Nursing - Prelicensure BSN

This entry-level, generic baccalaureate Nursing Program (BSN) is designed for the student who wishes to become a registered nurse (RN) while completing the Bachelor of Science in nursing degree.


Admissions Information

Four year nursing applicants do not require a separate application from Stockton University's application. Please be aware that Admissions applications for this program must be postmarked by May 1, 2025

 

 


 

About the Program

The program focuses on the acquisition of the knowledge and skills necessary to practice as a professional RN. Developing an understanding of theories and concepts from the physical, social and behavioral sciences and the humanities is emphasized. Concepts such as ethics, altruism and communication are integrated throughout the curriculum. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning experience with guidance from faculty preceptors. The program prepares graduates to participate in a culturally diverse and ever changing global society.

 

Admission Requirements

Admission to the 4-year prelicensure program is highly competitive. Four year nursing applicants do not require a separate application from Stockton University's application. Please be aware that Admissions applications for this program must be postmarked by February 15, 2024. The first 4-year prelicensure class graduated in 2010.

Meeting the following minimum conditions does not guarantee acceptance.

  • Applicants should have completed 4 years of English, 3 years of a laboratory science (one of which should be Chemistry), 2 years of a foreign language, 3 years of math, 3 years of history and one additional academic unit prior to enrollment.
  • The Scholastic Aptitude Test or ACT is required. Minimum combined SAT score of 1190 with a Math score of 570, minimum ACT Math score of 24, and overall high school GPA 3.5 or higher are desired.
  • 2 letters of recommendation from high school teachers or advisors are required.
  • Special attention will be given to the strength of your high school curriculum (i.e. honors, A.P. courses). Admission to the program is highly competitive. Current Stockton students who apply to this program should have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. 

Program and Clinical Requirements

The Nursing Program at Stockton University adheres to policies required by clinical affiliates where student clinical learning experiences occur. Since clinical affiliates require criminal background checks (CBC), urine drug screenings, and current vaccinations for all students coming to their facility, all nursing students will conform to the following policy mandates. Students are responsible for all costs related to the mandatory requirements. Students entering the Nursing Program must be able to pass a criminal background check and a 10-panel urine drug screen.

  • Every nursing student is required to receive a Criminal Background Check upon program entry and then annually thereafter until graduation.
  • For fall entry students the Criminal Background Check must be completed and submitted to the university approved software system by August 15th. Information about obtaining the background check will be given at orientation and via email.
  • For spring-entry students the Criminal Background Check must be completed and submitted to the university approved software system by December 15th. Information about obtaining the background check will be given at orientation and via email.

All Criminal Background Check reports must be received by the Nursing Clinical Placement Specialist or Program Chair by the designated due dates or the student will be dropped from nursing classes and cannot be guaranteed a clinical placement.

*The Program Chair reserves the right to change or extend the deadline for completion for all applicants depending upon the date of acceptance.

  • Results of the Criminal Background Check (CBC) will be valid for one year, unless there is reason to initiate another check or if the facility requires more frequent screening.
  • If the nursing student leaves the Program for more than two semesters, a new Criminal Background Check and Urine Drug Screen is required prior to return.
  • Students must use the university approved vendor for the CBC. No other results will be accepted. Information to access the screening will be provided by the Nursing Clinical Placement Specialist.
  • History of the following infractions will disqualify an accepted student from enrollment in the Nursing Program:
    • Falsification of records or omission of pertinent information on either the certified background check or urine drug screen
    • Felony convictions
    • Misdemeanor convictions, probated sentences or felony deferred adjudications involving crimes against persons, including physical or sexual abuse
    • Misdemeanor convictions related to moral turpitude, including prostitution, public lewdness/exposure, theft, etc.
    • Felony probated sentences or deferred adjudication for the sale, possession, distribution, or transfer of narcotics or controlled substances
    • Registered sex offenders
  • A nursing student who is charged/convicted of a criminal offense must report the charge or conviction to the Program Chair within three days of the charge.
  • A nursing student whose subsequent Criminal Background Checks reveals any of the infractions noted above, will be disqualified from participating in any clinical experience and will then be dismissed from the Nursing Program.

Students should also note that a successful criminal background check must be completed after graduation and before taking the licensure exam (NCLEX-RN).

  • Every nursing student is required to receive a urine drug screen upon program entry and then annually thereafter until graduation.
  • For fall entry students the urine drug screen must be completed and submitted to the university approved software system by August 15th. Information about obtaining the background check will be given at orientation and via email.
  • For spring-entry students the urine drug screen must be completed and submitted to the university approved software system by December 15th. Information about obtaining the background check will be given at orientation and via email.

All urine drug screen reports must be received by the Nursing Clinical Placement Specialist or Program Chair by the designated due dates or the student will be dropped from nursing classes and cannot be guaranteed a clinical placement.

*The Program Chair reserves the right to change or extend the deadline for completion for all applicants depending upon the date of acceptance.

  • Results of the urine drug screening will be valid for one year, unless there is reason to initiate a random urine drug screening or if the facility requires more frequent screening.
  • Students must use the university approved vendor for the urine drug screen. No other results will be accepted. Information to access the screening will be provided by the Nursing Clinical Placement Specialist.
  • The drug screening will consist of a 10-panel urine drug screening, see below under program requirements for the list of the substances.
  • A positive drug screen on admission may result in dismissal from the Nursing Program.
  • If a nursing student has a positive drug screening on the test done prior to clinical, the student will not be permitted to participate in the clinical component of a nursing course and is required to withdraw from all nursing courses. A student’s academic standing will be reviewed internally with an outcome of possible dismissal from the program.
  • All students are subject to random drug screening at the discretion of a nursing faculty, Nursing Clinical Placement Specialist, Chief Nurse Administrator, and staff member with due cause.

Note: Individuals with a history of any disqualifying behavior on the Criminal Background Check or urine drug screen, will only be considered for readmission to the Program if the NJ Board of Nursing issues a statement that the student is eligible for initial licensure as a registered profession nurse following program completion.

The University and the School of Health Sciences clinical preparation programs (including the nursing program) strongly recommend but do not require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and other diseases. Our clinical partners regularly update their immunization and health requirements, which may include mandatory vaccination against COVID-19, influenza, and other immunizations.

The University is required to comply with the placement requirements implemented by the respective clinical partners, including health and immunization requirements. Please note the following important information:

  • Attendance and participation in clinical-based learning is a requirement for nursing students. Failure to comply with health and immunization requirements from clinical partners may impact a student’s ability to complete the clinical component of the nursing program.
  • The University nursing program may admit students without vaccination compliance; however, the nursing program cannot guarantee clinical placements, degree completion, or program progression in the case that the student does not meet the clinical, health, and immunization requirements of our clinical partners. Non-compliant students may be permanently excluded from clinical participation due to external clinical site requirements.
  • Placements are made based on the availability of our clinical partners; therefore, if students are placed at a rotation site that requires them to be vaccinated and students do not have the required immunization(s), students may be excluded from clinical experiences.
  • Please be aware that clinical partners can and do react to population health and public health developments as they occur, and students may be subject to immediate enforcement of clinical site health requirements which could lead to possible clinical course withdrawal.

Accommodations/Exemptions

Clinical partners may require students to request accommodations/exemptions (medical or religious) through the clinical partner’s exemption/accommodation process. Each clinical partner will determine its own process for accepting requests for accommodations and exemptions. The School of Health will facilitate exemptions at the respective clinical site.

  • The length of time it takes to decide an exemption request may delay the start of your clinical rotation.
  • A request for exemption is not a guarantee that it will be granted.
  • If an unvaccinated student intends to seek an accommodation or exemption and is placed at a clinical partner that has its own accommodation/exemption process, the student should contact the SHS to facilitate the accommodation/exemption process.
  • If a clinical partner does not provide for or allow accommodations or exemptions to its vaccination requirement, or, requires students to go through the clinical partner’s exemption/accommodation process and the student’s request is denied by the clinical partner, the student may request an alternate clinical site through the School of Health Sciences. However, the university cannot grant exemptions or accommodations to a clinical partner’s vaccination requirements.
  • If placement at an alternative clinical site is not possible, the only available accommodation(s) may be deferral, or temporary or permanent withdrawal from the program.

Acknowledgement

Your continued participation in the School of Health Sciences clinical preparation programs is an acknowledgment that you have been informed and have reviewed the nursing program and clinical site requirements for health and immunizations. Your continued participation also acknowledges that you have been informed that an unvaccinated student may be permanently excluded from clinical participation due to external clinical site requirements and may be ineligible to continue or to complete the degree program, which may delay or halt graduation.

Requirements Students

Physical Examination

A physical examination by a physician or nurse practitioner must be completed and documented on the Health & Immunization Record Form (See Exxat or Student Handbook Appendix for Health & Immunization Form)
Upon entry and annually thereafter

Health Insurance

Please provide annual documentation of your health insurance card. If the students name does not appear on the Card, documentation from the health insurance company must be provided stating that you are covered under the policy.

Upon entry and annually thereafter

Tuberculosis

Please provide documentation of a negative QuantiFERON TB Gold bloodwork test or 2 step PPD test. QuantiFERON Gold is accepted and is preferred by the program (Lab report required). 2 step PPD skin test is accepted (interval between the 2 steps should be at least 1-3 weeks). 2 step PPD will require 4 visits to the doctor (First PPD= Place date + Read date) & Second PPD= (Place date + Read date). If 2-Step PPD or QuantiFERON Gold blood test is positive, provide a negative Chest X-Ray and documentation from a Health Care Provider regarding non-communicability of tuberculosis.
Upon entry and annually thereafter

TDAP

Please provide documentation of a TDAP vaccine administered within the past 10 years.
Upon entry. If the 10-year expiration occurs in during the program progression, revaccination is required

Laboratory results indicating positive quantitative titers for the following are listed below. If the titers are negative, proof of immunization is required.

(Quantitative vs. Qualitative titers – quantitative have a numerical value, qualitative simply indicates “immune vs. non-immune” (with no numerical value). Be sure to get quantitative titers. If you don’t get quantitative titers, we will ask you to get them redone.

  • Hepatitis B
  • Measles
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Varicella

Upon entry-proof required and then every 5 years

Criminal Background Check

Upon entry to the program, provide documentation of a 7-year background check through the university approved vendor. After initial check is complete, proof of a recheck is required annually.
Upon entry (7 year)- annually thereafter (recheck)

10-Panel Urine Drug Screen

Upon entry to the program, provide documentation of your current 10-panel urine drug screen. Annual 10-panel urine drug screening is required. The following drugs are being screened for:

  • Amphetamines
  • Barbiturates
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Cannabinoids
  • Cocaine
  • Methadone
  • Methaqualone
  • Opiates
  • Phencyclidine
  • Propoxyphene
We are at the mercy of our clinical sites, medical marijuana cards are NOT accepted as prescriptions and will be flagged on drug screens, which could lead to possible dismissal from the program.
Upon entry- annual thereafter

COVID-19 Vaccines

You are up to date when you get 1 updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether you received any original COVID-19 vaccines.

Upon-entry

Influenza Vaccine

Proof of a current flu vaccination. Vaccine should be ideally administered by the end of October but should continue to be offered if influenza viruses are circulating locally and unexpired vaccine is available. For non-pregnant adults, vaccination in July and August should be avoided (please wait until September), even if vaccine is available during these months, unless there is concern that later vaccination might not be possible.
 Annual
Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification (CPR) Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers – Only the American Heart Association certification is accepted. Certification is good for two years. Biennial for Junior, Senior, Accelerated Nursing Students and Graduate Students prior to clinical/practicum

HIPAA Privacy & Security Training

Please provide proof of completion of the online training module that can be accessed and completed through National Safety Compliance (Link in Exxat)
One time prior to start of clinical placements (undergrad only)

Fit Testing

Please provide documentation of completed Fit Test

Biennial for Junior, Senior, Accelerated Nursing Students and Graduate Students prior to clinical/practicum

Effective: October 1, 2013

Reviewed: May 2015

Revised: August 2020

The Stockton University Nursing Program has a responsibility to educate competent nurses to care for their patients (persons, families and/or communities) with critical judgment, broadly based knowledge, and well-honed technical skills. The Nursing Program has academic as well as technical standards that must be met by students in order to successfully progress in and graduate from its programs.

Nursing is a discipline that requires a range of psychomotor and psychosocial skills. Stockton University’s Nursing Program ensures that access to its facilities, programs and services is available to all students, including students with disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101-12212 (2013) (amended 2008) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq. (“Rehabilitation Act”). Stockton University’s Nursing Program provides reasonable accommodations to students on a nondiscriminatory basis consistent with legal requirements of the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act. A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to an instructional activity, equipment, facility, program or service that enables a qualified student with a disability to have an equal opportunity to fulfill the requirements necessary for graduation from the nursing program. To be eligible for an accommodation(s), a student must have a documented disability of (a) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; (b) a record of such impairment; or, (c) be regarded as having such a condition (Marks & Ailey, 2014). Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with disabilities, provided the accommodation does not fundamentally alter essential academic requirements pursued by the student or any directly related licensing requirement. Student requests for reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case by case basis in consultation with the Learning Access Program (LAP), Stockton University's disability support services office.

Nursing majors at Stockton University should be able to perform the following skills and behaviors:

General Abilities: The student is expected to possess functional use of the senses of vision, touch, hearing, and smell so that data received by the senses may be integrated, analyzed, and synthesized in a consistent and accurate manner. A student must also possess the ability to perceive pain, pressure, temperature, position, vibration, and movement that are important to the student's ability to gather significant information needed to effectively evaluate patients. A student must be able to measure, calculate, reason, comprehend, analyze, integrate and synthesize materials in the context of nursing education and practice. A student must be able to quickly read and comprehend sensitive written material, engage in critical thinking, clinical reasoning and evaluate and apply information in both the classroom and clinical settings. A student must be able to respond promptly to urgent situations that may occur during clinical training activities and must not hinder the ability of other members of the health care team to provide prompt treatment and care to patients.

 

Technical Standards:

Thefollowing description/examples of technical standards are intended to inform prospective and enrolled students of the standards required to complete the nursing science curriculum.

  1. These technical standards illustrate the performance abilities and characteristics that are necessary to successfully complete the requirements of Stockton University’s Nursing Program. The standards are not requirements of admission into the programs and the examples are not all-inclusive.
  2. Individuals interested in applying for admission to the programs should review these standards to develop a better understanding of the skills, abilities and behavioral characteristics required to successfully complete the programs. Key areas for technical standards in nursing include having abilities and skills in the areas of: (1) acquiring fundamental knowledge; (2) developing communication skills; (3) interpreting data; (4) integrating knowledge to establish clinical judgment; and (5) incorporating appropriate professional attitudes and behaviors into nursing practice capabilities.
  3. Examples of the key areas for technical standards in nursing (acquiring fundamental knowledge, developing communication skills, interpreting data, integrating knowledge to establish clinical judgment, and incorporating appropriate professional attitudes and behaviors into nursing practice capabilities) include the following (adapted from Marks & Bailey, 2014):

To acquire fundamental knowledge, students have the ability to:

  • Learn in classroom and other educational settings
  • Find sources of knowledge and acquire the knowledge
  • Be a life-long learner
  • Use and apply novel and adaptive thinking

To develop communication skills, students have the ability to:

  • Communicate sensitive and effective interactions with patients (persons, families and/or communities)
  • Communicate for effective interaction with the health care team (patients, their supports, other professional and non-professional team members
  • Make sense of information gathered from communication
  • Apply social intelligence

In the interpretation of data, students have the ability to:

  • Observe patient conditions and responses to health and illness
  • Assess and monitor health needs
  • Apply computational thinking
  • Manage cognitive loads

To integrate knowledge to establish clinical judgment, students have the ability to:

  • Critically think, problem-solve and make decisions needed to care for persons, families and/or communities across the health continuum and within (or managing or improving) their environments and/or in one or more environments of care
  • Intellectualize, conceptualize, and achieve the Essentials of Baccalaureate, Master’s, and Doctor of Nursing Practice education (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], Essentials, 2020)
  • Apply information literacy
  • Collaborate across disciplines

To incorporate appropriate professional attitudes and behaviors into nursing practice students have the ability to:

  • Demonstrate: concern for others, integrity, ethical conduct, accountability, interest and motivation
  • Acquire interpersonal skills for professional interactions with a diverse population of individuals, families and communities
  • Acquire interpersonal skills for professional interactions with members of the health care team including patients, their supports, other health care professionals and team members
  • Acquire the skills necessary to promote change for necessary quality health care
  • Acquire cross-cultural competency
  • Collaborate virtually

 

Skills that nursing majors may use also include the following:

Motor Function: Sufficient motor function, neuromuscular strength and coordination to effectively perform client care activities. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Transfer, turn, lift clients
  • Push, pull, lift and support 25 lbs.
  • Manipulate life support devices
  • Use diagnostic instruments for physical assessments
  • Achieve and maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
  • Apply pressure to stop bleeding
  • Manipulate diagnostic and life support devices
  • Measure and administer medications by all routes
  • Maintain balance, reach above shoulders, reach below waist, stoop and squat

Gross and Fine Motor Coordination: To provide safe and effective nursing care. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Move about in limited patient care environments
  • Perform a variety of treatments and procedures
  • Calibrate and use equipment
  • Write with a pen/pencil and use keyboard and/or mouse
  • Sit, stand, move within classrooms, labs, acute nursing units, operating rooms, emergency rooms, community settings, and long-term care facilities for as long as required.

Due dates for clinical requirements will be communicated to the students via classroom announcements and e-mail messages from either the Nursing Clinical Placement Specialist or the Program Chair. Students who have not met all requirements will not be permitted in the clinical area and may jeopardize their clinical placement. Students who miss two or more clinical days are at risk for clinical failure.

Students are expected to attend all clinical experiences (lab or off-campus) as scheduled. See Attendance Section in the Nursing Student Handbook for attendance requirements.

Clinical facilities are selected based on the opportunity to provide the student experiences that meet the learning outcomes of the course. The assignment to a clinical group is made at the beginning of the semester, or earlier, and is dependent on faculty and the institutions availability. Students must be aware that they may need to travel a distance (up to 1.5 hours) from campus to attend assigned clinical sites. Students should also be aware that some clinical rotations may be in the evening or on Saturdays or Sundays. Please note that the university carries malpractice insurance on all students.

Accreditation Statement

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing and post-graduate APRN certificate program, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Stockton University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.


Stockton's nursing programs are accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, a subsidiary of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, New Jersey Board of Nursing, 124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor, and P.O. Box 45010 Newark, New Jersey 07101, (973) 504-6430.

Complaint Process

Applicants for admission and current students can submit program complaints to the New Jersey Board of Nursing, a subsidiary of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Complaints may reach the Board of Nursing by writing to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General Division of Consumer Affairs New Jersey Board of Nursing 124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor, and P.O. Box 45010 Newark, New Jersey 07101.