Nursing (BSN) - Traditional

All undergraduates must complete two designated writing credit (W) courses, at least one of which must be in the student's major or minor.

Additional Information

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (BSN)

The BSN program prepares graduates for professional nursing practice. Upon completion of the program graduates are eligible to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become licensed as a Registered Nurse.

The BSN program is offered in a traditional four- year format with nursing courses concentrated in the junior and senior years. The BSN program is also offered in an accelerated format for Associate Degree and diploma- prepared nurses.

BSN Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Baccalaureate Program, graduates should be able to:

  1. Deliver professional nursing care for diverse populations across the lifespan to optimize health care outcomes.
  2. Demonstrate the application of theory and evidence from contemporary nursing science and related disciplines as a basis for clinical reasoning, management, and evaluation of professional nursing care through the use of professional writing and clinical judgment.
  3. Model responsibility and accountability for one's personal and delegated nursing care and lifelong learning to ensure excellence in nursing practice.
  4. Translate evidence into professional nursing practice to individualize patient care designed to improve care outcomes.
  5. Select principles of leadership and management that guide nursing, influence health policy, and transform health care delivery systems.
  6. Collaborate with inter-professional health care teams and consumers in delivering and advocating for safe and effective use of health care resources.
  7. Integrate professional nursing values in meeting current and emerging health needs in a dynamic, global society.
  8. Evaluate effective use of technology and information management to provide patient-centered care across the lifespan in a variety of environments.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Traditional Pathway

Students wishing to complete the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree who have not completed a prior bachelor degree, may apply to the University of South Alabama as a pre-nursing student. Upon completion of the pre-nursing requirements, students may apply for admission to the Professional Component of the Traditional BSN Pathway.

Admission Criteria

  1. A minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.75 on all prerequisite courses for the Traditional Pathway.
  2. A minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.9 on all Math and Science courses.
  3. A minimum grade of “C” in all prerequisite courses.
  4. A minimum University of South Alabama GPA of 2.5 and be in good standing within the University.
  5. Students dismissed from a previous nursing program may be considered as follows:
    1. Admission will only be considered for the Traditional BSN program.
    2. Students will compete for a seat among all other applicants to the program.
    3. All previous nursing courses will be evaluated and accepted based on college and University requirements.

    Application Procedures

    Applicants must submit an application for admission to the Professional Component of the BSN degree program. The application form is available on the College of Nursing's website. Applications are reviewed carefully to determine that students have satisfied all pre-nursing requirements, and satisfy the requirements of emotional and physical health, conduct, scholastic achievement, and aptitude for nursing. The College of Nursing Admissions Committee and the Dean of the College of Nursing reserve the right to select the applicants best qualified for and most likely to succeed in the study of nursing. Failure to comply with legal, moral, and legislative standards for licensure to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Alabama merits immediate dismissal from the nursing program.

    1. Admission to the University of South Alabama requires the submission of a completed application to the University of South Alabama along with official transcripts from all colleges and schools you have attended, if you are not a current student at South.
    2. Online submission of Traditional BSN Application to the College of Nursing is required.
    3. Payment of $50 non-refundable application fee via debit or credit card. There is a $20.00 fee for non-sufficient funds.
    4. Transfer credit must comply with College of Nursing policies.
    5. Submit unofficial transcripts from other universities to the College of Nursing via email (conbsn@southalabama.edu) for review of prerequisite courses.
    6. Students who have attended a Nursing program at another school are required to provide the following to the College of Nursing email at conbsn@southalabama.edu
      1. Letter of Good Standing (verifying student was in good moral, ethical, and legal standing with no previous disciplinary action)from the Nursing Program, signed by the Nursing Administrator of the program
      2. Transcript of all nursing courses taken with the grades earned
      3. Transfer credit will be considered upon review of course syllabi

      Contingency for Admission and Initial Registration

      Admission and initial registration is contingent on completion of the following requirements.

      1. Acceptance Packet
      2. Negative Drug Screen
      3. Acceptable Background Check
      4. All Health Requirements as outlined in the Medical Documents Manager.

      Notification of missing documents will be sent to your JagMail email account. Only students who have successfully completed the Acceptance Packet in its entirety, have a negative drug screen and acceptable background check, and completed all required portions of the Medical Documents Manager will be permitted to register for classes.

      Application Deadlines

      • Fall Semester Deadline is March 15
      • Spring Semester Deadline is July 15
      • Summer Semester Deadline is March 1

      In keeping with the dynamic changes in nursing and healthcare field, the baccalaureate curriculum may undergo change. Changes in curricula and/or admission requirements will be published as far in advance as possible. Advisors are available to assist students in adapting to those changes and planning their course of study accordingly.

      College of Nursing Early Acceptance Program (CONEAP)

      High School Early Acceptance

      The College of Nursing has an early acceptance program for highly qualified high school seniors who demonstrate leadership qualities and motivation toward the study of nursing. Students participating in the early acceptance program are guaranteed admission to the upper division professional component of the nursing curriculum when they meet the following requirements. Students who meet early acceptance requirements must also submit a Traditional BSN Application to the Professional Component by the deadline on the Traditional BSN webpage that corresponds to the semester you wish to begin the Professional Component.

      Academic Requirements

      1. Have a minimum high school GPA of 3.5 based on 4.0 scale as computed by USA Office of Admissions
      2. Submit an ACT score of at least 22 composite (or 1100 SAT).
      3. Apply for admission to USA.
      4. Apply for admission to the Professional Component of the BSN program.
      Upon Admission to USA - Student Requirements
      1. USA students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.2 on all coursework, as computed by the USA Office of Admissions, before entering the professional component.
      2. Students are encouraged to complete all pre-professional nursing courses at USA.
      3. Make a grade of C or better on all final grades.
      4. Must be continuously enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester (No minimal credit hour requirement for summer semesters).
      5. Be approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the College of Nursing.

      The College of Nursing priority deadline for the High School Early Acceptance Program is February 15th. Early admission is determined upon receipt of an application to the University of South Alabama for admission to the pre-nursing program. Applications received at other times will be considered on a space available basis. For questions and applications, contact:

      USA Admissions
      2500 Meisler Hall
      Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002
      or call (800) 872-5247 or (251) 460-6141

      Freshman Early Acceptance

      A second opportunity for participation in the CONEAP is available to students who have completed their freshman year of pre-nursing prerequisite courses at USA and have achieved an overall GPA of 3.2 or above (as computed by the USA Registrar's Office). Students who meet early acceptance requirements must also submit a Traditional BSN Application to the Professional Component by the deadline on the Traditional BSN webpage that corresponds to the semester you wish to begin the Professional Component.

      Academic Requirements

      1. Have a minimum GPA of 3.2 on all coursework completed at USA, as computed by the USA Office of Admissions
      2. Complete the freshman year of college
      3. Complete the following courses: BLY 101 with Lab, MA 110 or 112, and CH 101 with Lab
      4. Maintain a 3.2 GPA throughout all coursework.
      5. Make a grade of C or better on all final grades.
      6. Apply for admission to the Professional Component of the BSN program.
      7. Be approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the College of Nursing

      Veteran's Policy for College of Nursing

      The College of Nursing commits to accept students from the Veteran population into the Bachelor of Science programs. The CON will accept five Veteran students into the traditional program and two Veteran students into the accelerated program each semester. Veteran students must apply for the program and meet the general admission requirements. Veteran students must also provide documentation verifying veteran status. If there are no veteran students available to take these seats, the seats will go to the general population of student applicants.

      Academic Partnership Between The University Of South Alabama Department Of Military Science And Leadership (Army ROTC) And Department Of Nursing

      1. Both the Department of Nursing and Army ROTC will actively recruit qualified nursing candidates for joint enrollment. Both programs will actively supervise and mentor enrolled ROTC Nurse Cadets and will keep each other informed of candidate’s progress.
      2. The Department of Nursing will accept two Army ROTC Nurse Cadets annually into the BSN nursing programs, if they meet the Department of Nursing’s academic acceptance requirements.
      3. The Department of Nursing will provide a dedicated nursing academic advisor for all ROTC Nurse Cadets. This academic advisor will act as faculty liaison between the departments.
      4. All Army ROTC Nursing Cadets will be required to participate in the nursing department’s clinical training throughout the nursing program with no resistance from the ROTC department.
      5. Army ROTC will provide opportunities per academic year in the Army’s Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP), a summer internship/preceptorship offered at Army hospitals in the U.S. and overseas, typically between junior and senior years.

      Nursing Honors

      The College of Nursing has two paths to attaining honors designation upon graduation: 1) University Honors in Nursing and 2) Departmental Honors in Nursing. Students admitted to the Honors College at any time prior to beginning the nursing program are automatically accepted into Nursing Honors. University Honors students must maintain all requirements set forth by the Honors College for graduation with the honors designation. University Honors students are required to complete additional upper division courses. Students are encouraged to meet with an Honors College advisor and a Nursing advisor to ensure attainment of requirements needed to receive the Honors designation.

      For students with strong academic backgrounds who desire to participate in honors research, Departmental Honors is offered for students who desire to add honors coursework after starting the Nursing professional component.

      Honors students are required to complete additional upper division courses. Students are not allowed to take nursing honors courses until the second semester of nursing. Departmental Honors students may apply for honors during or after the first semester of nursing; however, the student must have enough time left in the program to complete two full-term semesters of honors courses.

      Academic Progression Policy

      The University of South Alabama College of Nursing will recommend for promotion only those students who, in the judgment of the faculty, satisfy the requirements of emotional and physical health, conduct, scholastic achievement, and aptitude for nursing. Students continually in adjustment difficulties may be dropped from the nursing program.

      1. A grade of “C” or higher is required for all nursing courses. A student may only repeat one nursing course. Students retaking a course must take NU 302 Essentials of Professional Nursing at the same time.
      2. Students receiving a failing grade in either a didactic course or a clinical course that are co-requisites must repeat both courses the following semester to progress in the program.
      3. Students at risk of failing a didactic course or clinical course at midterm (course average 68% or below) must make an appointment and meet with an academic advisor.
      4. A second “D”, “F”, or “U” will result in an academic dismissal from the College of Nursing. Students who are dismissed may apply one time for readmission to the Traditional BSN program only.
      5. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 at USA is required to continue in the nursing program. Students with a GPA below 2.0 may not register for nursing courses.
      6. A dosage calculation test is required in NU 300/301, MCN 352/353, MCN 352/353/354/355, and AHN 447/448 and NU 460. A score of 100% on one of three attempts or successful completion of standards-based grading opportunities must be achieved to pass.
      7. After completion of the ATI Capstone course embedded into NU 412, all students are required to complete the ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor. If the student is unsuccessful on the ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor, the faculty-selected NCLEX remediation questions will be assigned with completion necessary to pass the course. All students, regardless of ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor performance, are also required to attend the 3-day ATI Live Review given on campus each semester. Failure to complete the ATI Capstone course, ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor and/or remediation, other course requirements as stated in the syllabus, and attend the ATI Live Review will result in a grade of Unsatisfactory (U) for the NU 412 course. If a grade of U is earned, the student must repeat NU 412 the next term. If the student does not score at least 72% on the ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor, the student will be required to purchase the Virtual ATI review course. Upon successful completion of a prescribed number of modules in Virtual ATI, a grade of Satisfactory (S) will be given for the course. If the required Virtual ATI is not completed by the end of the semester, a grade of Incomplete (I) will be given. Once the student has completed the required Virtual ATI, the grade will be changed to Satisfactory (S) for the course. Failure to complete virtual ATI requirements as stated in the syllabus by the end of the following semester will result in a grade of Unsatisfactory (U) for the course.
      8. Failure to show good ethical and moral character including but not limited to any of the following may result in dismissal from the program:
        1. conviction of a crime,
        2. disciplinary action against a nursing license in Alabama or any other state,
        3. positive drug test,
        4. adverse background check, or
        5. disruptive behavior including online behavior. All students must notify the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or the Dean of the College of Nursing immediately or no later than 48 hours of any of the above stated incidents.

        Students who are academically dismissed from the Traditional BSN program may apply for readmission one time. Students may only apply to the Traditional BSN program after an academic dismissal from the program. If selected for readmission after dismissal, students may only be readmitted one time. One additional failure after readmission will be cause for final dismissal from the College of Nursing.

        Uniform Policy

        The Uniform policy is provided to students at the time of admission.

        Clinical Attendance

        Students will be expected to attend clinical as scheduled. Some courses may require more than 20 hours per week of clinical attendance. Clinical orientation is mandatory.

        Graduation Requirements

        Traditional BSN students who will complete all degree requirements are required to apply for graduation by the application deadline established by the Registrar’s Office. Deadlines for each semester application are located on the Registrar’s Graduation Website.

        Eligibility for National Licensure

        Graduates are eligible and prepared to complete the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN® exam) and apply for licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse and to continue with graduate study. The program meets state educational requirements for licensure in Alabama and all other states in the U.S. and its territory.

        Graduation Plan

        Multiple Degree Plans Available. Select To View Option:

        On This Page
        • Nursing (BSN): Traditional for History Sequence
        • Nursing (BSN) : Traditional for Literature Sequence

        Nursing (BSN): Traditional for History Sequence

        (120 Total Hours)

        Plan of Study Grid
        First Year
        FallHours
        EH 101 English Composition I 3
        MA 110