Nursing B.S.N.

L. Gale Lemerand School of Nursing

739 W.  International Speedway Blvd.

P: 386-481-2100

---

Program Description:

The School of Nursing offers a nursing program that educates individuals to become registered nurses at the baccalaureate degree level. The program is 120 credit hours in length and designed to be completed in 8 semesters or 4 regular academic years. The program produces competent, visionary professional nurse leaders who are at the forefront of innovative, culturally sensitive healthcare practices that promote human flourishing. This faith-based program prepares a nurse generalist for professional practice by using knowledge derived from the liberal arts, biological sciences, physical sciences, behavioral sciences, and nursing. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination- RN (NCLEX- RN).

Accreditation:

Florida Board of Nursing:

The program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing:

The program is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Admissions Requirements:

Meeting all requirements for admission does not guarantee admission to the program. There are 3 pathways to admission to the nursing program:

 

Pathway 1: Direct Admission from high school.

Students may be admitted directly into the nursing program from high school. Students eligible for this pathway will be admitted directly into the nursing program when all prerequisite requirements are met. National League for Nursing-Nursing Entrance Exam (NLN-NEX) will be waived for students admitted into this tract. Students will not have to take the NLN-NEX  for admission to the nursing program.

Eligibility:

1. High School GPA of 3.0 or above

2. Applicants must complete one of two standardized tests: ACT or SAT

   1. Minimum ACT Composite Score: 23

   2. Minimum SAT Composite Score: 1140

   3. Admitted students are required to meet all conditions for entrance and progression into the professional component of the nursing curriculum by the end of the first academic year or the first 2 regular (fall/spring) semesters. Students not meeting this requirement are required to apply to the traditional track and meet the requirements of the traditional track.  Prerequisite courses must have a letter grade recorded. A grade of “P” will not be accepted.

 

Pathway 2: Post Baccalaureate

Applicants having an earned bachelor’s degree are admitted into the nursing program, with the National League for Nursing-Nursing Entrance Exam (NLN-NEX) and NU 112: Introduction to Nursing requirements waived.  Pass/Fail grades will not be accepted for required pre-requisite courses.

Eligibility:

1. Baccalaureate GPA of 3.0 or above

2. Successful completion of the following courses:

   • College Algebra

   • General Biology

   • Anatomy and Physiology (Lec/Lab) (one 6cr. hour course or two 4cr. hour courses)

   • Introduction to Chemistry

   • Developmental Psychology

 

Pathway 3: Traditional Pathway

Eligibility:

1. Be unconditionally admitted to Bethune-Cookman University.

2. Submitted completed application materials (application, National League for Nursing-Nursing Entrance Exam (NLN-NEX) scores, transcript) to the Nursing Program by the posted deadline date.

3. Declared pre-nursing as a designation.

4. Completed all required pre-requisite courses with a grade of “C” or above. A letter grade must be recorded for all pre-requisite courses. A grade of “P” (pass/fail) will not be accepted.

5. Have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above.

6. Achievement of the minimum individual benchmarked scores on the National League for Nursing-Nursing Entrance Exam.

Verbal 64%

Math: 60%

Science: 62%

 

The National League for Nursing-Nursing Entrance Exam (NEX ) may be taken a maximum of 3 times.  The scores of NEX exams that are taken over 3 times will not be considered.  Scores over three (3) years old may NOT be used.

Meeting all minimum requirements for admission to the program, including achieving the prescribed NEX Score, does not guarantee your acceptance into the Nursing Program.  

All score requirements must be met on the same exam. Scores are not interchangeable between exams.

 

All applicants must:

1. Submit all information by the application deadline date

2. Complete all requirements for consideration for admission.

3. Provide current contact information.

 

Applicants will not be admitted to the nursing program based on the following:

1. Applicants committing a misdemeanor in the past 5 years or having a felony conviction (ever) will not be admitted to the nursing program.

2. Students having a positive drug screen (positive for illegal drugs) will not be admitted to the nursing program

3. Persons having felony convictions (ever) in any state or pleas of nolo contendere (no contest) related to healthcare fraud or abuse; unlawful possession or distribution of illegal substances or firearms; or aggravated assault are not eligible to apply to the nursing program.

4. Persons having misdemeanors in the past five years in any state or pleas of nolo contendere (no contest) related to healthcare fraud or abuse, possession or distribution of illegal substances or firearms, or aggravated assault are not eligible to apply to the nursing program.

5. Persons listed on the National Sexual Offender & Predator Registry are not eligible to apply to the nursing program.

6. Applicants who have untreated mental impairments will not be admitted to the nursing program. According to the ADA, mental impairment means “any psychological disorder, such as … emotional or mental illness”. Emotional or mental illness that is untreated includes “major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and personality disorders.” This also includes drug or alcohol addiction or any medication that may impact the ability to perform safely in the clinical setting.

 

Criteria for Selections

The number of students admitted to the program will be dependent upon faculty and space availability. No waiting list is maintained. Meeting all requirements for admission does not guarantee admission to the program.

 

Pathway 1: Direct Admission

Students meeting the criteria for direct admission will be admitted into the nursing curriculum during their freshman year. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of positions, those having higher ACT or SAT scores will be selected.

 

Pathway 2: Post Baccalaureate

Students meeting all criteria will be admitted into the professional component of the nursing curriculum. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of positions, those having higher overall GPAs will be selected

 

Pathway 3: Traditional Admission

If the number of eligible students applying to the nursing program exceeds the number of available positions in the program, students having higher overall GPAs will have priority.  Individual grades in required pre-requisite courses will also be considered, along with the number of times students have repeated courses.

 

Other Criteria:

1. Students having active judicial sanctions by Bethune-Cookman University will not be considered for the nursing program.

2. Persons previously enrolled in a nursing program at another school or university and were not successful, dismissed from the program, or not in good standing are not eligible to apply to B-CU SON for two (2) years after leaving the last nursing program.

3. Students who were dismissed for academic reasons from the nursing program at Bethune-Cookman University are not eligible to reapply until two (2) years or 4 regular semesters (spring/fall) after the semester of the last enrollment in the Nursing Program.

4. Persons applying to the Nursing Program who have or held licensure in any other discipline and were subjected to disciplinary action will be required to submit appropriate documentation. This may prevent admission to the nursing program.

Other Expectations:

Students admitted to the nursing program are expected to:

1. Have access to a reliable vehicle for transportation to and from clinical sites.

2. Assume the cost of travel to and from clinical sites.

3. Assume any/all liability associated with travel to and from clinical sites.

 

Transfer Students:

In accordance with University policy, students who have been enrolled at another institution must report/submit official transcripts from each college or university previously attended. The Registrar of Bethune-Cookman University will evaluate all previous work done by the student at other institutions. Transfer credit may be given for those courses taken at accredited institutions provided that the courses fall within the scope of approved curricula.

 

Transfer students requesting admission into the nursing program:

1. Transfer students must meet all University requirements for acceptance prior to submitting an application for admission to the Nursing program.

2. Transfer students having 24 approved credit hours or more transferred into the University will be exempt from taking NU 112: Introduction to Nursing, for admission into the program. All required nursing gen-ed courses must be passed with a grade of C or better. A pass/fail grade will not be accepted.

3. Transfer credit will not be awarded for any previously completed nursing courses.

4. Students who have been placed on probation or dismissed for any reason from another institution are not eligible for admission to the nursing program until after two years from the last enrollment in the former nursing program.

5. In order to facilitate a smooth transition into the nursing program, students who have earned AA, AS, BA, or BS degrees will be deemed to have met all university general requirements. Students will only have to meet those courses specific to the nursing program.

 

Educational Outcomes

Program Objectives:

The success of the program will be determined by the achievement of course objectives, end-of-program student learning outcomes, and role-specific graduate competencies. This will be demonstrated through the following:

1. Performance on the NCLEX-RN:

   1. Performance for first-time takers will be at or above the National Average.

   2. The program’s three-year mean for licensure pass rate will be at or above the national average.

2. Program Completion: The expected level of achievement is 50%.

3. Job Placement: 80% within one year of program completion.

 

Student Learning Outcomes

The Philosophy and EPSLOs are congruent with the core values, mission, and ISLOs of B-CU and aligned with professional standards as described in the Quality & Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competencies. QSEN competencies reflect the nursing program’s organizing framework.  School of Nursing Student Learning Outcomes are presented below with the ISLOs from which they were derived. Students will be able to:

1. Clinical Decision and Safety: Apply the nursing process in clinical decision-making for individuals, families, groups, and communities, utilizing holistic care in a safe environment. (ISLO #3, #6, and #8)

2. Client-Centered Care:  Provide holistic nursing care that empowers clients to achieve optimal personal wellness while respecting their socio-cultural, geopolitical, and economic status. (ISLO #1, #2, and #4)

3. Informatics:  Utilize healthcare technology and communication tools that support optimal client outcomes, drive quality improvement, and support healthcare policies that deliver safe and cost-effective care. (ISLO #3 and #6)

4. Teamwork:  Collaborate with individuals, families, communities, populations, and interdisciplinary team members to coordinate the delivery of safe, quality care. (ISLO #5, and #6).

5. Inquiry:  Utilize principles of nursing research, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement to facilitate the delivery of holistic nursing care.  (ISLO #7).

6. Quality Improvement:  Utilize data to monitor outcomes of healthcare interventions for individuals, families, groups, communities, and clients with complex health needs.

 

Graduation Requirements:

1. Students must meet all University and program requirements for graduation.

2. Students are required to complete the NCLEX-RN Licensure application during the second semester of the senior year.

3. Students must submit a certified check or money order for the full cost of taking the exam. It must be submitted to the School of Nursing during the second semester of the senior year. Payments are not refundable unless the student fails a senior-level course or is otherwise eligible to graduate.

 

Programs:

Bachelor in Nursing (BSN) Program

Major

• Nursing, B.S.N

Return to: College of Nursing and Health Sciences