The Program

The program is part-time enabling the RN to work full-time while obtaining the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. RN students will complete one, three credit course every eight weeks. This will enable the RN to complete six credits per semester. The program will require five semesters for completion.

The BSN in Nursing is an upper level 30 credit hour program which must be completed at Virginia State University. The RN student enrolled in the completion program will transfer in up to 90 credit hours from previous academic work. This will total 120 credits for completion of the BSN in Nursing. A practicum will be required.  The program requirements are:

General Education Coursework – 33 credit hours

RN students will satisfy the general education credits as follows:

English Composition – 6 credits

History – 3 credits

Humanities – 3 credits

Global Studies – 3 credits

Literature – 3 credits

Wellness/Health – 2 credits

Mathematics – 6 credits

Social Science – 3 credits

Natural Science and Lab. – 4 credits

Required Core Curriculum - 21 credit hours

Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology - 12 credits

Information Systems – 3 credits

Statistics – 3 credits

Growth and Development – 3 credits

Pre-Licensure Nursing Education – 36 credits

Associate degree or hospital diploma RN preparation.

VSU Nursing Required Courses – 30 credit hours

NURS 320      Transition to Professional Practice – 3 credits

NURS 321      Integrated Health Assessment – 3 credits

NURS 322      Theoretical Foundations – 3 credits

NURS 323      Healthcare Trends and Policy – 3 credits

NURS 324      Evidence Based Practice – 3 credits

NURS 420      Alterations in Health – 3 credits

NURS 421      Nursing Informatics – 3 credits

NURS 422      Population and Global Health/Practicum – 3 credits

NURS 423      Leadership and Healthcare Management/Practicum – 3 credits

NURS 424      Financial Management and the Healthcare Delivery System – 3 credits

Total Credits – 120

Courses

This course introduces the Registered Nurse (RN) student to the role of the baccalaureate prepared nurse generalist. Through an examination of values, ethics, and practice standards, the RN will promote competencies for safe and effective nursing care. Concepts essential to professional nursing practice will be analyzed.

Prerequisite: Admission to the program.

This course focuses on comprehensive health assessment. Assessment skills are applied to the practice of nursing across the lifespan. The focus is on assessing cultural, psychosocial, behavioral, physiological, and spiritual health parameters to maintain homeostasis.

Pharmacological principles essential to promoting clinical reasoning will be examined. Laboratory experiences are provided for comprehensive skill acquisition.

Prerequisite: Admission to the program.

This course focuses on the wellness-illness continuum across the lifespan with an emphasis on disease process and the bodies’ response to illness. Principle of genetics and genomics as determinants of health are examined. Disease prevention, early diagnosis and rehabilitation strategies are examined. Health patterns across the lifespan will be emphasized.

Prerequisite: NURS 323, 324

This course explores the use of informatics within healthcare delivery systems. An examination of electronic health records management, practice standards, and data analysis will prepare the RN student to utilize informatics within the dynamic healthcare environment. Information literacy and its application to safe and effective nursing care will be emphasized.

Prerequisite: NURS 323, 324

This course will emphasize health promotion and disease prevention within communities. The communities consist of individuals, families, groups, and societies within a local, state, national, or international setting. Principles of epidemiology within vulnerable populations will be highlighted. Community based social justice, cultural sensitivity, health disparities, and equity of care will be addressed. A practicum experience will focus on nursing’s role in health promotion, disease, and injury prevention preferably within selected practice settings.

Prerequisite: NURS 323, 324