Program Coordinator/Contact
Accelerated Option, Sioux Falls
Camilla Veire, Advisor
College of Nursing, SDSU
2300 N. Career Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57107
605-367-8400
Accelerated Option, Aberdeen
Sara Olson, Advisor
Northern State University, SDSU
1200 S. Jay Street
Aberdeen, SD 57401
605-626-2427
Program Information
The Bachelor of Science in nursing program prepares graduates to practice in both hospital and non-hospital settings and have the foundation for advanced study in nursing. The curriculum includes university core requirements, major support courses in communication and the social, physical, and biological sciences, and nursing major courses. This education provides the foundation for the development of professional knowledge, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, leadership skills and pursuit of high standards in health care to influence quality health outcomes.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Integrate theories and concepts from liberal education into nursing practice.
- Integrate effective leadership skills to improve the quality of health care.
- Incorporate evidence-based practice.
- Demonstrate proficiency in patient care technologies and informatics.
- Evaluate the implications of health policy and health care delivery systems on the professional nursing practice environment.
- Integrate effective interprofessional communication and collaboration into professional nursing practice.
- Improve population health through health promotion and disease prevention.
- Integrate behaviors that reflect nursing values and professional standards into practice.
- Provide patient-centered, quality care.
Program Delivery Options
The Accelerated Option is for students who have completed a Bachelor’s degree in any field and wish to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. This 12-month option begins once a year at Community College for Sioux Falls (August) and at the SDSU Aberdeen campus located on Northern State University (January). Students take coursework and participate in lecture, on-campus labs, and clinical rotations in Sioux Falls or Aberdeen respectively and surrounding communities.
Admission
Admission Application Deadline Dates
- Sioux Falls Accelerated Option, January 25.
- Aberdeen Accelerated Option, June 1.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the Accelerated Option, students must have:
- a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher.
- a foundational course GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- a grade of “C” or higher in all completed courses required for graduation.
- Students may apply when they have completed at least six of the foundational courses AND have at least two of the remaining four foundational courses in progress.
Any student eligible for regular admission to SDSU who plans to enroll in the College of Nursing, Department of Undergraduate Nursing, can be accepted into nursing and will have an academic advisor from the College of Nursing. During the semester in which students are completing their final required foundational courses, they apply for admission to the professional program. Applicants with courses in progress at the time of application will be required to provide proof of enrollment in those courses with the application form.
Fulfillment of course and application requirements does not ensure admission. The number of students admitted to the professional program may vary depending upon available clinical facilities, qualified faculty and resources.
Additional Coursework Policies
Students who fail (earned a “D” or “F”) two or more of the foundational science courses (CHEM 106-106L or CHEM 112-112L , or CHEM 108-108L or CHEM 114-114L ; MICR 231-231L ; BIOL 221-221L , BIOL 325-325L ), will not be admitted to the professional program. Students who fail one foundational course (CHEM 106-106L or CHEM 112-112L , CHEM 108-108L or CHEM 114-114L ; MICR 231-231L ; BIOL 221-221L , BIOL 325-325L ; PSYC 101 ; one of the following: SOC 100 , SOC 150 , or SOC 240 ; NUTR 315 ; HDFS 210 ), repeated and failed the same course a second time will not be admitted to the professional program. If the failure is over five years old, it does not count as a failure. Students who have taken Anatomy or Physiology more than seven years prior to their admission date will be required to update these courses.
Nursing Regulations
Students in the College of Nursing are governed by the regulations and policies that apply to all students at SDSU but are also governed by requirements of the College of Nursing, professional standards and standards of the assigned clinical agencies. These requirements are presented in detail on the College of Nursing compliance webpage and in the College of Nursing Undergraduate Handbook. This includes but is not limited to health requirements, immunizations, background checks, and drug screens.
Transfer Students
Transfer students who have begun but not completed a bachelor’s in nursing program at another college or university must submit a letter to the College of Nursing indicating their reason for transfer. They must also apply for admission to SDSU, as well as to the College of Nursing. Three letters of recommendation must also be submitted to the College of Nursing: one from the dean/director of their former program and two from faculty members stating they left in good standing.
Language Proficiency
As the nurse is a professional who deals with human lives, it is mandatory that a higher level of English fluency be met in order to ensure the safety of clients and students. The English as a Second Language requirement for the College of Nursing is the same as that required by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. The College of Nursing requires all students who meet the definition of student with English as a Second Language to complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or an accepted substitute. English as a Second Language is defined as a student who was instructed and spoke primarily in a language other than English in the K-12 grades or primary and secondary schooling. The minimum TOEFL score required for admission to the professional program is 84 (iBT), with a minimum speaking score of 26. The required IELTS band score for admission to the professional program is 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each module. The TOEFL or IELTS is required for all students for whom English is a second language, regardless of residency status. These scores are required before the student will be accepted into the professional program. The student is responsible for all testing fees.
Academic Requirements
A GPA of 2.5 or higher is required for continuation in the professional program. A grade of “C” or higher is required in all professional program courses. Students may repeat one failed professional program course with permission from the College of Nursing. Upon failing a second professional program course, the student is dismissed from the major. A student who needs to repeat a failed nursing course is re-enrolled in the course on a space available basis. A student who fails a course due to unsafe practice in a clinical experience will not be eligible for readmission to the professional program, unless evidence is submitted that the unsafe behaviors have been corrected.
All undergraduate and graduate nursing students are expected to adhere to the principles of the Code of Ethics for Nurses (American Nurses Association, 2015). The Code of Ethics for Nurses communicates a standard of professional behavior expected throughout the total program and in each individual nursing course. Therefore, in addition to dismissal for academic failure, the faculty and administration of the Departments of Undergraduate Nursing and Graduate Nursing reserve the right to dismiss any student enrolled in either the undergraduate or graduate program for unethical, dishonest, illegal, or conduct inconsistent with the Code of Ethics for Nurses or legal requirements.
Course Delivery Format
The professional program combines lecture and hands-on experiences that teach students to practice nursing with expertise, professionalism, and a passion for helping others. The faculty engage students in classroom, online, simulation laboratory, and clinical learning experiences in health care facilities and in community settings.
