The baccalaureate program graduated its first class of 14 students in 1988 and by the end of Spring 2017, the school had over 2,000 BSN graduates. During 2017-2018 over 2,400 students were enrolled at Southern pursuing the baccalaureate degree in nursing. This undergraduate program is nationally recognized for its success with students from disadvantaged backgrounds. National licensure exam pass rates for SUSON graduates are above the national average.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program consists of lower division nursing courses and upper division courses. The program as outlined below satisfies general education (core curriculum) requirements at Southern University. Students who receive the BSN from Southern are eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as a registered nurse (RN).
The School of Nursing emphasizes self-care nursing concepts and the human care process in professional nursing. The school prepares its graduates to incorporate knowledge of nursing theory, physical sciences, behavioral sciences, and humanities in clinical nursing practice.
Graduates of the school provide professional nursing care in the role of learner, communicator, teacher, client, advocate, health care provider, counselor, change agent, and leader. They also collaborate with other health care professionals involved in the promotion of health and well-being of individuals, families, groups, and communities. Nursing graduates are expected to practice in an ethical manner with accountability to self, the client, and the profession.
These graduates are also expected to evaluate research findings and their impact on nursing practice, apply leadership skills and knowledge of the socio-political system to effect change in health care delivery, and assume responsibility for continuing personal, professional, and educational development to meet the changing health needs of society.
Admission Requirements
Application to upper division nursing may be made during the sophomore year. Transfer students that are in good standing at their previous university and school of nursing and that have comparable preparation are eligible to apply. Students are urged to seek advisement from the School of Nursing or the University College (C-USA) regarding specific courses acceptable as prerequisites.
Qualified applicants will be admitted without discrimination in regard to sex, race, ethnic identity, creed, age, or marital status. The number of applicants admitted to the upper division nursing major is dependent upon the availability of required resources. If there are more qualified applicants than can be accepted at the time of request, the admission pool will be made up of applicants who have met the criteria for admission, have given evidence of reasonable prospect of success in the nursing major, and who best represent the mission and goals of the University. The School of Nursing reserves the right to admit and retain only those students who demonstrate the cognitive, sensory, affective, and psychomotor skills necessary to perform safe acts of nursing care.
The curriculum plan describes the four-year, 120-hour program, which includes prerequisite nursing courses, University general education requirements, and upper division courses in the nursing major.
All students must meet the following criteria for admission to upper division nursing:
- Meet the requirements for general admission to Southern University-Baton Rouge.
- Completed the ACT or SAT and submit the scores to the University.
- Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.60 on all University course work completed.
- Have a minimum grade of “C” in all prerequisite nursing courses.
- Have successfully completed or received credit for all required courses listed for the first three semesters of the curriculum plan.
- Be accepted by the Admissions Committee and the dean of the School of Nursing.
- Prior to enrolling in any clinical nursing course, a completed health form must be submitted.
Progression Standards
Progress in the nursing program will be reviewed at the beginning of each semester. Students must demonstrate competence in required nursing content and successfully complete all prerequisite courses. If a student fails to meet progression standards as listed in the School of Nursing Student Handbook, the student will not be allowed to progress within the nursing program.
Students in good standing in nursing and whose enrollment in nursing courses is interrupted for two or more consecutive semesters (Fall, Spring, Fall) shall re-apply for admission, and acceptance will be based on admission requirements for the new catalog and available space. Acceptance of previous nursing courses is not automatic for these students.
Special Requirements for Nursing Majors
To enroll in a clinical nursing course, students must be approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN). The Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) mandates the following:
- A signed Authorization to Disclose Criminal History Records Information form, a completed Application for Permission to Enroll in a Clinical Nursing Course form and the Applicant Processing-Disclosure Bureau of Criminal Identification form.
- Students who hold or have held licensure in any health care discipline and who have or have had:
- disciplinary action against such license,
- have a physical or mental impairment, and/or
- students who have or have had felony convictions shall petition the board for review and action regarding their right to practice as students of nursing in Louisiana prior to entry into the first clinical course.
Prior to acceptance into the nursing program, students are sent information about uniforms, health forms, orientation, testing, and other requirements of the program. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the clinical agencies (hospital, clinics, etc.). Expenses for the first semester in nursing are greater than subsequent semesters because of initial needs, such as uniforms.
Degree Requirements
To become eligible for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing, students must satisfactorily complete a program of study that meets the requirements of the school and the University, which includes a 120-hour program and successfully passing the departmental comprehensive examination.
Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), the licensing examination for nurses, which entitles successful candidates to use the title of Registered Nurse. Completion of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program does not guarantee passing the NCLEX – RN.
Freshman Seminar
Students are required to take freshman seminar or its equivalent during the first year of matriculation at Southern University to meet graduation requirements. In addition, transfer students must adhere to the following:
- Students who have earned 24 credit hours or less at another institution are required to take freshman seminar or its equivalent;
- Students who have earned more than 24 credit hours from another institution are not required to take freshman seminar as a requirement for graduation.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Freshman Year
First Semester
| ENGL-110 | | 3 |
| MATH-135 | | 3 |
| HIST- | History | 3 |
| CHEM-128 | | 3 |
| CHEM-108 | | |
| HLSC-120 | | 2 |
Second Semester
| ENGL-111 | | 3 |
| PHIL-210 | | 3 |
| SOCL-210 | | 3 |
| HIST- | History | 3 |
| BIOL-238 | | 4 |
Sophomore Year Level I
First Semester
| BIOL-230 | | 4 |
| - | Or | |
| BIOL-231 | | 4 |
| - | | |
| BIOL-239 | | 4 |
| FCSC-332 | | 3 |
| PSYC-210 | | 3 |
| NURS-200 | | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Second Semester
| MATH-274 | | 3 |
| NURS-201 | | 6 |
| NURS-220 | | 3 |
| - | | |
| - | Fine Arts | 3 |
| - | Or | |
| - | Music | 3 |
| - | Or | |
| - | Humanities | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
NURS-201: Courses with clinical component
Junior Year Level II
First Semester
| NURS-304 | | 6 |
| PSYC-445 | | 3 |
| ENGL- | English | 3 |
| - | Free Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
NURS-304: Courses with clinical component
Second Semester
| NURS-305 | | 3 |
| NURS-310 | | 6 |
| NURS-315 | | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
NURS-310 and NURS-315: Courses with clinical component
Senior Year Level III
First Semester
| NURS-404 | | 3 |
| NURS-410 | | 6 |
| NURS-415 | | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
NURS-410 and NURS-415: Courses with clinical component
Second Semester
| NURS-417 | | 6 |
| NURS-418 | | 5 |
| NURS-420 | | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
NURS-417 and NURS-418: Courses with clinical component
NOTE: Clinical hours substitute for Community Volunteerism