Southern Connecticut State University

Nursing Programs Offered

Accelerated BSN Programs
BSN Programs
Family Practice Nurse/Nurse Practitioner - Master's degree
Family Practice Nurse/Nurse Practitioner - Postbaccalaureate certificate
RN Programs
RN to BSN Programs

RN to BSN Program Details

The department offers a flexible admission policy for RNs who hold an associate's degree or diploma, and who desire a bachelor's degree in nursing. Students are provided with individualized attention as they proceed through the nursing program. The program takes into account the rich background of experience of the RN in terms of both clinical and classroom settings.

RNs must apply to and be accepted by the university. Once accepted to the university, the student will be advised by the RN-BSN Coordinator. After completion of the prerequisites, students are eligible to apply to the nursing program. Following acceptance to the nursing program students will meet with the RN advisor to plan a program of study. Students may take CLEP exams as a substitute for some liberal arts courses. Thirty credits for prior nursing course work is awarded within the framework of the Connecticut Articulation Agreement.

BSN Program Details

The curriculum in the undergraduate nursing program is designed as an upper-division major. The program requires a strong liberal arts and science base as a prerequisite to nursing courses. Students complete theory courses in the major as well as hospital and community-based clinical practice. Full-time and part-time study options are available.

Students interested in the Nursing Program complete a two-step admission process:

-First, applicants apply to the university.
-Then, upon completion of at least seven of the 11 nursing prerequisites, application is made to the nursing department. All nursing prerequisites must be completed prior to enrolling in nursing courses. Admission is competitive, with a QPR of 3.0* being the minimum considered for acceptance. Qualified applicants may not be accepted because of a limit in the number of clinical placements. Applications are accepted once a year.

Image of NursingGPA, as well as other pre-admission criteria, will be used as a way of evaluating students for acceptance into the nursing program. These may include, but are not limited to: entry admission testing, letters of recommendation, personal interview, and an evaluation of overall academic record (i.e., number of course withdrawals, prerequisite course failures, and academic success at other colleges and universities). Consistent with SCSU admission requirements, preference is given to those candidates who, in the judgment of Department of Nursing admission members, present through academic and personal qualifications the greatest potential for program success.

Accelerated BSN Program Details

The ACE program is an accelerated BSN program for individuals already holding a BS/BA in any field from an accredited college or university who wish to enter the nursing profession. The intensive program allows qualified individuals to complete the nursing coursework in 12 consecutive months.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts by year 2012, one million more registered nurses will be needed in the United States. An analysis of nursing workforce needs at the state level indicates that Connecticut will be one of the states that will experience the worst shortages unless actions are taken to remedy the situation. In fact, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) projects that by 2010, Connecticut nursing workforce will be 33% short of what is needed and by 2020 that number will increase to 57% (Connecticut League for Nursing, 2005). In order to meet this demand, many colleges and universities across the nation have developed accelerated BSN programs for students with baccalaureate degrees in other fields to increase access for people desiring a change in career later in life, and allow faster entry into the workforce. In fact, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2005) there are 168 accelerated BSN programs in existence, with 46 more in the planning stages. While Connecticut has several of these programs, none are located within the state university system, limiting program choice options for students who want a quality program at a reasonable price.Nancy Hillier, 2008 ACE grad The undergraduate nursing program at SCSU is recognized as a high quality program. Our NCLEX pass rates have been mostly between 90-100% over nearly three decades and employers readily hire and confirm the quality of our new graduates. Many curricular changes have been implemented during the last several years to improve the quality of our instruction and better prepare students for the realities of practice