2021 23 Catalog The Heritage Valley Kennedy School of Nursing - Formerly Ohio Valley Hospital School of Nursing
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The Heritage Valley Kennedy School of Nursing
2021 - 23 Catalog
Formerly Ohio Valley Hospital
School of Nursing
Dear Interested Applicant:
Thank you for considering Heritage Valley Kennedy
School of Nursing, 20 month diploma program.
We are currently accepting applications for August 2021.
Our Affiliation
Heritage Valley Kennedy School of Nursing is a part of Heritage Valley
Health System. HVHS offers the nursing program numerous inpatient,
outpatient, and community clinical settings for student experiences without
commuting into the city!
Our Partnership with California University of Pennsylvania
offers the Heritage Valley Kennedy nursing student:
• The freedom of online courses to complete up to 30 credits of general education
and science courses required.
• Online courses allow for our busy students to prioritize their day and complete their
classes in the comfort of their own home.
• The 24 hour school resource center also offers a place for this independent study.
Our Statistics (2018 Data) (2019 Data)
• 100% NCLEX Pass Rate • 100% NCLEX Pass Rate
• 100% Job Placement • 100% Job Placement
• 93% Retention • 83% Retention
Heritage Valley Kennedy School of Nursing is ACEN Accredited.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3343 Peachtree Road, Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30326
404-975-5000
www.acenursing.org
Contact us at 412-777-6204 or visit us at
https://www.heritagevalley.org/pages/school-of-nursing for more details.
Table of Contents Program Calendar 2 Affiliating College Courses 4 Nursing Course Descriptions 5 Pre-Entrance Requirements 6 and Examinations Tuition and Fees 7 Types of Aid and Loan 9 Options Available Student Services and 13 Facilities Philosophy and Mission 14 Academic Policies 17 School of Nursing History 19 Directions 20
Heritage Valley Kennedy School of Nursing Academic Curriculum Calendar
Class of 2023 (August 2021 – May 2023)
School days are 8-4 (Clinical 7-3) Monday through Friday with occasional evening responsibilities.
* HVK and Cal U Schedule subject to change
FIRST YEAR
Fall I Spring I Summer
(16 weeks) (16 weeks) (10 weeks)
August 23, 2021 - December 17, 2021 January 10, 2022 - May 6, 2022 June 6, 2022 – August, 2022
Affiliating College: Affiliating College: Affiliating College:
August 23, 2021 - December 10, 2021* January 24, 2022 - May 13, 2022* June 7, 2022 – August 12, 2022*
Fundamentals of Nursing Nursing I Nursing II
Fundamentals Medical-Surgical Nursing I Medical-Surgical II
(7 theory / 3 clinical) 10 cr (4 theory / 2 clinical) 6 cr (4 theory / 2 clinical) 6 cr
Anatomy and Physiology I & II * Mental Health I Microbiology **
(16 weeks) 8 cr (2 theory / 1 clinical) 3 cr (8 weeks) 4 cr
Credit(s) Completed 18 cr Developing Family I Sociology *
(2 theory / 1 clinical) 3 cr (10 weeks) 3 cr
Intro to Psychology* English I *
FALL BREAK - 1 week (8 or 16 weeks) 3 cr (10 weeks) 3 cr
October 18 - 22, 2021 Credit(s) Completed 15 cr Credit(s) Completed 16 cr
SPRING BREAK - 1 week
March 7 – 11, 2022
SECOND YEAR
Fall II Spring II - Term II
(16 weeks) (16 weeks)
August 29, 2022 - December 23, 2022 January 10, 2023 - May 6, 2023
Affiliating College: Affiliating College:
TBA: August, 2022 - December, 2022* TBA: January, 2023 - March 2023*
Nursing III Nursing Leadership (and Preceptorship)
Medical-Surgical III (4 theory / 6 clinical) 10 cr
(4 theory / 2 clinical) 6 cr Ethics *
Mental Health II (8 weeks) 3 cr
(2 theory / 1 clinical) 3 cr Credit(s) Completed 13 cr
Developing Family II
(2 theory / 1 clinical) 3 cr
SPRING BREAK - 1 week
Nutrition * March 6 – 10, 2023
(8 weeks) 3 cr
English II ** Total Nursing Credits 50 cr
(16 weeks) 3 cr
Credit(s) Completed 18 cr
GRADUATION
(Graduation will occur after all requirements
FALL BREAK - 1 week of the program have been met)
October 24 - 28, 2022 TBD May 2023
2PLEASE NOTE: • “*” Denotes proposed schedule for
• One (1) Nursing Clinical Credit is equivalent to college credit(s):
(45) clock hours Total 26-30 credits
• One (1) Nursing Theory credit is equivalent to • Nursing credit equivalents:
(15) clock hours Total 50 credits
• Credits used to calculate QPA, • Total program credits / clock hours:
Total 76-80 credits**
• Add/Drop class policy is at the end of each first
week/per term, without penalty
• Heritage Valley Kennedy and Affiliating
College Schedule Subject to Change
The Heritage Valley Hospital School of Nursing is committed to fulfill all necessary
educational requirements for the pre-licensure program as documented in the Student
Guidebook. The school is prepared to respond to any interruption to in-person didactic/
theory presentation by transitioning to live distance - learning with no change in course
theory/credit hours. Any interruption in clinical education will be replaced with distance
simulation, and virtual activities as approved The School of Nursing is committed to
provide any additional mandated requirements to fulfill the approved educational
program as documented in this Guidebook should any disruption to the established
face-to-face program be encountered.
3Heritage Valley Kennedy California University of
School of Nursing Courses Pennsylvania Courses
FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I
Fundamentals 3 credits
(7 theory/ 3 clinical) 10 credits
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY LAB I
NURSING I 1 credit
Medical-Surgical I
(4 theory/ 2 clinical) 6 credits ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II
3 credits
Mental Health I
(2 theory/ 1 clinical) 3 credits
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY LAB II
Developing Family I 1 credit
(2 theory/ 1 clinical) 3 credits
** MICROBIOLOGY
NURSING II 3 credits
Medical-Surgical II
(4 theory/ 2 clinical) 6 credits ** MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY
1 credit
NURSING III
Medical-Surgical III * English Comp
(4 theory/ 2 clinical) 6 credits 3 credits
Mental Health II
(2 theory/ 1 clinical) 3 credits English Comp II
3 credits
Developing Family II
(2 theory/ 1 clinical) 3 credits
GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
3 credits
NURSING LEADERSHIP
Leadership (and Preceptorship) 10 credits
(4 theory/ 6 clinical) PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY
3 credits
NURSING ETHICS
3 credits
Nursing Nutrition
3 credits
** Microbiology w/ Lab has not been a verified
course as of this printing.
* Students without SAT/ACT scores meeting `
affiliate college criteria in English Comp will
need to pass an English placement exam.
4Nursing Course Descriptions
FUNDAMENTALS NURSING II
Fundamentals is the first course in the program. Nursing II is a 10 week summer course with 8 weeks
This course introduces the student to the of instruction. This course completes the concepts
theoretical framework and concepts basic to of human response to illness and the health illness
nursery and the process of critical thinking. The roles continuum presented in Nursing I. Application of
of communicator, educator, advocate, caregiver, concepts presented will be reinforced in the
and decision maker in various settings are simulation lab and with direct and observational
discussed. Concepts related to communication, pain, clinical experiences in acute care settings of the
comfort, infection control, nutrition, safety, stress, community hospitals.
and patient hygiene are presented. The student
builds upon the basic concepts learned as they NURSING III
begin to apply the nursing process in the physical Nursing III builds upon all prior knowledge learned.
assessment of the client. They will learn the This third semester course progresses the student
difference between normal and abnormal through the concepts learned in Nursing I and II to
assessment data and the process of critical thinking employ competent critical thinking, clinical decision
and clinical decision making. The concepts of making, safety, communication, and other advanced
homeostasis, medication administration, health nursing skills in the care of the patient with complex
promotion, and health teaching are introduced. The and/or multi focus medical problems.
application of theory to practice occurs in the skills Medical-surgical nursing focuses on the critical care
and simulation labs, long-term care settings, and patient with direct and observational clinical
acute inpatient units. experiences in local hospital critical care settings.
Developing Family focuses on the high risk
NURSING I pregnancy and birth, and the child with complex,
Nursing I builds upon the fundamentals learned in varied disorders. Direct clinical experiences are held
the first course. This second semester course in local hospitals and a variety of community
progresses the student through the medical – settings. Mental health nursing focuses on the acute
surgical concepts of nursing, and an introduction to and chronically ill mental health client and
mental health and developing family (obstetrics and therapeutic modalities used in their care. Direct
pediatrics) nursing. The student will rotate through clinical sites are in local hospital inpatient units with
these three areas applying theory learned in the a variety of observational activities within the
classroom and practiced in the simulation lab to community.
direct and observational clinical experiences in a
variety of hospital and community settings. The first LEADERSHIP
part of human response to illness and the health / Leadership is the last semester of the program.
illness continuum will be discussed in the This course emphasizes the principles of
medical-surgical content. The application of the prioritization, delegation, leadership, and
content will be reinforced in the simulation lab and management. In this final course the student, under
direct and observational clinical experiences in the the direction of a preceptor, progresses to
acute care areas of the hospital. In Developing competent use of the nursing process, critical
Family, the focus is the optimum health of the family thinking, and clinical decision making in the care of a
from perinatal care through the care of the progressively greater number of clients in a local
developing child from infancy to adolescence. Direct hospital, inpatient care environment. The transition
clinical is held within local hospitals and well care from student to graduate professional nurse is
facilities in the community. In mental health nursing, facilitated in the direct preceptor clinical experience.
the emphasis is on the nurse – client relationship During the Leadership course there is a
and therapeutic communication. Clinical experiences concentration on NCLEX preparation with theory
are held in local hospitals and community and improved clinical judgement in the clinical
environments. setting. NCLEX predictability activities included.
5Pre-Entrance Requirements To prepare in an organized and efficient manner,
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR GED areas of concentration are as follows:
Transcripts must show:
• 4 units of English • Reading (53 questions)
• 3 units of Social Studies This section covers paragraph and passage
• 2 units of Math comprehension, and inference/conclusions.
- 1 must be Algebra* with a “C” or greater
• 2 units of the following sciences with a “C” • Mathematics (36 questions)
or greater: This section covers whole numbers, metric
- Biology* with a lab conversions, fractions/decimals, algebraic
- Chemistry* with a lab equations, percentages, and ratio/proportion
* If missing, introductory courses may be calculations.
taken at a local community college or
equivalent • Science (53 questions)
This section covers science reasoning, science
COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS knowledge, biology, chemistry, anatomy/physiology,
Credits with a 2.0 or greater may be considered basic physical principals and general science.
transferable. Anatomy & Physiology I and II (8
credits), Microbiology, and Nutrition must be • English/Language Use (28 questions)
completed within five years of the class acceptance This section measures knowledge of punctuation,
date from an accredited college/university. grammar, sentence structure, contextual words,
and spelling.
SAT OR ACT EXAMS
The TEAS is scored by the percentage answered
Although not required for acceptance, students are
correctly as an Adjusted Individual Score. A
encouraged to take and submit either SAT or ACT
preferred minimum adjusted individual score of 65%,
exams and scores with transcripts.
and a science score of 45 (as listed on the TEAS
score sheet) is recommended for consideration.
Scores of 60 - 64 will be considered for admission if
Pre-Entrance Examination seats are available. The TEAS score is just one
assessment tool used to indicate an applicant’s
Test of Essential Academic Skills potential for success in the program; it is NOT the
170 questions / 3 hours sole indicator for an admission decision. Each
The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is a applicant is allowed two (2) attempts at the TEAS
scholastic aptitude exam used in the selection per academic year.
process for admission into our nursing program. The
goal is to predict candidates with the highest We also offer the TEAS Study Guide for purchase at
likelihood of academic success in our accelerated the admissions office. Please contact the school for
program. more information or to schedule an exam.
TEST OF ESSENTIAL ACADEMIC SKILLS
(TEAS)
The TEAS was developed to measure basic essential
skills in the academic content area domains of
Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English /
Language usage. These entry level skills were
deemed important for nursing program applicants
by a panel of nursing program curriculum experts.
The TEAS is a 170 item; four option; multiple-choice
assessment.
6Heritage Valley Kennedy School of Nursing
Tuition and Expenses Class of 2023
Full Time Program
(20 months)
Pre-Entrance Fees (Non-Refundable)
• Application Fee $50.00
• ATI Exam Fee $70.00
• Acceptance Fee $100.00
Total for Heritage Valley Kennedy School of Nursing Tuition
• Approximately $20,000* for Nursing ONLY courses
• Approximately $370/credit* for affiliating college courses
In addition to tuition charges, the following expenses are included in the Program Grand
Total amount:
• Health care CPR certification
• Malpractice insurance
• ATI course supplements, assessment exams and NCLEX review
• Shadow health
• Skills kits
Other related fees, such as books, uniforms, lab, registration, and graduation fees, along with other related
school fee(s), as appropriate, are the sole responsibility of each student, regardless of scholarship eligibility.
Transportation to and from clinical sites along with parking fee(s) are ALWAYS the sole responsibility of the
student.
All terms and conditions, including pricing,
are subject to change without prior notice.
* Subject to change
7Tuition and Fees Student Aid (FAFSA). The form is available from our
Financial Aid Office, high school counselors, most
Tuition for each term must be paid in full (or libraries, and the Internet (www.fafsa.ed.gov). The
satisfactory payment arrangement developed) at student will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) as a
the beginning of each term. Checks or money orders result of the US Department of Education
are made payable to the Heritage Valley Kennedy processing their FAFSA. The SAR is used to
School of Nursing. The check should be identified determine eligibility for financial aid for most federal
with the student’s full name and paid directly to the and state programs. At the student’s or parent’s
Financial Aid Office, or sent to: discretion, a separate loan application may be
completed to borrow educational funds. A student
Heritage Valley Kennedy should contact the Financial Aid Office for
School of Nursing (Financial Aid) institutional aid programs requiring a separate
25 Heckel Road application. Each student is encouraged to apply
McKees Rocks, PA 15136 early to maximize his or her eligibility for financial aid.
ADMISSION ACCEPTANCE FEE DISBURSEMENT OF FINANCIAL AID
Once accepted into the upcoming Heritage Valley In general, the School of Nursing disburses aid on
Kennedy School of Nursing class, the student will be each full semester. Most financial aid is directly
required to pay a fee of $100 to reserve a spot in credited to a student’s account at the beginning of
the program. Once the semester begins and the the ach payment term. Funds will not be credited
student is registered, that $100 will be used to pay until all requested documents and information
for the students’ Fundamentals assessment kit. If have been received and verified. First time
the student chooses not to enter the program, the borrowers cannot receive the first disbursement of
fee is forfeited. Please call our Admissions Officer at a Direct Loan until 30 days have elapsed from the
412-777-6204 with questions. Send your $100 check start of classes.
to:
STUDENT RIGHTS AND
Heritage Valley Kennedy School of Nursing RESPONSIBILITIES
W. Laird Davis Center of Learning As a recipient of federal financial aid, a student has
C/O Admissions Office certain rights and responsibilities. Knowing these
25 Heckel Road rights and responsibilities puts the student in a
McKees Rocks, PA 15136 better position to make decisions about educational
goals and how to achieve them. These rights and
FINANCIAL AID responsibilities are outlined in the Student Guide at
The School of Nursing participates in federal and www.studentaid.ed.gov.
state financial aid programs. To be eligible for
financial aid, students must be citizens of the United
States or eligible non-citizens, enrolled in an eligible
program leading to a degree or certificate, not be in
default or owe a refund on federal financial aid
previously received and meet satisfactory academic
progress standards. Additional eligibility criteria are
outlined in The Student Guide, A US Department of
Education publication available from the Financial
Aid Office. A student must reapply each year to
determine continued eligibility for most programs.
APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID
The School of Nursing will assist the student and his
or her family in every way possible. The student
must complete the Free application for Federal
8To qualify for the PA Grant, the student must
be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits).
The State Grant deadlines are different for
first-time applicants, renewal applicants and
summer-term applicants.
• First Time Applicants - August 1st
• Renewal Applicants - May 1st
If you miss the State Grant deadline for the
academic year, apply anyway. Late applicants (for
Types of Aid and Loan terms other than summer) may qualify for awards if
funding permits.
Options Available
FEDERCAL DIRECT LOANS
HERITAGE VALLEY KENNEDY FULL
Direct Stafford Loans, from the William D. Ford
TUITION SCHOLARSHIP
Federal Loan (Direct Loan) Program, are
The School of Nursing offers scholarships and
low-interest loans for eligible students to help cover
federal and state grant programs to support the
the cost of higher education. Eligible students
cost of rising tuition for our students. Eligibility is
borrow directly from the U.S. Department of
limited to US citizens or eligible non-citizens. The Full
Education.
Tuition Scholarship includes a 3 year work
commitment within Heritage Valley Health System
Federal Direct Loans include the following types:
and completion of 50 mandated volunteer hours
Direct Subsidized Loans - Direct Subsidized Loans
while in attendance of the program. Scholarships
are for students with financial need. Heritage Valley
are awarded per-term basis. A student with a
Kennedy School of Nursing will review the results of
desire to attend under this scholarship program
your Free Application for Federal Student Aid
should inform the school immediately; as
(FAFSA) and determine the amount you can borrow.
scholarships are limited and awarded first
You are not charged with interest whole enrolled at
come/first served.
least half-time and during grace and /or deferment
periods.
FEDERAL PELL GRANT
Gift assistance based upon need and awarded
Direct Unsubsidized Loan - You are not required to
through the federal government. The grant amounts
demonstrate financial need to receive a Direct
are adjusted annually by Congress. Students apply
Unsubsidized Loan. Like the Subsidized Loans, the
by completing the FAFSA. Students, if otherwise
School of Nursing will determine the amount you can
eligible may qualify for a Federal Pell Grant
borrow. Interest accrues (accumulates) on an
regardless of the number of credits for which they
unsubsidized loan from the time it is first disbursed.
are enrolled.
You can pay the interest while you are in school and
during grace, deferment or forbearance periods, or
PENNSYLVANIA STATE GRANT
you can allow it to accrue and be capitalized (added
Pennsylvania State Grants are also gift assistance,
to principal amount), if you choose. Just remember:
based upon financial need, awarded through the
If you choose to not pay the interest, this will
Commonwealth. The PA Grant is available to
increase the total amount you have to repay
qualifying permanent residents of the
because you will be charged interest on a higher
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Award amounts
principal amount.
are adjusted annually by the Commonwealth.
Students apply by completing the FAFSA also.
9DIRECT SUBSIDIZED AND UNSUBSIDIZED meet other general eligibility requirements.
FEDERAL LOANS
Congress sets interest rates on Direct Loans from For a Direct PLUS Loan, the parent must complete
the U.S. Department of Education through legislation a Direct PLUS Loan Application and Master
that ties the rate to financial markets. Your student Promissory Note (MPN). The MPN is a legal
loan servicer does NOT set your student loan document in which the borrower promises to repay
interest rate and cannot change it. the loan and any accrued interest and fees to the
Department of Education. It also explains the terms
For Federal Direct Student Loans with a first and conditions of the loan. The PLUS Loan/MPN
disbursement date between July 1, 2020 and application can be completed online at
June 30, 2021, the following rates are fixed for www.studentloans.gov. The annual limit on a PLUS
the life of the loan: Loan is equal to the student’s cost of attendance
minus any other financial aid the student receives.
Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized
Loans for Undergraduate Students: 2.75% PLUS LOAN
It is a Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students.
Direct PLUS Loans for Parents of Only the parents of a dependent student may
Undergraduate Students: 5.3% borrow a PLUS loan. PLUS loan eligibility is not
based on financial need. The maximum annual loan
PARENT PLUS LOAN limit is the difference between educational costs
Parents of dependent students may apply for a and other financial aid the student is receiving.
Direct PLUS Loan to help pay for their child’s Parents apply by completing a loan application
educational expenses as long as certain eligibility available at the School, a bank, or other lending
requirements are met. institutions, credit union, etc. For a parent to borrow
a loan, the student must be enrolled at least
To be eligible for a Direct PLUS Loan for Parents: half-time (6 credits).
• The parent borrower must be the student’s
biological or adoptive parent. In some cases, Alll students must sign a Master Promissory Note
the student’s stepparent may be eligible. (MPN) and complete the Entrance Counseling for
Federal Direct Student Loan or PLUS loans, if they
• The student must be a dependent student who are interested in obtaining an undergraduate direct
is enrolled at least half-time. loan. The following instructions are for the first-time
borrowers at HVK School of Nursing and should take
• The parent borrower must not have an adverse approximately 20 minutes to complete:
credit history (a credit-check will be
preformed). If the parent does not pass the Entrance Counseling Instructions:
credit-check, the parent may still receive a loan - Go to https://studentaid.gov and sign in using
if someone (grandparent and or/relative) your FSA ID (http://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.html)
agrees to endorse the loan. The endorser from the Department of Education
promises to repay the loan if the parent fails - Select “Complete Entrance Counseling” under the
to do so. The parent may also receive a loan if counseling tab
he or she can demonstrate extenuating - Select PA as the school state and choose our
circumstances. institution
- Take the Entrance Counseling
• The parent must be a U.S. citizen or eligible - Review your Borrower Rights and Responsibilities
non-citizen, must not be in default on any federal and submit
education loans or owe an overpayment on a - Print the confirmation sheet for your records
federal educational grant. The borrower must
10Master Promissory Note (MPN Instructions) student will receive a full refund for the fall
The entire MPN process must be completed semester, and the refund will be calculated on the
together in one session. The session should take tuition attributable to only the mini session in which
approximately 30 minutes to complete: the student withdrew.
- Got to https://studentaid.gov and sign in using
10-Wk Term 16-Wk Term
your FSA ID (http://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.html)
Federal Pro Rata Policy Refund % Refund %
from the Department of Education
- Select “Sign Master Promissory Note” 1st day of class 100% 100%
- Select the type of undergraduate loan
1st week 80% 90%
(Subsidized/ Unsubsidized)
2nd week 70% 80%
- Provide personal information (citizenship,
address, driver’s license, telephone number, etc.) 3rd week 60% 80%
- Select PA as the school state and choose our 4th week 50% 70%
institution
5th week 0% 60%
- Provide reference information
- Review Terms and Conditions, electronically sign 6th week 0% 60%
and submit the MPN 7th week 0% 50%
- Print a copy of your MPN for your records
8th week 0% 0%
REFUND POLICY 9th week 0% 0%
Students may withdraw from the nursing program No refund beyond 7th week
at any time. Students are required to submit a
letter of withdrawal from the program to the
Director of the School of Nursing. The letter must Federal Refund Policy All Terms Refund 50%
state the reason for leaving, be signed, and dated.
Students must make arrangements for a final
1st day of class 100%
conference with the Director.
After the 1st day of class
Students may owe the School a balance after all through 10% of the term 90%
refunds are made. Students must make
arrangements with the Financial Aid Officer to Withdrawal after the
ensure that all financial obligations are met. first 10% but not through
25% of term 50%
TUITION REFUND
The percentage of tuition refunded will be Withdrawal after the
calculated in accordance with the application refund first 25% but not through
schedules outlined below. The Federal Pro Rata 50% of term 25%
policy is only applicable to students enrolled for the
first time at the School of Nursing and only during After 50% of the term 0%
the first semester. All other refunds are calculated
in accordance with the federal refund policy.
Although semesters may be combined for billing
purposes, refunds, are based on the tuition charged
for each semester, whether a mini session or a full
semester. The student will receive a full refund of
tuition charged for a semester if he or she never
attends. For example, a first year student is billed
for the first mini session and fall semester. The
11ALL FEES ARE NONREFUNDABLE REPAYMENT POLICY
Tuition refunds are calculated using the student’s A student who receives a cash refund from grant
last day of attendance. The School will make aid will have a repayment calculation performed
refunds within 30 days of the student’s official upon complete withdrawal from the program. This
withdrawal date or in the case of unofficial calculation is used to determine if any of the aid
withdrawal, the date the School determines the paid to the student for indirect expenses must be
student is no longer enrolled. The date of repaid to the financial aid programs.
determination for unofficial withdrawal is more than
15 calendar days after the student’s last date of All non-institutional living expenses are prorated
attendance. based on the number of weeks the student
completes each term. A partial week is treated as
Sample refund calculations are available in the equivalent to a full week. For students who begin
Financial Aid Office. attendance in the term, 100% of the books and
supplies allowance is considered expended.
Refunds are made in the following order:
1. Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans Repayments are made in the following order:
2. Subsidized Federal Direct Loans 1. Federal Pell Grant
3. Federal PLUS Loans 2. State Grant
4. Federal Pell Grant 3. Institutional Grant
5. State Grant Programs (PHEAA, OIG)
6. Institutional Aid Applicable college credits can be transferred into
7. Outside Agency Aid, and the nursing program prior to admission. Once
8. Student admitted to the program, any required college
course must be taken at the affiliating university
A student or parent, who believes an exception to within the curriculum of the nursing program.
the published refund policy is warranted, should
submit a written appeal with documentation of any
mitigating or unusual circumstances. The written
appeal must be submitted within 45 calendar days
of the last day of attendance. The appeal should be
directed to the Financial Aid Officer at the School
of Nursing.
12planned student clinical experiences, include but are
not limited to, medical-surgical units, critical care
suite, emergency department, post-anesthesia care
unit, outpatient surgical service, maternal care, and
geropsych. In addition, the School of Nursing also
utilizes a variety of Heritage Valley outpatient and
community centers to provide students with the
best possible clinical experiences. Clinical supervision
is provided by qualified faculty members.
RESOURCE CENTER
The Heritage Valley Kennedy School of Nursing
Resource Center is a large computer lounge offering
the student 24 hour access. This center houses
twelve desk computers with electronic access to an
online library data base supplied through the
Student Services and affiliated university. Student access to Nursing
Central - an electronic lab and pharmaceutical
Facilities resources – is also available. On site printed copies
COUNSELING PROGRAM of all required and recommended texts are available
Each student is assigned an academic advisor for use by the student in the center.
to assist the student in reaching their academic
goals. Appropriate professional referrals will be STUDENT GUIDEBOOK
made available for problems beyond the scope A link to a complete copy of the Student Guidebook
of the facility. is available on the Heritage Valley Kennedy School of
Nursing website.
CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
The Curriculum Committee’s purpose is to provide
structure to carry out the philosophy and goals of
the school; to guide operations of the school, and to
establish a democratic process for assessing,
planning, implementing, and evaluating the total
program. Membership on the committee consists of
elected student representatives, faculty and the
Director of the School. The Curriculum Committee
provides students with a direct avenue to present
and address student concerns in addition to
contributing to the ongoing evaluation of, and
resulting changes to the curriculum.
SCHOOL FACILITIES
Our School of Nursing is equipped with classrooms,
skills lab, conference rooms, simulation lab, a
Resource Center, faculty/staff offices, a student
lounge, serenity room, and an auditorium. The clinical
areas of Heritage Valley Kennedy and Heritage
Valley Health System, all of which are available for
13Heritage Valley Kennedy cultural, and physical characteristics. The
environment is diverse and ever changing; constantly
School of Nursing influencing and responding to dynamic forces. These
Philosophy and Mission surrounding conditions alter health and/or well being
The philosophy of the Heritage Valley Kennedy and require adaptive responses. One focus of
School of Nursing reflects the beliefs of the faculty nursing is to optimize the environment in diverse
and supports the mission of Heritage Valley Health health care settings to assist patients in meeting
System. The faculty recognizes the advantage of their individualized basic needs.
ties between nursing education and an institution
that provides a variety of health care services. The COMMUNITY AND CULTURE
faculty of the Heritage Valley Kennedy School of Community is viewed as a system of people living a
Nursing accepts the responsibility for the planning, relationship which can be based upon geographic
implementation, and evaluation of the total program location, cultural ties, and/or bonds of special
in response to the individual needs of the students, interest. Community is a focal point of concern for
the community, and current nursing practice. We the nurse and is the context in which the recipient
believe the role of our faculty is to provide and nurse interact. The community has a
educational experiences and guidance, to smooth responsibility to participate in the planning and
the progress of the learning process, and to foster implementation of health services affecting life and
the development of each student as a person and a well-being. We, the faculty, contribute to the quality
nurse. Our faculty’s beliefs and values are as follows: of life of our community by serving as a resource for
group endeavors, providing educational
HUMAN BEINGS opportunities, and preparing nurse graduates to
Human beings are multidimensional, meet their healthcare needs. We believe nurses
bio-psychosocial-cultural-intellectual-spiritual beings cultivate a spirit of community, teamwork, and
in constant interaction with their internal self and partnership by collaborating with and empowering
external environment. Humans are viewed as valued others. The nurse’s knowledge of cultural concepts
holistic persons, to be respected, nurtured and can serve to improve the health of the community.
understood with the right to make informed choices Culture is innately related to how individuals,
regarding their health. Humans are unique and families, and groups within the community perceive
integrated open systems that interact, interrelate, issues of health and wellness, and guide healthcare
and are interdependent with the environment. decision-making. The first step in understanding the
Throughout their lifespan, humans strive to achieve health care needs of patients is to understand
optimal well being through an interactive process personal culturally-based values, beliefs, attitudes,
between the internal and external environment and practices.
utilizing adaptation. Adaptation is a dynamic
response to stressors that impact the humans’ HEALTH
physiological, psychosocial, developmental, cultural, Health is a holistic, dynamic and evolving process
and spiritual dimensions relative to their characterized by adaptive responses to internal and
environment. external environments. It is an integrated,
synthesized balance among the internal
ENVIRONMENT environmental dimensions of the human being,
Environment is composed of two components; the resulting in optimal use of resources to minimize
internal and external systems. The internal health alterations. Adaptation is the process by
environmental system includes physiological, which one attempts to maintain the balance. The
psychosocial, developmental, cultural and spiritual degree of balance between the person and the
dimensions. The external environmental system stressors of the internal and external environments
consists of groups of humans united by common determines the person’s level of health.
familial, geographic, socioeconomic, political, spiritual,
14Health exists on a continuum in which adjustments team members, individuals, families, groups and
are made to maintain the relative constant called communities to promote autonomy in establishing
homeostasis. Wellness is a state of health in which and maintaining an optimal state of wellness,
basic needs are being met and homeostasis is recovery from illness, or a peaceful death. As a
maintained. Health at any given point in time is profession, nursing is committed to assisting patient
observed on the health-illness continuum systems via clinical judgment in the promotion,
represented by optimal well-being at one end and maintenance, restoration, and/or rehabilitation of
death at the other. Primary, secondary, and tertiary the patient on the health-wellness continuum.
prevention measures for health related issues are
essential for optimal functioning of an individual
across the life span. An optimal state of holistic
health is reached when human beings identify and
cope with their environmental stressors allowing
them to reach their goals to achieve a higher level of
wellness and self-defined quality of life.
NURSING
Nursing is a professionally practiced discipline which
combines the art of caring and the science of
nursing based on current research findings. We
believe caring to be a creative and dynamic process
as best described by Jean Watson’s Theory of
Human Caring.
“Jean Watson’s philosophy and science of caring
addresses how nurses express care to their TEACHING-LEARNING
patients. Caring is central to nursing practice, and Teaching, as a special form of communication, is a
promotes health better than a simple medical cure. transaction involving both learner and teacher where
She believes that a holistic approach to health care the teacher acts as a facilitator, a role model, and a
is central to the practice of caring in nursing. resource person in an environment that fosters
learning. It is a system of diverse planned activities
According to Watson, caring, which is manifested including various modes, methods, and technologies
in nursing, has existed in every society. However, a arranged to bring about learning. Teaching
caring attitude is not transmitted from generation incorporates the knowledge, skill, experience, and
to generation. Instead, it’s transmitted by the expertise of the teacher. It assists the learner to
culture of the nursing profession as a unique way acquire, develop, organize, and structure knowledge
of coping with its environment.” and promotes desirable attitudes, habits and skills.
Teaching also fosters a spirit of inquiry, a sense of
The science of nursing is the body of knowledge discovery and the desire to pursue self-directed,
developed from nursing theory and research, as well life-long learning for professional and personal
as, knowledge integrated from other disciplines and growth. Teaching may be conducted in formal
behavioral sciences. It is the goal of nursing to arenas such as the classroom and clinical laboratory
provide holistic, dynamic, compassionate, and as well as informal settings such as clinics, client
integrated care through use of the nursing process. homes, or the community.
The process includes therapeutic interventions,
communication, clinical judgment and critical thinking.
The professional nurse uses leadership and
management skills to collaborate with other health
15Learning is a dynamic, interactive, continuous, NURSING EDUCATION
self-directed, life-long process characterized by the We believe that nursing education is a
acquisition of knowledge, self-awareness and multi-dimensional, collaborative process through
self-discovery. Learning is facilitated by the breadth which critical thinking is developed as knowledge is
and depth of ones’ critical thinking, and by cognitive, accrued and competencies are acquired. It is the
affective and psychomotor skills, all of which change responsibility of the nursing educator to provide
the behavior of the learner. The learner’s behavioral tools to meet the unique needs of the student in an
change results from the interaction of the individual environment conducive to learning and to serve as a
with his/her environment. Each human being has a role model. Students are viewed as adult learners. In
unique learning style. Learning is an individualized, this context, learners engage in the educational
holistic process which occurs best when learner process in a spirit of self-directedness by assuming
rights are respected and when the learner accepts responsibility for learning, thereby providing an
and assumes responsibility to be self-directed and impetus for life-long professional and/or personal
to make decisions involving his or her own growth to growth. Nursing education encompasses the
attain professional and/or personal goals. Learning teaching-learning activities designed to prepare
proceeds from simple to complex, and is enhanced individuals to assist in the promotion, maintenance,
by the correlation of theoretical concepts with restoration, and rehabilitation of individual clients,
clinical experiences over a period of time. Essential families, groups and the community. Within nursing
to learning is the person’s internal motivation to education, the nursing process is utilized as a
learn and the ability to act on knowledge once systematic method of decision-making, designed
acquired. The learner’s individual interests, to facilitate critical thinking for the development
attitudes, beliefs, values, and needs affect the and application of nursing interventions to meet
process of learning. client needs.
MISSION STATEMENT
Based on our Philosophy, we the faculty of the
Heritage Valley Kennedy School of Nursing, strive to
develop and present an educational program to
prepare graduates to practice competently and
safely in entry level positions in a wide range of
settings and to meet the needs of the community.
We pursue to instill in our graduates a motivation to
continue to develop professionally and personally by
maintaining clinical competence, actively
participating in professional organizations, and
embracing the concept of lifelong learning. It is our
mission to develop the student from novice to
competent resulting in a nurse generalist proficient
in the areas of holism, safety, critical thinking,
communication and professionalism.
16Academic Policies the instructor. The final theory grade and clinical
pass/fail grade is given to the student and recorded
STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY on his/her academic transcript. At the end of each
• The student is responsible and accountable term the student anonymously evaluates the clinical
for individual active participation in the site, classroom and clinical instructor, and
learning process. theoretical experience.
• The student is required to prepare for each GRADING SCALE - THEORY
theoretical and clinical experience, to participate Grade Quality Points Percentage
actively in each learning opportunity and to A 4 93-100
pursue academic goals through honest endeavor. B 3 85-92
C 2 77-84
• The student is responsible and accountable for F 0 0-76
individual actions while administering nursing care
to the client. A student must achieve a “C”, 2.0 in all nursing
courses to remain in the program. The affiliating
• The student is to perform nursing care college will provide 1 quality point for a “D” grade;
commensurate with the level of nursing education however, a “C”, 2.0 grade must be achieved in all
and to adhere to the policies and procedures corequisites to graduate from the program. A
of the institution where their clinical experience student who fails a nursing course (clinical or
is scheduled. theoretical component) cannot progress to the next
course and will be dismissed from the program. A
• It is the responsibility of the student to seek student who withdraws during the first half of a
supervision from the nursing instructor for any term is assigned a “W” grade. The “W” grade does
nursing skill or treatment that the student does not negatively impact a student’s QPA, however,
not feel competent to perform. the course must be completed to progress in
the program.
PREREQUISITES FOR
ATTENDING CLASSES GRADING SCALE - CLINICAL
Students will be certified in CPR for the Health Care To achieve a passing grade in clinical, the student
Provider by the American Heart Association in must obtain a satisfactory score of 2.0 in each
orientation and must maintain active certification clinical outcome on the Clinical Performance Review.
throughout their enrollment in the nursing program. All clinical competencies must be satisfactorily
performed and all other clinical activities completed
Students must satisfy all health requirements prior to pass clinical.
to beginning the program. No student may begin
clinical unless their health record is complete. GRADUATION
A student who has fulfilled the requirements of the
Criminal, FBI clearance (fingerprinting), and child nursing program will graduate and be eligible to
abuse clearance are required upon admission in receive the diploma, cap and pin of the School. All
order for students to be compliant with Act 33 and financial obligations must be fulfilled prior to
34 of graduation. Attendance at graduation in the
site codes. approved, required regalia is mandatory.
EVALUATION The graduating nurse may apply to take the state
Student evaluation is based on theory and clinical licensing examination for registered nurses
performance, both are based on course outcomes. (NCLEX-RN) providing all requirements for eligibility
Evaluation is a continuous process involving both are met.
faculty and student. Upon completion of a term,
each student will receive a final clinical evaluation by
17LEAVE OF ABSENCE DISMISSAL FROM
A leave of absence may be requested in writing and THE NURSING PROGRAM
must be approved by the director of the School of A student will be dismissed from the School of
Nursing. A student may take no more than 1 leave of Nursing for any of the following violations:
absence in a twelve-month period; the leave may
• Any criminal act
not be in excess of 2 weeks in duration and all
content missed must be made up. • Any violation of the Nurse Practice Act
• Violation of a School or Hospital policy
Students are permitted a 3-day funeral leave for a
death in the immediate family. Immediate family • Any purposeful act which endangers the safety
includes; parent, parent-in-law, spouse, child, and well-being of the client
daughter-in-law, son-in-law, sibling, or legal
• Noncompliance with the School’s policy regarding
guardian. If a close relative dies, the student is
substance abuse
permitted a 1-day funeral leave. Close relatives
include; grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother-in-law, • Failure of the theoretical or clinical component of
sister-in-law, niece, or nephew. a nursing course
• Failure of a college course (final grade “D” or “F”)
WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PROGRAM
A student may withdraw from the nursing program • Failure of math competency exam per policy
at any time. The student is required to submit a • Violation of the Code of Ethics
dated letter to the director of the School or Nursing,
• Violation of professional standards including
stating official withdrawal from the program,
academic integrity policy
effective date, and the reason for withdrawal. The
student must make arrangements for a final • Any violation of HIPAA, including, but not
conference with the Director. A student who does limited to unauthorized computer access of
not officially withdraw from the school and/or patient information
college during the add/drop period, or who fails to
• Violations addressed per the misconduct policy
complete a course, will receive a grade of “F.” All
financial aid and/or scholarship obligations must be
met before the student withdraws. HOLIDAYS
Students are exempt from class and clinical
experience on:
READMISSION
Students who withdraw for any reason or are • New Year’s Day
academically dismissed are eligible to apply for
• Memorial Day
re-admission pending the fulfillment of re-admission
requirements. A student may re-enroll only once • Independence Day
with the approval of the Admissions Committee. All
• Labor Day
eligible applicants for readmission are placed back
into the pool of applicants and must meet the • Thanksgiving
criteria level set for the new class. Due to the • Christmas Day
sequential nature of the program, re-enrollment will
typically be ten to twelve months after the dismissal Exemption from class and clinical experience will be
or withdrawal. given individual consideration by the director for
other cultural and ethnic practices.
18Heritage Valley Kennedy In 2018, Ohio Valley Hospital School of Nursing
partnered with California University of Pennsylvania,
School of Nursing History a leading University in the area, to offer the general
education and science courses required for Nursing
Heritage Valley Kennedy School of Nursing accepted Programs. Cal U personnel work closely with the
its first student in 1901 under the name of McKees school faculty to align the courses with the present
Rocks General Hospital. For 120 years, the School of nursing program, offering all courses online for
Nursing has grown and advanced with the Hospital independent and flexible learning at a time and
toward a mutual goal of excellence in health care location of the student’s choice.
and nursing education. The School of Nursing has
maintained programs of affiliation with other
In 2019, the official affiliation of Ohio Valley Hospital
hospitals prominent in their respective fields to
with Heritage Valley Health System began. This
provide students with opportunities for experience
collaboration offers the nursing program an
in all areas of nursing care.
increased variety of inpatient clinical and community
experiences at the Sewickley and Beaver campuses
Since 1901, our School of Nursing has evolved from of the Health System, expanding and improving
a 3 year program, to a 20 month accelerated learning experiences within the clinical curriculum.
program. This provides an opportunity for students On July 1, 2020, the affiliation with Heritage Valley
to achieve a quality nursing education in the least Health System was completed and the School of
amount of time. Nursing became Heritage Valley Kennedy School of
Nursing.
19Directions to
FROM DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH
Heritage Valley Kennedy Go through the Fort Pitt Tunnels and take the
School of Nursing Parkway West (279) to I-79 North toward Erie.
Heritage Valley Kennedy is within easy driving Follow I-79 directions above, or, before entering the
distance of most of Pittsburgh’s main areas. Fort Pitt tunnels, take the exit onto 51 North. Follow
Located on Heckel Road in Kennedy Township near signs for McKees Rocks and 51N along the river. You
Route 60, the School is just minutes from the will take a sharp left turn before a small metal
Crafton/Moon Run exit of I-79. bridge and drive through downtown McKees Rocks.
After driving under a railroad trestle, go through two
Heritage Valley Kennedy stop lights. Take a right after the third stop light
25 Heckel Road then take the first left up the hill. At the top of the
McKees Rocks, PA 15136-1694 hill, take a right turn at the stop sign onto Heckel
Road. The first right will bring you into Ohio Valley
Hospital: 412-777-6161 Hospital’s main entrance. From Route 60 & The
School of Nursing: 412-777-6204 Greater Pittsburgh International Airport
Take the Parkway to the Moon Run exit and go on
FROM I-79 Route 60 South toward Crafton. Drive about 4 miles
Take I-79 to the Crafton/Moon Run exit if traveling along Route 60/Steubenville Pike and at the stop
North, it is exit 60A (formerly exit 16); if traveling light, turn left onto Lorish-McKees Rocks Road. Drive
South, it is exit 60A (formerly exit 16B) Bear right 2 miles, going straight through the stop light at
down the hill to merge onto Route 60 South. Kennedy Center, and then turn left at the stop sign
Immediately get into the left lane. At the stop light onto Heckel Road.
turn left onto Lorish-McKees Rocks Road. Drive 2
miles, going straight through the stop light at
Kennedy Center, and then turn left at the stop sign
onto Heckel Road.
FROM ROUTE 65
(OHIO RIVER BOULEVARD)
Take Ohio River Boulevard to I-79 and follow above
directions, or, go across the McKees Rocks Bridge
and make a right onto Route 51. At the first light,
veer left and go up the hill. Stay on McCoy Road
approximately 3 miles until reaching the stop light at
the T intersection of McCoy and Pine Hollow Roads.
Turn left, then take the first right onto Heckel Road.
20Notes:
Heritage Valley Kennedy School of Nursing is excited to continue the history of our
community hospital school of nursing as we move forward embracing the opportunities
presented by the ever changing face of health care to educate the nurses of the future.
KENNEDY
SCHOOL OF NURSING
412-777-6204
25 Heckel Road
Kennedy Township, PA 15136
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