You are here
Home ›Nursing (BS)
Alfred State College now offers a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BS–N), an upper-division completion program which enhances students' knowledge and skills foundation to function more autonomously and interdependently in diverse, complex, and dynamic healthcare environments. Moreover, the program will enhance students' potential to expand their responsibilities in practice to be designers, coordinators, and managers of care. Lastly, the program will serve as a solid academic foundation for advanced study in nursing at the graduate level.
The graduate will be prepared to assume a leadership role in the health care delivery system using gained experience, research, and technology for evidence-based decision making. The baccalaureate graduate will be able to deliver, design, and coordinate care for a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds to improve client outcomes.
Applicants must have completed an accredited or state-approved associate degree or diploma program in nursing or be qualified registered professional nurses (RN). Those who have not yet passed the NCLEX–RN must obtain their RN license to progress into the second semester BS–N courses.
The core foundational nursing courses are arranged to increase the student's knowledge base and skill level for the expanded role as a baccalaureate-prepared practitioner. The program is designed to prepare a generalist, thus, contains no specialization concentrations. A professional capstone course (NURS 8013) is required as a culminating educational experience of the BS–N program.
All of the BS–N nursing courses are offered in a blended format with online presentation typically coupled with two in-residence classes per semester and have been designed to allow for flexibility within a structured learning environment and to foster face-to-face relationships between and among the instructor and learners.
Two required BS–N courses have clinical components to further advance the student's knowledge base and skills level. Health assessment and promotion across the lifespan (NURS 6413) has a one-credit clinical laboratory component that may be virtual, self-directed, or campus-based. Population focused care in the community (NURS 7004) allows the student an opportunity to address clients with special needs or vulnerable populations in the community through a structured, precepted clinical experience.
Content and curricular aspects relating to rural nursing will be explored to gain an understanding of emerging issues and develop graduates who are effective in autonomous roles. The population focused care in the community course requires a guided preceptor clinical component which will be overseen and evaluated by the course instructor.
A computer with Internet access and Microsoft Word is required for the nursing program.
Admission to the BS-Nursing program requires graduation from an approved associate degree nursing or certified diploma program and plans to secure licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse by completion of the first semester in the program. The minimum GPA requirement for admission is 2.00. The applicant's associate degree course work will include at least 30 credits of nursing, eight credits of anatomy and physiology, a lab course in microbiology, and course work in communication, literature, psychology, and sociology. The applicant's diploma course work will include at least 30 credits of nursing, eight credits of anatomy and physiology, a lab course in microbiology, and will follow the voluntary transfer NY State model program. Students may take nine nursing upper level credits prior to matriculating in the BS program.
Students must have an active, unencumbered U.S. license to progress into the second semester of BS-N courses. It is essential that students are able to fully participate in clinical, caring for clients as assigned. Established entrance requirements for nursing students include being able to:
- ambulate (walk) without assistive devices
- lift at least 30 pounds
- function in a safe manner, not placing clients in jeopardy
- maintain confidentiality in regard to professional practice
- perform effectively under stress, adjusting to changing situations
- communicate effectively orally and in writing
Alfred State College is accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education (3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104; 267-284-5000). The BS-N program is registered by NYS Education Department.
- Provide upper-level knowledge and skills needed to care for clients and populations in a variety of settings
- Predominantly virtually based with individualized face-to-face contact with faculty
- Laboratory experience access to high fidelity simulation
Articulation agreements are in progress between multiple regional community colleges and Alfred State College for the BS-N program.
- 27 credits of upper-level nursing
- 3 credits of open electives
- 21 credits of liberal arts and sciences
- 12 credits of upper level liberal arts electives
- 1 credit of physical education if not transferred
Leadership, management, research, education, and practice opportunities in a variety of settings, including hospitals, ambulatory setting, clinics, schools, long-term care facilities, industry, and health insurance providers.
| First Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| NURS | 5003 | Ethical Issues in Health Care | 3 |
| NURS | 5023 | Contemporary Nursing | 3 |
| MATH | 1123 | Statistics I | 3 |
| SPCH | 1083 | Effective Speaking | 3 |
| xxx3 | Liberal Arts Elective - Upper | 3 |
|
| 15 | |||
| Second Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| NURS | 6003 | Nursing Leadership & Management | 3 |
| NURS | 6413 | Health Assessment & Promotion Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| BIOL | 6403 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| xxx3 | General Education Elective (FA, FL, WC, or AH) | 3 |
|
| HLTH | 1313 | Nutrition | 3 |
| 15 | |||
| Third Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| NURS | 7003 | Nursing Research | 3 |
| NURS | 7004 | Population Focused Care in the Community | 4 |
| xxx3 | Liberal Arts Elective | 3 | |
| xxx3 | Liberal Arts Elective - Upper | 3 | |
| xxx3 | Liberal Arts Elective - Upper | 3 | |
| 16 |
|||
| Fourth Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| NURS | xxx3 | Nursing Elective | 3 |
| NURS | 8002 | Nursing Informatics | 2 |
| NURS | 8013 | Professional Capstone | 3 |
| xxx3 | Open Elective | 3 | |
| ANTH | 5113 | Cross Cultural Encounters | 3 |
| xxx3 | Liberal Arts Elective - Upper | 3 | |
| 17 | |||
*Minimum of a “C” grade is required for upper-division nursing courses. A 2.0 GPA must be maintained throughout the program.
The BS-N program was established August 2010; therefore, no employment survey details have been collected.
