School of Nursing

3001 HUMAN HEALTH BUILDING

(248) 370-4253

Fax: (248) 364-8740

School of Nursing Website

Dean: Judy Didion; Executive Secretary: Eilene Lohmeier

Interim Associate Dean: Carrie Buch; Assistant to Associate Dean: Jill Asselin

Undergraduate Program Director: Kim Kolka

Pre-Licensure Program Coordinator: Lynda Poly-Droulard

RN-BSN Track Coordinator: Kimberly Holka

Graduate Program Director: Meghan Harris

NP Track Director: Colleen Meade-Ripper

Forensic Track Director: Kelly Berishaj

DNP NA Program Director: Anne Hranchook; NA Program Coordinator: Susan Davis

DNP Program Coordinator: Deana Hays

PhD Program Coordinator: Laura Pittiglio

Director of Advising: Jason Pennington

Senior Academic Advisers: Patrina Carper, Sarah Mullin

Academic Advisers: Laura Christensen Saims, Katherine McMullen, Emily Stepanian-Bennett, April Thomas-Powell

Registrar Office Coordinator: Heidi Donnelly

Office Assistant III: Ben Craine

Director of Clinical Services: Sonya Gary

Clinical Services Coordinator: Kathryn Amejka

NP Coordinator: Steven Efthyvoulidis

Clinical Services Assistant: Lori Sullivan

Clinical Data and Procedure Specialist: Roxanne Knudson

Assistant Dean: Michele St Denis; Office Assistant III: Alicia Nott

Business Manager/Financial Analyst: Kenyettera Junior

Payroll Specialist: Cortney Tokarczyk

Director of Philanthropy: Jackie McIntosh

Event Planner: Barbara Pote

Faculty Secretary: Andrea Patton

Office Assistant III: Colleen Tomaszewski

Technical Support Coordinator: NingNing Zheng

Information Technical Specialist: Tom Yoder

Interim Director of Nursing Laboratories: Diane Noack

Professors: Judy Didion, Karen Dunn, Suha Kridli

Associate Professors: Carrie Buch, Judith Fouladbakhsh, Claudia Grobbel, Margaret Harris, Zorica Kauric-Klein, Julie Kruse, Anne Mitchell, Gary Moore, Sarah Newton, Laura Pittiglio

Assistant Professors: Toni Glover, Mary Golinski, Deana Hays, Joanna Hernandez, Anne Hranchook, Cheryl Jusela, Kristen Munyan, Julia Paul, Patricia Petroulias, Lan Yao

Special Instructors: Janith Beres, Kelly Berishaj, Carolyn Tieppo, Kathleen Spencer, Stephanie Vallie

Adjunct Assistant Professors: Lynda Poly-Droulard

Adjunct Instructors: Teresa Chahine, Nicole Clark, Ellen Gajewski, Kimberly Holka, Margaret Kennedy, Colleen Meade Ripper, Renee Mirovsky, Katie Mysen

Visiting Instructors: Elizabeth Eisenhauer, Cheniece Harris-Lyons

Professors Emerita: Frances Jackson, Mary Mittelstaedt, Cheryl Riley-Doucet, Darlene Schott-Baer, Justine Speer, Diane Wilson, Carol Zenas

Maggie Allesee Endowed Professor in Gerontology: Karen Dunn

Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital Foundation Endowed Professor: TBD

Board of Visitors

The School of Nursing (SON) Board of Visitors (BOV) is composed of community leaders from the greater Detroit area. The SON Dean consults with the BOV as needed, the BOV assists the SON with fundraising, and members of the BOV provide generous scholarships for students.

Members of the Board of Visitors are:

Maggie Allesee, MS, Counselor

Maureen Bowman, MA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, VP & CNO, Beaumont Health-Royal Oak

Douglas Dascenzo, MSN, RN, CNO, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland

Shukri David, M.D., FACC, Section Chief for the Division of Cardiology at Providence Hospital and Medical Centers and Medical Director of the Heart & Vascular Center of Excellence at St. John Providence Health System

Judy Didion, PhD, RN, Dean, SON

Tamika Frimpong, Esq., Corporate Counsel, Borg Warner Debbie Guido-Allen, MBA, BSN, RN, NE-BC, FACHE, VP & CNO,Beaumont Health-Troy

Karen Harris, MSN, RN, WHNP-BC, CNO & Operations Executive, Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital

Gregory Jamian, BA, President & CEO, AmeriCare Medical, Inc.

Chris Johnson, BS, Consultant

Shawn Levitt, BSN, MBA, MHSA, RN, FACHE, CPHQ, Senior Vice President and Market Chief Nursing Officer, Detroit Medical Center

Denise McLean, RN, MSN, VP of Nursing and Chief Nursing Officer, Ascension Michigan - St. John Providence-Providence Park Hospitals

Kathleen M. Ryan, RN, MHSA, Vice Chair West Region Board of Trustees for Ascension Michigan - St. John Providence Health System

Michelle Seid, RN, BSN, Volunteer

Nancy Susick, RN, MSN, NE-BC, FACHE, Senior Vice President, Beaumont Health System, and President, Beaumont Health-Troy

Christine Zambricki, CRNA, RN, FAAN, Consultant

Accreditation and Program Review

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing/master’s degree program in nursing/Doctor of Nursing Practice program and/ post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Oakland University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

The baccalaureate pre-licensure program is approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing.

Programs Offered

The School of Nursing offers programs of study leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) degree. Graduates of the undergraduate program pre-licensure tracks (Basic-BSN and Accelerated Second Degree BSN) are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. The undergraduate program prepares students for graduate study in nursing. The following are the BSN tracks available at Oakland University.

Basic track (pre-licensure)
Accelerated Second-Degree track (pre-licensure)
BSN Degree Completion Sequence (RN-BSN, post-licensure)

School of Nursing Mission

The mission of the OU School of Nursing is to prepare transformational leaders committed to caring and using the best evidence in nursing practice, education and research to optimize the health of the public in a diverse ever-changing global society.

School of Nursing Vision Statement

The faculty and graduates of the OU School of Nursing will be recognized as transformational leaders, caring practitioners and scholars who optimize the health and well-being of a diverse global society.

Baccalaureate Program Curriculum Outcomes

The BSN Program Curriculum is based on professional forces; the vision, mission, and values of the faculty; prepares the graduate to practice in a diverse global society; and to:

Apply concepts from the Arts and Sciences in the promotion of health and the management of simple to complex nursing care.
Demonstrate use of the nursing process in clinical decision-making.
Apply principles of patient safety and quality improvement in nursing practice.
Apply principles of wellness, health promotion, disease prevention, rehabilitation, risk reduction, palliative and end-of-life care to individuals, families, communities, and populations.
Demonstrate values-based, ethical professional behaviors that integrate caring, autonomy, integrity, social justice, respect for diversity and human dignity throughout the lifespan.
Use best-evidence in nursing practice.
Demonstrate inter/intra-professional collaboration to optimize health outcomes.
Demonstrate transformational leadership in nursing practice in a variety of settings.
Use knowledge, processes, and skills from informatics to inform clinical decision making.
Apply knowledge of health policy, economics, legal, and political principles to nursing practice.
Demonstrate a commitment to professional development and lifelong learning.

Admission to the Undergraduate Program

All students pursuing admission to the BSN pre-licensure tracks must first gain admission to Oakland University. For additional information on admission requirements for specific degree tracks, please see the Basic-BSN, the Accelerated-Second Degree, and the BSN Degree Completion Sequence sections below.

Transfer Credit

For SON admission purposes, grades for courses taken at other academic institutions will be used to calculate a student’s pre-nursing GPA. Letter grades are converted as follows: A = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0.

Students transferring from another BSN program in good academic standing will have transcripts evaluated for 1:1 course equivalencies.

Basic-BSN Track: Direct Admission (immediately following high school)

Program Link: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Plan of Study

Students selected for direct admission are required to attend OU full-time. During their first year at OU, direct admit students take all of the Basic-BSN prerequisite courses, and are required to achieve a “B” grade or higher in each prerequisite course and must maintain a 3.2 or higher combined GPA in the prerequisite courses. There are 25 seats reserved for direct admit students. The admission process is competitive; therefore, completion of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the Basic-BSN track.

High school seniors who wish to be eligible for the Basic-BSN track by direct admission must satisfy the following requirements:

A high school grade-point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher following the junior year (after six academic semesters);
An SAT composite score of 1160 or higher or an ACT composite score of 24 or higher:

An ACT English score of 24 or higher or SAT equivalent;
An ACT Math score of 24 or higher or SAT equivalent;
An ACT Reading score of 24 or higher;
An ACT Science score of 24 or higher; OR SAT score of 1110 Critical Reading+ Math and SAT score of 550 Writing; and

At least one academic semester of high school Biology and Chemistry completed prior to the senior year with a final course grade of B or higher.
Completed application and acceptance to Oakland University by no later than November 1 of the senior year of high school. There is no additional application required to be considered for direct admission to the Basic-BSN track.

In the first year at OU, direct admit students must maintain a minimum grade of B or higher for all math, science, english, and philosophy courses required for the Basic-BSN track. Any direct admit student who does not successfully complete all of the first year academic requirements will forfeit his/her seat. Students who forfeit their direct admit seat will need to re-apply to the SON Basic-BSN track on a competitive basis following successful completion of the Basic-BSN track admission requirements.

Basic-BSN Track: Competitive Admission

Program Link: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Plan of Study

Admission to the Basic-BSN track is competitive; therefore, completion of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the SON. Students who wish to apply to the Basic-BSN track on a competitive basis must first satisfy the following minimum requirements:

Complete BIO 1200 , BIO 2006 ; CHM 1040 , CHM 2010 , and PSY 1000 with a grade of B or higher in each course and a GPA of 3.2 or higher for these five (5) courses.
Complete one philosophy course (PHL 1100 , PHL 1000 or PHL 1300 ) with a grade of B or higher.
Complete WRT 1060 with a grade of B or higher
Complete MTH 0661 or an approved statistics course with a grade of B or higher. (The math requirement is waived for students who receive a score of 480 or higher on the math subsection of the SAT or a score of 18 or higher on the math subsection of the ACT or who have taken an Oakland University placement test and placed into MTH 0662 or higher.)

Applicants to the SON Basic-BSN track must be in good academic standing in the university. Additional consideration is given to applicants who complete five or more of the required prerequisite courses (excluding math) at Oakland University. For admission purposes, Basic-BSN prerequisite courses that are satisfied by Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses will count as courses taken at Oakland University. Please refer to the OU AP and IB policies for approved equivalents.

Applicants who have been dismissed from a nursing program or who have ever received two (or more) grades in nursing courses below B must attain SON permission to apply to the Competitive BSN Track. For more information, contact SON Academic Advising .

Accelerated Second-Degree BSN track

Program Link: Accelerated Second Degree Plan of Study (BSN) Track

Students applying to the Accelerated Second-Degree (ASD) BSN track are first required to apply to OU as a pre-accelerated second-degree student. Following admission to OU as a pre-accelerated second-degree student, the following minimum requirements must be satisfied before students may apply to the ASD track:

Complete BIO 1200 , BIO 2006 , CHM 1040 , CHM 2010 , and PSY 1000 with a grade of B or higher in each course and a GPA of 3.2 or higher for these five (5) courses.
Complete one philosophy course (PHL 1100 , PHL 1000 or PHL 1300 ) with a grade of B or higher.
Complete MTH 0661 (or higher level) or an approved statistics course with a minimum grade of B or higher.

Completion of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the ASD BSN track.

Applicants who have been dismissed from a nursing program or who have ever received two (or more) grades in nursing courses below B must attain SON permission to apply to the Accelerated Second-Degree BSN Track. For more information, contact SON Academic Advising.

BSN Degree Completion Sequence (RN-BSN Track)

Program Link: BSN Degree Completion Sequence (RN-BSN) Track

The School of Nursing offers an RN-BSN track for registered nurses with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) and who possess a valid and unrestricted RN license. A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher from the student’s ADN program is required for unconditional admission to the RN-BSN track. Students seeking admission to the RN-BSN track must apply to the university through the OU Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The School of Nursing will verify the applicant’s unrestricted RN license. Students admitted to the RN-BSN track will be required to meet all Oakland University general education requirements and should seek guidance regarding transcript evaluation and obtaining the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) through the School of Nursing Academic Advising office.

Applicants who have been dismissed from a nursing program or who have ever received two (or more) grades in nursing courses below B must attain SON permission to apply to the BSN Degree Completion Sequence (RN-BSN Track). For more information, contact SON Academic Advising.

Undergraduate Program Policies and Procedures

Students admitted to the SON undergraduate program should consult the SON Undergraduate Program Student Handbook for information regarding program policies and procedures.

Academic Advising

All students admitted to the Basic-BSN and ASD tracks are required to attend a mandatory SON orientation run by the SON Academic Advising office. Students are encouraged to meet regularly with their academic adviser to discuss academic issues and/or concerns.

Clinical Health Requirements for BSN Students

A student’s ability to start and/or remain in the Basic-BSN and ASD tracks is contingent upon successful completion of all of the SON clinical health requirements and their ability to satisfy the SON core performance standards. Newly admitted pre-licensure students who do not submit the required clinical health documentation by the published due date will forfeit their seat and will need to re-apply. Continuing students who do not submit the required clinical health documentation by the published due date will not be allowed to enroll in any clinical nursing courses and the corresponding didactic course(s), and their progression in the nursing curriculum may be delayed. The SON clinical health requirements are available on the SON website. In addition, a criminal background check and a urine drug screen are required for admission to the SON. A positive criminal background check and/or drug screen may prevent admission to the SON. Students are responsible for all costs associated with the SON clinical health requirements. Students are encouraged to maintain their own health insurance. Please note that payment for injury or illness that occurs while in the nursing program will be the responsibility of the student.

Clinical Placements

The SON provides students with a range of clinical experiences with diverse populations, organizations, and agencies. The SON’s clinical partners are located in urban and suburban settings throughout metropolitan Detroit and southeastern Michigan. Each student is responsible for providing his/her own transportation to all clinical experiences.

Leave of Absence

Students can request a leave of absence (LOA) in the SON for personal or academic reasons for a total of 12 months. Students who wish to take a LOA in the SON must meet with their SON academic adviser. A student’s return from a LOA is contingent upon availability of space. Students who return from LOA must comply with all SON policies in effect at the time they return and their clinical health requirements must be current with the SON.

Withdrawal from BSN Program

Students can withdraw from their respective BSN track for personal or academic reasons. Students who wish to withdraw from their track must contact their SON academic adviser and submit a SON Withdrawal form.

Qualification for Registered Nurse Licensure

Registered Nurse licensure is granted by the State of Michigan. Requirements for licensure include successful completion of a state-approved nursing educational program and satisfactory performance on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Student Nursing Organizations

Sigma Theta Tau International -Theta Psi Chapter (STTI)

The OU chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, Theta Psi, was chartered in April 1986. Each year SON students who are eligible are invited to become members of this international nursing honor society. Candidates for membership are selected on the basis of scholastic achievement.

Student Nurses Association of Oakland University (SNAOU)

Nursing students are eligible for and encouraged to become members of the SNAOU. This organization provides undergraduate nursing students the opportunity to interact with other nursing students, engage in professional nursing activities, and network with SON faculty and administrators.

Black Student Nurses Association (BSNA)

The purpose of this organization is to give students an opportunity to promote unity among minorities and other students by providing a support network for pre-nursing and current nursing students. BSNA allows members to increase their professional networking skills and helps educate and inform the community about health issues that affect minorities.

Schedule of Classes

Specific offerings for each semester may be found in the Schedule of Classes.