Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Program Overview

The BSN program emphasizes person-centered care while collaborating with members of interprofessional healthcare teams and a commitment of service to our community. Our students begin clinical experience in the first semester of their first year and complete their program with a 280-hour clinical preceptorship during senior year. Students graduate with over 1000 hours of clinical experience, which exceeds that of most nursing programs. Students also provide healthcare services to children and families-collectively amassing approximately 16,000 hours of service to local schools each year.

The student-learning environment includes traditional classrooms with active learning, world-class clinical facilities, community settings and the Center for Nursing Education, Simulation & Innovation (CNESI). Clinical experiences occur in Cleveland’s nationally and internationally renowned health care facilities including University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth Medical Center System, and the Veterans Administration. Students also have extensive experience in community health departments, community centers, and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

The learning opportunities available to students are limitless. The undergraduate core curriculum provides the breadth of a liberal arts foundation to a holistic education that prepares graduates for a successful career in service and leadership as a professional nurse. Students have the ability to explore health issues in the global arena and study at national sites as part of the standard curriculum. Students can also participate in research projects with faculty or elect to engage in study abroad trips. 

Graduates have a foundation in the discipline of nursing, demonstrate leadership in clinical practice, use clinical inquiry to advance practice, become involved in research, quality improvement, and assume responsibility for their own professional development.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrates the ability to integrate principles of evidence-based practice and quality improvement to deliver safe patient-centered care.
• Exhibits leadership skills to optimize health care outcomes, influence health policy and advance the nursing profession.
• Demonstrates clinical reasoning that promotes a culture of quality and safety to individuals, families and populations.
• Collaborates with interprofessional teams, fostering open communication and shared decision making to ensure safe, high quality and cost-effective care.
• Integrates behaviors, values and the professional code that reflects the nursing profession.
• Explains the benefits of utilizing health care information systems and technologies to promote safe, patient-centered care and support decision making.
• Recognizes the individual as a full partner in coordinating care that promotes health and well-being based on respect of their preferences, values and needs.

Progression in the BSN Program

Progression in the BSN program is contingent upon satisfactory academic achievement in all required courses. To maintain satisfactory academic standing, students must attain a GPA of 2.000 or above by the end of their junior year. To achieve academic progression, students must obtain a C or higher for all core and nursing courses specifically required for the major in nursing and. Students who receive two unsatisfactory grades (D or F) in nursing and/or natural and behavioral science courses may be subject to separation from the school of nursing.  See the Undergraduate Student Handbook for a description of the criteria for academic standing.

Students receiving below a C in a course required in the nursing major curriculum, will not progress to the next nursing course until that course is repeated and grade of C or higher is obtained. Students who receive a grade below C for a required nursing or core course such as math or science that counts toward the major must register for that course the next semester that it is offered. If the student fails to meet the University's requirement for good academic standing, the student is placed on academic probation. If the GPA does not improve the next semester, the Academic Standing Board of the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Education will review the student’s record to determine whether extenuating circumstances warrant an additional semester of probation or separation from the university.

Students who receive a grade of Incomplete (I), given at the discretion of the instructor for the course, must complete course requirements by the eleventh week of the following semester or as outlined by the instructor of the course. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor of the circumstances preventing completion of all assigned work. In the absence of notification or adequate justification, the instructor may give the student a final grade that assumes a failing grade for the missing work. If a student fails to submit the work required for removing the Incomplete by the date established or by the eleventh week of the following semester, the instructor will give a failing grade (F). The grade will convert from I to F when the deadline for making up incomplete grades from a previous semester has passed.

Advising

All students starting the nursing program have a first year nursing advisor assigned to assure a smooth transition during their first year. Academic advisors are assigned for the remainder of the program to work with nursing students each semester to assist with course registration and progression. 

Curriculum

This four-year baccalaureate program for high school graduates leads to a BSN degree. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX examination for licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). 

The FPB School of Nursing has the right to determine a student's readiness to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination and the right to restrict testing until the student demonstrates a readiness to pass this examination. The NCLEX-RN examination is given through Pearson Vue on behalf of the State Boards of Nursing. Satisfactory completion of this examination enables the graduate to be licensed as an RN to practice in a single or multi-state determined by the jurisdiction in the state the examination was taken.

Undergraduate Policies

For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Program Requirements

Students seeking to complete this major and degree program must meet the general requirements for bachelor's degrees and the Unified General Education Requirements. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the school-specific requirements associated with this major.

Candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree must complete the following:

1. Minimum of 120 credit hours as specified by the requirements with a 2.000 GPA
2. A minimum of C for all courses specifically required for the major in nursing
3. A minimum of 50 credit hours in 300 and 400 level courses
4. The University General Education Requirements

For those with experience in the armed forces of the United States, or in the National Guard or in a reserve component, the BSN program will (a) Review the individual's military education and skills training; (b) Determine whether any of the military education or skills training is substantially equivalent to the curriculum established in Chapter 4723-5 of the Ohio Administrative Code; and (c) Award credit to the individual for any substantially equivalent military education or skills training. (In accordance with Ohio Revised Code 4723-5)

The BSN program includes nursing, science and liberal arts courses. A minimum of 120 credit hours, with at least 50 credits from upper division courses, are required for award of the BSN degree. Students must meet the University requirements for graduation. The ratio of clinical hours to credit hours is 4 to 1, and for laboratory hours, it is 2 to 1.

Sample Plans of Study

All undergraduate nursing students take the same required nursing courses and prerequisites to complete the BSN degree. Students will consult with their academic adviser to determine which plan of study they will follow.

Option 1

a

Unified General Education Requirement.

b

Recommended but not required.

 Option 2

a

Unified General Education Requirement.

b

Recommended but not required.