General Education Requirements (bachelor Degree)
Gen Ed Formatting Note: Graduate of a regionally accredited baccalaureate program with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Area I - Written Composition
No credit hours are needed in this area
Area II - Humanities & Fine Arts
No Credit hours are needed in this area
Area III – Natural Sciences & Mathematics (3 Courses & Labs, 11 Credit Hours)
Area IV – History, Social & Behavioral Sciences (1 Courses, 3 Credit Hours)
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3 Credit hours: PSY 120
Area V (21 Credit Hours)
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Major Requirements (62 Credit Hours)
Nursing (BS) Major Core (23 Courses, 62 Credit Hours)
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62 credit hours: HSC 342, HSC 343, NU 300, NU 301, NU 304, NU 325, NU 327, NU 311, NU 312, NU 332, AHN 447, AHN 448, CMN 350, CMN 351, CMN 420, CMN 421, MCN 352, MCN 353, MCN 354, MCN 355, NU 412, NU 414, NU 460
- Elective Courses: NU 302, HSC 324, HSC 400, HSC 450, NU 451, NU 453, NU 455
Minor Requirements (0 Credit Hours)
A minor is not required for this degree program
Notes:
* PSY 120 is required
*Microbiology with Lab (4 Credit Hours) is required
Additional Information
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Accelerated BSN Pathway
The College of Nursing has a special Accelerated BSN Pathway for academically qualified and highly-motivated. The pre-professional component, as listed below, must be completed prior to admission to the professional component. The professional component of the curriculum, which normally takes 5 semesters to complete, can be completed in 12 months of full-time study. The curriculum and credit hours are the same as required for the traditionally taught BSN degree offered by the College, except that the course schedule is accelerated and is not confined by the traditional academic calendar. Students in the first 12 months of the Accelerated BSN Pathway follow the same promotion/progression policies as the students in the traditionally-taught BSN. Students having difficulty maintaining the pace of the program may request a transfer to the traditional program if they are in good academic standing. At the end of the 12-months of study, students are awarded the BSN degree and are prepared for the RN licensure (NCLEX) examination.
Students who have completed the pre-nursing requirements, may apply for admission to the Professional Component of the Accelerated BSN Pathway.
Admission Criteria for Accelerated BSN Pathway
- Graduate of a regionally accredited baccalaureate program with a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
- A minimum grade of “C” in following prerequisite courses: Biology with Lab, Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab, Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab, Microbiology with Lab, Chemistry with Lab, Statistics, and General Psychology.
Application Procedures Accelerated Pathway
Applicants must submit an application for admission to the Professional Component of the BSN degree program. The application form is available on the College of Nursing's website. Applications are reviewed carefully to determine that students have satisfied all pre-nursing requirements of conduct, health, scholastic achievement, and aptitude for nursing. The College of Nursing Admissions Committee and the Dean of the College of Nursing reserve the right to select the applicants best qualified for and most likely to succeed in the study of nursing. Failure to comply with legal, moral, and legislative standards for licensure to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Alabama merits immediate dismissal from the nursing program.
Application Procedures
- Submission of a completed application to the College of Nursing via electronic application found online at https://secure.touchnet.net/C21704_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=44&SINGLESTORE=true .
- Payment of $50 non-refundable application fee via debit or credit card. There is a $20.00 fee for non-sufficient fund.
- Transfer credit must comply with College of Nursing policies.
- Notification of missing documents will be sent to your JagMail email account.
- Submission of Health Data Forms and evidence of health insurance required upon admission.
- Admission will be contingent on a negative drug screen and results of an acceptable background check.
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester Deadline is March 15
Spring Semester Deadline is July 15
In keeping with the dynamic changes in the nursing and health field, the baccalaureate curriculum may undergo change. Changes in curricula and/or admission requirements will be published as far in advance as possible. Advisors are available to assist students in adapting to those changes and planning their course of study accordingly. Applicants must meet with their advisor before applying to the Professional Component.
Veteran’s Policy For College Of Nursing
The College of Nursing commits to accept students from the Veteran population into the Bachelor of Science programs. The CON will accept five Veteran students into the traditional program and two Veteran students into the accelerated program each semester. Veteran students must apply for the program and meet the general admission requirements. Veteran students must also provide documentation verifying veteran status. If there are no veteran students available to take these seats, the seats will go to the general population of student applicants.
Academic Partnership Between The University Of South Alabama Department Of Military Science And Leadership (Army ROTC) And Department Of Nursing
- Both the Department of Nursing and Army ROTC will actively recruit qualified nursing candidates for joint enrollment. Both programs will actively supervise and mentor enrolled ROTC Nurse Cadets and will keep each other informed of candidate’s progress.
- The Department of Nursing will accept two Army ROTC Nurse Cadets annually into the BSN nursing programs, if they meet the Department of Nursing’s academic acceptance requirements.
- The Department of Nursing will provide a dedicated nursing academic advisor for all ROTC Nurse Cadets. This academic advisor will act as faculty liaison between the departments.
- All Army ROTC Nursing Cadets will be required to participate in the nursing department’s clinical training throughout the nursing program with no resistance from the ROTC department.
- Army ROTC will provide opportunities per academic year in the Army’s Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP), a summer internship/preceptorship offered at Army hospitals in the U.S. and overseas, typically between junior and senior years.
Academic Progression Policy for Accelerated BSN
The University of South Alabama College of Nursing will recommend for promotion only those students who, in the judgment of the faculty, satisfy the requirements of emotional and physical health, conduct, scholastic achievement, and aptitude for nursing. Students continually in adjustment difficulties may be dropped from the nursing program.
- A grade of “C” or higher is required for all nursing courses.
- Student receiving a failing grade in either a didactic course or a clinical course that are co-requisites must repeat both courses the following semester to progress in the program.
- Accelerated students earning a first grade of "D", "F", or "U" are advised regarding the benefit of moving to the traditional BSN program.
- A second "D", "F", or "U" will result in an academic dismissal from the College of Nursing. Students who are academically dismissed may not return to the Accelerated BSN program.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 at USA is required to continue in the nursing program. Students with a GPA below 2.0 may not register for nursing courses.
- A dosage calculation test is required prior to promotion to NU 300/NU 301, MCN 352/MCN 353, MCN 354/MCN 355, AHN 447/AHN 448, and NU 460. A score of 100% on one of two attempts or successful completion of standards based grading opportunities must be achieved to pass.
- After completion of the ATI Capstone course embedded into NU 412, all students are required to complete the ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor. The ATI Capstone course will be a component of NU 412. If the student does not score at least 72% on the ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor, the student will be required to complete the Virtual ATI review course. Upon successful completion of 75% of Virtual ATI, a grade of “S” will be given for the course. If less than 75% of Virtual ATI is completed by the end of the semester, a grade of “I” will be given. Once the student has completed 75% of Virtual ATI, the grade will be changed to “S” for the course. Failure to complete 75% of the virtual ATI requirements as stated in the syllabus by the end of the following semester will result in a grade of “U” (unsatisfactory) for the course.
- Failure to show good ethical and moral character including but not limited to any of the following may result in dismissal from the program: (a) conviction of a crime, (b) disciplinary action against a nursing license in Alabama or any other state, (c) positive drug test, (d) adverse background check, or (e) disruptive behavior including online behavior. All students must notify the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or the Dean of the College of Nursing immediately or no later than 48 hours of any of the above stated incidents. .
- All students must notify the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or the Dean of the College of Nursing immediately or no later than 48 hours following an arrest. Failure to report an arrest may result in removal of the program.
- All students are subject to testing for controlled substances and must submit to random drug testing as requested. A positive test or refusal to submit to testing will result in removal from the program.
- All students are subject to a background check and must submit to additional background checks as requested. An adverse finding or refusal to submit to a background check may result in removal from the program.
- Once students are admitted to the professional component of the BSN curriculum, the program must be completed within 5 years. If a student's progression is interrupted for any reason, it is the student's responsibility to contact the Office of Student Services and apply for readmission. Students are readmitted on a space-available basis. Any alteration in usual progression may lengthen the student's program. In keeping with dynamic changes in health care and nursing, the curriculum may undergo change. Changes in curricula and/or admission requirements will be published as far in advance as possible. Advisors are available to assist students in adapting to those changes and planning their course of study accordingly.
Uniform Policy
The Uniform policy is provided to students at the time of admission
Graduation Requirements
Accelerated BSN students who will complete all degree requirements are required to apply for graduation by the application deadline established by the Registrar’s Office. Deadlines for each semester application are located on the Registrar’s website at https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/registrar/commencement/index.html.
Graduates are eligible and prepared to complete the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN® exam) and apply for licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse and to continue with graduate study. It is the graduates’ responsibility to ensure the program meets the requirements to practice in their selected state or U.S. territory.
College of Nursing Administrative Staff | (251) 445-9400 |
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Dean | Heather Hall |
Associate Dean for Research Faculty Development, and Evaluation | Sharon Fruh |
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs | Leigh Minchew |
Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs | Shanda Scott |
Director of Clinical Affairs | Emily Bentley |
Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Shanda Scott |
Director of the DNP Program | Casey Elkins |
Director of Special Projects & Evaluation | Rebecca Graves |
Professors | C. Dolan, S. Fruh, J. Gunn, H. Hall, J. Harris, M. Jacobs, R. Lawson, S. Rider, E. VandeWaa |
Associate Professors | K. Bydalek, C. Elkins, R. Graves, K. Hamilton, L. Hammonds, T. Harlan, T. Huey, P. Johnson, S. Lawrence, C. Lewis, A. Marass, K. McCoy, T. McMullan, L. Minchew, C. Myers, M. Nadler, J. Pittman, B. Riley, D. Swanzy, K. Williams, S. Williams, T. Wright |
Assistant Professors | A. Adams, J. Anderson, M. Baker, C. Baughn, E. Bentley, M. Bolton, A. Bowman, S. Brand, H. Breazeale, T. Brown, C. Butler, L. Byrd, A. A. Campbell, A. Calvert Campbell, K. Cheshire, D. Copeland, L. Dailey, A. Davis, S. Davis, W. Davis, N. Dixon, J. Ferry, A. Gilligan, M. Guy, C. Haboush, S. Harlan, S. Harris, H. Horton, P. Huffman, D. Hutto, C. Jackson, B. Johnson, P. Johnson, L. Jones, K. Jordan, M. Korn, B. Lang, A. Lewis, S. Lewis, J. Lollar, C. Lynch, C. McCarter, K. McMurtrey, T. Meyer, K. Miller, S. Montgomery, E. Moore, L. Moore, J. A. Otts, K. Pancione, T. Platt, W. Powell, D. Reed, S. Rudolf, S. Scott, T. Sikes-Doggett, K. Stauter, W. Stuart, T. Sturm, R. Thomas, C. Thompson-Ferrell, M. Thread, A. Townsend, N. Turnham, C. Williamitis, B. Woodmansee, A. Younce |
Research Assistant Professors | Candice Selwyn |
Senior Instructors | J. Cockrell, M. Meyer |
Instructors | K. Cooper, L. Emley, A. Holley, S. James, R. Johnson, ,J. Ladnier, B. Mosley, K. Norris, C. Pierce, K. Sherpe, C. Taylor, B. Urquhart, S. Waweru, E. Woods |
Department Chair, Adult Health Nursing | Theresa Wright |
Department Chair, Community/Mental Health Nursing | Todd Harlan |
Department Chair, Maternal/Child Health Nursing | Tricia Huey |
Director, Academic Advising | Mary Phillips |
Academic Advisors | Jennifer Bouvier, Kristen Dykes, Katelyn Foster, Leigh Holland, Camry McCants, Brenda Mosley, Kristyn Seawell, Bailey Smith, Suzan Williams |
Academic Records Specialists | Lisa Brock, Vickie Perkins |
Clinical Placement Advising and Assessment Coordinator | Kimberly McLean-Mundy |
Clinical Affiliation Coordinators | Elizabeth Collier, Shari Lord, Yolanda Mack |
College of Nursing website
http://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/con/
The College of Nursing is dedicated to the education of professional nurses who provide the highest quality health care to the communities they serve. The practice of nursing is both an art and a science; the focus of nursing is the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual or potential health problems.
The College of Nursing has two locations, one is on the USA main campus, and the other is on the USA Baldwin County campus in downtown Fairhope. The resources of the University, the USA Hospitals and clinics, and the numerous clinical agencies provide excellent opportunities for students to acquire the knowledge and skills essential for professional nursing.
Mission
The mission of the College of Nursing is to provide quality innovative educational programs to a diverse student body, to participate in research and scholarly activities, and to provide service to the University, the profession, and the public. The College accomplishes this by providing a caring, engaging environment for the empowerment of student learning potential, the professional development of faculty, and the promotion of the nursing profession.
Goals
- Cultivate a caring, innovative, and engaging environment to facilitate teaching, learning, scholarship, and service.
- Deliver innovative quality nursing programs that meet the needs of a diverse student body and other communities of interest.
- Promote the discovery, communication, and preservation of knowledge through scholarly activities and leadership.
- Provide service to the University, the profession, and the public.
- Develop community partnerships to promote nursing and the enhancement of the health care delivery system using interprofessional approaches.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate program is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing and the baccalaureate, master's program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program and post-graduate APRN certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education:
655 K Street, NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC
20001
P: (202) 887-6791
F: (202) 887-8476
Student Responsibility
While the University of South Alabama will endeavor to provide timely and accurate
advisement, it is the responsibility of the student to know and satisfy the degree
requirements of the academic program, to be aware of the University calendar,
http://www.southalabama.edu/academiccalendar/index.html and to understand and comply with University academic policies and procedures.
Degrees Offered
The College of Nursing offers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
Certificates Offered
Post-Graduate Certificates are awarded to students completing planned programs of study in a nursing specialty area and subspecialty areas.