2016 Fact Book

59 as college and university educators preparing future nurses, or as scientists developing advances in many areas of health care and health promotion. The mission of the College of Nursing is to provide quality undergraduate and graduate nursing education within an atmosphere of scholarly inquiry, professional values, interprofessional collaboration, and community service. The college will prepare culturally sensitive and competent nursing leaders who have knowledge and skills based on integrity, creativity, courage, stewardship, and compassion and that are relevant, futuristic, and responsive to the rapidly changing health care trends and environments. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree is the critical first step for a career in professional nursing. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and other leading nursing organizations recognize the B.S.N. degree as the minimum educational requirement for professional nursing practice. While graduates can begin practice as an R.N. with an associate’s degree or hospital diploma, the B.S.N. degree is essential for nurses seeking to perform at the case-manager or supervisory level or to move across employment settings. The B.S.N. nurse is the only basic nursing graduate prepared to practice in all health care settings— critical care, ambulatory care, public health, and mental health—and thus has the greatest employment flexibility of any entry-level R.N. The B.S.N. curriculum includes a broad spectrum of scientific, critical thinking, humanistic, communication, and leadership skills, including specific courses on community health nursing not typically included in diploma or associate’s degree tracks. These abilities are essential for today’s professional nurse who must be a skilled provider, designer, manager, and coordinator of care. The first option is the four-year Nursing Program for new high school graduates. Students will be enrolled in professional nursing courses, as well as the science and general education courses, which will serve as the foundation of the nursing program. The completed program of study is 10 terms. The second option is the Upper Division Nursing Program for students who have their general education requirements completed. Students complete this program in 27-months. The third option is the Lower Division Nursing Program for pre-nursing students who are deciding on nursing as a profession and will complete their prerequisite courses in NSU’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. As students make the decision on nursing as their chosen profession, they can apply to the College of Nursing’s B.S.N. program. The fourth option is R.N. to B.S.N. Program which is designed for licensed registered nurses with an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree or a nursing diploma. The credit for prior nursing and general education courses is granted through a variety of validation procedures. R.N. to B.S.N. students may complete their studies in as little as four terms. This program has been designed to develop a nursing professional who will be knowledgeable and comfortable in assuming a leadership role in the complex health care environment. The curriculum focuses on current health care issues and delivery. The nursing faculty members teaching in this program have real-world experience and are well-respected nursing leaders in the community. The fifth option for the B.S.N. degree is the R.N. to M.S.N. program. Students in this program complete three terms of B.S.N. coursework and then matriculate into the nonclinical M.S.N. program. It is a three-year program of study with students receiving a B.S.N degree and Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) degree. The three specializations in the master’s degree program are health systems leadership, nursing education, and nursing informatics. The online Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) Program offers three unique specializations to earning the M.S.N. The master’s degree in nursing prepares the experienced nurse to advance in nursing leadership, education, or nursing informatics. Our M.S.N. specializations offer in-depth education by faculty members who are experts in these fields. The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (A.P.R.N.) Program provides the opportunity for an R.N. with a baccalaureate degree to prepare for advanced-level nursing practice related to the primary care of families and individuals throughout the lifecycle in primary care settings. The program provides preparation for the family nurse practitioner (FNP) and the gero-adult