Nursing (Pre-licensure - BSN)

The pre-licensure, traditional BSN program trains students to become nurses through didactic coursework and clinical practice. Our curriculum prepares students to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) and become a Registered Nurse (RN).

Traditional undergraduate application and acceptance to Limestone University is the only requirement for the admission into Health Sciences Pre-Nursing concentration. Students follow a pre-nursing curriculum their first 2 years to prepare for clinical nursing coursework. See Progression criteria for the final 2 years below.

Progression Criteria to the Clinical Cohort

• Successful completion of pre-nursing coursework for BSN major with a C or better
• Minimum GPA of 2.8
• Submit application to Clinical Cohort by Mar 1 of 4th semester.
• Background check
• TEAS Test completed in Jan 2025

Nursing Program Mission

Inspired by the university mission to educate students from diverse backgrounds and committed to the health of citizens, the mission of the nursing program is therefore to support and prepare professional nurses who are able to:  

• Use critical thinking in decision-making activities;  
• Promote health and wellness to diverse individuals, families, and communities; and 
• Demonstrate incorporation of professional standards, lifelong learning, advocacy, and compassion into nursing practice. 

Nursing Program Vision 

To meet the needs of our communities and profession by providing a quality innovative higher education experience.   

Nursing Program Goals 

• Recruit and retain well-qualified nursing students
• Recruit and retain well-qualified faculty 
• Maintain national accreditation through CCNE  
• Utilize best practices of learning theories in all courses
• Prepare professional nurses with essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes to improve health
• Increase the number of BSN and MSN nurses locally

Nursing Expected Program Outcomes

• Graduate 70% of students who enroll  
• NCLEX-RN pass rate above the national average
• 70% of graduates employed within 1 year
• Employer satisfaction
• Prepared for graduate education
• Express satisfaction with BSN program

Nursing Program Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) 

After completing the RN-BSN program, graduates will be able to: 

SLO1 - Critical Thinking
Graduates will demonstrate critical thinking that integrates a liberal arts foundation, theory, evidence-based practice, and ethical decision making in the promotion of health and culturally competent care of diverse individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan 

SLO2 - Safe Practice / Person-centered care
Graduates will use nursing knowledge and critical thinking to inform clinical judgment in the provision of safe, quality, equitable, and compassionate person-centered care. 

SLO3 - Population health
Graduates will evaluate data and social determinants of health to apply population health concepts and advocate for optimal health in diverse populations 

SLO4 - Scholarship
Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of the research process, how to evaluate the quality of evidence, and communicate findings 

SLO5 - Systems-based knowledge
Graduates will articulate an understanding of systems & system processes across the continuum of care necessary to advocate for & coordinate health policy 

SLO6 - Interprofessional partnerships
Graduates will demonstrate effective communication and collaboration with interprofessional healthcare team members, individuals, families, groups and communities 

SLO7 - Information and Healthcare Technologies
Graduates will utilize patient care technologies and information systems to support communication and decision making for nursing practice 

SLO8 - Professionalism & leadership
Graduates will apply principles of professionalism and leadership to develop an ethical, accountable, inclusive, and competent nursing identity   

Fast Facts

• The BSN nurse is well-prepared to meet the demands of today’s dynamic and complex healthcare environment by demonstrating superior skills in critical thinking, information management, leadership, management, health promotion, communication, assessment, cultural sensitivity, resourcefulness, knowledge application, and scientific reasoning (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2014).
• BSN nurses are able to work in a variety of settings including schools, the military, or public health; and in expanded roles including management, health educators, case managers, care coordinators, or patient navigators.
• Bright Job outlook 2020 - 2029 with a growth rate 7% faster than the average for all occupations

Related Faculty

Amber Williams

Professor of Nursing/Program Coordinator/Course Coordinator

apwilliams@limestone.edu

8644884045

DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses

By recognizing nursing students for their care and compassion for patients and their families, The DAISY Foundation recognizes and celebrates what it means...

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