Faculty Spotlight

Program Director

Elaine Keavney
Master of Science: Saint Joseph's College

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Bachelor of Science in Nursing

STUDENTS ENROLLING IN THIS PROGRAM MUST ALREADY HAVE EARNED AN ASSOCIATES IN NURSING AND HOLD A CURRENT ACTIVE RN LICENSE.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program facilitates the immediate and lifelong professional development needs of registered nurses who hold an Associate’s degree in Nursing and have a current, active license as a Registered Nurse. The program focuses on the development of the professional nursing role in three primary areas: Practitioner, Scientist and Leader. Students work with faculty to assess, implement, and evaluate a professional development plan to improve critical thinking, clinical reasoning, oral and written communication comprehension of published research, and knowledgeable, skillful participation in organizational, community, and global health issues. The program builds a foundation for graduate study.

STUDENTS ENROLLING IN THIS PROGRAM MUST ALREADY HAVE EARNED AN ASSOCIATES IN NURSING AND HOLD A CURRENT ACTIVE RN LICENSE.

DEGREE AT A GLANCE:

    • Number of Credits
    • 122
    • Cost Per Credit
    • $ 250
    • Total Tuition*
    • $ 30,500
  • *(Before Transfer Credit)
 
 
 
 
 
Core Requirements
(32 Hours)
NAME
DESCRIPTION
CREDITS
MATH302
Statistics
3 hours

This is an interactive course designed to help students achieve a greater understanding of the statistical methods and models available to analyze and solve the wide variety of problems encountered in business, science, medicine, education, the social sciences, and other disciplines. Successful completion of this course will provide students with a working knowledge of the principles of both descriptive and inferential statistics, probability, averages and variations, normal probability distributions, sampling distributions, confidence intervals, statistical hypothesis tests, and correlation and regression analyses. The emphasis of the course will be on the proper use of statistical techniques and their application in real life -- not on mathematical proofs. This course will use Microsoft Excel for some of the work. Students should have a basic familiarity with Excel and have access to this software application. Prerequisite: MATH110 - College Algebra.

Pre Reqs: College Algebra(MATH110)

NURS300
Professional Transitions in Nursing
3 hours

This course is only open to students who are enrolled in the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program. Students complete a professional self assessment using the indicators for the professional nursing role outlined in the Nurse Practice Act in the jurisdiction in which they are licensed. Self-assessments of competency and comfort with technology, oral, and written communication in nursing are also completed. Action plans are formulated to facilitate development in these areas. The practitioner, scientist, and leader roles of the professional nurse provide a framework for exploring reflective practice, evidence-based practice, nursing ethics, and patient safety. The histories of nursing, medicine, allied health, public health, and global health provide a lens and context for exploring the scope of the professional nursing role.

NURS310
Assessment, Evaluation and Clinical Decision-Making
3 hours

This course is only open to students who are enrolled in the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program. This course explores the science of nursing assessment, evaluation, and decision-making. A self-assessment of the student’s understanding of the science supporting nursing care is completed, and an action plan is formulated to further develop competencies in this area. Students develop case studies from their own practice to assess patients across the lifespan and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. Online faculty-facilitated discussions provide the student with the opportunity to review and evaluate a variety of cases and patient presentations. (Prerequisite: NURS300)

Pre Reqs: Professional Transitions in Nursing(NURS300)

NURS320
Integrated Pathophysiology and Clinical Pharmacology I
3 hours

This course is only open to students who are enrolled in the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program. This 2-course series explores common physiological patterns of co-morbidities and multiple functional problems and associated pharmacological interventions. Students continue work on the action plans formulated in NURS 310 to deepen their knowledge of the sciences supporting nursing practice. Traditional and simulated case studies strengthen clinical reasoning for patients experiencing multiple functional problems across the lifespan, including end of life and palliative care. (Prerequisite: NURS310)

Pre Reqs: Assessment, Evaluation and Clinical Decision-Making (NURS310)

NURS330
Integrated Pathophysiology and Clinical Pharmacology II
3 hours

This course is only open to students who are enrolled in the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program. Students complete evaluations of proficiency with the sciences supporting nursing practice. Genetics, genomics, multi-generational family histories, and health screenings are explored within the context of the professional nursing role. Case studies are used to develop clinical reasoning and identify associated coordination of care problems. (Prerequisites: NURS320)

Pre Reqs: Integrated Pathophysiology and Clinical Pharmacology I(NURS320)

NURS340
Science of Evidence-Based Practice
3 hours

This course is only open to students who are enrolled in the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program. This course reviews evidence-based practice, the history of this movement, and the challenges to implementation in the practice setting. Students will further develop their skills with efficiently finding, reading, and comprehending published research and determine applicability to clinical practice. Students continue to explore means to assess, monitor, and develop cultures of safety in their own organizations and will become familiar with several national safety initiatives.(Prerequisites: MATH302, NURS330)

Pre Reqs: Statistics(MATH302),Integrated Pathophysiology and Clinical Pharmacology II(NURS330)

NURS350
Transformational Leadership and Cultures of Safety
3 hours

This course is only open to students who are enrolled in the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program. This course builds on assessments related to professionalism, culture of safety, nursing ethics and effective use of healthcare technology completed in previous courses with an emphasis on leading change in complex organizational healthcare systems. Students integrate and apply this knowledge to improve quality and build cultures of safety in their workplaces. (Prerequisite: NURS340)

Pre Reqs: Science of Evidence-Based Practice(NURS340)

NURS400
Emerging Scholarship and Trends in Healthcare
3 hours

This course is only open to students who are enrolled in the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program. This course builds on assessments related to professionalism, culture of safety, nursing ethics and effective use of healthcare technology completed in previous courses with an emphasis on leading change in complex organizational healthcare systems. Students integrate and apply this knowledge to improve quality and build cultures of safety in their workplaces. (3 credit hours) (Prerequisite: NURS350)

Pre Reqs: Transformational Leadership and Cultures of Safety(NURS350)

NURS410
Community Health I
4 hours

This course is only open to students who are enrolled in the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program. The course will begin with the history and theory of community health nursing and the influences of political and financial decisions. The course will provide an opportunity to investigate social, environmental, and economic issues and available community resources. Clinical experiences will allow for assessment and planning for health education and health problems, epidemiology and cultural issues. This course includes a clinical practicum, which can be carried over into NURS420. (Prerequisites: NURS400)

Pre Reqs: Emerging Scholarship and Trends in Healthcare(NURS400)

NURS420
Community Health II
4 hours

This course is only open to students who are enrolled in the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program. In this course the student will study the community as a client. The student will gain knowledge of the vulnerable and under-served populations as well as how communities are affected by culture diversity and natural and man-made disasters. Clinical experiences will allow for assessment and planning of an individual, family, and community’s health. This course includes a clinical practicum, which can be carried over from NURS410. (Prerequisite: NURS410)

Pre Reqs: Community Health I(NURS410)


Major Requirements
(22 Hours)
Student must fulfill the 22 credit hours requirements of this section by having a current, active registered nursing license and an Associate's degree in Nursing.
NAME
DESCRIPTION
CREDITS

Institutional Requirements
(3 Hours)
NAME
DESCRIPTION
CREDITS
COLL100
Foundations of Online Learning
3 hours

This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for undergraduate study in the online environment. Students will be introduced to learning theory, the tools available in the online classroom and campus, and online research. Identification of personal learning style allows students to improve their study/learning techniques and prepares them to succeed in college level courses. Students will be introduced to formatting and citation styles. APUS policy and procedure is addressed. There is an emphasis on written communication to assist students in the transition to the online environment.


General Education
(38 Hours)

Final Program Requirement
(3 Hours)
NAME
DESCRIPTION
CREDITS
NURS498
Senior Seminar in Nursing Studies
3 hours

This course is only open to students who are enrolled in the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program. This course is organized around individual student projects and serves as a capstone and culminating experience where students integrate knowledge and apply professional skills to improve the quality of health in the workplace. Students prepare formal written and oral presentations of the project. A final evaluation of progress toward meeting goals is completed. (3 credit hours) (Prerequisite: Successful completion of all program coursework.)

Pre Reqs: Community Health II(NURS420)


General Electives
(24 Hours)
Electives are typically courses available at your degree level that are not currently required as a part of your degree program/academic plan. Please visit the catalog to view a complete listing of courses.

Program Completion Rates, Median Debt, and More

The following program details are intended to help you make an informed decision about the university that's right for you.

2010-2011 Program Completion Rate
Normal time to completion for full-time student4 years
Graduates who completed in this timeNot available1
1 Data may be “not available” if the program has no graduates during reporting period or if it has not been in existence the normal time for completion. If 0%, then graduates in the reporting period took longer than the average time, usually because they were part-time students. 91% of our students are employed full time and do not take a full-time course load.
Tuition & Fees as of October 1, 2011 Median Loan Debt of 2010-2011 Graduates
Tuition
(before any awarded transfer credit)
$30,500 Federal Loans3$0
Transfer Credit Evaluation fee
(if applicable)
$50 Private educational loans$0
Graduation fee$100 Institution financing plan$0
Books and supplies$02 
On-campus room and boardNot applicable 
2 The undergraduate book grant provides textbooks, e-books, and other course materials at no cost to students for courses being taken for academic credit. Students must obtain their own software when required for a course or program. 3 This figure does not include PLUS loans or TEACH grants converted to Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans.

For more information on jobs related to this program, please click on the below links to the O*NET website sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

This program is designed to prepare graduates to pursue a job in this field or related fields. Although career and professional development services are available to students and graduates, finding a job is the individual responsibility of the student. We do not guarantee that any student will be placed in any particular job, or at all.


Total Credits (122 Hours)
 

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