| School of Nursing & Allied Health Administration

Overview of the BSN Program

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at Fairmont State is designed for Registered Nurses who desire a baccalaureate degree in nursing. This degree program provides career mobility for the associate degree and diploma graduate nurse. The baccalaureate degree is the first professional level of preparation. At this level, the nurse's role is expanded beyond direct client care to encompass the care of families, groups, and communities. In addition, the professional nurse assumes the role of coordinator of care to lead, guide, and direct the delivery of health care based on knowledge gained in support courses as well as nursing literature and research.

The curriculum is individually designed on the basis of the student’s academic background to prepare nurse generalists who possess the professional competence to provide and coordinate care in situations of health promotion, maintenance, and restoration. The program also aims to provide a base for graduate study and to prepare graduates to assume accountability for nursing practice in the roles of clinical generalist, client advocate, leader, manager, research consumer and lifelong learner.

A minimum of 128 approved credit hours is required. This includes 30 upper division nursing credits. The program can be completed in one or two full-time academic years if the lower division requirements have been completed in advance. Students may enroll on a full-time or part-time basis. Nursing courses will be offered in the evening when possible.

Bachelor Degree in Nursing Model Schedule

Bachelor Degree in Nursing Student Handbook

Bachelor of Science Nursing Program Overview

Computer Requirements Checklist

Graduate Outcomes (BSN)

Upon completion of the BSN program, graduates should be able to:

Synthesize empirical and theoretical knowledge from nursing and general education including social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, English, and humanities as a framework for professional clinical practice.
Employ effective communication in verbal, non-verbal, and technological aspects of nursing care.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the nursing process in assessing health status, planning, and implementing care, in cooperation with individuals, families, groups, community, and society.
Assess the effectiveness of planned change to assure an environment conducive to maximizing health potential for individuals, families, and communities.
Assume responsibility for self-direction in life-long learning, maintain legal and ethical standards, and participate in activities that contribute to personal and professional growth.
Provide care for individuals, families, and groups incorporating evidence based practice.
Synthesize a personal philosophy of nursing which incorporates responsibility and accountability as an advocate for the consumer of health care and one’s own practice and profession.
Collaborate with other health team members to promote maximum health potential.
Use the critical thinking process to solve problems and make decisions in the professional nursing roles of care provider, advocate, manager, and leader.

Transition into the BSN-RN Program

Students who are currently enrolled in the Associate Degree Nursing Program and who plan to continue their education through the BSN-RN track may transition into the Bachelors of Science Nursing (BSN) Program in the second year of their Associate Degree classes. Students are eligible to enroll in Nursing 3320, Health Assessment, and in Nursing 3330, Health Deviations, with consent of the instructor. Since it is important for students to progress from the normal to the abnormal, it is strongly recommended that Nursing 3320 , Health Assessment, be the first class taken. ASN students are still held responsible to meet all of the requirements to graduate with the Associate Degree at the end of their second year of nursing. Students must also successfully complete their licensing exam to continue in the Bachelors of Science Nursing Program.

After graduation from the ASN Program, students who wish to pursue the BS in Nursing must change their major in the Registrar’s Office. See a BSN faculty member for current information regarding program requirements.

Employment Opportunities (BSN)

Registered nurses constitute the largest healthcare occupation, with 2.4 million jobs. More new jobs are expected to be created for registered nurses than for any other occupation. In addition to the traditional employment settings listed for associate degree nursing graduates, baccalaureate prepared nurses are qualified for employment in the military, veteran's hospitals, government agencies, public health, industrial nursing, research facilities, and can pursue graduate education in nursing.