Nursing Overview
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) program may be just right for those registered professional nurses who hold an associate degree or diploma in nursing and a current license to practice in their state of residence and want to quickly move up to the next level.
The curriculum recognizes past college coursework in nursing by awarding advanced standing. In addition, some general college education credits may transfer. For your convenience, our BSN program is available online. Busy working RNs can now advance their education in a unique, professional setting with masters and a doctor prepared faculty.
The BSN nursing education program is accredited by the:
National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission,
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850,
Atlanta, GA 30325.
(404) 975-5000
What You Can Learn in Nursing
With our Nursing (BSN) program, you can learn how to:
- Lead and manage for innovation.
- Promote physically safe and healthy environments.
- Read, critique, and apply research to practice.
- Solve problems using critical thinking and evidence-based practice.
- Apply legal and ethical concepts and theory to improve professional practice.
- Incorporate issues and trends in nursing into current practice.
- Advance your career by selecting an elective that allows you to investigate nursing roles in education, informatics, or case management.
Where You Can Go In Nursing
The BSN-prepared graduate is eligible for roles in leadership and management, community health, informatics, and specialty bedside practice. Nurses holding a BSN degree may pursue advanced life-long learning opportunities that may lead to specialized practice
Degree Objectives
Program Purpose
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree will provide a smooth transition for Registered Nurses furthering their education and careers. Advanced standing credits may be awarded for past nursing course work. The program is delivered full-time over 45-weeks in an online format, with one required campus meeting.
Program objectives include:
Nurses who study for the B.S. degree in Nursing learn leadership and management concepts that prepare them to manage nursing operations in many kinds of healthcare facilities. They learn to use advanced technologies and techniques to provide care to patients and their families, and they contribute to the nursing profession by mentoring other nurses. Students learn to share their knowledge and skills in educational roles. They learn current, advanced nursing techniques, and they develop an advanced understanding of human anatomy and pathophysiology.
The BSN program builds on the fundamental knowledge and skills acquired in associate degree and diploma nursing programs. The BSN graduate is prepared to care for individuals as well as families, groups and communities The BSN graduate will be prepared to serve in the roles of healthcare leader, care manager, community collaborator, and contributor to the profession of nursing. Students are also prepared to continue their nursing studies at a graduate level upon successful completion of the program.
About the Profession
The BSN-prepared graduate is eligible for roles in leadership and management, community health, informatics, and specialty bedside practice. Nurses holding a BSN degree may pursue advanced education that may lead to specialized practice. Graduates of this program can work in many different healthcare settings, such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and urgent care facilities.
Requirements for Typical Employment Opportunities (i.e., background checks, drug screening, security clearances.)
A state-issued license to practice as an RN, a background check, drug screening, up-to-date immunizations, TB testing, and CPR certification are all often required of BSN graduates in their careers.
Entry Level Employment Opportunities By Job Title and/or Industry
Registered Nurse, Charge Nurse, Floor Nurse. Nurses who have a BSN degree are often placed in leadership positions after they have gained significant work experience.
Physical Requirements
Graduates of the B.S. degree program in Nursing must be able to function fully in the following areas:
- Physical (gross and the fine motor, physical endurance, physical strength, mobility)
- Sensory (visual, tactile, olfactory, hearing)
- Cognitive ( reading, arithmetic, analytical and critical thinking)
- Interactive ( interpersonal, communicative)
Certifications Recommended for Entry Level Career.
Student Evaluation
Students registered for online classes are required to successfully complete an online orientation (www.ecpi.edu/online/assess) before they are approved for online classes. Because this program is delivered exclusively online, all students receive an orientation to the program and to the online learning system prior to the first day of classes. All of the upper level general education courses are available online. Some courses require practical experience as part of the course requirements.
Each student creates and maintains a student portfolio throughout their course of study. It is submitted as evidence of accomplishment of the program outcomes in the final nursing course. Students must achieve a grade of "C" or higher in all nursing classes (NUR prefix) to progress in the program. Students must pass all general education classes before taking NUR 430, 431, 440, 451, 452, and 490, and they must maintain a GPA of at least 2.0. Courses are taken in progression. If students fail a nursing course, they will meet with the course instructor and complete a counseling session that specifies a performance improvement plan for the student to improve their performance. If a student fails any subsequent course (the same course or a different course), an academic review board committee meeting will be held to determine the appropriate course of action, which may include probation, suspension, leave of absence and termination. If a student fails any third course (the same course or a different course) the student will be dismissed from the BSN program.
The numerical grade of 76 (C) is the minimum passing grade for all NUR courses. Clinical/preceptorship is graded on a pass/fail basis. Due to the fast-paced nature of this program, it is highly recommended that students seek tutoring early in the term. Tutoring is available for students who score below 76% at mid-term. If tutoring is indicated, the student and instructor will speak with the program director to arrange needed instruction.
Attendance and participation are expected. Students must attend all scheduled class meetings. Attendance requirements for online classes will be documented in each individual course syllabus. For courses with a clinical component, students will be required to attend scheduled clinical experiences as described in their course syllabus. Clinical assignments will vary and may occur on weekdays, weekends or evening hours. If, for any reason, an absence is necessary, students must notify the instructor no later than one hour before the scheduled start time.
Students are expected to attend all clinical and preceptorship hours. "No call, no show" to any clinical or preceptorship may result in failure of the course. Students who are absent during their scheduled clinical/preceptor hours must meet with the BSN Program Director. A student may be dropped from a course if absent more than 20% of the scheduled clinical hours.
Written assignments must be submitted on time. All assignments will be submitted electronically to the classroom assignment drop box established for the assignment. If the classroom server is down, students may submit the assignment to the instructor's email address by the deadline and later post the assignment to the drop box. Make-up examinations are at the sole discretion of the course instructor and are discouraged.
All students participating in clinical experiences or preceptorships should dress appropriately. Clinical is limited to corporate casual attire, a white lab coat with school patch and a name tag. Note: some clinical settings may require the students to wear uniforms or scrubs. The BSN Student Handbook has more information on dress.
Upon acceptance into the BSN program, the following items must be completed and submitted to the program director or designee by the end of the orientation course:
- Signed permission to conduct a criminal background check.
- 5-Panel Urine Drug Screen
- American Heart Association CPR Card for Health Professionals (maintained as current throughout program)
- Physical Examination, Proof of Immunizations, and current TB test
- Copy of current, unencumbered RN license in the state of residence (may be a multistate license that includes Virginia).
Program Requirements
- High School Diploma or GED
- Admissions test with passing score – BSN Applicants are Exempt from this
Other Requirements:
The BSN program requires applicants to have an associate degree or diploma in nursing from a state board of nursing approved registered nurse program. All applicants must hold a valid, unencumbered license to practice registered professional nursing in their state of residence, and have a 2.5 GPA or better in the past nursing program. Students who do not meet the 2.5 GPA requirement may apply for admission to the BSN program on a provisional status. Upon successful completion of the first semester of the nursing curriculum, a student may apply for a change of status from provisional admission to the full admission.
Core Curriculum
| DEGREE | Bachelor of Science |
|---|---|
| PROGRAM | Health Science |
| CONCENTRATION | Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
| SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS | 120 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG 110 | College Composition I | 3 | |
| ENG 120 | Advanced Composition | 3 | |
| BIO 111/L | Anatomy & Physiology I (with Lab) | 4 | |
| BIO 116/L | Anatomy & Physiology II (with Lab) | 4 | |
| BIO 105/L | Microbiology (with Lab) | 4 | |
| CHM 115/L | General Chemistry (with Lab) | 4 | |
| HLT 101 | Nutrition | 3 | |
| SOC 101 | Introductory Sociology | 3 | |
| PSY 105 | Introductory Psychology | 3 | |
| PSY 300 | Human Growth & Development | 3 | |
| MTH 131 | College Algebra | 3 | |
| MTH 140 | Statistics | 2 | |
| COM 110 | Principles of Communication | 3 | |
| HUM 205 | Culture & Diversity | 3 | |
| ECO 201 | Macroeconomics | 3 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSA 128 | Computer Applications | 2 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NUR 150 | Pharmacology I | 4 | |
| NUR 163 | Concepts of Nursing II | 3 | |
| NUR 241 | Medical Surgical Nursing I | 5 | |
| NUR 245 | Acute Care Nursing | 5 | |
| NUR 242 | Maternal/Newborn Nursing | 4 | |
| NUR 243 | Parent/Child Nursing | 4 | |
| NUR 267 | Psychiatric Nursing | 4 | |
| NUR 271 | Dimensions in Nursing | 4 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NUR 301 | Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice | 3 | |
| NUR 320 | Nursing Research & Evidence-based Practice | 3 | |
| NUR 330 | Pathophysiology | 3 | |
| NUR 331 | Health Assessment | 3 | |
| NUR 380 | Critical Thinking & Clinical Reasoning in Nursing | 3 | |
| NUR 401 | Nurse as Educator | 3 | |
| NUR 420 | Community Health Nursing | 3 | |
| NUR 420L | Community Health Nursing Practicum | 1 | |
| NUR 422 | Managing Crisis in the Community | 3 | |
| NUR 430 | Leading & Managing for Innovation | 3 | |
| NUR 452 | Senior Practicum | 3 | |
| NUR 490 | Nursing Capstone | 2 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NUR 431 | Simulations in Nursing | 3 | |
| NUR 440 | Introduction to Nursing Informatics | 3 | |
| NUR 451 | Case Management | 3 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
1The certifications listed in the "Potential Certifications" column are the actual certification exams that students may be prepared to take following achievement of student learning outcomes from a course or a set of courses. Some certifications may require additional outside preparation prior to taking the exams; and receipt of one or more certifications is not guaranteed. Students are strongly encouraged to take all appropriate certification examinations for their program of study. To facilitate student access to the certifications, ECPI offers its students access to the certification exams at a significant discount. Some programs may require the student to obtain one or more certifications as part of the curriculum.
Future Possible Careers for This Program
| 51.3801 | Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | |
|---|---|---|
| 11-9111.01 | Clinical
Nurse Specialists Bright Outlook |
|
| 25-1072.00 | Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | |
| 29-1111.00 | Registered
Nurses Bright Outlook |
|
| 29-1111.01 | Acute
Care Nurses Bright Outlook |
|
| 29-1111.02 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses Bright Outlook | |
| 29-1111.03 | Critical
Care Nurses Bright Outlook |
|
Success
Q
How long will it take to complete this program?
A
The program is designed to take 45 weeks to complete. 40% of graduates from this program finish in this time.
The median time for graduates to complete this program was 37 months.
Q
What percentage of students that graduated got jobs?
A
The following are the employment rates as reported to the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) for the 2009-2010 period.
- Virginia Beach, VA – 100%*
- Newport News, VA – 100%*
*Newer program with a small number of graduates
Cost
Q
How much will tuition and fees be?*
A
The cost of tuition and fees is: $26,615
Q
What about the cost of books and supplies?*
A
The cost of books and supplies is: $750. Foundation course requirements can result in additional costs and increase the time to graduation.
*Most students entering this program do so having already earned their RN certification. All students entering the BSN program need to have a RN license, not certification. Typical cost for RN students is therefore $27,215 tution and fees, $675 books and supplies.
Financing
Q
What are my financing options to pay for the program?
A
In addition to any grant and scholarship aid for which they are eligible, graduates used loans to finance their education. The median debt for program graduates is:
| Loan Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal (Title 4) Loans | $25,647 |
| Private Educational Loans | $0.00 |
| Institution Financing Plan | $0.00 |
