Accelerated BSN Pathway

The College of Nursing has a special Accelerated BSN Pathway for academically qualified and highly-motivated individuals. The BSN program prepares graduates for professional nursing practice. Upon completion of the program graduates are eligible to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become licensed as a Registered Nurse.

Degree Requirements

1. The completion of a prior non-nursing baccalaureate degree.
2. The General Education Requirements consist of 7 courses for a total of 26 credit hours.
3. The Professional Component consists of 22 courses for a total of 62 credit hours.
4. The total degree requirements are 88 credit hours.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Major Requirements
Nursing (BS) Major Core
A. Complete the following Nursing Courses:
AHN 447	Adult Gerontological Nursing	4
AHN 448	Adult Gerontological Nsg Clin	4
CMN 350	Psy-Mental Health Nsg	2
CMN 351	Psy-Mental Health Nsg Clin	2
CMN 420	Community Health Nursing	3
CMN 421	Community Health Nurs Clinical	1
HSC 342	Administration of Medication	1
HSC 343	Clinical Pharmacology	3
MCN 352	OB & GYN Nursing Care	2
MCN 353	OB & GYN Nsg Care Clinical	2
MCN 354	Pediatric Nursing Care	2
MCN 355	Pediatric Nsg Care Clinical	2
NU 300	Foundations of Prof Nsg	5
NU 301	Foundations of Prof Nsg Clin	3
NU 304	Evidence Based Practice NU- W	3
NU 311	Clinical Nursing Skills	3
NU 325	Health Assessment	3
NU 327	Patho Basis of Nursing	3
NU 332	Clinical Nutrition	2
NU 412	Dec Making Prof Nsg Practice	3
NU 414	Issues & Trends Healthcare -W	3
NU 460	Practicum	6
Minor Requirements
A minor is not required for this degree program		0
Total Hours		62

General Education Requirements

Gen Ed Formatting Note: Graduate of a regionally accredited baccalaureate program.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Area V - Nursing Major
A. Complete the following Courses:
BLY 101 & 101L	Life Science I and Life Science I Laboratory	4
CH 101 & 101L	Survey of Inorg and Org Chem and Survey Inorg-Org Chem Lab	4
PSY 120	Introduction to Psychology (required)	3
B. Select one of the following Microbiology Courses:		4
BLY 213 & BLY 214	Microbiology and Lab Studies Microbiology
or BMD 210 & 210L	Microbiology in Healthcare and Microbiology in Healthcare Lab
C. Complete the following Human Anatomy & Physiology Courses:
BMD 251	Human Anatomy & Physiology I	4
BMD 252	Human Anatomy & Physiology II	4
D. Select one of the following Statistics Courses:		3
ST 305	Applied Stat Health Sciences
ST 210	Stat Reason and Application
BUS 245	Data Analytics I
PSY 220	Res Design and Analysis I
Total General Education Credits		26
Total Credits for BSN as a 2nd Bachelor Degree		88

Notes:

• Microbiology with Lab (4 Credit Hours) is required
• PSY 120 is required

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Accelerated BSN Pathway

The College of Nursing has a special Accelerated BSN Pathway for academically qualified and highly-motivated individuals. The BSN program prepares graduates for professional nursing practice. Upon completion of the program graduates are eligible to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become licensed as a Registered Nurse.

BSN Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Baccalaureate Program, graduates should be able to:

1. Deliver professional nursing care for diverse populations across the lifespan to optimize health care outcomes.
2. Demonstrate the application of theory and evidence from contemporary nursing science and related disciplines as a basis for clinical reasoning, management, and evaluation of professional nursing care through the use of professional writing and clinical judgment.
3. Model responsibility and accountability for one's personal and delegated nursing care and lifelong learning to ensure excellence in nursing practice.
4. Translate evidence into professional nursing practice to individualize patient care designed to improve care outcomes.
5. Select principles of leadership and management that guide nursing, influence health policy, and transform health care delivery systems.
6. Collaborate with inter-professional health care teams and consumers in delivering and advocating for safe and effective use of health care resources.
7. Integrate professional nursing values in meeting current and emerging health needs in a dynamic, global society.
8. Evaluate effective use of technology and information management to provide patient-centered care across the lifespan in a variety of environments.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Accelerated Pathway

Students wishing to complete the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree who have completed a prior bachelor degree, may apply to the University of South Alabama as a pre-nursing student. The pre- professional component, or general education requirements, must be completed prior to admission to the Professional Component. Students who have completed a prior baccalaureate degree must ensure they have completed the seven (7) General Education nursing major courses, totaling twenty-six (26) credit hours, then they may apply for admission to the Professional Component of the Accelerated BSN Pathway. The Professional Component of the curriculum, which normally takes 5 semesters to complete, can be completed in 12 months of full-time study. 

Accelerated BSN Professional Component

1. The curriculum and credit hours are the same as required for the traditionally taught BSN degree offered by the College.
2. The Professional Component consists of twenty-two (22) nursing courses for a total of 62 Credit hours.
3. These courses must be completed at the University of South Alabama.
4. Upper division nursing courses taken at another institution will not transfer or apply toward the 62 credit hours required to earn the BSN degree at USA.
5. The course schedule is accelerated and is not confined by the traditional academic calendar. 
6. The Professional Component, which usually takes five (5) semesters to complete, can be completed in a minimum of three (3) semesters of full-time study.
7. Students having difficulty maintaining the pace of the program may request a transfer to the traditional program if they are in good academic standing.
8. The Professional Component must be completed within five (5) years of beginning the BSN curriculum.
9. At the completion of the program, students are awarded the BSN degree and are prepared for the RN licensure (NCLEX) examination.

Pilot Program

A limited number of students admitted to the Traditional BSN program may be offered a seat in the Accelerated BSN program. Selection is highly competitive.

Admission Criteria for Accelerated BSN Pathway

1. Graduate of a regionally accredited baccalaureate program with a minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.90 on a 4.0 scale.
2. 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.
3. Student must be in good standing with all institutions they have attended.

4. Submit unofficial transcripts from other universities to the College of Nursing via email (conbsn@southalabama.edu) for review of prerequisite courses.

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

1. Admission to the University of South Alabama requires the submission of a completed application to the University of South Alabama.

2. Submission of official transcripts from all colleges and schools you have attended.

3. Submission of a completed application to the College of Nursing via Accelerated BSN Online Application.

4. Payment of $50 non-refundable application fee via debit or credit card. There is a $20.00 fee for non-sufficient fund.

5. Transfer credit must comply with College of Nursing policies.

6. Students who have attended a Nursing program at another school are required to provide the following to the College of Nursing email at conbsn@southalabama.edu
   1. Letter of Good Standing (verifying student was in good moral, ethical, and legal standing with no previous disciplinary action)from the Nursing Program, signed by the Nursing Administrator of the program
   2. Transcript of all nursing courses taken with the grades earned.
7. Students Dismissed from a previous nursing program may be considered as follows:
   1. Students will compete for a seat among all other applicants to the program.
   2. Admission will only be considered for the Traditional BSN program

​Contingency for Admission and Initial Registration

Admission and initial registration is contingent on completion of the following requirements:

1. Acceptance Packet

2. Negative Drug Screen

3. Acceptable Background Check

4. All Health Requirements as outlined in the Medical Documents Manager

Notification of missing documents will be sent to your JagMail email account. Only students who have successfully completed the Acceptance packet in its entirety, have a negative drug screen and acceptable background check, and completed all required portions of the Medical Documents Manager will be permitted to register for classes.

Application Deadlines

The College of Nursing posts application deadlines on the Accelerated BSN program website.

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. 

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

1. 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.

2. The Department of Nursing will accept two Army ROTC Nurse Cadets annually into the BSN programs, if they meet the Department of Nursing's academic acceptance requirements.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

1. A grade of “C” or higher is required for all nursing courses. A student may only repeat on failed nursing course. 

2. 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.

3. Students at risk of failing a didactic course or clinical course at midterm (course average 68% or below) must make an appointment and meet with an academic advisor.

4. Accelerated students earning a first grade of "D", "F", or "U" are advised regarding the benefit of moving to the traditional BSN program.

5. A second "D", "F", or "U" will result in an academic dismissal from the College of Nursing. Students who are academically dismissed may apply one time for readmission to the Traditional BSN program only. Readmission is not guaranteed.

6. Upon readmission, a returning student may only receive one additional grade of "D," "F," or "U" prior to be dismissed a second time. Readmission is not possible after a second dismissal.

7. 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.

8. 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 three attempts or successful completion of standards based grading opportunities must be achieved to pass.

9. 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 a prescribed number of modules in Virtual ATI, a grade of Satisfactory (S) will be given for the course. If the required Virtual ATI is not completed by the end of the semester, a grade of Incomplete (I) will be given. Once the student has completed required Virtual ATI, the grade will be changed to Satisfactory (S) for the course. Failure to complete the virtual ATI requirements as stated in the syllabus by the end of the following semester will result in a grade of Unsatisfactory (U) for the course.

10. Failure to show good ethical and moral character including but not limited to any of the following may result in dismissal from the program:

    1. conviction of a crime,

    2. disciplinary action against a nursing license in Alabama or any other state,

    3. positive drug test,

    4. adverse background check, or

    5. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

Readmission Policy

Students who are academically dismissed from the Accelerated BSN program may apply for readmission one time. Students may only apply to the Traditional BSN program after an academic dismissal from the program. If selected for readmission after dismissal, students may only be readmitted one time. One additional failure after readmission will be cause for final dismissal from the College of Nursing.  

Uniform Policy

The Uniform policy is provided to students at the time of admission.

Academic Calendar and Start Date 

The Accelerated BSN program does not follow the University of South Alabama Academic Calendar.  Students beginning the Accelerated BSN program in the Spring semester will start classes the first week of January. Students beginning the Accelerated BSN program in the Fall semester will start classes in mid-July. Attendance on the first day of classes is required to begin the Accelerated BSN program.

Clinical Attendance

Students enrolled in the Accelerated BSN program may be required to complete more than twenty (20) hours per week during clinical courses. Thus, full-time employment and employment during weekdays is highly discouraged due to the rigorous accelerated schedule required to complete the program.

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 Graduation Website.

Eligibility For National Licensure

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. The program meets state educational requirements for licensure in Alabama and all other states in the U.S. and its territory.