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Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Pre-Licensure)

Program Description:

Aspen University’s Pre-licensure BSN program provides students with opportunities to become a BSN-educated nurse and learn the essential skills needed to practice as a professional registered nurse (RN). Skills lab, clinical simulation, seminars and community-based clinical experiences anchor the curriculum.

Upon completion of their studies in this appropriately state-authorized and state Board of Nursing approved program, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) in the state or territory in which they choose to practice (the NCLEX is the national registered nurse examination used by all states for potential registered nursing licensure). Students provide their state board of nursing applicable forms to the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, which completes them on behalf of the individual student, and take the exam in the state in which they choose to practice. Upon passing the NCLEX, students then work with their state Board of Nursing to finalize their professional licensure.

This hybrid program is currently based in five states: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas. All non-clinical courses for the BSN Prelicensure nursing program are completed online. On-ground courses include labs, hands-on clinicals that include up to 50% simulation experiences, and seminars. Arizona students must be able to attend in-residence Nursing Core classes at one of the two Aspen University locations in Phoenix. Florida students must be able to attend Nursing Core classes at the Tampa location, including an additional weekly in-residence component in non-clinical courses only.  Georgia students must be able to attend in-residence Nursing Core classes at a location in Atlanta. Tennessee students must be able to attend Nursing Core classes at a location in Nashville. Texas students must be able to attend Nursing Core classes at a location in Austin. Students are encouraged to discuss individual state requirements with their Enrollment Advisor and to review the state authorization information found on the Aspen website and within the Academic Catalog.

Degree Requirements: 120 Credits

Program Learning Goals:

It is intended that Graduates of the Aspen University Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pre-licensure program will learn or be able to do the following:

  1. Generalist Nursing Practice: Apply the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors needed to provide high quality patient-centered health care across the lifespan and function as a leader in health care environments. (Baccalaureate Essential I, II, IX; UMBO 3).
  2. Evidence-based Practice: Demonstrate that one’s professional nursing practice is grounded in current research. (Baccalaureate Essential III; UMBO 4).
  3. Patient Care Technology: Utilize patient care technology while managing resources efficiently and effectively when planning, implementing and evaluating interventions to achieve optimal health outcomes for diverse populations (Baccalaureate Essential IV, UMBO 5).
  4. Healthcare Policy: Exhibit an understanding of healthcare policies, including financial and regulatory, that impact the role of the nurse and the healthcare system. (Essential V; UMBO 3).
  5. Population Health: Recognize the leadership role of the nurse in health promotion and disease prevention for individuals, families and communities. (Baccalaureate Essential II, VII; UMBO 2)
  6. Value Systems and Ethical Behavior: Develop a personal and professional value system that is ethical and demonstrates cultural competence and sensitivity. (Baccalaureate Essential VII, VIII; UMBO 1, 2).
  7. Inter-professionalism: Demonstrate communication and collaboration among and between healthcare professionals who are critical to delivering high quality and safe patient care. (Essential VI, VIII; UMBO 2)

Academic Schedule

Pre-Professional Nursing Courses:

COM100Introduction to Communications

3
MAT140College Algebra

3
BIO210Microbiology

3
CMP160English Composition I

3
SBS105Introduction to Psychology

3
HCA130Healthcare Writing and Communications

3
BIO201Anatomy and Physiology I

3
BIO201LAnatomy and Physiology I- Lab

1
SBS110Introduction to Sociology

3
BIO202Anatomy and Physiology II

3
BIO202LAnatomy and Physiology II- Lab

1
HCA205Principles of Health and Disease

3
SBS120Diversity and Culture

3
BIO220Pathophysiology

3
SBS200Human Development

3

Nursing Core Courses (pending competitive evaluation process):

SEM101Nursing Seminar 4A

0.5
N110Foundations of Nursing Practice

3
N320Introduction to Health Assessment

3
N320LIntroduction to Health Assessment- Lab

1
SEM102Nursing Seminar 4B

0.5
N340Pharmacology in Nursing

3
N340LPharmacology in Nursing- Lab

1
SEM103Nursing Seminar 5A

0.5
N310AFundamentals of Nursing I

2
N310ALFundamentals of Nursing I Skills Lab

2
SEM104Nursing Seminar 5B

0.5
N315Professional & Legal Aspects of Nursing Practice

3
N310BN310B Fundamentals of Nursing II

2
N310BLFundamentals of Nursing Skills Lab II

2
SEM105Nursing Seminar 6A

0.5
N356Adult Health I

3
N356CAdult Health I- Clinical

2
SEM106Nursing Seminar 6B

0.5
MAT181Nursing Statistics

3
N366Adult Health II

3
N366CAdult Health Nursing II- Clinical

2
SEM107Nursing Seminar 7A

0.5
N325Maternal & Child Health

3
N325CMaternal & Child Health- Clinical

1
N489Community Health Nursing I

2
N489CCommunity Health Nursing I- Clinical

1
SEM108Nursing Seminar 7B

0.5
N493PCommunity Health Nursing II

2
N493CCommunity Health Nursing II- Clinical

2
N300Mental Health

2
N300CMental Health- Clinical

1
SEM109Nursing Seminar 8A

0.5
N410Adult Health III

2
N410CAdult Health III - Clinical

2
SEM110Nursing Seminar 8B

0.5
N415Research / Evidence-Based Practices

3
N420Adult Health IV

2
N420CAdult Health IV- Clinical

2
SEM111Nursing Seminar 9A

0.5
N437Healthcare Informatics

3
N455ATransition to Professional Practice

2
N455ACTransition to Professional Practice - Clinical

3
SEM112Nursing Seminar 9B

0.5
N455BTransition to Professional Practice

2
N455BCTransition to Professional Practice - Clinical

3

Additional Information:

There are additional health, safety, and immunization requirements for the nursing lab and clinical courses as outlined in the BSN Pre-licensure Student Handbooks. Students are encouraged to review these prior to admission to the Nursing Core and again prior clinical courses within the Nursing Core.

Students are required to adhere to all policies and clinical placement directives in the Student Handbook and Academic Catalog. Since both have elements that may change periodically, students are advised to review both often.

Prior to the first Nursing Core course, students must ensure that all required vaccinations are completed and they are prepared to provide appropriate documentation per the direction of the clinical coordination office. Clinical placements throughout the entire Nursing Core are only available to students who have met the vaccination and other requirements of Aspen’s clinical partners.

Students enrolled in this program are subject to program-specific proctored exam requirements, including, but not limited to, the HESI A2, HESI content exams, NCLEX Predictor exams, Kaplan Diagnostic Exams, and mid-terms and finals. Failing one or more course-specific exams may lead to failure of the course. All are course-specific and scheduled by cohort. Students participate in the supplementary Kaplan courses throughout the program, completing them by N455B. Graduated students are advised to continue working with Kaplan and the NCLEX Coaches to assist in facilitating their successful passing of the NCLEX on the first attempt.

Aspen recognizes that, for many students, working full-time while going to school is the norm. However, the BSN Pre-licensure program is rigorous and time-consuming with its requirements. Therefore, working full-time is discouraged throughout the Nursing Core but especially in N455A/B, Transition to Professional Practice.

For BSN Pre-Licensure scholarship information, please see the scholarship page on the Aspen University website.