Bachelor of Science in Nursing Nursing Post-Licensure Major (BSN)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Lynn Wiles, Undergraduate Program Director
Suzanne Van Orden, Chief Academic Advisor

The post-licensure curriculum is designed for registered nurses who are returning to complete their BSN. The post-licensure curriculum is offered in both a full-time and part-time format. As part of ODUGlobal, courses are offered in an on-line program of study. 

Graduates of the baccalaureate program in professional nursing are generalists prepared to care for culturally diverse individuals and groups across the lifespan in a complex global community. Upon completion of the innovative, technology-enhanced program, graduates are knowledgeable about current trends in health care, assume responsibility for their professional growth, and are prepared for graduate study in nursing. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Virginia State Board of Nursing. 

Admission

Admission to the School of Nursing is a competitive process. Applicants for admission to the baccalaureate program in nursing should apply initially to the Office of Admissions of Old Dominion University to seek admission to the University. Admission to the University does not constitute admission to the School of Nursing.

Applicants for admission to the undergraduate nursing program must complete prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better prior to being admitted to the School of Nursing. Transfer students may complete the prerequisite courses at another college or university but are responsible for having a transfer credit evaluation completed by the transfer evaluation unit in the Office of Admissions to determine that transfer courses are equivalent and acceptable to University requirements.

Applicants must complete a School of Nursing Supplemental Application to be considered for admission to the undergraduate nursing program. The School of Nursing Supplemental Application may be obtained directly from the School of Nursing Academic Advising Office or the School of Nursing website: https://www.odu.edu/nursing

In summary the applicant must:

1. Apply and be admitted to the University as a degree-seeking undergraduate student.
2. Submit a School of Nursing Supplemental Application directly to the School of Nursing with photocopies of all previous college transcripts attached. Submit all items in the same envelope. Do not mail transcripts in separate envelopes to the School of Nursing.
3. Have a transfer of credit evaluation completed by the transfer evaluation unit in the Office of Admissions.
4. Have an unencumbered RN license.

Transfer of Nursing Credits

Concurrent and RN-BSN students seeking to transfer NURSING credits from another NLNAC or CCNE accredited BSN program must submit photocopies of all nursing course syllabi for which they desire transfer credit approval. The School of Nursing Admission's Committee and nursing faculty will review the transfer course content for comparability with ODU nursing courses and determine if advanced placement in the BSN curriculum is appropriate.

Because of the dynamic nature of the nursing profession, currency of both nursing content and clinical skills is essential. Patient safety is of critical concern and is compromised when a student has out-of-date knowledge and/or less than competent nursing care skills. Transfer of nursing credits into the BSN curriculum may be affected if there has been a lapse of time greater than one year since previous nursing enrollment or by availability of clinical placements.

Continuance Policies

1. A grade of C (2.00) or better is required in all nursing courses to continue in the nursing program.
2. An average of 80% or better on objective tests within a nursing course is required to earn a grade of C (2.00). A student who earns an average less than 80% on objective tests for a nursing course is awarded a grade of D or F and will not be considered in good academic standing in the major.
3. A cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or better is required to continue in the nursing program.
4. A nursing student who fails a nursing course and is readmitted to the nursing program is allowed to repeat the failed course only once.
5. A student who leaves the major and is readmitted may be required to take additional course work prior to or concurrent with readmission.
6. A student may be readmitted to the nursing major only once.

Note: Policies and procedures are outlined in more detail in the School of Nursing Student Handbook. All students accepted into the nursing major are responsible for familiarizing themselves with this handbook upon entry into the major.

Requirements

The post-licensure curriculum for registered nurses is offered in both a full-time and part-time format. As part of ODU Global, courses are offered in an on-line program of study. Most students enroll on a part-time basis. Students may start the major in the fall, spring or summer semester.

Non-nursing courses must be completed with a grade of C (2.00) or better. (A grade of C- will not transfer to Old Dominion University.)

Lower-Division General Education

Oral Communication requirement is met in the major

Information Literacy and Research requirement is met in the major

Mathematics: STAT 130M

Human Behavior: PSYC 203S and SOC 201S

Nature of Science: CHEM 105N, CHEM 106N, BIOL 150, BIOL 151, BIOL 240 or BIOL 250, BIOL 241 or BIOL 251

Impact of Technology: upper-division T course from outside the College of Health Sciences

Upper-division general education elective from outside the School of Nursing

Upper-Division General Education

• Option A. Approved Minor, 12-24 hours; also second degree or second major.
• Option B. Interdisciplinary Minor, 12 hours specified by the department, 3 of which may be in the major area of study.
• Option C. An approved certification program such as teaching licensure
• Option D. Two Upper-Division Courses from outside the School of Nursing and not required by the major (6 hours)

Requirements for Graduation

Requirements for graduation include the following:

• Minimum of 120 credit hours.
• Minimum of 30 credit hours overall and 12 credit hours of upper-level courses in the major program from Old Dominion University.
• Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken.
• Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward the major.
• Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward a minor.
• Completion of ENGL 110C, ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C, and the writing intensive (W) course in the major with a grade of C or better. The W course must be taken at Old Dominion University.
• Completion of Senior Assessment.

Nursing Post-Licensure Major

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 NURS 363 must be taken in the 1st or 2nd semester of nursing courses.

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 NURS 401 must be taken in the first semester of nursing courses.

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 NURS 403 must be taken in the last semester of nursing courses.

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 Advanced Placement Credits awarded with RN licensure

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 Advanced Placement Credits awarded with RN licensure

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NURS 401, 402, and 403 must be taken in different semesters.

Elective credit may be need to meet the minimum 120 credit hours required for the degree.

Degree Program Guide

The Degree Program Guide is a suggested curriculum to complete this degree program in four years.  It is just one of several plans that will work and is presented only as broad guidance to students. Each student is strongly encouraged to develop a customized plan in consultation with their academic advisor.  Additional information can also be found in Degree Works.