Nursing Major, BSN

Program Description

The Division of Nursing at Winston-Salem State University is a national premier nursing school based on excellence in education, research, and public service, as well as diversity in student population and program offerings. Consistent with the WSSU mission and the mission of the School of Health Sciences, the division provides professional nursing education that prepares a baccalaureate degree nurse generalist. The undergraduate curriculum provides experiences needed for students to develop effective communication and critical thinking skills while executing therapeutic intervention, health promotion and disease prevention, and evidence-base practice strategies. These experiences include theory, clinical practicums and public service essential for delivery of professional nursing care in a variety of settings and to diverse populations.

Prior learning experiences are considered in the criteria for admission of a student population diverse in age, gender, ethnicity, academic levels, life experiences and health care experiences. The Division provides an environment conducive to personal and professional growth and lifelong learning for students and faculty. Faculty and students engage in mutually beneficial relationships with the community and other health care providers in ways that complement the nursing division’s educational mission. These experiences foster the impartation of values such as kindness, compassion, justice, loyalty and also cultural competence and sensitivity.

Student Learning Outcomes

The undergraduate program prepares a graduate who will:

1. Use critical thinking and technology in synthesizing knowledge from the biological, physical and behavioral sciences, the humanities and nursing in making nursing practice decisions about clients of all ages from diverse and multicultural societies.
2. Utilize the nursing process and patient centered care to promote wellness through illness prevention, supportive and restorative care.
3. Perform nursing roles of caregiver, teacher/counselor, collaborator, client advocate, leader/manager, designer and research consumer to enhance the quality of client care.
4. Implement effective verbal, written and computerized communication techniques with clients and other health care providers to promote a culturally sensitive holistic approach to health care.
5. Provide nursing care that recognizes individual dignity and worth as well as rights and responsibilities with regard to quality of life issues and participation in decisions affecting well-being.
6. Integrate ethics, caring and safe nursing practice in providing accessible and cost-effective health care for persons, families, groups and communities in all economic levels.
7. Implement evidence-based practice through interpretation, utilization, and participation in research.
8. Demonstrate professional responsibility and accountability in the practice of nursing.
9. Assume responsibility for continuing professional and personal growth.

General Education Requirements

A total of 60 general education courses that meet WSSU’s general education requirements for transfer students are needed. LPN-BSN students should have at least one course (3 semester  hours) in each of the seven general education Areas of Knowledge - Culture and Foreign Language, History, Literature, Mathematics, Natural Science, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and The Fine Arts (minimum of 21 semester hours). For additional information regarding general education courses access the transfer student tab at the following link.

https://www.wssu.edu/academics/general-education/general-education-requirements.html

Major Requirements

Admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the nursing program. Students must meet specific admission criteria and must apply for admission to the upper division of the major. Meeting the minimal admission criteria as listed below, does not guarantee admission into the Upper Division of Nursing.

Minimum Admission Criteria

Undergraduate Students

• Cumulative GPA 2.6 or better
• Verbal/Critical Reading SAT score 470 if taken prior to march 2016; 500 if taken after march 2016 or ACT English score 19
• Grade of C or better in lower division nursing course and nursing pre-requisite courses on the first attempt.
• Satisfactory completion of  core curriculum in general education and pre-requisite course requirements.

Priority admission will be given to students with a grade of “C” or better in required life or physical science courses on the first attempt. A student who receives a failing grade in 2 or more required life or physical science course will be denied admission. Only required science courses taken within the past 7 years will be considered.

Specialized Admission Requirements for the Major

In addition to meeting the undergraduate student admission criteria, students applying to the Accelerated, LPN-BSN, and Paramedic-BSN options must meet and provide evidence of the following criteria.

Accelerated (ABSN)

• Evidence of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

LPN - BSN

• Possess and maintain an unencumbered, active license as a practical nurse from the state of North Carolina 
• Have 1 year of direct patient care experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the state of North Carolina and have worked a minimum of 1,560 hrs as a Licensed Practical Nurse within the past calendar year. Employer verification of this employment is required. 

Paramedic - BSN

• Current certification by the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services and/or the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians as EMT-P. The certification must be maintained throughout course of study.

RN - BSN 

• Registered Nurse with an associate degree or diploma in nursing and current unrestricted license to practice in the state of North Carolina.
• 8 hours required in the sciences with at least 5 credit hours in Anatomy and Physiology I and II

See admission criteria

Advanced Placement 

Paramedics and LPN transfers may be granted advanced placement by challenge examination(s).

Special Note: In addition to the above criteria, all students must meet health requirements (as specified by clinical agencies). Criminal background checks and drug screens will be required for students admitted into the Upper Division.  Admissions into the nursing major is contingent upon a favorable criminal background check and drug screen.

Policies and Procedures 

Students must follow policies, guidelines and procedures in the University Catalog, University Student Handbook and Division of Nursing Student Handbook. 

Progression Policy 

A grade of “D” or “F” in an upper division nursing course constitutes failure. Any two final grades lower than “C” in upper division nursing courses will result in dismissal from the nursing major. Students in the accelerated option who make a “D” or “F” in any nursing course will not continue in the accelerated option and may request transfer to the traditional option. Two failures will result in dismissal from the Program.

The Division of Nursing reserves the right to dismiss from the nursing program any student who fails to maintain satisfactory academic standing; whose conduct is a breach of ethics and standards established by the profession, division and the university; and whose continuation in the program would be detrimental to their health and the health and safety of others.  

Courses 

Pre-Requisite Courses 

BIO 1331   General Microbiology

BIO 1131   Microbiology Lab

BIO 2311   Anatomy & Physiology I (prereq BIO 1313 )

BIO 2111   Anatomy & Physiology Lab

BIO 2312   Anatomy & Physiology II (prereq BIO 2311 )

BIO 2112   Anatomy & Physiology Lab

CHE 1311   General Chemistry for Health Sciences Majors

CHE 1111   General Chemistry for Health Sciences Majors Lab

MAT 2326   Elementary Statistics or PSY 2326  or SOC 2326  

PSY 2336   Lifespan Development

Major Courses  

NUR 2312   – Dynamics of Professional Nursing (RN-BSN Only)

NUR 2313   – Introduction to Professional Nursing

NUR 3102   - Adult Health Nursing I

NUR 3117   – Clinical Reasoning

NUR 3303   - Nursing Research

NUR 3312   - Health Assessment

NUR 3314   - Clinical Nursing Foundation

NUR 3316   – Pharmacology for Nurses

NUR 3318   – Introduction to Pathophysiology for Nurses

NUR 3502   - Child Health Nursing

NUR 3511  - Mental Health Nursing

NUR 4103   - Adult Health Nursing II

NUR 4201   – Content Synthesis for Nursing Practice I

NUR 4202   – Content Synthesis for Nursing Practice II

NUR 4203   – Care of the Older Adult

NUR 4304   - Leadership and Management of Care

NUR 4502   - Community Health Nursing

NUR 4511   - Maternal Newborn Nursing

NUR 4000 - Independent Study-Elective

 

Electives only for RN-BSN

NUR 3305   Financial Management for Nurses OR

NUR 3307   Global Health Nursing

 

Major Course Sequence

Freshman Fall Semester

NUR 2312   Dynamics of Professional Nursing (RN-BSN Only)

Sophomore Fall or Spring Semester

NUR 2313   Introduction to Professional Nursing (See course enrollment requirements.)

Summer

NUR 3316   Pharmacology for Nurses

NUR 3314   Clinical Nursing Foundation

NUR 3312   Health Assessment

Junior Fall Semester

NUR 3102   Adult Health Nursing I

NUR 3318   Introduction to Pathophysiology for Nurses

NUR 3117   Clinical Reasoning

Junior Spring Semester

NUR 3303   Nursing Research

NUR 3511   Mental Health Nursing

NUR 3502   Child Health Nursing

Senior Fall Semester

NUR 4502   Community Health Nursing

NUR 4511   Maternal Newborn Nursing

NUR 4203   Care of the Older Adult

NUR 4201   Content Synthesis for Nursing Practice I

Senior Spring Semester

NUR 4103   Adult Health Nursing II

NUR 4202   Content Synthesis for Nursing Practice II

NUR 4304   Leadership and Management of Care

 

Nursing Pre-requisites

One nursing course and six non-nursing courses are required. These courses must be successfully completed prior to Spring admission into the option with a grade C or bettee. The 22 credit hours earned from the six non­ nursing courses will count towards the required 60 general education hours.

 

LPN to BSN Option Plan of Study
*A LPN-BSN student who has met all admission requirements and has one year of direct patient care experiences as a LPN in North Carolina may earn credit by challenge examination for the course. ** LPNs that have worked 3 of the past 5 years in the direct care of older adults in a geriatric nursing practice setting may earn credit by challenge examination for NUR 4203 Care of the Older Adult upon successful completion of a challenge exam.
Course Number	Course Title	Semester
NUR 2313	Introduction to Professional Nursing* (may challenge)	Spring
NUR 3303	Nursing Research	Summer
NUR 3312	Health Assessment
NUR 3316	Pharmacology for Nurses* (may challenge)	Spring
NUR 3314	Clinical Nursing Foundation** (may challenge)	Fall
NUR 3318	Introduction to Pathophysiological for Nurses
NUR 3102	Adult Nursing I
NUR 3117	Clinical Reasoning	Spring
NUR 3511	Mental Health Nursing	Fall
NUR 3502	Child Health Nursing	Fall
NUR 4103	Adult Nursing II
NUR 4201	Content Synthesis for Nursing Practice I
NUR 4203	Care of the Older Adult** (may challenge)	Spring
NUR 4511	Maternal Newborn Nursing
NUR 4502	Community Health Nursing
NUR 4304	Leadership and Management of Care
NUR 4202	Content Synthesis for Nursing Practice II

 

In addition to meeting the undergraduate admission requirements, candidates for the Paramedic to BSN option must also:

• Current certification by the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services and/or the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians as EMT-P. The certification must be maintained throughout course of study.

Paramedic - BSN Plan of Study
The path allows the paramedic to challenge certain prescribed nursing courses based on their clinical experiences. Course credit is awarded if the paramedic passes the challenge exam(s) and clinical simulation experiences with the prerequisite score(s) and/or skills check-off. Students are given one chance to challenge a course and successfully pass skills check-off. If the student is unsuccessful on the challenge experience, the student must take the course.
Course Number	Course Title	Semester
NUR 2313	Introduction of Professional Nursing	Spring
NUR 3303	Nursing Reasearch	Spring
NUR 3316	Pharmacology for Nursing* (may challenge)	Spring
NUR 3312	Health Assessment* (may challenge)	Spring
NUR 3314	Clinical Nursing Foundations	Summer
NUR 3102	Adult Health I	Fall
NUR 3318	Intro to Pathophysiology	Fall
NUR 3117	Clinical Reasoning	Fall
NUR 3502	Child Health* (may challenge)	Fall
NUR 4511	Maternal Newborn* (may challenge)	Fall
NUR 3511	Mental Health	Spring
NUR 4502	Community Health	Spring
NUR 4304	Leadership and Management	Spring
NUR 4201	Content Synthesis for Nursing Practice I	Spring
NUR 4103	Adult Health II	Fall
NUR 4203	Care of the Older Adult	Fall
NUR 4202	Content Synthesis II	Fall

 

In addition to meeting the undergraduate admission requirements, candidates for the Accelerated option must also:

• Applications to the Accelerated BSN program are submitted August 1 - September 1 each year for January (Spring semester) start date. Students are notified via email by mid-October regarding admission decisions.

Division of Nursing Accelerated Option Courses
The ABSN option is a full-time plan of study. Students are highly encouraged not to work during their matriculation in the option. The rigorous option offers the student every opportunity to engage in practical clinical, inter-professional and collaborative experiences. The ABSN path follows the same plan of study as the Traditional path, but in a 13 month timeframe.
Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours	Weeks
NUR 2313	Introduction to Professional Nursing	3	5
NUR 3312	Health Assessment	2	9
NUR 3316	Pharmacology for Nurses	3	9
Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours	Weeks
NUR 3314	Clinical Nursing Foundation	3	9
NUR 3318	Introduction to Pathophysiology for Nurses	3	10
NUR 3102	Adult Nursing I	10	10
NUR 3117	Clinical Reasoning for Nursing Practice	1	5
NUR 3511	Mental Health Nursing	3	5
NUR 3303	Nursing Research	3	10
NUR 3502	Child Health Nursing	5	5
Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours	Weeks
NUR 4304	Leadership and Management of Care	3	4
NUR 4511	Material Newborn Nursing	5	5
NUR 4502	Community Health Nursing	5	5
NUR 4103	Adult Nursing II	10	10
NUR 4201	Content Synthesis for Nursing Practice I	2	10
NUR 4202	Content Synthesis for Nursing Practice II	2	10
NUR 4203	Care of the Older Adult	2	10

 

Candidates for the RN to BSN option require:

• Unrestricted and active NC RN license
• Completion of prerequisite courses:
• Statistics (3 credits)
• Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
• Anatomy and Physiology I and II (6 credits)
• Successful completion of NCLEX
• A minimum of 51 hours of transferable credit in courses that are considered outside the nursing major

School of Health Sciences Division of Nursing RN to BSN Option Full Time Curriculum WSSU RN to BSN Full-Time (Spring, Summer, Fall)
The RN to BSN path at Winston-Salem State University recognizes registered nurses as adult learners with experience in nursing and an active personal life. If you need a student-friendly program with enough flexibility to meet your specific needs, the WSSU RN to BSN program is for you.
Semester I
Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours
NUR 2312	Dynamics of Professional Nursing	3
NUR 3318	Pathophysiology (online)	3
NUR 3312	Health Assessment	3
Semester II
Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours
NUR 3303	Nursing Research	3
NUR 4502	Communnity Health Nursing	5
NUR 4203	Care of the Older Adult*	2
Semester III
Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours
NUR 4103	Adult Health II	10
NUR 4304	Leadership and Management of Care	3
NUR	Elective*
NUR 3305   or NUR 3307	Financial Management for Nurses or Global Health Nursing	3
*Fall Cohort will take elective in Semester II and NUR 4203  in Semester III

 

School of Health Sciences Division of Nursing RN to BSN Option Part-Time Curriculum WSSU RN to BSN Part-Time (offered Fall online only)
Fall
Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours
NUR 2312	Dynamics of Professional Nursing	3
NUR 3318	Pathophysiology - online	3
Spring
Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours
NUR 3312	Health Assessment	3
NUR 3305   or  NUR 3307	Financial Management for Nursing or Global Health Nursing	3
Summer
Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours
NUR 3303	Nursing Research	3
NUR 4203	Care of the Older Adult	2
Fall
Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours
NUR 4502	Community Health Nursing	5
NUR 4304	Leadership and Management	3
Spring
Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours
NUR 4103	Adult Health II	10