College of Nursing

Overview

 

Introduction

Your doctoral education is guided by policies of the UMSL Graduate School. Graduate School policies must be followed because the UMSL Graduate School awards your doctoral degree. Many of these policies and procedures are tailored to meet the need of doctoral students in College of Nursing. This Doctoral Student Handbook provides links to these policies and includes additional college-related guidelines. All doctoral students in nursing first complete their program-specific coursework. This is followed by a comprehensive examination that is designed to assess your readiness to complete your doctoral research project. You will prepare a written proposal and present it to your peers and faculty. Your proposal, after IRB approval, is implemented and your findings are also presented to your peers and faculty. Your doctoral studies are completed after the dissertation is approved and published. For PhD students, this culminating project is referred to as the student's dissertation and for DNP students it is referred to as the clinical scholarship project. The focus of these degree-specific documents is specified under the headings for each of our doctoral programs.

History

The University of Missouri System

The University of Missouri is a public university system (System) consisting of four campuses : the University of Missouri-Columbia (UMC), the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), Missouri University of Science and Technology at Rolla, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis (University). The System was established in 1839 and today enrolls more than 64,000 students on the four campuses. It is considered a public, land grant, research university whose mission focuses on education, research, service, and economic development to serve people throughout the state and beyond.

The University of Missouri St. Louis

The University, established in 1963, is the newest of the four campuses. In addition to its mission to advance knowledge as part of a comprehensive research university, this University has a special mission determined by its urban location and shared land-grant tradition. The University works in partnership with other community institutions to help the St. Louis region progress and prosper. Through its eight schools and colleges, the campus provides opportunities for people of the metropolitan area, including the economically disadvantaged, to receive high quality and accessible liberal arts, career, professional, and graduate education. More than 15,500 students are enrolled at the University, and over 1,400 full- and part- time faculty members are employed. The campus includes over 70 buildings on 350 acres. Bifurcated by Natural Bridge Road, north campus includes the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Fine Arts and Communications, Business, the Graduate School, and the Division of Continuing Education. South campus includes the Colleges of Nursing, Education, Optometry, and the School of Social Work. It is important to note that the University is the only public doctoral degree granting research four-year institution in the St. Louis metropolitan area. More specifically, it is the only public four-year institution offering baccalaureate, masters and doctoral education in nursing.

The University of Missouri St. Louis College of Nursing

Founded in 1981, the College of Nursing (College) is one of eight academic colleges and schools at the University. The administration, faculty, and staff of the College hold themselves responsible for promoting the Universitys mission of excellence in teaching, research, and service. The College also has a long history of cooperative relationships with the two other schools of nursing in the System and with clinical and community health agencies in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The Colleges first degree program was the RN-BSN program. This program provided registered nurses with diploma or associate degrees an opportunity to complete the coursework necessary to earn a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing degree.

In 1993, the University received independent degree granting authority for the Masters of Science in Nursing degree program following several years of participation in a cooperative MSN program with the UMKC School of Nursing. The current MSN degree program maintains a cooperative relationship with UMKC and UMC; however, the University awards the MSN degree to students enrolled in its own program. Currently, MSN students can enroll in the nurse educator option which includes a focus on advanced nursing practice; or students may chose to enroll in a nurse practitioner option which includes emphases on family, adult, pediatric, neonatal, or womens health. In Spring 2007, the College had undergone an internal five year review in which one of the recommendations was to reduce the number of programs offered to better utilize faculty time and expertise. Although the College is currently approved for a clinical nurse specialist emphasis area and a nurse leader (administration) emphasis area, admissions have been suspended for these two areas in response to this recommendation. Graduate faculty members plan to reassess these emphasis areas in the near future to determine if demand is sufficient.

In 1993, a proposal was made for a merger between Barnes College of Nursing and the University. Barnes College (BC), a single purpose degree-granting institution associated with Barnes Hospital, offered a generic baccalaureate nursing degree. The merger was approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing and the Missouri Coordinating Board of Higher Education. Student policies, records, and admission procedures were transferred to University services. BC faculty members were offered University faculty appointments. Both faculties of the two college programs combined to form cooperative committees to address organizational and procedural issues related to the merger.

In 1994, the merger was completed and the new program was named the Barnes College of Nursing at UM- St. Louis. For the 1994-95 academic year, operations and location of the pre-licensure BSN program continued on the BC campus. Students were officially enrolled at UMSL and received access to all services offered by the University. Students took nursing courses at the BC facilities and general education courses on the UMSL campus. In Fall 1995, all aspects of the pre-licensure program were relocated to the Universitys campus. By that time, the Barnes College of Nursing had begun offering a cooperative PhD program with the UMC and UMKC schools of nursing. Each awarded individual degrees but had a common curriculum, making it easier to share courses. Although the curricula now differ, collaborative efforts have been maintained through selected shared courses and faculty members participation on doctoral student committees across the campuses.

In 2005, Barnes-Jewish Hospital exercised the option to withdraw from the University partnership and reclaim the name Barnes. The current nursing education program is now designated as the College of Nursing at the University of Missouri St. Louis. In 2008, the College offered a Doctor of Nursing Practice program supported, in part, by an Advanced Nurse Education Training Grant from the Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources Services Administration. The program began with six students as a post-masters program and will be evaluated for initial CCNE accreditation in Fall 2010.

In May 2009, the Missouri state legislature, concerned with the continuing shortage of health professionals in the state, approved nearly $40 million dollars for use by public community colleges and universities for one time expansions of selected health professions programs. Over the next two years, the College will receive $1,766,000 to fund an expansion of the pre-licensure BSN option by 16 students, the MSN program by 10 students, and the PhD program by 5 students. The initiative is known as Caring for Missourians.

The College has been continuously accredited since 1983. The College was first accredited by the National League for Nursing. In 1998, the College sought accreditation from the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education and received full accreditation in 1999. In 2010, CCNE approved the College for continuing accreditation of the baccalaureate and masters degree programs through 2020. The Doctor of Nursing Practice program, initiated in 2007, will be reviewed for accreditation in Fall, 2010. The pre-licensure BSN option is fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing through 2014. The pediatric nurse practitioner emphasis area is approved by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board through 2014. The neonatal nurse practitioner and womens health nurse practitioner emphasis areas are approved by the National Certification Corporation.

Retrieved May 1, 2010 from http://www.umsystem.edu/

Retrieved May 1, 2010 from http://www.umsl.edu/about/index.html

Missouri Nurse Practice Act

The State of Missouri Nurse Practice Act governs the practice of professional nurses in Missouri. Section 335.066 pertains to refusal to issue or revocation of license. It is important that students become familiar with this section of the Act. In Missouri, refer to sections 335.066 and 335.046 http://www.pr.mo.gov/nursing-rules-statutes.asp

Missouri Revised Statutes

Chapter 335
Nurses
Section 335.046

August 28, 2007

License, application for--qualifications for, fee--hearing on denial of license.
335.046. 1. An applicant for a license to practice as a registered professional nurse shall submit to the board a written application on forms furnished to the applicant. The original application shall contain the applicant's statements showing the applicant's education and other such pertinent information as the board may require. The applicant shall be of good moral character and have completed at least the high school course of study, or the equivalent thereof as determined by the state board of education, and have successfully completed the basic professional curriculum in an accredited or approved school of nursing and earned a professional nursing degree or diploma. Each application shall contain a statement that it is made under oath or affirmation and that its representations are true and correct to the best knowledge and belief of the person signing same, subject to the penalties of making a false affidavit or declaration. Applicants from non-English-speaking lands shall be required to submit evidence of proficiency in the English language. The applicant must be approved by the board and shall pass an examination as required by the board. The board may require by rule as a requirement for licensure that each applicant shall pass an oral or practical examination. Upon successfully passing the examination, the board may issue to the applicant a license to practice nursing as a registered professional nurse. The applicant for a license to practice registered professional nursing shall pay a license fee in such amount as set by the board. The fee shall be uniform for all applicants. Applicants from foreign countries shall be licensed as prescribed by rule.

2. An applicant for license to practice as a licensed practical nurse shall submit to the board a written application on forms furnished to the applicant. The original application shall contain the applicant's statements showing the applicant's education and other such pertinent information as the board may require. Such applicant shall be of good moral character, and have completed at least two years of high school, or its equivalent as established by the state board of education, and have successfully completed a basic prescribed curriculum in a state-accredited or approved school of nursing, earned a nursing degree, certificate or diploma and completed a course approved by the board on the role of the practical nurse. Each application shall contain a statement that it is made under oath or affirmation and that its representations are true and correct to the best knowledge and belief of the person signing same, subject to the penalties of making a false affidavit or declaration. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries shall be required to submit evidence of their proficiency in the English language. The applicant must be approved by the board and shall pass an examination as required by the board. The board may require by rule as a requirement for licensure that each applicant shall pass an oral or practical examination. Upon successfully passing the examination, the board may issue to the applicant a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse. The applicant for a license to practice licensed practical nursing shall pay a fee in such amount as may be set by the board. The fee shall be uniform for all applicants. Applicants from foreign countries shall be licensed as prescribed by rule.

3. Upon refusal of the board to allow any applicant to sit for either the registered professional nurses' examination or the licensed practical nurses' examination, as the case may be, the board shall comply with the provisions of section 621.120, RSMo, and advise the applicant of his or her right to have a hearing before the administrative hearing commission. The administrative hearing commission shall hear complaints taken pursuant to section 621.120, RSMo.

4. The board shall not deny a license because of sex, religion, race, ethnic origin, age or political affiliation.

(L. 1975 S.B. 108 8, A.L. 1981 S.B. 16, A.L. 1995 S.B. 452, A.L. 1999 H.B. 343)

Copyright Missouri General Assembly


Missouri Revised Statutes

Chapter 335
Nurses
Section 335.066

August 28, 2007


Denial, revocation, or suspension of license, grounds for, civil immunity for providing information--complaint procedures.
335.066. 1. The board may refuse to issue or reinstate any certificate of registration or authority, permit or license required pursuant to chapter 335 for one or any combination of causes stated in subsection 2 of this section or the board may, as a condition to issuing or reinstating any such permit or license, require a person to submit himself or herself for identification, intervention, treatment, or rehabilitation by the impaired nurse program as provided in section 335.067. The board shall notify the applicant in writing of the reasons for the refusal and shall advise the applicant of his or her right to file a complaint with the administrative hearing commission as provided by chapter 621, RSMo.
2. The board may cause a complaint to be filed with the administrative hearing commission as provided by chapter 621, RSMo, against any holder of any certificate of registration or authority, permit or license required by sections 335.011 to 335.096 or any person who has failed to renew or has surrendered his or her certificate of registration or authority, permit or license for any one or any combination of the following causes:
(1) Use or unlawful possession of any controlled substance, as defined in chapter 195, RSMo, or alcoholic beverage to an extent that such use impairs a person's ability to perform the work of any profession licensed or regulated by sections 335.011 to 335.096;
(2) The person has been finally adjudicated and found guilty, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, in a criminal prosecution pursuant to the laws of any state or of the United States, for any offense reasonably related to the qualifications, functions or duties of any profession licensed or regulated pursuant to sections 335.011 to 335.096, for any offense an essential element of which is fraud, dishonesty or an act of violence, or for any offense involving moral turpitude, whether or not sentence is imposed;
(3) Use of fraud, deception, misrepresentation or bribery in securing any certificate of registration or authority, permit or license issued pursuant to sections 335.011 to 335.096 or in obtaining permission to take any examination given or required pursuant to sections 335.011 to 335.096;
(4) Obtaining or attempting to obtain any fee, charge, tuition or other compensation by fraud, deception or misrepresentation;
(5) Incompetency, misconduct, gross negligence, fraud, misrepresentation or dishonesty in the performance of the functions or duties of any profession licensed or regulated by sections 335.011 to 335.096;
(6) Violation of, or assisting or enabling any person to violate, any provision of sections 335.011 to 335.096, or of any lawful rule or regulation adopted pursuant to sections 335.011 to 335.096;
(7) Impersonation of any person holding a certificate of registration or authority, permit or license or allowing any person to use his or her certificate of registration or authority, permit, license or diploma from any school;
(8) Disciplinary action against the holder of a license or other right to practice any profession regulated by sections 335.011 to 335.096 granted by another state, territory, federal agency or country upon grounds for which revocation or suspension is authorized in this state;
(9) A person is finally adjudged insane or incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction;
(10) Assisting or enabling any person to practice or offer to practice any profession licensed or regulated by sections 335.011 to 335.096 who is not registered and currently eligible to practice pursuant to sections 335.011 to 335.096;
(11) Issuance of a certificate of registration or authority, permit or license based upon a material mistake of fact;
(12) Violation of any professional trust or confidence;
(13) Use of any advertisement or solicitation which is false, misleading or deceptive to the general public or persons to whom the advertisement or solicitation is primarily directed;
(14) Violation of the drug laws or rules and regulations of this state, any other state or the federal government;
(15) Placement on an employee disqualification list or other related restriction or finding pertaining to employment within a health-related profession issued by any state or federal government or agency following final disposition by such state or federal government or agency;
(16) Failure to successfully complete the impaired nurse program.
3. After the filing of such complaint, the proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 621, RSMo. Upon a finding by the administrative hearing commission that the grounds, provided in subsection 2 of this section, for disciplinary action are met, the board may, singly or in combination, censure or place the person named in the complaint on probation on such terms and conditions as the board deems appropriate for a period not to exceed five years, or may suspend, for a period not to exceed three years, or revoke the license, certificate, or permit.
4. For any hearing before the full board, the board shall cause the notice of the hearing to be served upon such licensee in person or by certified mail to the licensee at the licensee's last known address. If service cannot be accomplished in person or by certified mail, notice by publication as described in subsection 3 of section 506.160, RSMo, shall be allowed; any representative of the board is authorized to act as a court or judge would in that section; any employee of the board is authorized to act as a clerk would in that section.
5. An individual whose license has been revoked shall wait one year from the date of revocation to apply for re-licensure. Re-licensure shall be at the discretion of the board after compliance with all the requirements of sections 335.011 to 335.096 relative to the licensing of an applicant for the first time.
6. The board may notify the proper licensing authority of any other state concerning the final disciplinary action determined by the board on a license in which the person whose license was suspended or revoked was also licensed of the suspension or revocation.
7. Any person, organization, association or corporation who reports or provides information to the board of nursing pursuant to the provisions of sections 335.011 to 335.259* and who does so in good faith shall not be subject to an action for civil damages as a result thereof.
8. If the board concludes that a nurse has committed an act or is engaging in a course of conduct which would be grounds for disciplinary action which constitutes a clear and present danger to the public health and safety, the board may file a complaint before the administrative hearing commission requesting an expedited hearing and specifying the activities which give rise to the danger and the nature of the proposed restriction or suspension of the nurse's license. Within fifteen days after service of the complaint on the nurse, the administrative hearing commission shall conduct a preliminary hearing to determine whether the alleged activities of the nurse appear to constitute a clear and present danger to the public health and safety which justify that the nurse's license be immediately restricted or suspended. The burden of proving that a nurse is a clear and present danger to the public health and safety shall be upon the state board of nursing. The administrative hearing commission shall issue its decision immediately after the hearing and shall either grant to the board the authority to suspend or restrict the license or dismiss the action.
9. If the administrative hearing commission grants temporary authority to the board to restrict or suspend the nurse's license, such temporary authority of the board shall become final authority if there is no request by the nurse for a full hearing within thirty days of the preliminary hearing. The administrative hearing commission shall, if requested by the nurse named in the complaint, set a date to hold a full hearing under the provisions of chapter 621, RSMo, regarding the activities alleged in the initial complaint filed by the board.
10. If the administrative hearing commission refuses to grant temporary authority to the board or restrict or suspend the nurse's license under subsection 8 of this section, such dismissal shall not bar the board from initiating a subsequent disciplinary action on the same grounds.
(L. 1975 S.B. 108 12, A.L. 1981 S.B. 16, A.L. 1995 S.B. 452, A.L. 1999 H.B. 343, A.L. 2007 H.B. 780 merged with S.B. 308)
*Section 335.259 was repealed by S.B. 52 A, 1993.
(2000) Allegation of violation of drug laws requires State Board of Nursing to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that a nurse knowingly and intentionally possessed controlled substances. State Board of Nursing v. Berry, 32 S.W.3d 638 (Mo.App.W.D.).
(2001) Statements made in incident report by hospital to State Board of Nursing about nurse were not, in absence of actual proceedings pending against that nurse, entitled to absolute immunity from nurse's libel claim. Haynes-Wilkinson v. Barnes-Jewish Hospital, 131 F.Supp.2d 1140 (E.D.Mo.).
Copyright

Missouri General Assembly

Student Participation

The UMSL College of Nursing welcomes your participation in the governance of our college. There are several committees that include students as committee members. These include the Colleges committees the manage our Curriculum, the Students Affairs, Evaluation and the Deans Student Advisory committee. Students in our programs have opportunities to identify students to represent them and their interests and concerns as part of the work of these committees. Additionally, we routinely seek feedback from students regarding their academic and other experiences in the collage both during that program and following program completion as we evaluate our effectiveness and outcomes.