2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]


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Nursing (B.S.N.) - Accelerated Program



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

Rapid City Accelerated
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. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
  • Integrate effective leadership skills to improve the quality of health care. (Cross-curricular Skill: Teamwork; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
  • Incorporate evidence-based practice. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking)
  • Demonstrate proficiency in patient care technologies and informatics. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy)
  • 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. (Cross-curricular Skill: Teamwork)
  • Integrate behaviors that reflect nursing values and professional standards into practice. (Cross-curricular Skill: Ethical Reasoning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
  • Provide patient-centered, quality care. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
  • Improve population health through health promotion and disease prevention.

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. Exceptions may be made to previous Bachelor’s under certain circumstances. This 12-month option begins once a year at the SDSU Sioux Falls campus (August), the SDSU Aberdeen campus (January), and the SDSU Rapid City campus (January). Students take coursework and participate in lecture, on-campus labs, and clinical rotations in Sioux Falls,  Aberdeen, or Rapid City respectively and in surrounding communities.

Admission

Admission Application Deadline Dates

  • Rapid City Accelerated Option, June 1.
  • 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 while prerequisite (Pre-Nursing) courses are in progress. However, of the 9 Pre-Nursing courses, 5 must be complete with at least 2 of the remaining 4 in progress at the time of application for Rapid City and Aberdeen (June application / January start); and 6 of the 9 Pre-Nursing courses must be complete with at least 2 of the remaining 3 in progress for Sioux Falls (January application / August start).

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 Pre-Nursing 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 Pre-Nursing 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 ), or repeat and fail 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 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 and graduation from the College of Nursing. 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.

Requirements for Nursing - Accelerated Program: 120 Credits


Bachelor of Science in Nursing 

Electives


Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120


Summary of Program Requirements


Bachelor of Science in Nursing

System General Education Requirements 32-33 Credit Hours
Pre-Nursing Requirements 20 Credit Hours
Major Requirements 61 Credit Hours
Electives** 6-7 Credit Hours

**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet


The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.