Introduction
About
For those just beginning in their careers or those seeking a career change, the nursing profession offers a broad range of roles and options in meeting the health needs of individuals, families, communities, and populations. The School of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing preparing new nurses through three tracks:
Full-time day track
Part-time evening/weekend track
Accelerated 2nd-degree track—a 16-month program for students who already hold a baccalaureate degree in another field. This track offers admission in the Summer, Spring, and Fall.
Graduates of the B.S. program are prepared to:
Pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)
Enter into professional nursing practice within 3-6 months of graduation
Communicate effectively on a written and oral basis
Deliver client-centered care that is culturally sensitive, safe and compassionate
Practice within the legal and ethical parameters of the nursing profession
Become a provider of care, a manager of care and a member of the profession
Advocate for equitable health care, public policy and health literacy for all individuals, families, and local and global communities
Use nursing science as the basis for nursing practice
Integrate knowledge from current technological, research and evidence-based practice for the improvement of healthcare
Practice and adhere to the ANA Code of Ethics
Admission Requirements
High School Students
Maintain an 85 average over four years of work.
Achieve grades of B or better (85% or higher) in each of the following high school classes: Biology, Chemistry, and Algebra.
Transfer Students
College GPA of 3.0 or better (85% or higher) for all work done at other colleges.
Achieve grades of B or better (3.0/85% or higher) in each of the following courses: Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Microbiology, Algebra, and Statistics.
Transfer students with fewer than 24 college credits must meet both transfer and freshman requirements.
Accelerated Students
Have a previous bachelors degree and maintain a college GPA of 3.3 or better (88% or higher).
Achieve grades of B+ or better (3.3/88% or higher) in each of the following courses: Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Microbiology, Algebra, and Statistics.
Upon acceptance to the nursing major, freshman (and transfer students whose English and mathematics courses have not been accepted by the University) are required to take a placement exam to assess skills in reading, English and Mathematics. Exam results are used to program the student’s first courses in the appropriate English and mathematics courses.
Progression Criteria
Generic BS Nursing Program
Achieve a C+ or better in all science and nursing courses and maintain a minimum nursing and overall GPA of 2.75.
Accelerated BS Nursing Program
Achieve a B or better in all science and nursing courses and maintain a minimum nursing and overall GPA of 3.0.
Note: Biology courses must have been completed within 5 years of acceptance to the program.
Clinical Placement Eligibility Criteria
Satisfactorily complete the required health forms – including titers, health clearance, and vaccines
Pass a background check*
Pass a drug screen
Complete HIPAA and OSHA certification courses
Obtain an American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Provider Course Completion Card
Comply with criminal background checks and drug screening as required for eligibility to access entrance into specific clinical agencies as related to clinical course objective.*
*Pending review by the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, persons who have been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation could be ineligible for Registered Nurse Licensure in the State of New York, even though they have successfully completed the program.