Nursing Associate and Bachelor Degrees (A.D.N., B.S.N.)

Mission and Goals:

The Nursing Program has as its mission the formation of nurses able to offer competent, sensible, effective, safe, and quality nursing care to the client person, family and community. The Program aims to produce graduates prepared to:

  1. Provide care with autonomy and with interdisciplinary collaboration and sensitivity to ethical-legal and cultural values and directed to the achievement of the best results for the client.
  2. Coordinate care by applying leadership and management skills that lead to the highest quality care with the minimum of cost.
  3. Assume a commitment as a member of the discipline in harmony with the standards of the practice.

For the development of this professional diverse and flexible modalities of study are offered. This facilitates mobility from the level of the associate degree to the baccalaureate.

It is expected that students who decide to leave the Program to work as Associate Nurses be able to:

  1. Apply theoretical and practical knowledge of the nursing, science and humanistic, disciplines when they analyze the biological, psychological, social and spiritual determinants of health in the different growth and development stages.
  2. Demonstrate updated clinical skills in therapeutic interventions when offering care to the client throughout the continuum of health and disease in structured scenarios.
  3. Use the Nursing Process as an instrument in making clinical decisions and, simultaneously demonstrate critical thinking and skills in problem solving when offering safe, quality and cost-effective care.
  4. Demonstrate responsibility and ethical-legal commitment with humanistic care in response to the changing needs of society.
  5. Demonstrate effective management, coordination and collaboration skills in care as a member of the interdisciplinary team in such a way that care can improve continuously.
  6. Demonstrate responsibility and commitment for self development and that of the nursing profession.
  7. Use communication skills and technology to maintain the quality of care offered to the client and to improve their own knowledge.

It is expected that students who decide to finish the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing to work as generalist nurses be able to:

  1. Integrate knowledge to provide safe and effective nursing care to individuals, families and communities and to contribute to society as citizens.
  2. Use nursing interventions to prevent disease and promote, maintain and restore health.
  3. Use assessment and intervention skills while offering nursing care in diverse scenarios so their expected results in health care can improve.
  4. Apply humanistic care in nursing practice thereby obtaining the protection, optimization and preservation of human dignity.
  5. Act as effective leaders and care managers seeking balance among the health care resources and contributing to the improvement of the profession.
  6. Integrate critical thinking skills when making clinical judgments and using research findings for the continuous improvement of the nursing practice.
  7. Communicate effectively to optimize their own performance as care providers and coordinators and as members of the profession.

Graduates from the Nursing Program will have the following competencies:

The graduates of IAUPR – Ponce Campus are distinguished by:

  1. Mastery of the skills necessary to perform successfully in the workplace and to contribute to the benefit of society
  2. The ability to express themselves appropriately and correctly orally and in writing
  3. The ability to effectively use advanced technology
  4. The ability to adopt a critical attitude towards events and circumstances that surround them
  5. Awareness of their environment and an appreciation for nature and for human creativity.
  6. Use cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills to provide nursing care in structured and no-structured scenarios.
  7. Provide care with focus in the promotion, maintenance and health restoration supporting the individual and family. Provides counseling and education in health to clients of different ages and socio-cultural levels as essential aspects of the professional role focus.
  8. Participate in the research process and evaluate the findings and their applicability in the nursing practice.
  9. Analyze the psychological, physiological and spiritual factors that influence the health care provider in health and sciences; relating these factors to the health needs and taking them into consideration at the time of providing appropriate care.
  10. Uses the nursing process in the practice as a scientific tool for problem solving.
  11. Recognize the social and professional changes and execute the nursing roles as an answer to health necessities in a changing society, guided by ethical, moral, legal and spiritual values.
  12. Provides counseling and education in health to clients of different ages and socio-cultural levels as an essential focus in their professional role.
  13. Analyze the psychological, physiological and spiritual factors that influence the health care provider in health and sciences; relating these factors to the health needs and taking them into consideration at the time of providing appropriate care.
  14. Provides counseling and health education in to clients of different ages and socio-cultural levels as essential focus in their professional role.
  15. Administers and manages nursing care adequately and assumes responsibility in the practice for those who are under their supervision.
  16. Collaborates with other professionals to promote maintain and restore the health of the individual, family and community.
  17. Administers and manages nursing care adequately and assumes responsibility in the practice for those who are under their supervision.
  18. Collaborates with other professionals to promote maintain and restore the health of the individual, family and community. Administers and manages the nursing care adequately and assumes responsibility in the practice for those who are under their supervision.
  19. Assumes legal ethical responsibility for the practice and management of nursing care and for the defense of the client under care
  20. .Uses the leadership skills inherent to their role.
  21. Demonstrates responsibility for their professional development in the field of nursing and promotes the advancement knowledge in concordance with their academic preparation level.

Admission Requirements:

  1. Comply with the admissions requirements established in the General Catalog and by the corresponding campus.
  2. To be admitted to the Program, candidates must:
  3. Have a minimum grade point index 2.25.
  4. Have an interview with the Program Director or the person delegated by the Director.
  5. Perform a self evaluation of the essential non academic abilities associated with the demands of the profession.
  6. To be admitted to the third level (third year courses) of the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, students must:
  7. Have satisfactorily completed the requirements of the first two years of the Degree in Nursing or,
  8. Present evidence of holding an Associate Degree in Nursing from an accredited and recognized institution of higher education. Candidates having an Associate Degree must complete any general education requirement established by the Institution and the corresponding campus for awarding the degree.

Note:

To be admitted to a clinical practice agency, the following is required:

1. A certificate of no criminal record issued recently by the Police of Puerto Rico.

2. A health certificate valid for one year issued by the Health Department.

3. Evidence of vaccination against Hepatitis B.

Some agencies and courses have additional requirements. Students are responsible for complying with any other requirement imposed by the agency or the practice. Among these are: An updated certificate of CPR, a negative dope test, a nose and throat culture.

Admission Procedure:

Undergraduate Admission Procedures

Applicants for admission to any campus of Inter American University of Puerto Rico must:

1. Obtain an application for admission from the Admissions Office of the Campus of their choice or from high

school advisors or other authorized personnel. Application forms are also available through Internet.

2. Submit the completed application to the Admissions Office of the chosen Campus, preferably by May 1, to

apply for the fall semester, by November 15 to apply for the spring semester and by April 15 to apply for

the summer session.

Students in their fourth year of high school are advised to submit the application as soon as they decide to study

at this University. By applying before May, they will be able to receive greater orientation about the University and

its financial aid programs.

3. Arrange for a transcript of the high school record to be sent by an authorized representative of the

secondary school to the appropriate Admissions Office.

4. Arrange for the CEO test results to be sent to the appropriate Admissions Office.

5. Submit an updated certificate of vaccination if the student is less than 21 years old, except students

interested in taking courses in other countries through distance learning.

Final decisions regarding applications will normally reach the applicant no later than three weeks after all

application materials have been received by the University. If for any reason the University requires more time, the

applicant will be notified. A personal interview of an applicant for admission may be required.

Admission of Students from the Educational System of the United States of America and

Puerto Rico

Students from the educational system of the United States of America and Puerto Rico must:

1. Present evidence of graduation from an accredited secondary school or its equivalent with a minimum

grade point index of 2.00

2. Present the scores obtained in the one of the following admission tests, or equivalent:

a. Test for Evaluation and Admission to University Studies (PEAU) administered by the College Board

of Puerto Rico.

b. Scholastic Aptitude Test (the SAT) administered by the College Board in the United States of

America.

c. American College Testing (ACT).

3. Obtain a minimum admission index of 800. This index is calculated by using the test results and the high

school grade point index.

4. Be interviewed by the means available when deemed necessary

B. Admission by Transfer from Other University Level Institutions

Candidates for admission by transfer from other university level institutions must:

1. Submit the admission application with an official copy of the academic transcript from the university or

college of origin. The copy of the transcript must be sent directly from the offices of the registrar of those

institutions to the appropriate Admissions Office of Inter American University.

2. Have at least twelve transferable semester credits with a minimum grade of C from another accredited

institution. When an academic program has different grade requirements, students must meet these

minimum grade requirements.

3. Meet the particular admission norms of the academic programs for which admission is requested.

4. Meet the minimum academic index indicated in Item A of the satisfactory academic progress policy of this

University. All courses taken will be considered in determining the fulfillment of this requirement.

5. Not be under suspension for disciplinary reasons by their former institution.

6. Students, who have not taken courses in English, must present their College Board results for placement in

the different levels of English.

Students who have approved less than twelve transferable credits in the institution of origin, will be evaluated in

agreement the norms applicable to applicants without university studies. If they are admitted, they will receive credit

for the transferable academic work of the other institution.

C. Admission of Students from Other Educational Systems:

Without University Studies

Students from other educational systems with no prior university studies must present official evidence of having

satisfactorily completed, in their country, secondary studies equivalent to graduation from high school in Puerto

Rico.

With University Studies

Students with university studies must present official evidence of these studies. The University will evaluate the

credentials to determine the student’s eligibility to enter the academic program for which admission is requested

Admission of Veterans

All programs of the University are authorized by both the Veterans’ Administration and the Department of

Education of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Veterans intending to enroll and receive VA educational benefits

should submit an application through the Office of the Registrar of the campus in which they intend to pursue

studies.

Admission of Foreign Students

Foreign students interested in entering the University must submit their questions directly to the academic unit to

which they wish to be admitted. Inter American University reserves the right to interview the applicants as part of

the admission requirements. If the applicants are approved for admission, the Admissions Office will fill out the 1-

20 Form from the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the United States of America, so they may obtain

student visas. Students admitted to study totally through distance learning do not have to complete this form.

Admission to undergraduate programs leading to the Bachelor’s Degree requires that the applicant has completed

the secondary studies equivalent to the high school graduation requirements in Puerto Rico. Applicants with

university studies must present evidence of such studies.

The official evidence of studies must be submitted in English or Spanish, properly authenticated by the

appropriate authorities of the country of origin.

Admission of Transfer Students

Candidates for admission by transfer from another university or college must submit the application form. A

copy of an official transcript of all university or college work previously completed must be forwarded directly from

the registrars of institutions previously attended to the appropriate Admissions Office of Inter American University.

Students will be considered candidates for admission by transfer if they meet the following requirements:

  1. Have at least twelve transferable semester credits with a minimum grade of C from another accredited institution. When an academic program has different grade requirements, students must meet these minimum grade requirements.
  2. All transfer candidates must meet the admission norms for the program to which they request admission.
  3. Meet the minimum academic index indicated in Item A of the satisfactory academic progress policy of this University for which all courses taken will be calculated in determining the fulfillment of this requirement.
  4. Are not under suspension for disciplinary reasons by their former institution.
  5. Students, who have not taken courses in English, must present their College Board results for placement in the different levels of English.
  6. Submit an updated vaccination certificate if the student is less than 21 years old, except students who are interested in distance learning from other countries.

The admissions requirements for transfer students interested in studying through the Services Program for Adult Students are included in that section in the General Catalog.

Students who have passed fewer than twelve transferable semester credits at another postsecondary institution may request admission by following the procedures indicated in the section “Requirements for Undergraduate Admission” in this Catalog. Upon admission, such students will receive credit for transferable academic work completed at another postsecondary institution.

Before matriculation, a student may make a written appeal to any decision made regarding transfer credits. Such an appeal is to be submitted to the Office of Admissions. Once a student has been enrolled, no further consideration of previous credits from other institutions will be given.

Students who have been required to withdraw for academic reasons from another university are not eligible for one academic term after withdrawal. Nevertheless, they are eligible for immediate admission if they choose a major different from the one they were required to withdraw from.

Transfer credits may be allowed only for existing programs in the University, but credits may apply as electives provided that the courses are within the general fields of existing departments of Inter American University. No grade below C is acceptable for transfer. If the other institution uses a different grading system, the acceptance of the course will depend on that institution’s official clarification of its grading system. Inter American University will determine the corresponding equivalencies. The number of credit hours awarded for courses accepted for transfer will be the credit-hour value of the course at the institution of origin, so long as this value does not exceed the credit-hour value for the course at Inter American University. Generally, students obtaining scores of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Tests will receive university level credit.

Students from British areas who receive a “Pass” or above in the GCE Advanced (“A”) Level Examinations may receive credit toward advanced standing.

All acceptable courses completed at Inter American University or elsewhere by students not regularly admitted to the University or in the Early Admission Program will be credited as soon as they have been admitted as regular students. Once students have been enrolled, no further consideration of previous credits from other institutions will be given, except for courses in progress.

If students take a course that is in their academic record as a transferred course and receive a grade or an

administrative action symbol indicating an attempted course, the transferred course will be eliminated from the transcript.

All transfer students desiring to complete a second academic degree must comply with the section “Graduation Requirements” of the General Catalog, for Bachelor and Associate Degree respectively. In addition, they must provide evidence of having passed a course in religion

Admission of Special Students

Special students are: (1) students in good standing at another institution of higher learning who, with due

authorization of their home institution, wish to study at Inter American University to fulfill requirements of their home institution, (2) people who, for their professional improvement or personal fulfillment, want to take courses but are not interested in obtaining a degree, or (3) teachers from the Department of Education who want to take courses to satisfy requirements of that department. Students from other institutions of higher education should present an official certification from their home institution indicating the courses for which they will receive credit at their own institution. Teachers admitted as special students should present a letter from their Superintendent of Schools certifying that they are teachers with university degrees. Special students do not have to submit transcripts of credits to be admitted. All applicants interested in taking courses but not in receiving a degree or certificate from this University may be admitted upon meeting admission requirement number one and steps one to five of the Undergraduate Admission Procedures. Any applicant who later decides to continue studies toward a university degree or certificate must meet all requirements and all steps in the University’s admission procedures. These students are not eligible to receive financial aid under Title IV.