Undergraduate Nursing | College of Nursing at NSU

6 | Nova Southeastern University ENTRY-LEVEL BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree is the critical first step for a career in professional nursing. While graduates can begin practice as an R.N. with an associate’s degree or hospital diploma, the nurse with a B.S.N. is prepared for a broader role. The B.S.N.-degreed nurse is the only basic nursing graduate prepared to practice in all health care set- tings—critical care, ambulatory care, public health, and mental health—and thus, has the greatest employ- ment flexibility of any entry-level registered nurse. The B.S.N. curriculum includes a broad spectrum of scien- tific, critical thinking, humanistic, communication, and leadership courses, and includes specific courses in community health nursing not typically included in diploma or associate’s degree programs. This knowledge is essential for today’s professional nurse who must be a skilled provider, designer, manager, and coordinator of patient care. Nurses must be able to make quick, some- times life-and-death, decisions; understand a patient’s treatment, symptoms, and danger signs; supervise other nursing personnel; coordinate care with other health care providers; master advanced technology; guide patients through the maze of health resources in a community; and teach patients how to comply with treatment and adopt a healthy lifestyle. The B.S.N. is the preferred degree for entering generalist nursing practice. More nurse executives are indicating their desire for the majority of their hospital staff nurses to be prepared at the baccalau- reate level to meet the complex demands of today’s patient care. In fact, the phrase “B.S.N. preferred” is appearing more frequently in classified ads for registered nurses nationwide. NSU’s 27-month, entry-level program (which begins in August and January) is offered at our Fort Lauderdale, Miami-Kendall, and Fort Myers locations. Information about the program and any of these locations can be obtained on our Web site ( www.nova.edu/nursing/entrylevel ) or by calling (954) 262-1101 or 877-640-0218 and speaking with an admissions counselor for entry-level nursing. The entry-level program is designed for students who are seeking initial licensure as a registered nurse. Upon completion of the 121 credits (seven terms), the stu- dent is awarded a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree and is eligible to sit for the national licensure examination for registered nurses (NCLEX). Individual requests for advanced placement, transfer of credit, or credit for experiential learning will be reviewed in line with Nova Southeastern University and College of Nursing requirements.