The art and science of nursing are a critical part of the delivery of patient care in health care institutions. The complex cases that nurses must manage require a strong academic foundation combined with nurturing values like compassion and empathy to maintain the integrity of this age-old profession. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing delivers the educational experiences adults need to enter the professional with technical skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed. By enrolling in this pathway, you will understand the role of the nurse in the community, the impact of cultural and socio-economic diversity, and the importance of collaborating with other health care professionals to improve patient outcomes.
South University
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at South University Virginia Beach provides a solid educational foundation to prepare adults for entry into the nursing profession. The program is open to the non-registered nurse student. The prerequisite courses may be completed in six quarters, and is required before applying for admission to the program. The nursing and general education requirements may be completed in seven quarters. Graduates will be able to incorporate the concepts of caring, communication, critical thinking, professionalism, and holism to provide care for individuals, families and communities. They will have the confidence to succeed on the NCLEX-RN to obtain licensure and begin practice as a registered nurse.
Program Outline
Quarter credits: 180
Duration: 4 years
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
General education courses – English Composition, Public Speaking, College Algebra, Statistics, Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology I Lab, Anatomy and Physiology II, Anatomy and Physiology II Lab, Art and Humanities (8 credit hours), General Psychology, Human Growth and Development, Introduction to Sociology, Human Pathophysiology, Microbiology, Microbiology Lab, General Chemistry, Nutrition,
Core courses – Introduction to the Profession of Nursing, Principles of Assessment Lab, Principles of Assessment, Pharmacotherapeutics I, Fundamentals of Nursing, Fundamentals of Nursing Skills Lab, Fundamentals of Nursing Practice, Pharmacotherapeutics II, Introduction to Nursing Research, Caring for Adults I, Caring for Adults II, Caring for Adults III, Caring for Women and Neonates, Caring for Women and Neonates Practice, Caring for Diverse & Vulnerable Populations I, Caring for Adults III Practice, Caring for Children, Caring for Children Practice, Caring for Persons with Psychiatric/Mental Health Problems, Caring for Persons with Psychiatric/Mental Health Problems Practice, Caring for Adults IV, Caring for Adults IV Practice, Caring for Diverse and Vulnerable Populations II, Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing, Transition to Professional Nursing, Transition to Professional Nursing Preceptorship
Admission criteria:
- Meet the requirements for admission to South University
- Submit a completed application for admission to the BSN program
- Complete 90 quarter hours of science and general education courses required for admission to the BSN degree program with a grade C or better
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better in the nursing prerequisite courses
- Must have a GPA of 2.75 or better on the science courses – Anatomy and Physiology I and II with Lab, Microbiology with Lab, General Chemistry, Human Pathophysiology
- Must have a minimum grade C or better in all general education courses
- Take and pass the TEAS entrance test
- Complete a satisfactory Level I and Level II background check
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university attended including courses taken at South University
- Must meet the performance standards and essential functions related to the profession of nursing
- Pay the non-refundable one-time Acceptance Fee upon acceptance to the program
- Complete a physical exam and provide record with required immunizations, titers, lab results and TB assessment
- Complete a urine drug screen
- Provide evidence of health insurance
- Must have a laptop with internet access
Program Cost:
Tuition for the program is $470 per credit hour (entry-level) and $600 (professional level). The nonrefundable acceptance fee is $500. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
- Website: https://www.southuniversity.edu/
- Address: 301 Bendix Rd Suite 100, Virginia Beach, VA 23452
- Phone: (866) 998-1872
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 93%
Old Dominion University
The BSN Prelicensure Program at Old Dominion University is open to high school graduates, those with associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees in fields other than nursing, and military and civilians who are making career changes. Students will acquire all the skills they need to function in the role of a BSN nurse over the period of five semesters. The curriculum includes instruction in the classroom, laboratory experiences and clinical experiences supervised by expert facility. Graduates will be eligible to apply to take the NCEX to become a registered nurse. Admission to the program is based on GPA using the highest grades earned in the prerequisite courses. New cohorts are admitted each fall semester.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 120-126
Duration: 4 years
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
General education courses – English Composition, Introduction to Academic Writing, Elementary Statistics, Lifespan Development, Introduction to Sociology, Introductory Chemistry, Introductory Chemistry Lab, Microbiology, Microbiology Lab, Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology I, Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology II
Core courses – Principles of Practice: Foundations of Health Assessment, Principles of Practice: Introduction to Nutrition/Normal Nutrition, Principles of Practice: Foundational Concepts, Principles of Practice: Clinical Foundations of Practice, Principles of Practice: Contemporary Issues in Nursing Care of the Older Adult, Principles of Practice: Nutrition of Nursing Practice, Health Continuum: Adult Health I, Health Continuum: Clinical Management Adult Health I, Health Continuum: Nursing Practice: Patients with Behavioral Issues, Altered Cognition, and Coping Problems, Health Continuum: Nursing Practice: Clinical Management of Patients with Behavioral Issues, Altered Cognition, and Coping Problems, Principles of Practice: Pharmacology for Nursing Practice I, Health Continuum: The Growing Family, Health Care Continuum: Children of the Family, Health Continuum: Clinical Management of The Growing Family, Health Care Continuum: Clinical Management of Children of the Family, Principles of Practice: Pharmacology Across the Continuum, Health Care Continuum: Recovery, Health Care Continuum: Clinical Management of Recovery, Nursing in the Health Care System: Community I, Nursing in the Health Care System: Community Interactions I, Health Continuum: Adult Health II, Health Continuum: Clinical Management Adult Health II, Nursing in the Health Care System: Community II, Nursing in the Health Care System: Community Interactions II, Principles of Practice: Pharmacology for Nursing Practice II, Nursing in the Health Care System Ethics, Law, Economics & Health Policy: Application to Quality Nursing Practice, Nursing Informatics, Nursing in the Health Care System: Leadership, Principles of Practice: Role Transition
Admission criteria:
- Must apply and be admitted to the University as a degree-seeking student
- Submit a School of Nursing supplemental application to the SON
- Submit copies of all previous college transcripts
- Complete the HESI A2 Entrance Exam – transcripts must be submitted with the nursing application. All areas are required except for physics. Applicants must score a minimum of 80
- Complete the prerequisite and general education courses required for admission to the BSN degree program with a grade C or better. Must complete a minimum of 30 cedit hours before applying to the program
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in the nursing prerequisite courses
- Submit details of any health care related experience – makes application more competitive
- Must respond to written and verbal prompts
- Complete a satisfactory Level I and Level II background check
- Complete a physical exam and provide record with required immunizations, titers, lab results and TB assessment
- Complete a urine drug screen
- Provide evidence of health insurance
Program Cost:
Tuition for the program is $374 per credit hour for in-state tuition and $1,039 for those out-of-state. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
- Website: https://www.odu.edu/nursing
- Address: 1881 University Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23453
- Phone: 757-683-4297
- Fax: 757-683-5253
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 92.15%
Hampton University
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at Hampton University is open to students who are new to nursing. An online RN-to-BS program is available to currently registered nurses. The traditional on-campus program covers 4 years of general education, science, and core nursing coursework. Nursing courses must be completed in sequence and include both a theory and practical component which may be covered on the skills lab or at local health care facilities. Students will learn how to use critical thinking, independent decision-making, and sound clinical judgment to meet health care needs of patients, use their knowledge of nursing to assist culturally and developmentally diverse populations, and evaluate research to apply the findings to nursing roles and evidence-based practice. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN for licensure as a registered nurse.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 120-126
Duration: 4 years
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
General education courses – Written Communication I, College Mathematics II, General Chemistry, World Civilization II, The Individual Life, Written Communication II, Oral Communication, Anatomy and Physiology I, Introduction to Psychology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Any Physical Activity Course, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Humanities I, Introduction to Sociology, Introduction to Statistics, Microbiology, Humanities II or Elective, PED, Developmental Psychology
Core courses – Introduction to the Nursing Profession, Computations in Pharmacotherapeutics Lab, General Elective, Health Assessment with Lab, Medical Terminology, Foundations of Nursing, Foundations of Nursing Practicum, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology, Adult Health Nursing I, Adult Health Nursing I Practicum, Nursing of the Childbearing & Childbearing Family, Nursing of the Childbearing and Childbearing Family Practicum, Issues in Research Seminar, Nursing Informatics, Leadership and Management in Nursing, Community/Mental Health Nursing, Community/Mental Health Nursing Practicum, Nursing Elective, Leadership and Management in Nursing Practicum, Professional Development Seminar, Adult Health Nursing II, Adult Health Nursing II Practicum
Admission criteria:
- Must apply and be admitted to Hampton University as a degree-seeking student – does not guarantee admission to the Professional Nursing Program
- Submit an application for admission to the School of Nursing Department of Undergraduate Nursing
- Must complete all pre-professional courses
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on all post-secondary courses
- Must have a cumulative science and math GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Must have complete math and science courses within the last 5 years – must not have repeated more than once to obtain a passing grade of C or higher
- Must obtain acceptable scores on the ATI TEAS – minimum 70%
- Create a YouTube video answering given prompts
- Provide two letters of recommendation
- Complete a satisfactory Level I and Level II background check
- Complete a physical exam and provide record with required immunizations, titers, lab results and TB assessment
- Complete a urine drug screen
- Provide evidence of health insurance
Program Cost:
Tuition and fees cost $29,162 per year. Other fees include insurance, textbooks, nursing fee, technology fee, and uniforms. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
- Website: http://www.hamptonu.edu/
- Address: Hampton, VA 23668
- Phone: 757.727.5000
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 88.5%
Sentara College of Health Sciences
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Sentara College of Health Sciences offers students the opportunity to work with renowned Sentara healthcare providers as a acquire the skills to become a registered nurse. The program has been in existence for more than 130 years. Students will learn in the classroom, skills lab, clinical settings and online in the hybrid program. They will apply the knowledge gained in a safe environment that simulates any medical condition encountered in the real-world. The final step is to complete 900 hours of hands-on experience – more than that required for licensure. Graduates will be prepared for one of the most challenging and rewarding careers anywhere.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 71 (not include prerequisite courses)
Duration: 4 years
Method of instruction: Hybrid
Course titles:
General education courses –Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab, Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab, Chemistry with Lab, Microbiology with Lab, Developmental Psychology, English Composition I, English Composition II, Ethics, Fine Art Elective, Humanities Elective, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, Nutrition, Oral Communication, Statistics
Core courses – Health Assessment, Applied Health Assessment, Principles of Pathophysiology, Foundations of Nursing, Application of Foundational Skills, Pharmacology, Nursing Care of Acute Illness Throughout the Lifespan, Clinical Management of Acute Illness Throughout the Lifespan, Foundations of Maternal-Newborn and Women’s Health Nursing, Clinical Management of the Maternal Newborn and Women’s Health Patient, Foundations of Maternal-Newborn and Women’s Health Nursing, Clinical Management of the Maternal Newborn and Women’s Health Patient, Professional Nursing and Emerging Trends, Nursing Care of Chronic Illness Throughout the Lifespan, Clinical Management of Chronic Illness Throughout the Lifespan, Evidence-Based Nursing Practice, High Acuity Nursing, Population Health (Online), Clinical Management of Specialty Patients, Nursing Leadership and Management (Online), Preceptorship, Summit for Nursing Knowledge, Introduction to Global Health
Admission criteria:
- Must have completed high school with a GPA of 3.5 or better
- Must have minimum SAT scores of 27 in reading and 26.5 in math or minimum ACT score of 21
- Complete a minimum of 30 credit hours with a minimum of a C or higher of the required 49 (prerequisite) credit hours. Must include Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab, Chemistry with Lab, Statistics, Developmental Psychology, English Composition I and II
- Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 on all college transcripts or a GPA of 3.3 on program-required prerequisites
- Must meet with an admissions advisor at Sentara College and provide unofficial transcripts for coursework
Program Cost:
The estimated program cost of $35,060 includes tuition, technology fee, proctored testing fee, skills lab fee, ATI subscription, skills lab supplies, and graduation fee. Textbooks and uniforms cost an additional $2,400. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
- Website: https://www.sentara.edu/
- Address: Crossways I – Suite 105, 1441 Crossways Blvd., Chesapeake, VA 23320
- Phone: (757) 388-2900
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: N/A