Overview of BSN Program
Given the demands of today's health care system, the greatest need in the nursing workforce is for nurses prepared at the baccalaureate - and graduate - degree levels. With the government calling for baccalaureate preparation for at least two thirds of the nursing workforce, the evidence clearly shows that higher levels of nursing education are linked with lower patient mortality rates, fewer errors, and greater job satisfaction among RNs, according to an article from the AACN.
The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), the national voice for nurse leaders in the practice arena, also calls for baccalaureate preparation for all RNs in the future. The growing complexity of patient care and the increase in patient acuity require that RNs have the best entry-level preparation available.
Advantages of Attending the Undergraduate Nursing Program at Waynesburg University
- Experience clinical practice in your first year of nursing
- Work with faculty who are experts in their areas
- Attend classes that are small and personal
- Learn in well-equipped clinical facilities
- Attend classes taught by experienced faculty, not teaching assistants
- Learn about settings, roles, and skills relevant to today's health care environment
- Participate in an RN licensing review course
- Attend a program with separate courses in pediatric, maternity, and psychiatric nursing
- Participate in campus and community health programs
- Take the opportunity to develop leadership skills in the Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP) and Nu Sigma, Waynesburg's own chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, the international nursing honorary and research society
- Participate in job fairs/career planning
- Experience student-centered advising with full-time nursing faculty
Students interested in a career in professional nursing may complete the course requirements for a baccalaureate degree in four academic years. Students admitted to the university enter the freshman year as "Exploring Nursing" students and are admitted into the Department of Nursing as sophomore nursing majors when all the prerequisites have been met.
Licensed practical nurses (LPN's) are eligible for advanced placement in the Waynesburg University nursing program to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. It is possible to complete the program in a minimum of six semesters.
If you have a bachelor's degree and would like to change careers, consider the BSN as a Second Degree program. This accelerated program is designed to allow students to complete BSN degree requirements in three semesters and two summers.
The accelerated RN to BSN program allows a registered nurse to complete the BSN degree requirements in 18 months, attending evening classes one night a week. Classes in the RN to BSN program are structured around the cohort concept, so that students admitted at the same time begin and end their program together.