Minutes of Ed Policies April 27, 2004

 

Members Present:  Brenda Peters, Ragene Gwin, Miranda Nelp, David O’Connell, Dan Zeimet, Barb Wiese, Nathan Schlueter, Lori Rodriguez-Fisher, Jeremy Burke, Bill Hixon, Kris Eitrheim

 

Guests: Bob Ristow, Hope Gardina, Dolores Hilden, Bonnie Leonhart

 

Motion to approve the minutes of Apr. 13:  Nathan Schlueter, Second: Barb Wiese

 

It was noted that regarding Business Item # 4 – Revision of WI requirements, no Motion and second had been recorded.  After a little discussion, it was decided that the motin was made by Nathan Schlueter and seconded by Kris Eitrheim.  Minutes approved with amendment.  Corrected minutes sent to Judy Gagne with the current minutes.

 

I.                    Proposal from the nursing regarding the admissions criteria

 

Motion to approve: Bill Hixon; Second: Kris Eitrheim

 

Proposed Admission Criteria

 

Basic Students

High School GPA 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the following high school subjects: English, Math, Sciences, Social Sciences, and Foreign Language.

 

ACT 21 or higher

 

SAT 950 or higher

 

If applicant ACT/SAT score or GPA is below SAU standard for nursing, student must petition the DON Admission’s Committee.  Applicants not meeting above criteria require an interview and approval of nursing department.

 

OR

 

Applicants can seek general university admission and complete Biology 101, Chemistry 103, Math 151, Psychology 101, Biology 106 and general education courses.  Students who achieve an SAU GPA of 2.8 will be accepted as a pre-BSN student.

 

Transfer Students

GPA of 2.6 on a 4.0 scale

 

GPA of 3.0 at time of progression

 

Students without a 2.6 GPA on admission to SAU may apply to the Department of Nursing after one semester of 2.8 at SAU.  The petition process will be the same as in the catalog.

 

The Department of Nursing Admissions Policy is effective Spring 2005.

 

Present Admission Criteria

 

·         Full Admission as First Year Student

Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above (on a non-weighted 4.0 scale) from an accredited high school.

AND EITHER

Have a composite score of 20 or above on the ACT or a 950 on the SAT.

OR

Have an ACT composite score of 18 or 19 or an SAT between 870 and 950 AND graduate in the upper half of their senior class.

 

2.0 cumulative GPA (on a non-weighted 4.0 scale) and a score of 18 on ACT or 870 on SAT.

 

Maintained a 2.00 grade point average or above (on a 4.00 scale).

 

Discussion:

 

It was noted that the nursing program loses 15 – 17 students per year.  Of those, some are moving, but the rest of the losses are due to lack of academic success.  Most of the students who leave for academic reasons have low ACT/SAT scores. 

 

A question was raised about what SAT score would be equivalent to an ACT of 21.  A friendly amendment was made that the SAT score would be adjusted to the true equivalent, which Dan Zeimet will send.

 

It was further noted that some other program have customized admission requirements

 

The motion passed.

 

II.                 General Business Major.

 

Motion to approve: Nathan Schlueter; Second Kris Eitrheim

 

Basically, the proposal is to provide a more rigorous major for those students who still desire that major rather than something more specific in the field. The current major requires MGMT 320 Human Resource Management; MGMT 332 – Org. Theory and Behavior; FNCE 401  Financial Planning and Decisionmaking (with pre-req. of FNCE 303 or 301;) One of the following: MKTG 328 Marketing Research; ECON 321 Labor Economics  or ECON 331 International Economics for a total of 12 – 15 hours.  The proposed major Includes: MKTG 348 Marketing Strategy;  MGMT 332, FNCE 301  Financial Valuation,  FNCE 401  Financial Planning and Decisionmaking;  STBE 333  Operations Management;  and two of the following:  Any 300 level ECON course  ANY 300 level INTL course  MGMT 320  for a total of 21 hours.

 

Motion passed.

 

III.               Proposal for an RN to BSN program

 

Motion to approve:  Bill Hixon;  Second: Nathan Schlueter

Applicants to the accelerated BSN-A degree program must meet the following admission criteria:

§         At least 23 years of age.

§         At least three years of work experience as a nurse.

§         Cumulative GPA of 2.6 or higher for transferable college credit.

§         Current and valid RN license. Nursing courses with a clinical component may not be taken by a person who has been denied licensure by the Board; whose license is currently suspended, surrendered or revoked in any U.S. jurisdiction; whose license/registration is currently suspended, surrendered or revoked in another country due to disciplinary action.

The requirements for the BSN-A degree program include the following:

 

Transfer Credit for General Education and Nursing Support Courses

 

Course Number

Course Title

Credits

English 101

Written Communication

3

Psychology 105

Intro to Psychology

3

Psychology 305

Life Span Development

3

Sociology 101

Intro to Sociology

3

Biology 202

Human Anatomy & Physiology

8

Biology 211

Microbiology

4

Electives

Nutrition, Biology 101 , other elective

6

*CPR

*CPR

1

*First Aid

*First Aid

1

 

Total Transfer Credit

32

 

*All students are required to hold current CPR certification upon entry into the program.   All students are required to hold current first aid/safety certification upon entry into the program.

 

Advanced Placement Courses in Nursing

 

Course Number

Course Title

Credits

Nursing 160

Nursing Interventions I

2

Nursing 260

Nursing Interventions II

2

Nursing 310

Pathophysiology

1

Nursing 350

Nursing the Beginning Family

3

Nursing 351

Nursing the Developing Family

3

Nursing 352

Nursing Interventions III

1

Nursing 353

Nursing the Adult

4

Nursing 354

Nursing Interventions IV

1

Nursing 355

Mental Health Nursing

2

Nursing 400

Clinical Practice I

4

Nursing 460

Clinical Practice II

4

Nursing

Clinical Elective

1

Pharm 320

Pharmacology

3

 

Total Nursing Advanced Placement Credit

31

 

Based on this advanced placement the courses remaining in the Nursing major are:

 

Nursing Major

Course Number

Course Title

Credits

Nursing 150

Orientation to BSN Program

1

 

Nursing 300

Health & Physical Assessment

3

 

Nursing 310

Pathophysiology

3

 

Nursing 390

Foundations of Nursing Knowledge

2

 

Nursing 410

Community Health Nursing

3

 

Nursing 420

Research utilization

2

 

Nursing 430

Nursing and the Older Adult (WI)

2

 

Nursing 450

National and International Nursing

2

 

Nursing 460

Clinical Practice II

4

 

Nursing 470

Nursing Management

2

 

Nursing 480

Professional Trends & Issues

2

 

 

Total Remaining Nursing Courses

26

 

 

General Education Requirements are:

 

Course Number

Course Title

Credits

Com 329

Business & Professional Communication

3

Eng 101

Written Communication

3

Math 151

College Algebra

3

IL101

Information Literacy

1

IS101

Cultures of the World

3

Art

Creative Art

3

Humanities

Humanities

6

Natural Sciences

Genetics (Biology 106) and/or Science Elective

6

Philosophy 310

Bio Medical Ethics

3

Theology

101, 102, 202, 215, 217, 219, 240, 250, 255, 345, 346

 

6

Social Sciences

Completed by transfer credits

0

 

 

 

 

Total Remaining General Education Credits

37

 

Total BSN-A Degree Requirements:

 

Transfer General Education                     32 credits

Advanced Placement Nursing             31 credits

BSN-A Major Requirements               26 credits

Remaining General Education                     37 credits

 

Total BSN-A Requirements             126 credits

 

Discussion: 

The program is requested as a way to serve Iowa nurses.  Currently 20% of Iowa nurses have Baccalaureate degrees.  That is lower than the national average.  Hospitals desire nurses with Bach. Degrees due to evidence that the percentage of such nurses increases quality of care.  The state of Iowa has developed 3 options for nurses with the RN to complete the Bach degree.  In order to qualify for the state program, a school must offer all three options.  Option #1 has been the stumbling block and this proposal aims to address that issue.  In that option, a nursing student completing the Bach from the RN must be required to complete no more than one half of the credits required for a Bach. And no more than one half the credits required for the nursing major.  That would mean that SAU would need to offer a degree to a student who began with an RN and then completed at SAU no more than 63 credits total and no more than 26 nursing credits.  The problem lies in the area of general education where this option must include no more than 37 credits.  The proposal seeks to drop, from the 42 credit general requirement, 3 credits Theology/ Philosophy (already offered to a number of transfer students), one credit PE activity on the basis that CPR is offered as one of the activities and all RN’s must be certified in CPT; and the requirement of PED 149  - Wellness.

 

Discussion centered on the wellness course.  The nursing department representatives asserted (chart included above) that the objectives of that course are met in the nursing courses.  PED representatives objected to the cut, seeing a possible slippery slope toward more exceptions.  A test-out option was discussed, but it was asserted that asking the nurses to take a test fails to recognize the licensure exams that all nurses have already passed.

 

It was asserted that the Wellness course focuses on personal wellness and that nurses might need such a course given the demands of their jobs.  Nursing department insisted that nursing courses stress the need to be a role model when one’s job involves promoting a healthy lifestyle for others.

 

There was a general observation that there should be a review of Gen Ed requirements for all ACCEL program with a view to standardization.  It seems there is an accumulation of diverse models.

 

The motion passed with a vote of 6 in favor and 2 opposed.

 

IV.              Third proposal by the nursing department to allow students with a Baccalaureate or masters degree but not a BSN to a BSN by completing the nursing major plus selected science and support courses.

 

Students who desire to earn a BSN after attainment of a previous college degree must fulfill the following science, nursing support and nursing major courses:

 

Science

Crs.

Support

Crs.

Nursing

Biol 101 Principles of Biology

4

Psychology (usually completed)

 

53 credits

Biol 202 Anatomy & Physiology

4

Sociology (usually completed)

 

 

Biol 211 Microbiology

4

Life Span Development

3

 

Biol 106 Human Genetics

3

Nutrition

3

 

 

 

Biomedical Ethics

3

 

 

19

 

9

53

 

The courses identified above require 81 credit hours.

Requirements might be less than that for students who come in with a science major.

 

Motion to approve:  Nathan Schlueter;  Second: Kris Eitrheim.

 

 

Discussion:

 

It was asked what additional courses a student coming to SAU with a BACC. Degree from elsewhere might need to complete if the current proposal were not passed.  Such course might include a WI course, 12 credits in Theo/Phil, perhaps a math or creative arts course.  Some need IL or Wellness.

 

The question seems to be equivalency of degrees.  Is a BACC degree from another institution equivalent to the same degree from SAU?  Members of EPC disagreed.

 

The BEd – which is a long-standing degree at SAU - seems to offer a precedent here, but that is not designated as either a BA or a BS degree.  Could the proposed degree be called Bachelor of Nursing rather than BSN in order to indicate non-equivalency of degrees.  The nursing director would rather not do that as addition of degrees can lead to additional fees and record keeping.  After some discussion it was agreed that the distinction could be made and members of EPC considered that somewhat more appropriate than having two such different tracks to the same degree (BSN).

 

The director of General Education wishes to be on record opposing any mass exceptions to the general education requirements for anyone receiving a degree from SAU.

 

The nursing faculty noted their intention very soon to propose what will be called a “generic masters” in nursing.  Could the whole project wait for the generic masters?  The department sees the need as too urgent.  Will the Masters program replace the BN being proposed?  Unknown.

 

There was a lengthy discussion of the value of general education requirements as distinguishing an SAU degree. 

 

The proposal was amended to call the proposed degree a BN rather than a BSN.

 

The motion passed with 6 in favor, 1 opposed and 1 abstaining.

 

V.                 Paul Koch sent his report on assessment by email.  It is appended to these minutes.

 

Nathan Schlueter made a motion of thanks to the president and secretary of EPC.

 

Motion to adjourn: Barb Wiese;  Second  Bill Hixon.

Adjournment 4:42 p.m.

 

 

Appendix:  Wellness objectives met in nursing courses:

 

 A request to waive the requirement for PED 149, Wellness, is included with this proposal.  Below is a Course Matrix of the Wellness course objectives and identification of nursing courses or support courses that address these objectives:

 

Course Matrix for the Accomplishment of

Objective for Wellness Credit

 

Objective (PED 149 – 4-Week format)

Nursing Course(s)/Support Courses

To identify, explore and compare the seven major components of wellness.

 

 

N350, N160

To detect personal risk potential for heart and respiratory disease. 

 

 

N310, N300, N353

To list and explain the six categories of the food pyramid. 

 

 

N350, N160, PED 340

To formulate a plan for sound nutritional and weight habits and practices.

 

 

N350, N160, PED 340

To layout and build upon specific stress management coping techniques. 

 

 

N310, N160, N470,N355

To examine personal safety habits and behaviors.

N353, N160

 

To recognize responsible drug usage including alcohol, nicotine, & caffeine.

 

 

N355, Pharm 320

To investigate potential for cancer risk and identify cancer reducing behaviors

 

 

N310, N353, N350, N430

To describe common ailments such as Diabetes, Arthritis, & Osteoporosis.

 

 

N310, N353, N350, N430

To recognize the behaviors of a responsible & informed health care consumer.

 

 

N350, N160, N353

To define the health benefits of resistance training. 

 

N350, N160

To explain the difference between isometric and isotonic training.

 

 

N353, N160

To describe the short and long-term effects of anabolic steroids.

 

 

N310, Pharm 320

Explain why flexibility is such an important component of health-related fitness.

 

N160, N350, N300

Discuss the guidelines that should be followed for safe and effective stretching. 

 

N160, N350

 

 

Appendix:  Paul Koch’s report on assessment:

 

 

Assessment Committee Update - April 2004

 

Assessment activities spring 2004 have primarily been focused on the development of an omnibus assessment plan for the institution.  The intent of this plan is that it be dynamic and that it will change as needed to reflect its usefulness in promoting an enhanced culture of learning on campus. 

 

Paul Koch and Brad Thiessen met with the Staff Assembly to explain what will be expected of administrative and co-curricular units of the university regarding assessment and improving student learning outcomes.  Paul also met with the Academic Support Committee to have an initial conversation about what role the committee will play in reviewing assessment plans and program reviews from the administrative and co-curricular units.  Paul and Brad are scheduled to meet with the Educational Policies Committee at the last meeting in April to have a brief conversation about assessment.

 

Much of the discussion at the Assessment Committee’s April meeting dealt with how best to communicate broadly with the campus community about how we are approaching assessment.  It is critical that the assessment plan be distributed broadly, so that all who wish to give input can.  It is also important that assessment be seen as an institutional activity that focuses on enhanced student learning rather than an activity that is the responsibility of one person or a few people.  Paul suggested that faculty members might want to consider putting general education goals/objectives that their courses teach to on their syllabi as a means to communicate additional information to students about what we hope they are getting out of their courses.  Brad Thiessen will be chairing the Assessment Committee with active support from Paul Koch.

 

Please see the following link for the first public draft of an omnibus assessment plan for St. Ambrose University: http://web.sau.edu/assessment/2004%20Assessment%20Plan%20Draft%20April%2027,%202004.htm.