Nursing Associate and Bachelor Degrees (A.D.N., B.S.N.)
Mission and Goals:
The Nursing Program has as its mission the formation of nurses able to offer competent, sensible, effective,
safe, and quality nursing care to the client person, family and community. The Program aims to produce
graduates prepared to:
1. Provide care with autonomy and with interdisciplinary collaboration and sensitivity to ethical-legal
and cultural values and directed to the achievement of the best results for the client.
2. Coordinate care by applying leadership and management skills that lead to the highest quality care
with the minimum of cost.
3. Assume a commitment as a member of the discipline in harmony with the standards of the
practice.
For the development of this professional diverse and flexible modalities of study are offered. This facilitates
mobility from the level of the associate degree to the baccalaureate.
It is expected that students who decide to leave the Program to work as Associate Nurses be able to:
1. Apply theoretical and practical knowledge of the nursing, science and humanistic, disciplines when
they analyze the biological, psychological, social and spiritual determinants of health in the different
growth and development stages.
2. Demonstrate updated clinical skills in therapeutic interventions when offering care to the client
throughout the continuum of health and disease in structured scenarios.
3. Use the Nursing Process as an instrument in making clinical decisions and, simultaneously
demonstrate critical thinking and skills in problem solving when offering safe, quality and costeffective care.
4. Demonstrate responsibility and ethical-legal commitment with humanistic care in response to the
changing needs of society.
5. Demonstrate effective management, coordination and collaboration skills in care as a member of
the interdisciplinary team in such a way that care can improve continuously.
6. Demonstrate responsibility and commitment for self development and that of the nursing
profession.
7. Use communication skills and technology to maintain the quality of care offered to the client and to
improve their own knowledge.
It is expected that students who decide to finish the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing to work as
generalist nurses be able to:
1. Integrate knowledge to provide safe and effective nursing care to individuals, families and
communities and to contribute to society as citizens.
2. Use nursing interventions to prevent disease and promote, maintain and restore health.
3. Use assessment and intervention skills while offering nursing care in diverse scenarios so their
expected results in health care can improve.
4. Apply humanistic care in nursing practice thereby obtaining the protection, optimization and
preservation of human dignity.
5. Act as effective leaders and care managers seeking balance among the health care resources and
contributing to the improvement of the profession.
6. Integrate critical thinking skills when making clinical judgments and using research findings for the
continuous improvement of the nursing practice.
7. Communicate effectively to optimize their own performance as care providers and coordinators and
as members of the profession.
Graduates from the Nursing Program will have the following competencies:
The graduates of IAUPR – Ponce Campus are distinguished by:
1. Mastery of the skills necessary to perform successfully in the workplace and to contribute to the
benefit of society
2. The ability to express themselves appropriately and correctly orally and in writing
3. The ability to effectively use advanced technology
4. The ability to adopt a critical attitude towards events and circumstances that surround them
5. Awareness of their environment and an appreciation for nature and for human creativity.
6. Use cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills to provide nursing care in structured and nostructured scenarios.
7. Provide care with focus in the promotion, maintenance and health restoration supporting the
individual and family. Provides counseling and education in health to clients of different ages and
socio-cultural levels as essential aspects of the professional role focus.
8. Participate in the research process and evaluate the findings and their applicability in the nursing
practice.
9. Analyze the psychological, physiological and spiritual factors that influence the health care provider
in health and sciences; relating these factors to the health needs and taking them into
consideration at the time of providing appropriate care.
10. Uses the nursing process in the practice as a scientific tool for problem solving.
11. Recognize the social and professional changes and execute the nursing roles as an answer to
health necessities in a changing society, guided by ethical, moral, legal and spiritual values.
12. Provides counseling and education in health to clients of different ages and socio-cultural levels as
an essential focus in their professional role.
13. Analyze the psychological, physiological and spiritual factors that influence the health care provider
in health and sciences; relating these factors to the health needs and taking them into
consideration at the time of providing appropriate care.
14. Provides counseling and health education in to clients of different ages and socio-cultural levels as
essential focus in their professional role.
15. Administers and manages nursing care adequately and assumes responsibility in the practice for
those who are under their supervision.
16. Collaborates with other professionals to promote maintain and restore the health of the individual,
family and community.
17. Administers and manages nursing care adequately and assumes responsibility in the practice for
those who are under their supervision.
18. Collaborates with other professionals to promote maintain and restore the health of the individual,
family and community. Administers and manages the nursing care adequately and assumes
responsibility in the practice for those who are under their supervision.
19. Assumes legal ethical responsibility for the practice and management of nursing care and for the
defense of the client under care
20. .Uses the leadership skills inherent to their role.
21. Demonstrates responsibility for their professional development in the field of nursing and promotes
the advancement knowledge in concordance with their academic preparation level.
Admission Requirements:
1. Comply with the admissions requirements established in the General Catalog and by the
corresponding campus.
2. To be admitted to the Program, candidates must:
a. Have a minimum grade point index 2.25.
b. Have an interview with the Program Director or the person delegated by the Director.
c. Perform a self evaluation of the essential non academic abilities associated with the demands
of the profession.
3. To be admitted to the third level (third year courses) of the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing,
students must:
a. Have satisfactorily completed the requirements of the first two years of the Degree in Nursing
or,
b. Present evidence of holding an Associate Degree in Nursing from an accredited and
recognized institution of higher education. Candidates having an Associate Degree must complete
any general education requirement established by the Institution and the corresponding campus for
awarding the degree.
Note:
To be admitted to a clinical practice agency, the following is required:
1. A certificate of no criminal record issued recently by the Police of Puerto Rico.
2. A health certificate valid for one year issued by the Health Department.
3. Evidence of vaccination against Hepatitis B.
Some agencies and courses have additional requirements. Students are responsible for complying with any
other requirement imposed by the agency or the practice. Among these are: An updated certificate of CPR,
a negative dope test, a nose and throat culture.
Admission Procedure:
Undergraduate Admission Procedures
Applicants for admission to any campus of Inter American University of Puerto Rico must:
1. Obtain an application for admission from the Admissions Office of the Campus of their choice or from
high
school advisors or other authorized personnel. Application forms are also available through Internet.
2. Submit the completed application to the Admissions Office of the chosen Campus, preferably by May 1,
to
apply for the fall semester, by November 15 to apply for the spring semester and by April 15 to apply for
the summer session.
Students in their fourth year of high school are advised to submit the application as soon as they decide to
study
at this University. By applying before May, they will be able to receive greater orientation about the
University and
its financial aid programs.
3. Arrange for a transcript of the high school record to be sent by an authorized representative of the
secondary school to the appropriate Admissions Office.
4. Arrange for the CEO test results to be sent to the appropriate Admissions Office.
5. Submit an updated certificate of vaccination if the student is less than 21 years old, except students
interested in taking courses in other countries through distance learning.
Final decisions regarding applications will normally reach the applicant no later than three weeks after all
application materials have been received by the University. If for any reason the University requires more
time, the
applicant will be notified. A personal interview of an applicant for admission may be required.
Admission of Students from the Educational System of the United States of America and
Puerto Rico
Students from the educational system of the United States of America and Puerto Rico must:
1. Present evidence of graduation from an accredited secondary school or its equivalent with a minimum
grade point index of 2.00
2. Present the scores obtained in the one of the following admission tests, or equivalent:
a. Test for Evaluation and Admission to University Studies (PEAU) administered by the College Board
of Puerto Rico.
b. Scholastic Aptitude Test (the SAT) administered by the College Board in the United States of
America.
c. American College Testing (ACT).
3. Obtain a minimum admission index of 800. This index is calculated by using the test results and the high
school grade point index.
4. Be interviewed by the means available when deemed necessary
B. Admission by Transfer from Other University Level Institutions
Candidates for admission by transfer from other university level institutions must:
1. Submit the admission application with an official copy of the academic transcript from the university or
college of origin. The copy of the transcript must be sent directly from the offices of the registrar of those
institutions to the appropriate Admissions Office of Inter American University.
2. Have at least twelve transferable semester credits with a minimum grade of C from another accredited
institution. When an academic program has different grade requirements, students must meet these
minimum grade requirements.
3. Meet the particular admission norms of the academic programs for which admission is requested.
4. Meet the minimum academic index indicated in Item A of the satisfactory academic progress policy of
this
University. All courses taken will be considered in determining the fulfillment of this requirement.
5. Not be under suspension for disciplinary reasons by their former institution.
6. Students, who have not taken courses in English, must present their College Board results for placement
in
the different levels of English.
Students who have approved less than twelve transferable credits in the institution of origin, will be
evaluated in
agreement the norms applicable to applicants without university studies. If they are admitted, they will
receive credit
for the transferable academic work of the other institution.
C. Admission of Students from Other Educational Systems:
Without University Studies
Students from other educational systems with no prior university studies must present official evidence of
having
satisfactorily completed, in their country, secondary studies equivalent to graduation from high school in
Puerto
Rico.
With University Studies
Students with university studies must present official evidence of these studies. The University will evaluate
the
credentials to determine the student’s eligibility to enter the academic program for which admission is
requested
Admission of Veterans
All programs of the University are authorized by both the Veterans’ Administration and the Department of
Education of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Veterans intending to enroll and receive VA educational
benefits
should submit an application through the Office of the Registrar of the campus in which they intend to
pursue
studies.
Admission of Foreign Students
Foreign students interested in entering the University must submit their questions directly to the academic
unit to
which they wish to be admitted. Inter American University reserves the right to interview the applicants as
part of
the admission requirements. If the applicants are approved for admission, the Admissions Office will fill out
the 120 Form from the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the United States of America, so they may
obtain
student visas. Students admitted to study totally through distance learning do not have to complete this
form.
Admission to undergraduate programs leading to the Bachelor’s Degree requires that the applicant has
completed
the secondary studies equivalent to the high school graduation requirements in Puerto Rico. Applicants
with
university studies must present evidence of such studies.
The official evidence of studies must be submitted in English or Spanish, properly authenticated by the
appropriate authorities of the country of origin.
Admission of Transfer Students
Candidates for admission by transfer from another university or college must submit the application form. A
copy of an official transcript of all university or college work previously completed must be forwarded
directly from
the registrars of institutions previously attended to the appropriate Admissions Office of Inter American
University.
Students will be considered candidates for admission by transfer if they meet the following requirements:
1. Have at least twelve transferable semester credits with a minimum grade of C from another
accredited institution. When an academic program has different grade requirements, students must
meet these minimum grade requirements.
2. All transfer candidates must meet the admission norms for the program to which they request
admission.
3. Meet the minimum academic index indicated in Item A of the satisfactory academic progress policy
of this University for which all courses taken will be calculated in determining the fulfillment of this
requirement.
4. Are not under suspension for disciplinary reasons by their former institution.
5. Students, who have not taken courses in English, must present their College Board results for
placement in the different levels of English.
6. Submit an updated vaccination certificate if the student is less than 21 years old, except students
who are interested in distance learning from other countries.
The admissions requirements for transfer students interested in studying through the Services Program for
Adult Students are included in that section in the General Catalog.
Students who have passed fewer than twelve transferable semester credits at another postsecondary
institution may request admission by following the procedures indicated in the section “Requirements for
Undergraduate Admission” in this Catalog. Upon admission, such students will receive credit for
transferable academic work completed at another postsecondary institution.
Before matriculation, a student may make a written appeal to any decision made regarding transfer credits.
Such an appeal is to be submitted to the Office of Admissions. Once a student has been enrolled, no
further consideration of previous credits from other institutions will be given.
Students who have been required to withdraw for academic reasons from another university are not eligible
for one academic term after withdrawal. Nevertheless, they are eligible for immediate admission if they
choose a major different from the one they were required to withdraw from.
Transfer credits may be allowed only for existing programs in the University, but credits may apply as
electives provided that the courses are within the general fields of existing departments of Inter American
University. No grade below C is acceptable for transfer. If the other institution uses a different grading
system, the acceptance of the course will depend on that institution’s official clarification of its grading
system. Inter American University will determine the corresponding equivalencies. The number of credit
hours awarded for courses accepted for transfer will be the credit-hour value of the course at the institution
of origin, so long as this value does not exceed the credit-hour value for the course at Inter American
University. Generally, students obtaining scores of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement
Tests will receive university level credit.
Students from British areas who receive a “Pass” or above in the GCE Advanced (“A”) Level Examinations
may receive credit toward advanced standing.
All acceptable courses completed at Inter American University or elsewhere by students not regularly
admitted to the University or in the Early Admission Program will be credited as soon as they have been
admitted as regular students. Once students have been enrolled, no further consideration of previous
credits from other institutions will be given, except for courses in progress.
If students take a course that is in their academic record as a transferred course and receive a grade or an
administrative action symbol indicating an attempted course, the transferred course will be eliminated from
the transcript.
All transfer students desiring to complete a second academic degree must comply with the section
“Graduation Requirements” of the General Catalog, for Bachelor and Associate Degree respectively. In
addition, they must provide evidence of having passed a course in religion
Admission of Special Students
Special students are: (1) students in good standing at another institution of higher learning who, with due
authorization of their home institution, wish to study at Inter American University to fulfill requirements of
their home institution, (2) people who, for their professional improvement or personal fulfillment, want to
take courses but are not interested in obtaining a degree, or (3) teachers from the Department of Education
who want to take courses to satisfy requirements of that department. Students from other institutions of
higher education should present an official certification from their home institution indicating the courses for
which they will receive credit at their own institution. Teachers admitted as special students should present
a letter from their Superintendent of Schools certifying that they are teachers with university degrees.
Special students do not have to submit transcripts of credits to be admitted. All applicants interested in
taking courses but not in receiving a degree or certificate from this University may be admitted upon
meeting admission requirement number one and steps one to five of the Undergraduate Admission
Procedures. Any applicant who later decides to continue studies toward a university degree or certificate
must meet all requirements and all steps in the University’s admission procedures. These students are not
eligible to receive financial aid under Title IV.
All non-traditional study modalities will be available for students admitted under these criteria.
Academic Progress Requirements:
1. Comply with the admissions requirements for transfer students established in the General Catalog
and by the corresponding Campus.
2. Pass all courses in Nursing and the course GEMA 1000 Quantitative Reasoning) with a minimum
grade of C.
3. Students who do not pass the same major course three times with a minimum grade of C will be
dropped from the Program.
4. Complete all requirements for the Degree with at least the minimum grade point index of the
corresponding campus.
Transfer Requirements:
1. Comply with the admissions requirements for transfer students established in the General Catalog
and by the corresponding Campus.
2. Admission of transfer students to the Program or to take courses of the major with combined
registration requires the previous authorization of both Program directors.
Program Effectiveness Data
Associate Degree Board Passing Grade
Year
Passing Percentage
2007
42%
2007-2
81%
2008
29%
2008-2
44%
2009
54%
2010
57%
National Mean
31%
54%
22%
27%
34%
34%
Bachellor Degree Board Passing Grade
Year
Passing Percentage
2007
83%
2008
41%
2008-2
20%
2009
30%
2010
50%
National Mean
82%
47%
50%
56%
56%
Faculty Profile
Prof. Rosa Garcés Llantín, Assistant Professor, Program Coordinator
Prof. Garcés possesses a bachelor degree in Nursing from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
Campus, is certified as a Nurse Midwife by the University of Puerto Rico and a masters degree in Nursing
Sciences with a specialty in Adult Critical Care and Pediatrics from the Universidad de Puerto Rico.
Currently, she is pursuing a doctoral degree in Nurse Education.
email: rgarces@ponce.inter.edu
Prof. Gerardo Rivera López, Assistant Professor, Academic Director Health Sciences Department
Prof. Rivera possess a bachelor degree in Nursing Sciences and a masters degree in Nursing with a
specialty un Medicine and Surgery with a Role in Education from the Pontificia Universidad Católica of
Puerto Rico.
email: grivera@ponce.inter.edu
Prof. Benjamín López Torres, Assistant Professor
Prof. López possesses a bachelor degree in Nursing Sciences and a master degree in Nursing with a
specialty in Medicine and Surgery from the Pontificia Universidad Católica of Puerto Rico. Currently he is
pursuing a doctoral degree in Education with a specialty in Education Administration.
e-mail: blopez@ponce.inter.edu
Prof. Hilda Grace Nazario Martínez, Associate Professor
Prof. Nazario possesses a bachelor degree in Nursing Sciences from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de
Puerto Rico and a master degree in Sciences with a specialty in Psychiatry and Mental Health from
Maryland University.
e-mail:hilgrace@ponce.inter.edu
Prof. Ana Irma Rivera Aponte, Instructor
Prof. Rivera possess a bachelor degree in Nursing Sciences, a master degree in Nursing with a specialty in
Medicine and Surgery from the Pontificia Universidad Católica of Puerto Rico and a master degree in
Nursing with a specialty in Family and Community from the Universidad de Puerto Rico.
email: airivera@ponce.inter.edu
Prof. Xaymara Tirado, Instructor
Prof. Tirado holds a bachelor degree in Nursing Sciences from the Universidad de Puerto Rico and a
master degree in Maternal – Child from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica of Puerto Rico. Currently is
pursuing a doctoral degree in Education with a specialty in Academic Management.
email: xtirado@ponce.inter.edu
Prof. Elba Rivera, Instructor
Prof. Rivera holds a bachelor degree in Nursing Sciences from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica of Puerto
Rico and a master degree in Psycosocial and Mental Health Nursing from the Pontificia Universidad
Catolica of Puerto Rico. Currently Prof. Rivera is pursuing a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology.
email: erivera@ponce.inter.edu
We welcome your feedback and comments:
If you would like to contact us please call 787-284-1912. You may also email Prof. Rosa Garces
(rgarces@ponce.inter.edu) or Prof. Gerardo Rivera (grivera@ponce.inter.edu) by copying and pasting
the email address.
Links:
Catálogo General:
http://www.inter.edu/oferta_academica/catalogos/2009-2011/CatalogoGeneral2009-2011.pdf
General Catalog:
http://www.inter.edu/oferta_academica/catalogos/2009-2011/GeneralCatalog2009-2011.pdf