Nursing, BSN

Basic Licensure Track

Students with an interest in nursing are admitted to Clayton State University as a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences major with a concentration of pre-nursing. Refer to the Bachelor of Health Sciences section of this Catalog for details. Separate application to this competitive admission program is required upon completion of 60 hours of Lower Division Major Requirements and transition course HLTH 3201 Pathophysiology . Students not admitted to this competitive admission program may continue with the Bachelor of Health Sciences degree in consultation with academic advisor to determine appropriate concentration and career path.

Admission

The basic licensure BSN track is available to recent high school graduates, non-traditional students, current Clayton State students, and transfer students who meet University admission requirements. Graduates are prepared for initial licensure as a Registered Nurse.

Nursing application is separate from University application and admission. Admission is competitive and space is limited. Students are admitted each fall and spring semester into a full-time four semester program (excluding intervening summers).

Minimum admission requirements include (details on the School of Nursing website):

1. College grade point average (GPA) of 2.80 on 4.00 scale.
2. Completion of 45 semester hours of BSN core curriculum with grades of C (or K or S) or better in all natural and behavioral science, math and Area F courses at the time of application and 60 semesters hours at the time of enrollment in nursing program.
3. Successful completion of the USG system legislative requirements.
4. Satisfactory completion of designated nursing program entrance exam.
5. Satisfactory evidence of overall health status consistent with the performance standards for nursing and verified by a licensed health care professional.
6. Eligible for clearance on criminal background check and drug screening.
7. Applicants participating in Clayton State University’s Honors Program are given priority if they meet all program admission standards.
8. Applicants who have attended another nursing program are required to disclose on their application and submit a letter of good standing from the program administrator. Applicants who have been dismissed from another nursing program are ineligible for admission to the Clayton State program.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate human caring as a key philosophical basis for the practice of nursing
2. Utilize effective communication skills to promote therapeutic nurse-client interactions and good collegial relationships
3. Engage in critical thinking by using creative problem solving and making appropriate inferences, based on evidence derived from clinical practice
4. Demonstrate client care that reflects the consideration of socioeconomic, political, legal, ethical and human diversity variables in the changing health care environment
5. Demonstrate competence in utilizing information technology resources to advance professional practice
6. Collaborate with health care providers from other disciplines to improve client outcomes
7. Utilize nursing therapeutics based on a synthesis of critical thinking strategies and a theoretical knowledge base in nursing to provide competent professional care and maximize healthy outcomes
8. Demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional development as a life-long learner
9. Apply selected theoretical frameworks and evidence-based practice to nursing practice in diverse settings

Program Requirements

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Students in the health professions, including Nursing, must fulfill the Area D science requirements with a two-semester laboratory sequence. This means that specific lecture courses must be taken with the appropriate lab.

Academic Standards

Nursing students must maintain a semester grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 (“C”) to progress in the program. A minimum grade of “C” is required in all upper division and major courses. Students who receive a "D", "F", "WF", or "U" in any nursing course may repeat that course one time only on a space available basis. Students who receive any two of the following: "D", "F", "WF", or "U" in any two nursing courses may not continue in the program. All students are required to finish all coursework for the BSN degree within five years of matriculation. Reference BSN Student Handbook for details.

Please Note: This is a suggested course sequence and assumes a starting freshman with no prior college credit who intends to complete their degree in four years. Students should consult with their academic advisor and review the course prerequisites and minimum grade requirements as seen in the Academic Catalog.