121 credits are required for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Undergraduate general education component:

Cornerstone Course

Information Literacy

Written English Requirement

Humanities:

• Humanities
• Ethics Core

Social Sciences:

• Social Sciences/History
• Psychology Core Requirement
• Sociology Core Requirement

Natural Sciences/Mathematics:

• Human Anatomy and Physiology Core
• Microbiology Core
• Sciences Supportive of Nursing Core
• Statistics Core
• Natural Sciences/Mathematics

Arts and Sciences Electives

Nursing Credit for Prior Learning and Successful Completion of NCLEX-RN: 30 Credits

Phase I

The Profession of Nursing: Becoming Influential
This course explores the evolution of contemporary nursing through the development of reflective practice, professional standards, values and beliefs, ways of knowing and nursing knowledge, and inter-professional communication and collaboration. Emphasis is placed on the roles of the bachelor’s-prepared professional nurse, the processes guiding nursing practice, lifelong learning, and the influence nursing has in the changing health care environment and world. Through this course, the student develops a personalized toolbox with an array of skills necessary to become an influential professional nurse.

Introduction to Informatics for Nurses
This course provides knowledge about the roles and skills in information management and the application of technology to inform nursing practice. Emphasis is placed on technological supports for patient care interventions and the use of decision-support systems to gather evidence to guide practice. The use and understanding of standardized terminologies and the role of information technology in improving patient outcomes and creating a safe environment will be included.

Holistic Health Care Across the Life Span
This course focuses on applying concepts of health promotion, as well as illness, disease, and injury prevention to health assessment across the life span. The student integrates the core concepts (critical thinking, communication, research, role development, caring, and cultural competence) into a holistic approach while functioning in the professional nursing role. Health and physical assessment data are gathered, analyzed, and synthesized by the student to develop a personal health plan for a client that promotes health and prevents disease.

Leadership and Management in Nursing
This course analyzes the interrelated relationship between leadership and decision making, and examines how wisdom, research, personal values, and theory enhance leadership and decision-making skills.

Phase II

Research in Nursing
This course focuses on knowledge and skill acquisition related to research process. Evidence-based practice, critical thinking, critical reading, and the baccalaureate nurse’s role in the application of research to practice are emphasized. Course content examines the foundations of research, the research process, quantitative and qualitative research designs, as well as evaluation of a quantitative research study.

Teaching and Learning in a Diverse Society
This course focuses on the role of the nurse as educator and the ability to teach a group of adult clients with a shared learning need. Theory and research-based evidence from nursing and other disciplines are integrated with concepts of caring and cultural competence, health promotion, behavioral change, and principles of teaching and learning. Application of the education process is emphasized. In partnership with clients, the student develops, implements, and evaluates a teaching plan designed to produce a desired change in behavior.

Community Health Nursing: Caring for the Public’s Health
This course integrates evidence, theory, standards, and knowledge from nursing, public health, and other disciplines to guide population-focused nursing practice. Importance is placed on the application of the core functions of public health: assessment, policy development, and the assurance of available and necessary health services for diverse populations. Emphasis is placed in identifying determinants of health, advocating for vulnerable populations, prioritizing primary prevention, and utilizing available resources to improve the health of populations. Population-focused nursing involves assessing the health care needs of a specific population and making health care decisions for the population as a whole rather than for individuals. This course includes practice experiences in the community.

Nursing Elective (upper level)
The 3-credit elective requirement could be met with a nursing certification (see catalog). Students should consult with your academic advisor before taking a course or examination for nursing elective credit. Graduates of Excelsior University’s associate degree nursing program waive this requirement.

Phase III

Nursing Capstone
This capstone course focuses on integration and synthesis of knowledge, skills, and competencies from nursing, other disciplines, and the arts and sciences. Application of specific concepts and theories, such as communication, critical thinking, and leadership, enables students to transform theory to practice within health care systems. This course includes practice experiences.

• Apply principles of nursing scholarship to optimize health care outcomes.
• Integrate equitable, person-centered care standards to improve care across diverse settings.
• Employ ethical, fiscally sound strategies in the management of population health.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to optimize healthcare outcomes.
• Assess strategies that create a culture of quality and safety
• Apply information and healthcare technologies to manage the delivery of care.
• Apply the role of the professional nurse leader in the empowerment of others to deliver quality care.
• Apply effective written communication methods for diverse audiences to support decision-making.

Surveys are administered to our nursing program students upon graduation and at one year post-graduation. The survey results are available here.