The program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing has been developed to provide registered nurses who have earned a diploma or associate degree with an opportunity to pursue a baccalaureate nursing degree in a program closely articulated with their previous educational and clinical experiences. Courses are designed to build on previously acquired knowledge and skills.
Students may complete the program on either a full-time or a part-time basis. The sequence of courses and the length of time necessary for the RN to complete the requirements for the degree vary with the individual and depend on the number of transfer credits, credit by examination, and advanced standing credits he or she has earned, as well as on the number of credits for which the student registers each semester. An effort is made to individualize selected learning opportunities within nursing courses based on the background and interests of the student.
Qualifications for this program include:
•Graduation from a state-approved diploma or associate degree program in nursing with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75.
•Achievement of at least a C grade in all lower-level nursing courses.
•Achievement of acceptable college or university credit in required courses in physical sciences, social sciences. and liberal studies.
Applicants must possess a current Professional Registered Nurse license and registration to practice professional nursing in the U.S., demonstrate knowledge and competency to practice first-level nursing, provide satisfactory references, and meet the health requirements of the nursing department.
Student Learning Outcomes
In accordance with the mission of the Department of Nursing and the undergraduate program goals and the nine essentials from the Executive Summary of AACN (2008), the baccalaureate curriculum for both the pre-licensure students and registered nurse students provides educational opportunities which will enable the graduate to:
1. Discuss how knowledge from the arts, sciences, and humanities applies to the care of individuals and families throughout the health-illness continuum.
2. Demonstrate critical thinking in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care.
3. Demonstrate effective communication skills with diverse populations across the life span.
4. Provide culturally competent nursing care to diverse populations in a variety of health care systems.
5. Provide culturally competent nursing care to diverse populations in a variety of health care systems.
6. Utilize technology and informatics appropriately in professional nursing settings.
7. Collaborate and communicate effectively with all members of the health care team to promote quality and safe patient care in a variety of health care settings.
8. Demonstrate autonomy, integrity, and self assessment as part of developing the professional nursing role.
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