Program Description
The PHSU Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is a rigorous, 3-year, 121 credit program designed to prepare highly skilled, compassionate, and ethical registered nurses. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the curriculum is meticulously developed to meet the highest standards the Missouri State Board of Nursing (MSBON), the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), American Nurses Association (ANA), and the National League for Nursing (NLN). The AACN Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education are integrated throughout the curriculum (AACN, 2021).
Through classroom instruction, simulated experiences, and extensive clinical placements in diverse healthcare settings, our BSN program prepares graduates as competent, compassionate, and ethical registered nurses for entry into the nursing workforce. Our graduates are equipped to meet the challenges of the ever-evolving healthcare landscape and contribute meaningfully to improving health outcomes. The program’s success is reflected in high NCLEX RN pass rates and positive graduate outcomes.
Mission
The Ponce Health Sciences University School of Nursing (SON) develops ethical and compassionate nursing leaders committed to providing holistic, evidence-based care that transforms community health. Our high-quality, interprofessional education integrates innovation and technology to prepare graduates for excellence in clinical practice and health promotion initiatives.
Vision
The Ponce Health Sciences University SON strives for excellence in education, preparing nurses with advanced skills in clinical judgment, evidence-based practice, and effective communication to deliver holistic care. We envision our graduates as leaders in advocacy and research, significantly improving patient outcomes.
Values
The core values of the Nursing Program serve as the foundation of nursing practice at the BSN and are also applicable to advanced practice nursing. The following are the core values shared by the faculty:
Compassion
PHSU SON genuinely cares about others and raises relationships with empathy, dignity, and respect, promoting a caring environment in the healthcare system.
Diversity
PHSU SON promotes the representation of unique perspectives and supports an environment where unity and differences contribute to individuality.
Trust
PHSU SON promotes a respectful environment in and out of the classroom based on communication and mutual understanding, with confidentiality and respect for the student’s needs.
Ethics
PHSU SON’s mission reflects humanistic ideals and upholds everyone’s inherent dignity and worth.
Excellence
PHSU SON encourages the highest quality in everything our faculty, students, and staff do with a commitment to integrity.
Holism
PHSU SON has a holistic method of nursing education that views the student as a whole and prepares the student to address the patient’s holistic needs.
Creativity
The use of technological and evidence-based innovation.
Respect
PHSU SON encourages positive, productive, and professional relations and inspires individuals to speak differing viewpoints effectively and respectfully. It also distinguishes the range of perceptions and talents among students, faculty, staff, and our community.
Courage
PHSU SON promotes our faculty, students, and staff to challenge existing 8 | Page paradigms to advance health equity and achieve health justice.
Commitment
PHSU SON promotes public service and advocacy for the unprivileged communities and persons as a resource for personal, educational, cultural, and economic development to advance a healthy environment.
Professionalism
PHSU SON promotes competency, systematic use of the nursing process, leadership, clinical judgment, and lifelong learning, leading to ethical, safe, quality patient care.
Philosophy
The Unification Model in Nursing provides a comprehensive framework for understanding human health and illness complexities. Developed by Yarcheski A and Mahon NE in 1986, this model integrates various nursing theories and perspectives, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the physical, psychological, social, cultural, spiritual, and environmental factors that influence a person’s health. The Unification Model’s value in nursing education lies in its ability to equip nurses with a holistic approach to assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating care. By considering the multifaceted dimensions of a patient’s experience, the Unification Model enables nurses to provide truly person-centered and culturally sensitive care that addresses the unique needs of everyone.
The PHSU SON’s philosophy builds upon the foundational work of Florence Nightingale, emphasizing the importance of a supportive environment for healing and incorporating the holistic awareness and sensitivity to individual needs advocated by Madeleine Leininger. We further integrate the systems perspective of Betty Neuman’s model, focusing on maintaining client stability and promoting optimal wellness. The Unification Model in Nursing is central to our approach, which guides our holistic approach to assessment and intervention, recognizing the dynamic interplay of physiological, psychological, social, cultural, spiritual, and environmental factors. This comprehensive approach equips our graduates to provide compassionate, evidence-based care that addresses the totality of the patient’s experience, restoring balance and enhancing their overall health and well-being. Our graduates will be prepared to apply the Unification Model to provide patient centered care across diverse settings, demonstrating holistic understanding of the patient’s circumstances.
The PHSU-St. Louis SON embraces a holistic philosophy of care grounded in the foundational principles of Florence Nightingale, emphasizing the importance of a supportive environment for healing. We integrate Madeleine Leininger’s theory of care diversity and universality, recognizing that effective care must be tailored to the unique needs of everyone. Utilizing Betty Neuman’s systems model and the comprehensive framework of the Unification Model in Nursing, we prepare graduates to assess and intervene on all factors influencing a client’s wellness, considering the interplay between the physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual dimensions of health. Our graduates are equipped to provide compassionate, holistically sensitive, and evidence-based care grounded in the latest scientific research that promotes optimal well-being within communities.
BSN Program Graduate Outcomes
The following program outcomes reflect the integration of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials and are designed to ensure measurable competency development. These outcomes guide the preparation of nursing professionals who demonstrate excellence in clinical judgment, leadership, and evidence-based practice across diverse healthcare environments.
1. Integrate foundational, disciplinary, and nursing knowledge to support clinical judgment and professional nursing practice (Domain 1).
2. Provide compassionate, person-centered, and culturally competent care across diverse sociocultural backgrounds (Domain 2).
3. Partner with stakeholders to promote equitable health outcomes throughout the healthcare delivery continuum (Domain 3).
4. Utilize evidence-based knowledge to inform nursing practice and improve client outcomes (Domain 4).
5. Integrate principles of quality and safety into nursing practice and 10 | Page resource coordination within complex health systems (Domain 5 & 7).
6. Collaborate effectively with professional partners to provide team based, person-centered care (Domain 6).
7. Utilize health informatics and emerging technologies to enhance the delivery of nursing care (Domain 8).
8. Foster a sustainable professional identity grounded in core nursing characteristics and values (Domain 9).
9. Demonstrate a commitment to self-reflection and lifelong learning that advances personal, professional, and leadership growth (Domain 10).
Admission Requirements
Admissions Criteria
The following list outlines the specific criteria for acceptance and enrollment in the BSN program:
- Proof of citizenship i.e. birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, or alien registration card
- Submission of official high school transcripts or General Equivalency Examination (GED)
- Final grade point average (GPA) 2.5 or higher
- Satisfactory completion of all general education and pre-nursing courses (grade of C or better) prior to beginning nursing courses
- English proficiency test if applicable*
Additional requirements include:
- Submission of a criminal background check
- Registration with the Family Care Safety Registry
- Completion of a 16-panel urine drug screen
- Proof of current immunization status
- Basic life support certification
*English Second Language Students
- Students whose primary language is not English must pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination as an indicator of English proficiency. Acceptable scores are noted below:
- A minimum score of 85 is required on the internet-based test (IBT) with a score of 21 required on the reading section and a score of 23 required on the writing section.
- The score requirement for the computer-based test is 240, with a minimum score of 4.5 on the test of Written English.
- The score requirement for the paper-based test is 575
BSN Grading Scale
PHSU SON utilizes a comprehensive grading system designed to reflect student achievement and progress toward program completion accurately. This system aligns with established academic standards and provides transparency in the evaluation process.
To remain in good academic standing and progress in the program, students must achieve a 75% or higher score in all courses and maintain a 2.5 GPA.
The following grading scale is used for ALL nursing courses, including pre-nursing, general education courses:
| Percentage |
Grade |
| 100-94 |
A |
| 93-90 |
A- |
| 89-87 |
B+ |
| 86-84 |
B |
| 83-80 |
B- |
| 79-78 |
C+ |
| 77-75 |
C |
| 74-0 |
F |
| W |
Withdrawal |
| AW |
Administrative Withdrawal |
| I |
Incomplete |
| IP |
In Progress |
| P |
Pass |
| NP |
Not Pass |
ATI Testing Policy
All nursing students are required to use the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Nursing Education program. ATI assessments help evaluate student strengths and areas for improvement, providing individualized learning plans through knowledge assessments and focused reviews. This process supports remediation, promotes mastery of course content, and strengthens preparation for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). A Level 2 proficiency is the benchmark in all courses where ATI proctored assessments are administered. Failure to meet this benchmark requires meeting with the assigned FACS, and the completion of a customized ATI remediation plan.
Using a peer-reviewed process, faculty are expected to review and analyze each exam. Using the exam analysis template, faculty should track trends, any changes to points or answers, and implications for remediation of content and revision of future items. Only after the analysis is completed and documented, are faculty to release student grades.
Exam-Based Courses, Grading, Rounding, Academic Progression & Progression Policy
Exam Testing Policies & Designation of Exam-Based Courses
Undergraduate BSN students enrolled in exam-based nursing courses must achieve a minimum 75% average on all exams and quizzes to progress in the program. Each course syllabus will identify which assessments are classified as exams or quizzes. Exam-based courses are listed below:
Fundamentals of Professional Nursing; Health Assessment & Promotion; Pathophysiology; Pharmacology; Medical Surgical Nursing I & II, Nursing of Childbearing Family; Mental Health Nursing; Critical Care in Nursing, Pediatric Nursing
Rounding of Exam Scores
- Individual exam scores and cumulative exam scores will not be rounded.
Inclusion of Additional Assignments
- Once the 75% exam benchmark is met, course assignments will be factored in to determine the final course grade.
- Individual course assignment scores will not be rounded.
Final Course Grade Rounding
The final course grade (combined total of exams, quizzes, and assignments) will be rounded to the nearest whole number:
- 0.5% or higher rounds up (e.g., 81.5% → 82%)
- 0.4% or lower rounds down (e.g., 81.4% → 81%)
Satisfactory Academic Progress, Dismissal, & Appeal Procedures
Time Frame for Completion of the Academic Program
A nursing student will be allowed a maximum time frame of two years of enrollment beyond the standard of three years required to complete the program. Summer enrollment is considered part of the academic year for this measure.
Once a student enrolls in a course at PHSU-SON, the degree requirements must be completed within three (3) consecutive academic years for a full-time student and five (5) consecutive academic years for a half-time/ part-time student. Completion time may vary for students changing from full-time status to any other status and/or withdrawing from courses. A student will never have more than five (5) years to complete the BSN degree requirements.
|
Program
|
Standard
|
Maximum
|
|
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
|
3 Years
|
5 Years
|
To ensure that a student is making sufficient academic progress to meet the maximum timeframe requirement, the student must complete 67% of PACE. PACE is calculated by dividing the earned credits by the attempted credits. All courses attempted in a specific quarter can be used to measure academic progress. Course withdrawals may affect educational progress if the hours earned do not meet the criteria for quantitative and/or qualitative measures of satisfactory progress.
This policy also ensures that the Student Financial Aid requirements set forth by federal regulations have been met. The SAP applies to all nursing students enrolled in Ponce Health Sciences University- School of Nursing. A student’s academic progress is evaluated each quarter of the academic year.
Classification of Nursing Students
Nursing students at PHSU are classified for financial aid purposes as follows:
a. Full-time student - student enrolled in 12 or more credits/quarter.
b. Half-time student - student enrolled in 6 to 8 credits per quarter.
c. Part-time student -student enrolled in less than 6 credits per quarter.
Successful Academic Requirement
To remain in satisfactory academic standing and progress in the program, students must achieve a 75% or higher score in all courses and maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Failure to meet this benchmark will result in academic probation and/or dismissal from the program.
Academic Probation
A student fails to meet satisfactory academic requirements will be placed on probation. Students will be notified, in writing, of probationary status and next steps to improve academic performance, including meeting with the dean and implementation of an Academic Success Plan. Failure to satisfy the requirements established in the Academic Success Plan will result in dismissal of the program.
Criteria for academic probation include:
- Earned GPA 2.5 at the end of any quarter or after their first course failure
- Unsatisfactory clinical performance Academic misconduct violation
- A withdrawal grade (W) in any course (exception leave of absence)
- More than two (2) withdrawals for the same course
Probation Revocation:
- GPA is 2.5 or higher at the end of the specified quarter(s)
- Resolution of unsatisfactory clinical performance
- Resolution of misconduct sanction
Course Grade Appeal
A student wishing to appeal a dismissal must submit a request, in writing, within five (5) business days of its posting. A student must first discuss their concerns and attempt to resolve the matter with the course instructor. If the instructor and student cannot resolve the grade dispute, the student may appeal to the program coordinator. If the matter remains unresolved, the student may submit a formal complaint to the dean within ten (10) business days of grade notification/posting. The dean will review the appeal and issue a decision, which will be final.
Academic Dismissal
Ponce Health Science University-St. Louis School of Nursing strives to maintain high academic rigor. Dismissal for poor academic performance may occur in the following situations:
- Failure to achieve Satisfactory Academic Progress for two consecutive quarters after probation.
- Failing the same course twice.
- Failure in two different courses or the same course twice. Exceeding the timeframe for completion of the program.
Any student dismissed from the program for poor academic performance will receive a written notice within one (1) week after the end of the quarter, along with a notification of their right to appeal.
Academic Appeal Process
A student wishing to appeal a dismissal must submit a request, in writing, within five (5) business days of the dismissal notification. The student may submit any documentation/information they deem relevant to support their appeal of the dismissal decision.
The Student Appeals Committee will convene within fourteen (14) days to review the facts and evaluate the merit of the appeal. The student and the dean will be notified of the committee’s decision within five (5) days.
If the appeal is approved by the committee, the student will be placed on academic probation and will be allowed to continue in their coursework. Failure to meet the requirements for satisfactory academic progress will result in dismissal from the program.
If the committee upholds the dismissal, the student can appeal to the dean. The appeal must be submitted in writing within five (5) business days of receiving the committee’s notification of decision. The dean will evaluate documents submitted by the student and the committee and make a final determination. The student will be notified of the dean’s decision in writing. The dean’s decision is final. This information will be accessible to applicants, students and faculty online on the SON website.
Non-Academic Appeals
The exact process described above will be followed if a student is dismissed for non- academic reasons, such as unacceptable professional behavior. The Dean of Nursing, or the Director of Student Affairs, will refer the case to the Professionalism Committee. If the Committee recommends the student’s dismissal from the program, the appeal process described above would be activated.
The student’s second (2nd) level of appeal is to the dean. If the dean upholds the dismissal, the student may further appeal the decision to the Vice President (VP) of Student Affairs.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and Financial Aid Eligibility
Not meeting satisfactory academic progress will impair student aid eligibility. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is based on three components:
Completion Rate
- A student must have completed 67% of all hours attempted for financial aid eligibility. This is decided by dividing the total hours earned by the total hours tried. Attempted hours will include grades of F, W, I. Yet, these grades will NOT count as earned hours.
- Repeating courses will add to the total number of attempted hours but will only count once as earned hours.
- If a student chooses to retake a course that he/she has already passed at some point, he/she can do this once and receive financial aid.
Time limit
- A student can only receive financial aid for a maximum of 1.5 times the total credit hours needed for his/her degree program.
- For the BSN, which requires 121 credit hours for graduation, this equals a maximum of 241.5 hours that can be attempted.
- Any hours attempted, but not completed, will count.
- Transfer credit hours must be included in the maximum of 241.5.
- Repeats, failures, and withdrawals will also count toward the maximum.
- Any student who has exceeded the maximum time limit allowed due to transfer hours or a major change must submit an appeal to the Student Financial Services Office.
Appeal Process
Students notified by the Dean of Nursing regarding the decision that he/she must repeat failed courses during the next academic year or term, or be dismissed from the nursing program, have the right to appeal the decision for aid eligibility within five (5) working days after having received the notification.
Student Financial Services will review the credits that apply toward the student’s program of study to decide future financial aid eligibility. An academic plan signed by a Financial Services representative will be needed.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50. Repeated and failed courses, that are retaken successfully, will replace the previous grade in the cumulative GPA calculation.
SAP Review
After each Quarter/payment period, Financial Aid will review the completion rate, time limit, and GPA for each student enrolled in that quarter/payment period. Depending on the student’s status compared to these factors, the student’s progress for financial aid purposes will be decided as follows:
Satisfactory Academic Progress
This applies to any student who passed the number of earned hours to attempted hours, has not exceeded the maximum total attempted hours allowed for their program, and whose GPA meets the requirements listed above.
Financial Aid Warning
- This applies to any student who does not meet the requirements for completion, time limit, and GPA listed above for the quarter/payment period.
- A warning letter will be sent to the student at the end of the quarter/payment period to show why he/she is receiving a warning and what must be done within the next quarter/payment period to be back in accordance with the SAP rules.
- If the student does not meet these requirements, the student’s federal, state, and institutional financial aid will be suspended for future quarters/payment periods.
- The student must bring the PACE and/or GPA back to good standing or appeal to regain eligibility for financial aid. A student cannot have two consecutive quarters/payment periods on warning.
Unsatisfactory Academic Progress
This applies to a student who has not met the requirements for completion rate, GPA, and attempted hours after his/her warning period. This student is not eligible for federal, state, or institutional financial aid until the student meets the requirements in the three areas listed above or completes, and is approved for, an SAP Appeal.
Financial Aid Probation
This applies only to a student who has failed to meet SAP requirements and has had an appeal approved by Student Financial Services. A student may be on probation for one semester/payment period only. If a student has not met the SAP requirements above, he/she should work with a Financial Services Representative to understand what options exist to regain eligibility.
Academic Success Plan
This status applies to any student who has submitted an academic success plan as part of an SAP appeal and has completed the goals for that quarter/payment period outlined by the plan. The student stays eligible for federal and state financial aid but does not meet the definition of an SAP-eligible student.
Graduation
Graduation Requirements
- To qualify for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing every student must:
- Successfully complete all course requirements.
- Earn a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
- Complete their BSN program within five (5) years from the time of admission.
Honors
Graduation honors will be awarded by the University as follows:
- Cum laude: GPA of 3.500-3.699
- Magna cum laude: GPA of 3.7-3.899
- Summa cum laude: GPA of 3.900-4.00
Assessment and Achievement Examinations
As you move through the nursing curriculum, you will be asked to complete surveys and exams that help measure your progress toward program outcomes. Before graduation, all pre-licensure students take a comprehensive nursing exam, predictive of NCLEX-RN success. This exam is designed to help you prepare for the NCLEX-RN, and you are required to review your results with your assigned FACS as part of your success plan. There is no additional cost of these required exams (Included in ATI package).
Applying for Graduation
All students are required to submit a formal application for graduation through the Office of the Registrar. Prior to submitting the graduation application, students shall meet with their Academic Advisor to verify that all program and degree requirements have been satisfied.
Applying for Licensure (NCLEX-RN)
During the final term of the BSN program, the 3rd year FACS will provide students with guidance on completing the Missouri application for licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse by Examination. It is important to note that graduation from the nursing program does not automatically ensure eligibility for licensure, as outlined in section 335.066 RSMo of the Missouri Nursing Practice Act.
Students planning to pursue licensure outside of Missouri must inform their FACS and review the application requirements for the state in which they intend to practice.
All first-time applicants for licensure with the Missouri State Board of Nursing are required to complete fingerprinting as part of a criminal background check. Details about this process, along with the NCLEX Candidate Bulletin, will be provided approximately at the beginning of the final term of study. Students are responsible for scheduling their fingerprinting appointment with the approved vendor and covering all associated costs. Please note that applicants will not be authorized to sit for the NCLEX until the Board has received and cleared the background check results.
Pinning Ceremony
The Pinning Ceremony is a long-standing tradition in nursing education that symbolizes a student’s transition from nursing student to professional nurse. Held at the conclusion of the program, the ceremony recognizes the dedication, perseverance, and accomplishments of graduates as they prepare to enter the nursing profession. Each graduate receives a nursing pin, representing the values of compassion, integrity, and service that are central to the discipline of nursing. Family, friends, faculty, and peers are invited to share in this milestone celebration.
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