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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

 1. Question:  What is the mission of WBU Department of Nursing?

Answer:  The Wayland Baptist University Department of Nursing derives its mission from the purpose of WBU, which is to educate students in an academically challenging and distinctively Christian environment for professional success, lifelong learning and service to God and humankind. The Department of Nursing strives to prepare baccalaureate nursing graduates that are competent and caring in the delivery of patient care in a diverse health care environment. 

2. Question:  What type of accreditation does WBU have for this nursing program?

Answer:  The National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (Candidate Status). 

3. Question:  How often do classes start, and what are the application deadlines?

Answer:  The online BSN program admits students four times a year, with start dates in February, May, August, and November. The terms are 11 weeks long.

Deadlines for Admission:

·  Fall Enrollment – July 1

·  Winter Enrollment – October 1

·  Spring Enrollment – January 3

·  Summer Enrollment – April 3

For Spring 2010 and the online BSN only, the application deadline is extended to February 1, 2010. 

4. Question: How is this BSN program taught and delivered?

Answer: The program will be delivered primarily through asynchronous online instruction using the Blackboard learning system. Additional delivery methods may include videoconferences, chat sessions, and webinars.

The required clinical portion of the curriculum is offered in San Antonio at a variety of hospitals and healthcare settings to provide diverse learning and patient care experiences.  

5. Question:  Do students have to travel to a WBU campus at any time during this program?  If so, when, and for how long?

Answer:   Students will come three times to the WBU campus in San Antonio, Texas. The first trip will be approximately five days at the beginning of the program for orientation and to begin Fundamentals of Nursing, The next visit is during the middle of the program, for 2 days for nursing skill development and validation. The final visit is at the beginning of their last term to prepare for graduation, receive forms to register for the NCLEX-RN, have review sessions for the NCLEX-RN, and take a pre-NCLEX-RN test. The session is approximately 2 days long. For each visit, arrive the evening before because the activities start at 9:00am the first day.

Travel for clinical rotations will vary over the 7 terms from 2-4 trips each term. The typical schedule for clinical will be TH-F-S-S.

6. Question:  What is tuition for the program?  What about other fees?

Answer:  The tuition for the program is $45,000. Tuition for the entire program is due the first day of class. 

Additional, nursing-specific fees include

· Standardized tests and NCLEX-RN preparation ($700)

· Nursing skills lab supplies ($250)

· Books (estimated at $2,000) 

Other university fees may apply. 

7. Question:  What are the degree requirements?

Answer:  Students must be accepted into the program before beginning nursing courses. A student must have an overall prerequisite grade point average of 2.5 or higher for admission into the program. The initial GPA calculation is based on all the required general academic courses completed.

The most common missing general academic courses are:

· World Literature

· Old Testament History

· New Testament History

· Computer Applications 

Options for completing selected WBU general education requirements are listed under CLEP/DANTES Examinations at http://www.wbu.edu/academics/academic_resources/credit_by_exam/

Students must complete all the science courses before starting the nursing courses and only have a maximum of 9 general academic courses that must be completed by the end of the 3^rd term. Students will NOT be allowed to progress until all non-nursing courses are completed.   

All nursing courses are sequential and must be passed with a grade of C or better before continuing to the next one. Student must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 to remain enrolled in the nursing program.

8. Question:  I am currently at Hardin-Simmons University (HSU).  How will WBU treat students, currently enrolled in HSU, who wish to transfer and complete their BSN degrees at WBU?

Answer:  They will be considered transfer students.  Depending on how far along you are in your program at HSU, it may not be possible to transfer to WBU.  WBU must evaluate your transcript to make this determination.  Information that is specific for these prospective students may be found in the University Catalog, available at http://www.wbu.edu/academics/academic_resources/course_catalog, and the School of Nursing Handbook at http://www.wbu.edu/academics/schools/nursing/handbook/NursingHandBook09_10.pdf.  Students wishing to transfer should send their transcripts with a cover letter referencing your transfer from the HSU online BSN program to:  Dr. Diane Frazor, Dean, School of Nursing at bsn@wbu.edu 

9. Question:  How long does it take to complete the program?

Answer: The nursing courses are taken over seven, 11 week terms. Students who have completed all the general education requirements will complete the program in 7 terms (21 months). Students must take all the nursing courses that are part of a term to progress to the next term. There 1-3 nursing courses each term.   

10. Question: Is there an option if I cannot take all the nursing courses required for a term?

Answer: Students may request a leave of absence if they are unable to take and complete the nursing courses in a term. When they return, they will start the sequence of courses needed to complete the program. Leave of absence requests are done on a case-by-case basis after evaluating an individual student’s request.  

11. Question:  What is the maximum length of time a student can take to complete the program?

Answer: The maximum length of time is 4 years to complete the nursing courses for the BSN degree.

12. Question:  What courses must I have before entering the BSN program?

Answer:  There are 74 semester credit hours of general academic and pre-nursing core courses.  For a list of the specific general academic and prerequisite nursing courses, go to http://www.sa.wbu.edu/bsn/genericBSN.htm. 

13. Question:  How many hours is the online BSN program?

Answer:  There are a total of 60 credit hours of nursing courses.  For a list of these courses, please visit http://www.sa.wbu.edu/bsn/genericBSN.htm 

14. Question:  How are general academic requirements evaluated, and what if I lack certain requirements?

Answer:  All completed general academic core courses will be verified by a nursing advisor. 

Transcripts from all schools attended must be submitted to complete an evaluation.

There is a form to request transcripts from other institutions at http://www.sa.wbu.edu/forms/forms.htm. 

Students who have any general academic courses remaining may take two nursing courses and a maximum of three general academic courses. Any general education requirements must be completed by the end of the third term to progress in the nursing program. 

Students who have any general education courses remaining can choose to complete them before starting the nursing courses.

Applicants who have more than nine general academic courses remaining will be advised to complete those before starting nursing courses. WBU offers general education courses on-line. Tuition for online general education courses is currently $795 for 3 credits (plus fees).  Complete the application process, finish general education courses, and be ready to apply for the Online BSN program.

15. Question:  What is the BSN degree plan?

Answer:  The courses required for the program are:

General Academic Core

·         ENGL 1301 Composition and Rhetoric

·         ENGL 1302 Composition and Reading

·         ENGL 2301 English Literature or

·         ENGL 2302 American Literature

·         ENGL 2303 World Literature

·         HIST 2301 U.S. History to 1877

·         HIST 2302 U.S. History since 1877

·         MATH 1304 College Algebra

·         MATH 1306 Elementary Statistics

·         RLGN 1301 Old Testament History

·         RLGN 1302 New Testament History

·         COSC 2311 Computer Applications

·         POLS 2301 Federal and State Government

·         COMS 1301 Speech Communication

·         BIOL 3408 Human Anatomy and Physiology I

·         BIOL 3409 Human Anatomy and Physiology II

·         BIOL 3410 Microbiology

·         CHEM 1401 General Chemistry I

·         SOCI 1301 Introduction to Sociology

·         PSYC 1301 General Psychology

·         PSYC 2301 Developmental Psychology

·         Foreign Language (3 semester hours)

·         EXSS courses (3 semester hours)

·         Fine Arts Elective (3 semester hours)

Nursing Courses

·         NURS 3622  Fundamentals of Nursing

·         NURS 3424  Pharmacology

·         NURS 3421  Health Assessment

·         NURS 3410  Health Promotion and Maintenance

·         NURS 3833  Adult Health I

·         NURS 3335 Mental Health Nursing

·         NURS 3423 Childbearing Family

·         NURS 4423  Pediatric Nursing

·         NURS 4348  Nursing Theories and Research

·         NURS 4653  Adult Health II

·         NURS 4332  Ethical and Legal Issues in Nursing

·         NURS 4535  Community and Public Health Nursing

·         NURS 4343  Leadership and Management

·         NURS 4211  Current Issues in Nursing

The courses must be sequential, passing each course with a C or better before continuing on to the next one.  A C will be a grade of 75 or better.

16. Question:  What is the admission process?

Answer:  Go to http://www.sa.wbu.edu/academic/adm.htm for admission information, the check-list of what is required, and the online application.  Applicants to the BSN Online Program are not required to pay an application fee.  

17. Question:  Is financial aid available?

Answer:  Yes.  Financial aid questions can be addressed with the Financial Services office on the main campus in Plainview by calling (806) 291-3520. When applicants are admitted to WBU, the Financial Aid Office on the main campus will continue to provide service.

Applicants should explore various options for financial aid because Federal Student Aid may not cover all tuition and charges. Starting the process early is essential to ensure that funds from private and governmental sources are sufficient. 

18. Question:  How do I access the online portion of the program?

Answer: The Virtual Campus uses Blackboard for delivery of all online classes. This learning management system, in use at WBU since 2001, provides for student-to-student, student-to-teacher, and student-to-content interaction. Some of the many tools include discussion boards (threaded message boards), lecture notes, grade book, testing, journals, wikis, and email/ message functions.  Once you are admitted to the university, you will be given access to the Blackboard system with an access code, complete a tutorial, and be assigned to your classes. 

19. Question:  What are the technical requirements for the online classes?

Answer:  The WBU Help Desk was developed as a knowledge-base to guide you through questions you may have as you take online classes. The site is continually updated with new information and solutions as needed. Check out the web site: http://www.wbu.edu/academics/online_programs/Help%20Desk/default.html 

20. Question:  How can I be sure that I have completed all necessary requirements for accessing my online courses?

Answer:  Once you are admitted, you will receive instructions how to register for your classes.  You need to be a student to actually enter the different virtual campus systems. The following site has some general information: http://www.wbu.edu/academics/online_programs/Help%20Desk/default.html 

21. Question:  How do I buy textbooks for my courses?

Answer:  WBU has an online bookstore where you can buy/sell used and new textbooks.  They will be delivered to you. You will be given specific instructions once you are registered for courses.

22. Question: What is the refund policy if I withdraw from the program?

Answer: The refund policy for students who officially withdraw or are suspended from the program is:

100% refund prior to the beginning of the first term of attendance,

85% refund through the fifth day of class of the first term of attendance,

75% refund through the 17^th day of class of the first day of attendance,

60% refund through the final day of class of the first term of attendance, 40% refund through the end of the second term of attendance.

Last Updated 05/28/2010 03:06 PM