Nursing and Health Sciences

Academic Programs Offered

Nursing, BSN
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Our undergraduate program combines the latest in clinical theory with traditional nursing values that emphasize holistic patient care. The distinct advantage of a four-year program is that it gives students the opportunity to combine a strong theoretical base of biological and behavioral sciences with a foundation in the liberal arts. The BSN Program at Pitt-Johnstown offers the same curriculum as the School of Nursing in Oakland, accredited by The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One DuPont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC, 20036.

Purpose
The purpose of the baccalaureate program is to prepare a professional nurse whose practice is based upon nursing science, related sciences and the arts in order to promote, restore, and maintain the health of human beings. Graduates of the program are generalists with the necessary base for graduate education and continuing professional development.
High school graduates are directly admitted to the freshman class of the four-year, full-time pre-licensure baccalaureate nursing program. Pitt-Johnstown students may apply for internal transfer to the freshman class. Students who are enrolled in other colleges and universities may apply for external transfer to the freshman class.

Description
Education for the practice of professional nursing demands a substantial knowledge of nursing, using the behavioral and biological sciences as a theoretical base. Throughout the program, nursing courses are taken concurrently with courses in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences Divisions, contributing to the development of the liberally educated practitioner.

The freshman year establishes the foundation for the study of nursing with an introduction to concepts and theories related to understanding nursing practice. Clinical study is introduced in the sophomore year with the focus on health promotion and identification of risk factors. Clinical nursing skills are practiced first in the Nursing Department’s Skills Laboratory. Clinical nursing skills are also enhanced with the utilization of a Simulation Laboratory that allows students to practice critical thinking and decision-making skills on a variety of clinical scenarios.

Clinical experiences take place in a variety of settings such as schools, hospitals, senior citizens’ centers, and long term and acute care facilities. Junior year nursing courses focus on the care of individuals and families of all ages who are experiencing the stress of illness. Clinical experiences take place in acute care settings. During the senior year, student clinical experiences are planned to encourage synthesis of knowledge gained in preceding years and focus on individuals, families, and communities. Students provide care to those experiencing more complex illnesses and problems.

Professional role behaviors that are introduced in the freshman year and augmented during the years of subsequent study are expanded during the senior year. During the senior year, students have a culminating clinical course that provides a transition into clinical practice. Students have an opportunity to work on evidence-based projects with faculty and clinical mentors.

The program provides a foundation for graduate education in nursing and serves as a stimulus for continuing professional development. A series of NCLEX Preparation Practice Tests are integrated throughout the nursing program. A Diagnostic Prep, a Predictor exam, and a 4 day NCLEX Review are scheduled at end of program to provide students with prep resources to take the National Nursing License exam.

Registered nurses, who are graduates of diploma or associate degree programs in nursing, may choose to enroll in the RN Options. See the RN Options section for further information.

Objectives
The graduate of the baccalaureate (BSN) program will:
1. Synthesize knowledge from liberal education with professional nursing.
2. Apply leadership concepts, skills, and decision making in the provision of high quality nursing care, healthcare team coordination, and the oversight and accountability for care delivery in a variety of settings.
3. Integrate evidence, clinical judgement, interprofessional perspectives, and patient preferences in planning, implementing, and evaluating outcomes of care.
4. Demonstrate skills in using patient care technologies, information systems, and communication devices that support safe, effective nursing practice.
5. Explore the impact of sociocultural, economic, legal, and political factors influencing patient care quality, workplace safety, and the scope of nursing and other health professionals’ practice.
6. Incorporate effective communication skills to contribute the nursing perspective to interprofessional teams to optimize patient outcomes.
7. Collaborate with members of the interprofessional team to develop an assessment and intervention plan that takes into account determinants of health and available resources that contribute clinical prevention and population health.
8. Assume accountability for personal and professional behaviors that demonstrate the nursing standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct.
9. Implement holistic, evidence-based, safe patient-centered care across the health illness continuum, across the lifespan, and in all healthcare settings.

Admission Policy
All students wishing to obtain a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree must apply and be accepted to the Pitt-Johnstown campus and the Nursing Program. Qualified applicants are admitted without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or a veteran of the Vietnam era.
Prospective Students convicted of any felonious act may be prohibited from licensure as a Registered Nurse by the Board of Nursing in various states. Applicants who plan to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (as well as most other states) should be advised that upon application for the Registered Nurse Licensure Examination, the Board of Nursing will inquire as to whether the applicant has been convicted of a misdemeanor, felony, felonious act, or crime of moral turpitude, an illegal act associated with alcohol, or an illegal act associated with substance abuse(s).

Sample section from Pennsylvania State Board Application:

Section 6. fees:

Qualifications for Licensure. No application for licensure as a registered nurse shall be considered unless accompanied by a fee determined by the Board by regulation. Every applicant, to be eligible for examination for licensure as a registered nurse, shall furnish evidence satisfactory to the Board that he or she is of good moral character, has completed work equal to a standard high school course as evaluated by the Board and has satisfactorily completed an approved program of professional nursing. Approved programs shall include baccalaureate degree, associate degree and diploma nursing programs. The Board shall not issue a license or certificate to an applicant who has been convicted of a felonious act prohibited by the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L. 233, No. 64), known as “The Controlled Substance Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act,” or convicted of a felony relating to a controlled substance in a court of law of the United States or any other state, territory or country unless:

1. At least ten (10) years have elapsed from the date of conviction.
2. The applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the Board that he has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction such that licensure of the applicant should not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of patients or the public or a substantial risk of further criminal violations
3. The applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in or authorized by this act.

As used in this subsection the term “convicted” shall include a judgment, an admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere. An applicant’s statement on the application declaring the absence of a conviction shall be deemed satisfactory evidence of the absence of a conviction, unless the Board has some evidence to the contrary. (6 amended Dec. 15, 1986, P.L. 1607, No. 179) (Professional Nurse Law)
Moreover, because of the mandate of the laws relating to character requirements (good moral character) (Sections 13, 14 and 15.1 of the Professional Nursing Law), the Board has the duty and the right to ask for this information.

If you have a criminal conviction, you are advised to contact:
State Board of Nursing
P. O. Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
(717) 783-7142

All undergraduate, pre-licensure students are required by the clinical site agencies to obtain and maintain valid Pennsylvania Act 33/34 (child abuse and criminal record check) and ACT 73 (fingerprinting background check). Clearances will be reviewed by the clinical sites where students are scheduled to do clinical. Failure to obtain the necessary clearances may prevent students from completing clinical requirements.

To request additional information, please contact the Pitt-Johnstown Office of Admissions:
• Phone: 814-269-7050
Toll Free: 1-800-765-4875
email: upjadmit@pitt.edu

Respiratory Care, AS
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The 83-credit Respiratory Care program is an American Medical Association-approved 20-month Associate Degree Program that qualifies graduates to become candidates for the national registry examination.

Graduates are involved in all aspects of patient assessment, therapeutic planning, and intervention for patients with cardiopulmonary disease. Extensive clinical experiences will take place at a variety of settings including hospital-based settings, home care, skilled nursing facilities, physician offices, and rehabilitation departments. In addition, students will manage advanced life support equipment and perform and interpret diagnostic procedures. A maximum of 20 students are chosen from those who have a 2.50 or higher QPA at the end of the first term of study. All students who attempt the program must maintain a minimum QPA of 2.50 in required professional courses each semester. Once this degree is obtained, a student may continue at Pitt-Johnstown to receive a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and Supervision.

Pitt-Johnstown’s Respiratory Care program provides classroom and up-to-date clinical education as required by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, 264 Precision Boulevard, Telford, TN 37690, (817) 283-2835, http://www.coarc.com.

Courses are team taught by Pitt-Johnstown faculty and hospital instructors within their area of expertise.

Surgical Technology, AS
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This 74-credit program will allow individuals completing the required course work to receive a Surgical Technologist Certificate as well as an associate degree and will qualify them to sit for the Surgical Technologist National Certifying Examination.

The surgical technologist is involved in many aspects of a patient’s care in the operating room setting as well as ambulatory surgery, delivery, and emergency rooms. Supervised by either surgeons, anesthesiologists, or nurses, surgical technologists prepare patients for surgery, prepare instruments and equipment, prepare fluids for intravenous administration, prepare specimens for laboratory analysis, and prepare wound dressings. The technologist also assists the surgeon in some procedures.

Prior to official admission to the program, the applicant must be accepted to both the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center’s School of Surgical Technology via an application and interview process. Individuals who currently have a valid surgical technologist certification may receive an associate degree by successfully completing the necessary course requirements. Once this degree is obtained, a student may continue at Pitt-Johnstown to receive a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Mangement and Supervision.

Courses are team taught by Pitt-Johnstown faculty and hospital instructors within their area of expertise.