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Nursing (BSN)

Bachelor of Science

The prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at the University of West Alabama prepares students to excel in any healthcare environment. In courses designed and taught by expert faculty, you’ll learn to provide advanced care to patients with diverse needs about in-demand topics like mental health, maternal-child nursing, critical care and more. Graduates of the BSN program may be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and enter the healthcare field. The Board of Nursing determines eligibility to test.

The BSN curriculum includes academic and professional courses necessary for competence and leadership in multiple patient settings that encompass individual, family-centered, and community-centered care throughout the lifespan. Hands-on clinicals are completed under the guidance of highly experienced instructors in direct patient care and simulated settings. Instead of online or on-campus learning, you’ll get the best of both worlds in this hybrid nursing program; 80% of the coursework is delivered on campus, and 20% is delivered online.

The links that follow answer preliminary questions about the prelicensure BSN major:

Program Application Instructions

BSN Admission Criteria

Transfer Student Admission Criteria

Admission Scoring Tool

Program of Study

End of Program Student Learning Outcomes

Visit the Academic Catalog for information regarding program admission requirements, prerequisites, course offerings and more.

Program Facts

Program Format

On Campus

Academic Term

Spring, Fall

Number of Credits

120-124 hours

Academic Calendars

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Sample Courses

NS204 Advanced Adult and Critical Care Nursing

9 Credits

Emphasis in this course is upon use of the nursing process in promoting adaptation of the client with complex, life-threatening biopsychosocial disturbances which disrupt functioning of family systems. Concepts related to adult health and critical care nursing are explored. This course also examines concepts of collaboration among members of the health team in planning and implementing health care directed toward maintaining maximum adaptation.

NS411 Community/Public Health Nursing

5 Credits

At the end of this course, the student should have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to assess health/illness beliefs, values, attitudes, and practices of individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations; use evidence-based practices to guide health teaching, health counseling, screening, outreach, disease and outbreak investigation, referral, and follow-up throughout the lifespan; and use information and communication technologies in preventive care; assess health, healthcare, and emergency preparedness needs of a defined population.

NS421 Leadership in Professional Nursing Practice

5 Credits

This course prepares students to demonstrate leadership and management skills that are required at the baccalaureate level. At the end of this course, the student should have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to utilize ethical and critical-decision making when formulating care plans for individuals, families, or communities.

Career Outlook

UWA’s BSN program prepares students to practice in complex healthcare systems and transition into advanced practice nursing. After graduating with your nursing degree and passing the state licensure exam, you’ll be eligible to work as a registered nurse and may choose to specialize in areas such as emergency, critical care, labor and delivery, medical-surgical, pediatric nursing and more. In Alabama, RNs earn an average of $62,090, with the top 10% making $82,760 per year.1

Source

  1. O*NET Online. “Alabama Wages: 29-1141.00 – Registered Nurses.” Retrieved Oct. 18, 2023 from https://www.onetonline.org/.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Are you a prospective student or visitor looking for information quickly and efficiently? The frequently asked questions (FAQ) section on the university’s website answers common inquiries about admissions, tuition, programs, campus facilities and more.

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