ADN Program
The associate degree program prepares graduates for registered nursing practice in such settings as hospitals, extended care facilities, and some community settings such as physicians’ offices. Consistent with ADN education, the graduate has greater experience in adult, medical-surgical care, but with appropriate guidance and instruction, may function in other clinical areas, caring for individuals of varying ages and acuity. While the associate degree nurse must be knowledgeable about the health care delivery system and the larger world of nursing practice, the nurse focuses on care of the individual within families and groups. The ADN graduate from Gardner-Webb University is a well-educated person whose curriculum includes not only nursing, but courses in the sciences, humanities, and liberal arts, including religion. The student’s course of study provides education for both entry into RN practice and as a base for professional studies in nursing. The graduate is prepared to pursue additional studies at the baccalaureate and higher levels and is encouraged to do so according to his/her career goals. The graduate is prepared to practice competently in an RN staff position.
Like all licensed nurses, the associate degree graduate is accountable for his/her nursing practice and works within the framework of his/her employing agency and the state’s nursing practice act. The associate degree nurse delegates aspects of care to less experienced RNs, LPN, and nursing assistants and is ultimately accountable for that care. Depending upon continuing education, experience, personal characteristics, and motivation, ADN RNs are capable of fulfilling a variety of positions such as team leader and preceptor within the health care system. However, the associate degree nurse ideally functions with guidance from an RN prepared at the baccalaureate, master’s or doctoral level.
Within the framework of the University and the School of Nursing, the graduate of the ADN program at Gardner-Webb demonstrates the following educational outcomes and performs in the following manner:
Assesses, analyzes/diagnoses, plans, implements, and evaluates nursing care to provide for the patient’s optimum level of wellness consistent with his/her coping abilities, teaching needs, and capacity for self-care.
Utilizes a hierarchy of needs theory as a framework for prioritizing psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual needs and providing individualized nursing care for patients in various stages of the lifespan.
Provides holistic, patient centered nursing care characterized by critical thinking, clinical competence, utilization of therapeutic interpersonal skills, evidenced based practice, attention to sociocultural forces, including technology, which impact health care, and caring which is consistent with the Christian faith.
Communicates with patients, their families, and/or significant others, and other care providers in the planning and delivery of health services.
Manages nursing care for groups of patients with health care needs in varied settings which include hospitals, extended care facilities, and other community health care agencies.
Practices nursing according to ethical and legal standards, is a contributing member within the discipline of nursing, utilizes collaborative care management with interdisciplinary teams, and assumes responsibility for his/her own practice and self-development.
The ADN curriculum includes general education and nursing courses. Nursing courses are categorized as didactic (classroom), experiential (laboratory) and application (hospital clinical) experiences.
THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING CURRICULUM
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - 29 semester hours
English - 6 hours
English 101 - Composition
English 102 - Composition II
Religion - 3 hours
Religion 101 - Introduction to the Old Testament OR
Religion 102 - Introduction to the New Testament
Social and Behavioral Sciences - 6 hours
Psychology 201 - General Psychology
Psychology 206 - Developmental Psychology
Natural Sciences - 12 hours
Biology 203 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Biology 204 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II
Biology 105 - Microbiology for the Health Sciences (or BIOL 206)
Physical Education - 1 hour
Physical Education Activity Course
MAJOR COURSE REQUIREMENTS - 43 semester hours
Nursing 106 – Fundamental Concepts of Nursing
Nursing 107 – Experiential Learning of Fundamental Concepts of Nursing
Nursing 108 - Application of Fundamental Concepts of Nursing
Nursing 109 – Basic Concepts of Health Assessment
Nursing 110 – Experiential Learning of Basic Concepts of Health Assessment
Nursing 114 – Basic Concepts in Clinical Nursing
Nursing 115 - Experiential Learning of Basic Concepts in Clinical Nursing
Nursing 116 - Application of Basic Concepts in Clinical Nursing
Nursing 206 – Concepts of Nursing for Childbearing Families and their Children
Nursing 207 – Experiential Learning of concepts of Nursing for Childbearing Families and their Children
Nursing 208 - Application of Concepts of Nursing for Childbearing Families and their Children
Nursing 209 - Advanced Concepts in Clinical Nursing
Nursing 210 - Experiential Learning of Advanced Concepts in Clinical Nursing
Nursing 211 - Application of Advanced Concepts in Clinical Nursing
Nursing 290 – Associate Degree Nursing Practice in Contemporary Society
DIMENSIONS - 1 semester hour
TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION: 72 semester hours
NOTE: For course descriptions, see the current University Catalog.
Program admission criteria include the following:
Graduation from high school or equivalent with official transcripts.
High school or college algebra biology, and chemistry with minimum grades of C.
New students (non-transfer) must have a minimum of 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) on all previous work taken.
Transfer students must have a minimum of 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) on GWU accepted transfer credits (see Transfer Credit policy).
Students currently enrolled at Gardner-Webb University must have a minimum of 2.8 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) on the following courses from Gardner-Webb University:
Biology 203 and 204 with a C or better.
Psychology 201, 206, English 101, 102 and DIMENSIONS 111 and 112.
SAT score 1050 (minimum of 500 verbal and 500 math), please contact the Admissions Office for new SAT criteria, or ACT composite score of 22 ( minimum of 21 English, 18, Math, and 20 Reading), or a satisfactory score on the TEAS Test for college transfer students, or current Gardner-Webb University students without the minimum SAT or ACT score
Satisfactory physical and mental health and required lab work (with results), immunizations required by the university, and Hepatitis B (or waiver of Hepatitis B series), Varicella (Chickenpox) titer showing immunity or documentation of Varicella immunization, and Tuberculin Test (PPD).
A satisfactory “Criminal Record Check” for all states of residence for the past seven (7) years. Any allegations or charges of misdemeanor or felon that occur after the “Criminal Record Check” has been submitted must be reported to the Admissions Office immediately. A satisfactory “Criminal Record Check” is a requirement of the health care facilities where students complete the clinical components of the nursing program. Clinical sites have the right to deny a student’s access based on criminal background. This denial would result in the student’s inability to successfully complete the nursing program.
A Satisfactory Drug Screening. This is a requirement for the health care facilities where students complete the clinical components of the nursing program. Clinical sites have the right to deny a student’s access based on a drug screening.
CNA certification is required for full admission to the nursing program.
Although students may have been accepted to the program, enrollment is not completed until they submit the following by the date specified by the program:
Current CPR certification (adult, child, infant).
Completed health information.
Urine Drug Screening.
Eligibility for licensure as a registered nurse includes clinical, mental, and physical competence and freedom from conviction of felonious or other serious legal acts, including substance abuse, as outlined in the North Carolina Nursing Practice Act 2006. Note: all states have similar stipulations.
Students enrolled at Gardner-Webb University who wish to enroll in the nursing program must apply to the Undergraduate Admissions Office.
REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION FROM GARDNER-WEBB UNIVERSITY WITH AN A.S. DEGREE IN NURSING:
A minimum of 72 semester hours and satisfactory completion of all required courses.
The final 24 semester hours must be taken at Gardner-Webb.
A minimum grade of C required in all nursing courses (the major field) and sciences courses.
A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, based on the University grading system on all work attempted.
Application for graduation to the Registrar by the designated date and completing all details for graduation.
All candidates are required to attend commencement exercises.
Two semesters of DIMENSIONS, 0.5 of a semester hour each semester, totaling 1 semester hour.
At any time in the ADN program, students who wish to continue for the BSN at Gardner-Webb may consult with the Director or a faculty member in that program and/or the BSN Recruiter. Many transfer students choose to take BSN general education courses along with ADN nursing courses. If compatible with the individual's professional and personal goals, the faculty encourages students to continue their education in nursing. Additional education in nursing broadens one's knowledge and career options. The BSN/RN program is in the University GOAL program (adult-centered program) which is tailored for adult, working students both in curriculum and in the reduced tuition rate per credit hour. Students who already have a BS degree in another area are eligible to apply to the MSN Program.