2023-2024 Course Catalog

Pathways to Nursing (BSN)

  • Pathways to Nursing prepares world-ready nurses to develop the skills necessary in today’s health care system.
  • Through a partnership with UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing students are educated by faculty members from both Chatham University and UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing.
  • Courses in the first year will be held on the Chatham University campus. In the second and third year, nursing courses are taught on the UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing campus.
  • Students are required to maintain a 2.75 GPA to enter the UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing program.
  • Clinical experiences will be scheduled utilizing a variety of UPMC healthcare facilities in the local area.
  • Once a student completes the nursing diploma program at UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing they become eligible to take the NCLEX-RN (National Council for Licensing Examination for Registered Nurse) to obtain a license as a registered nurse (RN).
  • Students who successfully pass the NCLEX-RN enter Chatham's Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited on-line RN-BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program for the final year.
  • Students may work as a Registered Nurse (RN) while completing the RN-BSN Program in their fourth (senior) year.
  • Pathways to Nursing allows the student to complete a full four-year college experience at Chatham University while earning RN licensure, working as an RN, and finishing their BSN degree.

The RN-BSN program at Chatham University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington DC 20036, (202)887-6791.

Eligibility for Pennsylvania Nursing Licensure:
Pennsylvania law prohibits the State Board of Nursing from issuing a license to anyone who has been convicted of a felony relating to a controlled substance, unless at least ten years have elapsed from the date of conviction, and the applicant satisfies other criteria of personal rehabilitation. At the time of application for licensure, the State Board also requires reporting of any crime, felony, misdemeanor, or pending criminal charges.

All undergraduate students must satisfy the General Education requirements.

Admission Requirements

Applications for admission to the Chatham University Pathways to Nursing Program must include:

  • The Chatham University online application
  • The supplemental UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing application
  • High School transcripts showing graduation date and 2 years of science with related lab coursework
  • Post-secondary Education: all transcripts must be submitted
  • Completion of the following high school courses with a “C” or higher
    • 4 years of English
    • 2 years of Science (Biology or Chemistry) with a related Laboratory
    • 2 years of Mathematics (1 of which is Algebra)
    • 3 years of Social Studies
    • Recommended: Anatomy and Physiology
    • High school GPA of 3.0 or greater
    • SAT > 1050 or ACT > 21 or TEAS test score of 62% or higher. Offered by ATI at https://atitesting.com/Home.aspx and required for admission to UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing.

If accepted for admission to UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing, the candidate will receive a written offer of acceptance. To reserve a space in the incoming class, the candidate must acknowledge acceptance in writing per the letter offering admission to the school.

Once accepted to Pathways to Nursing, all students are required to satisfy the requirements for participation in clinical rotations including background checks and a health screening, and a current CPR certification.

All students will be provided a current checklist detailing documentation to be provided and the respective submission deadlines when attending a post-acceptance UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing Information Session.

Students not meeting the requirements to enter or remain enrolled in the UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing Program will receive written notification from the School of Health Sciences Dean's office advising them to select an academic major other than Pathways to Nursing. Students are required to complete appropriate documentation to secure a different academic major and advisor. The University Registrar’s Office will automatically change the student’s major to “undeclared” and assign a new advisor if the appropriate documentation is not completed within the timeframe designated in the notification letter.

Post-Acceptance Information Session/New Student Orientation

Attendance at a post-acceptance information session/new student orientation is required once the offer of admission has been accepted. Topics covered at these sessions include academic schedules, photo ID cards, and compliance requirements.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Program, the student will:

  1. Synthesize knowledge from nursing and other related disciplines in acquisition and application of nursing knowledge, competencies, and values for professional practice.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge for nursing leadership, quality improvement, and patient safety in order to provide high quality care.
  3. Integrate evidence-based findings into professional nursing practice.
  4. Apply skills related to information management and patient care technology in order to deliver quality patient care Comprehend the influence of healthcare policies and finance on healthcare system operations.
  5. Utilize interprofessional collaboration and communication with other health team members in planning, coordinating, providing, and evaluating care.
  6. Apply concepts of clinical prevention and health promotion to individuals, families, and communities in a global society. Provide professional, culturally competent, and ethically congruent care that reflects dignity and uniqueness of individuals and groups in diverse global populations.
  7. Utilize the nursing process and health care resources in the protection, promotion, and optimization of health in care of individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan.

Curriculum

+Major Requirements

N101 Professional Concepts of Nursing

This course introduces the student to the role of the professional nurse. The concepts of communication, clinical decision making, professionalism and patient education are explored. In addition, the holistic aspects of patient care such as culture, spirituality, legal and ethical issues will be discussed. Tanner's clinical judgment model will provide the framework for the student's development of clinical judgment and decision making.

3
N102 Foundational Concepts of Nursing

This course introduces the student to the foundational concepts of nursing practice across the lifespan. Basic care and comfort is explored through the concepts of nutrition, elimination, safety, mobility and sensory perception. Physical assessment is a major component of this course. The promotion of health and wellness is an underlying theme carried throughout the course. The student is introduced to basic foundational skills of nursing practice, including medication administration, through both the clinical and lab settings. Students engage in clinical experiences in inpatient medical-surgical units.

9
N201 Physiological Concepts of Nursing

This course introduces the student to the physiological concepts of nursing practice across the lifespan. The fundamental aspects of oxygenation, perfusion, acid-based balance, fluid and electrolytes infection, immunity, inflammation, digestion and metabolism are explored. Through the integration of the nursing concepts, along with Tanner's clinical judgment model, the student begins to respond to identified patient problems in the clinical setting. Students engage in clinical experiences in acute medical-surgical units.

10
N301 Complex Individual and Family Nursing Concepts

This course introduces the student to complex individual and family concepts of nursing practice. The course explores dynamic concepts across the lifespan. Family dynamics, reproduction and growth and development alterations are a major focus of the course. Concepts of mental health nursing are explored as they relate to the individual and the overall impact on the family. Through the integration of nursing concepts, along with Tanner's clinical judgment model, the student focuses on assisting the individual and family to adjust to health alterations across the lifespan. Students engage in various clinical experiences in the areas of pediatric, obstetric, geriatric and behavioral health.

11
N320 Advanced Nursing Concepts

This course introduces the student to advanced concepts of nursing practice. The course builds and expands on the concepts of oxygenation, perfusion, metabolism and infection that were previously introduced in Nursing 211. In addition, the advanced concepts of cellular regulation, intracranial regulation and alterations in tissue integrity are explored. Through the integration of nursing concepts, along with Tanner's clinical judgment model, the student engages in advanced clinical decision making in high acuity environments. Students engage in various clinical experiences that take place in stepdown units, critical care units and emergency departments.

8
N340 Transition Into Nursing Practice

This course serves as the student's transition into the role of professional nursing practice. Leadership and management concepts are applied with an emphasis on safety and quality nursing care. Clinical is conducted through a preceptor experience where the student is given the opportunity to manage, delegate and prioritize care for multiple patients.

6
N360 NLCEX Prep Course

This course provides the students with NCLEX preparation through content reviews and test taking strategies.

2
NUR402 Health Policy and Finance for Nurses

This course will explore foundations of policy, finance, legislation, and regulation in complex systems of healthcare. Policy related to health equity, health disparity, and social justice will also be analyzed. Students will strengthen nurse advocacy skills and understanding of the Registered Nurse Scope and Standards of Practice.

3
NUR403W Women's Health Nursing

This course will explore women’s health issues and associated nursing care. A global view of female populations will be highlighted. Nurses will strategize the provision of optimal care in diverse healthcare settings.

3
NUR407 Scholarship Foundations in Nursing

This course will explore scholarly practice in nursing, including research and evidence-based practice. Conducted literature searches will discover support for a student-identified contemporary nursing issue. Ethical principles of nursing research, particularly protection of human subjects and other ethical accountabilities focusing on research utilization and evidence- based practice, will be examined.

3
NUR409W Community Health and Prevention

This course will explore community health, health promotion, and illness prevention across the continuum of care. Students will investigate the nurse’s role in population healthcare as well as public health emergencies and disasters.

3
NUR410 Global, Cultural, and Diverse Populations

This course will explore the student’s understanding and role as a nurse leader in a global society while reflecting on personal and professional values and implicit biases. Ethical, equitable, person- centered, compassionate, and empathetic care opportunities will be examined.

3
NUR411 Geriatric Nursing

Multiple aspects of geriatric health and the aging population will be explored. Specific nursing interventions to promote older adult health will be covered including pharmacological considerations, nutrition, elder abuse, sexuality, coping with loss and grief, health and wellness promotion and the continuum of care.

3
NUR412 Organizational Quality Improvement and Safety

This course will explore the nurse’s foundational role in leading a person-centered healthcare environment through quality improvement and safety measures in collaboration with the interprofessional team. Ethical and cultural considerations related to quality improvement will be analyzed.

3
NUR499W Leadership and Professional Identity Development

This course, which fulfills Chatham’s internship requirement, will explore aspects of leadership, professionalism, and professional identity for nurses. The course synthesizes the knowledge and competencies acquired throughout the program to enable the nurse to implement leadership in the practice setting.

3
IND175 Academic Resources and Strategies for Nurses

This course will explore skills and knowledge that promote academic success for the professional nurse. Topics include retrieving, critiquing, and applying resources, scholarly writing development, academic integrity, time management, and self-care.

2
BIO116 Basic Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab

This is the first of two courses designed for students who need a broad coverage of anatomy and physiology and have little or no background in science. It includes a study of the structure and function of human cells, tissue, organs, and systems. Clinical applications of anatomy and physiology will also be considered. Three hours of lecture and two hours of lab per week. Enrollment in a school of nursing is required.

4
BIO117 Basic Anatomy and Physiology II with lab

This is the second of two courses designed for students who need a broad coverage of anatomy and physiology and have little or no background in science. It includes a study of the structure and function of human cells, tissue, organs, and systems. Clinical applications of anatomy and physiology will also be considered. Three hours of lecture and two hours of lab per week.

Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • BIO116 Basic Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
  • 4