one course in a given category to complete this 30-credit hour requirement, but you must also satisfy the appropriate number of categories.

II. Liberal Arts/Science Requirements – (30 credits)

The New York State Education Department (SED) requires a student earning a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree to attain no fewer than 60 credits of combined SUNY General Education and Liberal Arts/Sciences courses. There may be overlap between courses meeting the SUNY General Education Requirements, Liberal Arts/Sciences Requirements, and Program Core requirements but a student may receive course credits only once even if multiple requirements are satisfied by a single course. The total number of combined credit hours must be no fewer than 60 credits.

SUNY Poly degree requirements:

• Natural Sciences One course which shall be a General Education Natural Science course. For Nursing students, the requirement is satisfied by BIO 215 and BIO 216. Both courses are with a lab.
• Upper-Division Writing Course Recommended course for nursing students is COM 308

Specific requirement for Nursing majors includes:

• STA 100 Statistical Methods
• BIO 215T & BIO 215L Anatomy and Physiology I
• BIO 216T & BIO 216L Anatomy and Physiology II
• BIO 275 Microbiology
• BIO 350 Advanced Physiology
• BIO 250 Health Care Genetics
• Cultural Anthropology – ANT 303, or ANT 382, or equivalent

Social Science courses required for Nursing majors:

• PSY 100 Principles of Psychology
• PSY 220 Life-Span Developmental Psychology
• SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology

III. Nursing Core Coursework (58 credits)

Nursing transfer credit (30 credits)
SUNY Poly coursework (28 credits)

• NUR 300 Role Transitions to Baccalaureate Nursing Education
• NUR 313 Theoretical Bases for Professional Nursing Practice
• NUR 314T Comprehensive Health Assessment Theory
• NUR 314L Comprehensive Health Assessment Lab
• NUR 390 Nursing Research
• NUR 444 Transformational Leadership
• NUR 475 Public Health Nursing Science
• NUR 478 Care Coordination and Management
• NUR 490 Culminating Seminar

IV. General Electives (6 credits)

• General electives (6 credits) may be satisfied by upper division nursing or non-nursing courses.

State University of New York (SUNY) policy prohibits SUNY Poly admission applications from inquiring into an applicant’s prior criminal history. After acceptance, the College shall inquire if the student previously has been convicted of a felony if such individual seeks campus housing or participation in clinical or field experiences, internships or study abroad programs. The information required to be disclosed under SUNY policy regarding such felony convictions shall be reviewed by a standing campus committee consistent with the legal standards articulated in New York State Corrections Law.

Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. Students who have concerns about such matters are advised to contact the Vice President for Student Affairs Office at (315) 792-7505.