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Nursing

Dean: Dr. Rhoberta Haley

Associate Dean: Dr. Pamela Smith

Program Advisors:  Dr. Kathleen Burger, Denise Cooper, Dr. Jeremy Creekmore, Dr. Jan DeMasters, Ed Espinosa, Lory Gaskill, Denise Hackman, Dr. Edna Magpantay-Monroe, Dr. Jennifer Nafarrete, Dr. Lorin Ramocki, Dr. Julieta Rosado, Dr. Pamela Smith, Dr. Becky Yoza

Relation to the University Mission and Identity

The Nursing Program at Chaminade University recognizes its Catholic/Marianist tradition and strives to promote the principles that make Chaminade a unique place for nursing education. These principles include educating for formation in faith, hope, and love; providing quality education; maintaining and developing a family spirit and sense of community; providing service and working towards a peaceful and just world; and preparing students for adaptation and change. The cohort approach to the program encourages and fosters a sense of community amongst its members. Quality education is the goal as we seek to prepare competent nurses who will work towards improving the human condition and promoting and leading the profession of nursing.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Chaminade University provides students with foundational nursing knowledge and skill necessary for professional nursing practice in a liberal arts and values-based educational environment. The program is committed to the holistic development of its students: intellectually, spiritually, physically, emotionally, and socially.

The Catholic, Marianist, identity of Chaminade University emphasizes preparation for life, service, and career success. Within this framework, a vocational and professional emphasis characterizes the Chaminade School of Nursing. The Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program prepares students for work in a variety of health care settings within Hawaii, the Pacific region, the U.S. mainland, and globally. The demographic intake of the School of Nursing reflects that of Chaminade (a Federally-designated Native Hawaiian serving institution), with a significant proportion of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students. An emphasis on cultural competence, and on the significance of post-graduate contributions to society, leads Chaminade nursing graduates to contribute to the health and wellness of their communities and to a reduction of healthcare disparities in the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations.

Mission Statement

The School of Nursing lives out the mission of the University by educating students to be competent and caring nursing professional who will promote health and high standards of practice, decrease health-related disparities in society, and enhance quality of life for their patients in a dynamic health care environment.

Goals

The goals of the Nursing Program are congruent with the University’s academic vision and are as follows:

  1. Provide a program leading to a baccalaureate degree in nursing, in which students are able to achieve the knowledge, skills, an Marianist values necessary for professional nursing practice and leadership in health care.

  2. Ensure an educational foundation in the biological, physical, and social sciences as well as in the humanities all of which are essential to professional nursing practice

  3. Foster an attitude of intellectual and critical inquiry that promotes evidence-based practice

  4. Provide an educational experience that emphasizes engagement of students through active learning

  5. Create a collegial environment that fosters professional development of students including life-long learning scholarship, and leadership

  6. Prepare students for professional nursing roles in a dynamic health care environment

  7. Prepare students to sit for the NCLEX examination and practice as a professional Registered Nurse

  8. Provide a foundation for graduate study

Admission

Chaminade University of Honolulu welcomes applications from all students who have the ability, motivation, and preparation to benefit from a bachelor’s degree in nursing. New students are accepted to the Nursing Major annually in the Fall Semester.. Selection for the program is a competitive process. 

The following requirements must be met in order for a student to be considered for acceptance into the nursing major:

  • Minimum GPA 2.75 (high school or college)

  • Minimum SAT 1050 (Optional)

  • Minimum ACT 20 (Optional)

  • Chemistry: One year of high school chemistry (or equivalent) with a grade of “C” or better

  • Biology: Completion of high school biology (or equivalent) with a grade of “C” or better

  • Algebra II: Completion of high school algebra II (or equivalent) with a grade of “C” or better

Required documents include high school transcript and all transcripts from colleges/universities previously attended. Candidates must also complete a personal statement (250-300 words) in which they describe their interest in nursing, specifically at the Chaminade School of Nursing & Health Professions, and any related extracurricular activities that have prepared the applicant for their career goals. Candidates must also provide 2 letters of recommendation. All students who meet the above requirements will become part of the pool of students who are eligible for acceptance into the Nursing Major. Those deemed most qualified will be accepted as Nursing majors based on space available basis.

Once a student is admitted as a Nursing Major to the Nursing program, the student remains a Nursing major as long as he/she meets the requirements for progression. Students not admitted to the Bachelor of Science in  Nursing program may subsequently reapply for admission.

This program leads to eligibility to apply for professional licensure in all 50 states.

Progression

Students need to maintain a GPA of 2.50 throughout the course of study and earn a grade of C or better in BI 131, BI 151, BI 151L, BI 152, BI 152L, BI 162, BI 162L, BI 216, CH 254, CH 254L, MA 100 and all nursing (NUR) courses to progress.

If a student earns a grade less than a "C" in BI 131, BI 151, BI 151L, BI 152, BI 152L, BI 162, BI 162L, BI 216, CH 254, CH 254L, or MA 100, the student must repeat the course and achieve a grade of "C" or higher in order to progress in the nursing curriculum. The student may only repeat the course one time.

If a student earns a grade of less than "C" in any clinical nursing (NUR) course, the student will be placed on probation and may repeat the course one time (with no withdrawal). If the student does not attain a grade of C or better at that time, the student will be dismissed from the program, subject to review by the Dean, School of Nursing and Health Professions. 

If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.50, the student is placed on probation from the Nursing Program. Any future incidence where the same student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.50 may result in a dismissal from the program.

If a student receives less than a “C” in a clinical course, the student may not move on to another clinical course. The student must repeat the clinical course, attain a grade of “C” or better to progress in the nursing curriculum, or be dismissed from the program.

If a student receives an Incomplete “I” in a Nursing course, the student may not progress to subsequent Nursing courses in the curriculum.

Permission is required in order to repeat a class that is required for the major due to clinical space and demand limitations. It is important that students seek advising to be successful in Nursing courses.

If a student requests permission to repeat a Nursing class required for the major, the student must first meet with their Nursing advisor to create a plan of success. A letter requesting space-available registration must be submitted to the Dean, School of Nursing & Health Professions. 

  1. A student must submit a letter to the Dean, School of Nursing & Health Professions requesting to repeat the required course. The letter should include the following information: what course the student is requesting to repeat, rationale for why the student should be allowed to repeat, and a plan for success. 

  2. The student may be required to meet with the Dean, School of Nursing & Health Professions, to discuss their request after submission of the request.

Withdrawal from Nursing courses

Nursing majors may withdraw from a Nursing (NUR) course only one time, and then must successfully complete the course with a grade of “C” or better to progress in the program. Individual circumstances may be subject to review by the Dean, School of Nursing and Health Professions, for additional consideration.

Withdrawal from the School of Nursing

  • Students withdrawing from the Nursing program for any reason must meet with the Dean, School of Nursing & Health Professions, to initiate the withdrawal process.

  • If a student has not responded to contact from their Nursing advisor or the School of Nursing office, and has been inactive or not enrolled in classes in the School of Nursing &Health Professions for a semester, the student will automatically be withdrawn from the Nursing program.

Re-admission

Re-admission after withdrawal for any reason will be determined by the Dean, School of Nursing & Health Professions, based on the individual circumstances related to the reason for withdrawal from the School of Nursing & Health Professions on a space-available basis. A student must submit a letter to the Dean, School of Nursing & Health Professions requesting readmission to the School of Nursing & Health Professions. The letter should include the following information:

  1. When and why the student withdrew from the program

  2. Rationale for why the student should be re-admitted

  3. A plan for success to be placed in the student record.

The student must also meet with the Dean, School of Nursing & Health Professions, to discuss possible re-admission.

Dismissal

Grounds for dismissal from the nursing program are determined by, but not limited to the following:

  • After repeating a required clinical course one time and not achieving a grade of “C” or higher;

  • Failure to disclose health or legal information;

  • Failure to maintain confidentiality;

  • Inability to maintain the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50;

  • Violations of student policies as described in the School of Nursing & Health Professions BSN Program Student Handbook.

Once a student is dismissed they cannot be readmitted into the nursing program. Dismissal is final.