BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING

Baccalaureate preparation in nursing is the basic educational level for entry into professional nursing practice. AUHS provides its students with the foundational education that includes both academic and professional nursing courses therefore providing a base for clinical competence and informed judgments about health and patient care in a variety of settings. These settings include, but are not limited to, home/community agencies, outpatient/ambulatory care, and hospital-based practice ranging from chronic to high acuity. Utilizing the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (AACN, 2008) as our foundation along with selected other guiding principles, our program builds upon knowledge acquired from the humanities and biological, physical, social, and behavioral sciences. By engaging in state-of-the-art technologies, a variety of clinical experiences, and other teaching strategies, the graduate is prepared to care for diverse families and individuals of all ages. The integration of principles of nursing research and principles of leadership and management also assist the graduate to function as an informed member of an interdisciplinary health team. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become a registered nurse (RN).

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program currently offers only one program option leading to a traditional Bachelor of Science (BSN) degree for beginning nurse generalists. Our program is fast track bachelor’s program, allowing students to complete the program in less time than a four-year traditional college program. We admit and focus solely on educating entry level (pre-licensure) baccalaureate students, especially those from diverse cultural backgrounds who are typically underrepresented in the health care field. All pre-requisites and co-requisites can be taken at AUHS as the student matriculates through our program. Our program transitions the student from a concept of simple to more complexed concepts and care and a continuum of wellness to illness. The focus of our program is on direct alignment and supports the mission of the University in preparing beginning health-care practitioners who can appreciate and identify with racial and ethnically diverse populations especially as it relates to culturally competent care. Graduates of the BSN degree program are prepared as generalists able to assume responsibility for organizing, implementing and evaluating hospital, population, and/or community-based plans of nursing care for a highly complex and culturally diverse society.

The BSN program, in alignment with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs (amended 2018), and has identified program outcomes, including student outcomes, alumni outcomes, and faculty outcomes to evaluate the program’s effectiveness. The student outcomes include program completion and employment rates, achievement of expected student learning outcomes, satisfaction with courses and instruction, and satisfaction with overall program effectiveness. The program outcomes are also aligned with the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice ( AANC, 2008). The alumni expected outcome addresses alumni satisfaction with overall program effectiveness in meeting expected student learning outcomes.