Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a major within the School of Applied Sciences. If you have questions regarding this program, please contact dsu.hawk@dickinsonstate.edu or call 1-800-279-HAWK.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program prepares students to become Registered Nurses, and take the national licensing exam for Registered Nurses.
Graduates will attain education necessary to make a significant impact upon the state of North Dakota and the surrounding region, improving both the health and quality of life of its citizens. The program’s mission is to foster students’ development to become knowledgeable healthcare professionals who are prepared to serve in a continually evolving healthcare environment.
END OF PROGRAM STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the program, the graduate will achieve:
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Nursing Process: Develop an individualized plan of care by effectively utilizing the nursing process. Implement the nursing process. (This End of Program Student Learning Outcome directly addresses the Institutional Learning Outcomes IV, V, VI, and VII.)
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Patient Centered Care: Recognize the patient and/or family as the source of control and partner when implementing the nursing process with respect for patient’s and family’s preferences, values, and needs. (This End of Program Student Learning Outcome directly addresses the Institutional Learning Outcomes VII, IX, and X.)
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Teamwork and Collaboration: Function effectively within nursing and inter-professional teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making to achieve quality patient care and minimize risk. (This End of Program Student Learning Outcome directly addresses the Institutional Learning Outcomes VII and VIII.)
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Evidence Based Practice: Integrate best current evidence with clinical expertise and patient/family preferences and values for delivery of optimal health care. (This End of Program Student Learning Outcome directly addresses the Institutional Learning Outcomes VII, IX, and X.)
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Quality Improvement: Collect data to monitor the outcomes of care processes to continuously improve the quality and safety of health care systems. (This End of Program Student Learning Outcome directly addresses the Institutional Learning Outcome VII.)
- Safety: Arrange care to minimize the risk of harm to patients and providers through both system effectiveness and individual performance. (This End of Program Student Learning Outcome directly addresses the Institutional Learning Outcomes VII, IX, and X.)
- Informatics: Integrate information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision making. (This End of Program Student Learning Outcome directly addresses the Institutional Learning Outcomes VIII.)
Career Options
Why should you pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree?
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program prepares students to become Registered Nurses (RN), who are equipped to take the national exam to become licensed as an RN. Registered Nurses work in hospitals, physicians' offices, home healthcare, long term care, outpatient clinics and schools. RNs provide and coordinate patient care, supervise other RNs, LPNs and/or nursing assistants, and educate others about health conditions. They also provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families.
Possible Career Paths
- Staff Nurse
- Charge Nurse
- Nurse Manager
- Public Health Nurse
- Critical Care Nurse
- Staff Nurse Educator
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING COMPLETION PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
ASPN-LPNs, AASPN-LPNs, ASN-RNs, or ADN-RNs seeking admission to the BSN Program must submit:
- Verifiable evidence of unencumbered nurse licensure (or evidence of pending license). This includes state where licensed and licensure type for verification on NURSYS.
- Official transcripts of previous vocational/college/university education to the School of Applied Sciences - Nursing. These official records must show evidence of the following:
- Minimum 2.50 cumulative college/university GPA.
- Minimum 2.50 cumulative nursing GPA.
- Minimum grade of “C” (2.00) in all prerequisite courses (or equivalent) of BIOL 111A - Concepts of Biology, CHEM 115, CHEM 115L – Introductory Chemistry and Lab, BIOL 220 - Anatomy and Physiology I, PSYC 111 – Introduction to Psychology, BIOL 221 – Anatomy and Physiology II, PSYC 250 – Developmental Psychology, ENGL 110 – College Composition I, ENGL 120 – College Composition II, SOC 110 – Introduction to Sociology or SOC 115 – Social Problems, BIOL 302, BIOL 302L – Survey of Microbiology and Lab.
ASPN/AASPN-LPN, ASN- RN, ADN-RN and diploma RN graduates may be admitted to the BSN Completion Program without meeting all prerequisites as stated above provided the individual graduated from an approved nursing education program. However, they must provide evidence of satisfactory attainment of all requisite courses in the major prior to graduation from the BSN Completion Program.
- A completed North Dakota University System application to Dickinson State University (available online).
- A completed BSN Program application to the School of Applied Sciences - Nursing (available online or the application can be printed and emailed to the School of Applied Sciences - Nursing). Application deadline is February 1. Letters of acceptance/denial are sent by the School of Applied Sciences - Nursing in the spring.
- It is the student's responsibility to keep current contact information on file in the School of Applied Sciences - Nursing; incorrect information may result in delay or exclusion of admission to the program.
- Provisional acceptance to the BSN Program may be granted to students who are in the process of meeting admission requirements. To begin the nursing education program all admission requirements must continue to be met.
- All students who have previously attended any other college/university must request a transcript audit from the Registrar, contact the Director of Nursing and secure appropriate course substitution forms.
- Students who have previously taken nursing courses at any other college/university must submit copies of nursing course syllabi to the School of Applied Sciences - Nursing for consideration of course substitution.
- Provisional acceptance to the BSN Program may be granted to students who are in the process of meeting admission requirements. To begin the nursing education program all admission requirements must continue to be met.
- All students who have previously attended any other college/university must request a transcript audit from the Registrar, contact the Director of Nursing and secure appropriate course substitution forms.
- Students who have previously taken nursing courses at any other college/university must submit copies of nursing course syllabi to the Director of Nursing for consideration of course substitution.
- Enrollment is limited to 32.
- Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space available basis.
ASPN/AASPN LPNs, ASN-RNs, or ADN-RNs seeking an ALTERNATE ADMISSION OPTION to the BSN Program (Nurses with > 2.25 and < 2.50 cumulative nursing GPA) must have:
- Verifiable evidence of unencumbered nurse licensure. This includes state where licensed and licensure type for verification on NURSYS.
- A minimum six month interval between licensure as a nurse and completion of the NLN NACE I PN-RN Exams (Foundations of Nursing, Nursing Care of Childbearing Family, and Nursing Care of Child). Prospective students are encouraged to work as a licensed nurse prior to completing the exams.
- Successfully passed the NLN NACE I PN-RN Exams. A minimum score of 70% (total decision score) is required on the Foundations of Nursing exam the minimum combined average score on the Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family and Nursing Care of Child exams must be 62% or greater.
- The exams must be completed by August 1 for fall consideration. Costs associated with the exams are incurred by the prospective student and must be paid prior to the exams being proctored. A proctoring fee is required for students not enrolled at DSU.
- Costs associated with the exams are incurred by the prospective student and must be paid prior to the exams being ordered and proctored. A proctoring fee is required for students not enrolled at DSU.
- The exam(s) may be repeated only once.
- Submitted official transcripts of previous vocational/college/university
education to the School of Applied Sciences - Nursing. These official records must show
evidence of the following:
- Minimum 2.50 cumulative college/university GPA.
- Minimum 2.25 cumulative nursing GPA.
- Minimum grade of “C” (2.00) in all prerequisite courses (or
equivalent) of BIOL 111A - Concepts of Biology, CHEM 115, CHEM 115L –
Introductory Chemistry and Lab, BIOL 220 - Anatomy and Physiology I,
PSYC 111 – Introduction to Psychology, BIOL 221 – Anatomy and Physiology
II, PSYC 250 – Developmental Psychology, ENGL 110 – College Composition
I, ENGL 120 – College Composition II, SOC 110 – Introduction to
Sociology or SOC 115 – Social Problems, BIOL 302, BIOL 302L – Survey of
Microbiology and Lab.
ASPN/AASPN-LPN, ASN- RN, ADN-RN and diploma RN graduates may be admitted to the BSN Completion Program without meeting all prerequisites as stated above provided the individual graduated from an approved nursing education program. However, they must provide evidence of satisfactory attainment of all courses in the major prior to graduation from the BSN Completion Program.
- Submitted a completed North Dakota University System application to Dickinson State University (available online).
- Submitted a completed BSN Program Alternate Admission application to the School of Applied Sciences - Nursing. Application deadline is February 1. Letters of acceptance/denial are sent by the School of Applied Sciences - Nursing in the spring.
- It is the student's responsibility to keep current contact information on file in the School of Applied Sciences - Nursing; incorrect information may result in delay or exclusion of admission to the program. To begin the nursing education program all admission requirements must continue to be met.
- All students who have previously attended any other college/university must request a transcript audit from the Registrar, contact the Director of Nursing and secure appropriate course substitution forms.
- Students who have previously taken nursing courses at any other college/university must submit copies of nursing course syllabi to the School of Applied Sciences - Nursing for consideration of course substitution.
- Provisional acceptance to the BSN Program may be granted to students who are in the process of meeting admission requirements. To begin the nursing education program, all admission requirements must continue to be met.
- Enrollment is limited to 32.
- Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space available basis.
Requirements
The BSN Curriculum includes and builds upon the General Education, Interdisciplinary and Nursing course requirements in the AASPN Program. The category of the General Education requirement is indicated below. Students are advised to consult with their advisor to ensure proper course selection for this major.
Students must earn a grade of "C" or higher in each of the following General Education, Interdisciplinary and Nursing courses listed below:
General Education Requirements
| COMM 110 | Fundamentals Of Public Speaking | 3 |
| | Group I-C | |
| | | |
| CSCI 101 | Introduction To Computers | 3 |
| | Group II-A | |
| | | |
| | Elective (II-B) | 3 |
| | Elective (III-A) | 3 |
| | Elective (III-B) | 3 |
| | Elective (III-D) | 3 |
| | | |
| MATH 103 | College Algebra | 4 |
| | Group III-C | |
| | | |
| | May substitute MATH 107 - Pre-calculus; MATH 165 - Calculus I; or MATH 305 - Probability and Statistics for MATH 103 - College Algebra. | |
| | | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 22 |
Interdisciplinary Course Requirements
| BIOL 357 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Nursing Course Requirements
NURS 321, NURS 398A: Students not enrolled in the nursing programs may take these courses provided they have the permission of the faculty teaching the course.
AASPN PROGRAM CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS: 66
BSN PROGRAM CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS: 60
TOTAL BSN CREDIT HOURS: 126
A minimum nursing GPA of 2.50 is required to progress from the third to the fourth year,
A cumulative and nursing GPA OF 2.50 or higher are required for graduation with the BSN degree.
Semester Sequence
Fall Semester - Third Year
May substitute MATH 107 - Pre-Calculus, Math 165 - Calculus I or MATH 305 - Probability & Statistics for MATH 103 - College Algebra
Spring Semester - Third Year
| NURS 316 | Advanced Concepts I Adult Health | 4 |
| NURS 330 | Nursing Research | 2 |
| NURS 331 | Community Health I | 2 |
| NURS 398B | Clinical Concepts I | 3 |
| | Elective (III-B) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Fall Semester - Fourth Year
Spring Semester - Fourth Year
| NURS 416 | Advanced Concepts III Special Populations | 2 |
| NURS 435 | Synthesis | 2 |
| NURS 498B | Clinical Concepts III | 4 |
| | Elective (II-B) | 3 |
| | Elective (III-D) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Nursing clinical hours are 3 clock hours per 1 credit hour.