JMU and Nursing
CHOICES
September 18, 2010
Employment Opportunities for
JMU Nursing Graduates
Patient
Education
Administration
Pediatrics
Flight &
Trauma
Long-Term
Care
Public
Health
Doctors
Office
Traveling
JMU Nursing
Mission:
To provide quality, professional undergraduate
and graduate nursing education that prepares
nursing leaders to influence a changing
profession, society, health care system, and
global health needs.
Sources of Information
• Nursing Department:
– Office Staff Contact–Kelly Brown
– Freshman Advisors
– Undergraduate Academic Counselor-Charles West,
M.Ed., NCC
– BSN Program Director-Vicki Martin, PhD, RN
– Department Head – Merle Mast, PhD, RN, ANP
– Web page – www.nursing.jmu.edu
– Phone – 540-568-6314
Nursing at JMU
• 4-year program
– 2 years General Education & Nursing Pre-reqs
– 2 years (61 credits) Nursing
• Accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing
Education (CCNE)
• BSN  NCLEX  RN
• NCLEX national; States license RNs
• Resources throughout curriculum to help
prepare for NCLEX
JMU BSN Program prepares
YOU as . . .
• As a generalist
• Adult Health
• Pediatrics
• Mother-Baby
• Psychiatry
• Community Health
• Ways to specialize prior to graduation
– Summer externship
– Capstone Experience
– Nursing Electives
About the Program
• Classroom courses
• Varied practicum activities
• Health Assessment & Skills labs
• Simulation Lab Experiences
• Learning: Theory, Skills, Application
Now…… if this
sounds good to you
so far……
How do you get admitted to Nursing?
• Enter program at Junior level
• 60 students admitted each fall
• 60 students admitted each spring
• Supplemental application to program due
• After you have completed 36 total credit hours
• Completed Chemistry, Statistics, and at least two of the required
Biology courses
• September 30th for the following fall
• February 15th for the following spring
• Reapply each time that you wish to be considered for admission
• HIGHLY competitive!!
• Average GPA for fall 2010 was 3.6, fall 2011 was 3.54
• Approx. 125 qualified applicants for 60 spots (fall 11)
• Average GPA for spring 2011 was 3.34
• Approx. 153 qualified applicants for 60 spots
Nursing Prerequisite Courses:
• Chem 120
• Math 220 statistics
• Bio 270 Physiology
• Bio 280 Microbiology
• Bio 290 Anatomy
• Nutrition 280
• Psych 160 Human Growth and Dev
• Sophomore Level NSG 270
What if I don’t get accepted the
first time that I apply….NOW
WHAT?
• Pick up a Minor
• Chronic Illness
• Medical Spanish
• ETC, ETC, ETC
• Study Abroad
• Leave of Absence for a semester
How Can You Be More Competitive
NOW ?
• Take your AP courses seriously and strive for 4’s
on each test!
• Consider taking an elementary statistics course at
your local community college this summer!
• Get some experience NOW for nursing
• Shadow a nurse
• Volunteer at a local nursing home
• Come into JMU with a mindset to work hard and
to succeed!
Heads up….
• Transportation to practicum sites
• Documentation required by agencies:
•Criminal check
•Drug Screen
•Various immunizations
•TB testing
•CPR certification
• Costs:
•Uniforms, equipment, NCLEX prep,
professional organization dues and conference
attendance, etc.
Once at JMU . . .
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Balance fun with learning
Continue to develop critical reading and writing skills
Organize and prioritize your time
Get to know your nursing advisor
Join the JMU Student Nurses Association EARLY!
Find study partners or study groups
Use campus resources:
– Writing center
– Counseling center for test taking skills and test anxiety
– Free tutoring for pre-requisite classes
• Explore opportunities to serve your community through
campus organizations and nursing
Questions?