Nursing

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at South University’s Columbia campus is designed to prepare future nurses to pursue the profession. South University’s nursing program offers an educational foundation to teach important skills that future nurses can utilize throughout their careers.

The BSN graduate will be able to incorporate the concepts of caring, communication, critical thinking, professionalism, and holism to provide care for individuals, families and communities. After successful completion of the nursing program, the graduate must pass the National Council Licensure Examination Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN)® in order to obtain licensure and begin practice as a registered nurse.*

The BSN degree program is designed for the non-registered nurse student. Students may complete prerequisite courses in as few as six quarters and then apply for admission to South University’s nursing program, which is taught over seven quarters. The program allows highly motivated full-time students to complete the program of study in nursing in a concentrated period of time.

*It is up to each student to review the national and their state requirements for licensure, as well as the eligibility requirements to sit for the NCLEX-RN. South University cannot guarantee each graduate will pass licensure examinations.

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the Master of Science in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Admission Requirements

Procedure for Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program

General Entry into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program

Admission into the BSN degree program is a two step process:

• Students interested in pursuing the BSN degree are eligible for general entry to the Bachelor Science in Nursing Program by meeting requirements for entry into South University.
• Students must meet all prerequisite requirements to be considered for admission to the professional phase of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Admission to the Professional Phase of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The criteria used to determine admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program include:

• Completion of the application for admission.
• Completion of 90 quarter hours (QH) of science and general education courses as required for admission to BSN degree program with a grade of C or better. Science courses are not accepted for transfer if they are older than 7 years at the time of application to South University.
• A cumulative GPA (CGPA) of 2.75 or better on a 4.0 scale in the nursing pre-requisite courses. Note: South University, Columbia requires a 3.0 or better.
• A GPA of 2.75 or better in the following science courses: BIO1011 Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO1012 Anatomy and Physiology I Lab; BO1013 Anatomy and Physiology II and BIO1014 Anatomy and Physiology II Lab; BIO2070 Microbiology and BIO2073 Microbiology Laboratory; CHM1010 General Chemistry; BIO2015 Human Pathophysiology. Note: South University, Columbia requires a 3.0 or better.
• A grade of "C" or better in all general education courses.
• Entrance test results (HESI or TEAS test).
• A completed, approved Level I and Level II background check.
• Completed application for admission to the BSN degree program form.
• Official transcripts from every college or university attended, including courses taken at South University.
• Meet the Core Performance Standards and essential functions related to the profession of nursing as described in this catalog.
• Completion of prerequisites courses at South University will be considered in the ranking process.

Provisional admission may be granted if the student is completing prerequisites in the term before matriculation into the nursing program. On the day of matriculation into the nursing, the student must meet the admission criteria as outlined above. Failure to meet requirements of admission will result in rescinding the provisional admission status.

Acceptance into the Professional Phase of the Bachelor of Science Nursing

Upon acceptance into the Nursing Program, the student must submit:

• A nonrefundable one -time Acceptance Fee to the business office for enrollment into the BSN program. This fee will be applied to the student's first quarter tuition payment. Students enrolling in the RN to BSN program are not required to pay the registration/acceptance fee.
• Completed current physical examination record with required immunizations, titers, lab results, and tuberculosis assessment.
• Urine drug screen
• Evidence of health insurance

Pre-Licensure (BSN) Laptop Computer Requirement

Laptop computers are required for use in testing. All students are required to have a laptop computer with Internet access that meets university specifications.

Comprehensive Background Check

Please see the General Admissions Policies section here.

Acceptance into a South University educational program, or it's completion, does not imply or guarantee that a student will be able to obtain licensure or certification.

The Nursing Program Director may be required to submit written documentation regarding the student status to boards of nursing and clinical agencies as early as receipt of the student's CONPH application. Students may be required to obtain additional background checks as requested by clinical agencies or boards of nursing.

For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here.

Career Outlook

Graduates of South University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program are prepared to seek employment in

• Hospitals
• Private physician and counseling practices
• Nursing facilities
• Community clinics and agencies
• Research organizations

Course Requirements

Choose one additional course from the list below:

(must be taken concurrently)

(must be taken concurrently)

Note(s):

*PSY2022 is required by CCNE for all BSN students. Per the Department of Behavioral Sciences, the course meets the South University General Education requirements for Social and Behavioral Sciences for Nursing students ONLY.

(BIO2070 and BIO2071 must be taken concurrently)

Application Process and Deadline

The College of Nursing and Public Health admits one or two classes of students per year to each campus-based BSN programs. Application packets and deadlines are available on each campus. Fully completed application materials (including evidence of completion of all prerequisite courses) are due by the posted deadline, usually the first day of the quarter before admission (ex., first day of summer quarter for fall quarter program start). Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Math Proficiency Examinations

Students will be tested at various intervals integrated throughout the nursing program to assess math proficiency as a method to promote safe medication administration practices. Students are required to pass math examinations each quarter in order to participate in clinical practice courses and to remain in the nursing program. Students are encouraged to prepare for the math competency test using their textbook, the ATI dosage calculation programs, standardized testing resources or a South University tutor prior to the first day of each quarter.

Assessment through Standardized Tests

Achievement Examinations and NCLEX-RN Preparation

The South University Nursing Faculty is committed to assisting students to achieve success on the National Council Licensing Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). Successful completion of this examination is required for entry into the practice of professional nursing. In addition to faculty prepared examinations, nursing students take a series of achievement examinations throughout the various courses in the nursing program to prepare for taking the NCLEX-RN. The examinations are used to measure student nursing knowledge, acquired nursing skills and competencies. Students failing to achieve the national average on any achievement test must provide evidence of remediation to their faculty advisors.

South University provides students with ample educational resources including library resources, CDs, DVDs, computer software programs, and access to a variety of nursing education websites such as atitesting.com. Students are required to attend NCLEX-RN review courses during the final quarter of the program.

Standardized Testing Policy

The following standardized testing policy describes the use of the standardized testing products such as the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) A2 and the Assessment Technologies Inc. (ATI) Comprehensive Assessment and Review Program (CARP) as a component of admission, progression, and graduation in nursing program at South University. This policy has been developed to establish guidelines to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination and to identify at-risk students. All students have the opportunity for review and remediation to enhance their success in the program and on NCLEX-RN after graduation.

1. Admission

The Health Education Systems Incorportated (HESI) A2 or ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is a requirement of the admission process.

The HESI and TEAS exams are used to determine academic preparedness of pre-licensure nursing students in Reading, Math, Science, and English and Language Usage.

Students must achieve a passing score of at least 75 on each section of the HESI exam. Students must achieve a "Proficient" level to be considered for admission to the nursing program. Applicants are limited to testing twice within a 12-month period with a minimum of 60 days between testing dates for the HESI exam and a minimum of 30 days between testing dates for the TEAS test.