The School of Nursing offers a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) for students seeking initial entry into the professional practice of nursing.  The curriculum consists of 120 credit hours that are distributed among the natural sciences social sciences, general education requirements, and nursing course. Clinical experiences are obtained in a variety of health centers, acute care facilities (hospitals), and community health agencies in the Louisville metropolitan area.

There are two tracks avaliable for students:  Traditional students and Second Degree/Accelerated for students that already hold a bachelor's degree.  Students admitted to this program complete all general education and support course work prior to entering the clinical component of the program. Upon degree conferral, graduates of these programs are eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as a registered nurse.

Admission 
Students begin course work in the Upper Division Pre-Licensure Traditional BSN Program in the fall of each year and the late spring for Second Degree/Accelerated of each year. The application process is initiated during the spring term prior to admission.

Admission to the Upper Division Pre-licensure BSN Program requires the following:

1. Admission to Spalding University Admission to Spalding University does not guarantee admission to the Nursing Program.
2. Cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or greater on a 4.00 scale
3. Completion of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with a minimum of 60% on both reading and math sections of the exam or equivalent. (Only for Traditional Program)
4. Successful completion of a certified nursing assistant (CNA) course or a document attesting to achievement of designated competencies.
5. An electronic interview with the School of Nursing if requested.
6. All University Studies and required support courses must be complete prior to the start of the nursing courses.

Contact the School of Nursing for detailed information on the program of studies, policies on admission, academic achievement, transfer credits, opportunities for credentialing of prior learning, health requirements, clinical guidelines, withdrawal, dismissal, and graduation requirements. 

Pre-Licensure Program: Traditional Program
Description
The Traditional program of study is offered for high school graduates and transfer students. The program is sequenced over four academic years with the concentration of courses for the nursing major at the junior and senior levels (upper division). During the first four semesters of the curriculum plan, designated as lower division, students take required sciences, humanities, and other courses that help to prepare them to function as a professional nurse. A foundation in liberal education provides the requisite knowledge for the development of critical thinking and decision making for nursing practice. The upper division consists of two academic years of nursing courses that combine theory and clinical lab components. Students provide knowledge gained in the classroom and other methods of learning as they provide nursing care to individuals, families and groups in a variety of health care settings.

Admission
Students begin the Traditional BSN Program in August (Session 1) of each year after they have completed all general education and required support courses. The application process should be initiated at least three (3) months prior to desired admission. Based on available space, students meeting all admission requirements may be accepted into the program up until one (1) week prior to the start of classes.

Procedure for Admission
Applications are available from the student's academic counselor or from the School of Nursing. Initial review of applications begins in the spring term prior to admission in the fall of the academic year. Students are notified in writing of their admission status.  Based on available space, students meeting all admission requirements may be accepted into the program up until one (1) week prior to the start of classes.

Required Prerequisite Courses:
A grade of C or higher is required in each of the courses listed below.

• BIO 261 Human Anatomy 3 credits
• BIO 262 Human Anatomy Lab 1 credit
• BIO 263 Human Physiology 3 credits
• BIO 264 Human Physiology Lab 1 credit
• BIO 256 Intro to Microbiology 3 credits
• BIO 257 Intro to Microbiology Lab 1 credit
• PSY 103 Psychological Systems 3 credits
• PHIL 154 Ethics 3 credits
• BIO 301 Pathophysiology 3 credits

Pre-Licensure Program: Accelerated Second Degree Program

Program Description
The School of Nursing offers a Second Degree BSN Program designed for persons with a non-nursing bachelor's degree who are interested in earning a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN).  College graduates with a non-nursing degree complete the required prerequisite support courses and enter directly into the upper division nursing courses.

The Accelerated Second Degree Program adapts nursing curriculum into (8) six-week sessions. This full-time, year-round program (13 months) allows students to complete the BSN curriculum in approximately one year. Graduates of the Program are eligible to write the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) for licensure as a registered nurse.

Admission
Students begin the Accelerated Second Degree BSN Program in May (Session 6) of each year after they have completed the required pre-requisite support courses. The application process should be initiated at least three (3) months prior to desired admission.  Based on available space, students meeting all admission requirements may be accepted into the program up until one (1) week prior to the start of classes.

Procedures for Admission
Initial review of applications begins in the fall term prior to admission in the spring of the academic year. Based on available space, students meeting all admission requirements may be accepted into the program up until one week before the first day of classes. Students are notified in writing of their admission status.

Required Prerequisite Courses

A grade of C or higher is required in each of the courses listed below.

• BIO 261 Human Anatomy 3 credits
• BIO 262 Human Anatomy Lab 1 credit
• BIO 263 Human Physiology 3 credits
• BIO 264 Human Physiology Lab 1 credit
• BIO 256 Intro to Microbiology 3 credits
• BIO 257 Intro to Microbiology Lab 1 credit
• PSY 103 Psychological Systems 3 credits
• BIO 301 Pathophysiology 3 credits
• HS 306 Research for Health Science 3 credits or an equivalent research course

RN to BSN Program

The School of Nursing offers an RN to BSN Program for Registered Nurses that hold an active and unrestricted nursing license. Courses are offered through the Adult Accelerated Program in a six-week session format.

Admission
Students may be admitted to the RN to BSN Program at any time throughout the year and, once accepted, may begin the program in the next-occurring session. Admission to Spalding University does not guarantee admission to the Nursing Program.

Admission to the RN to BSN Program requires the following:

1. Admission to Spalding University.
2. An active and unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse (licensure is required to be maintained throughout the program).
3. A graduate of a regionally or non-regionally accredited Associate Degree, Diploma Nursing Program, or nationally accredited college's Associate Degree Nursing Program.

University Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree
Complete a minimum of 120 prescribed and elective college credits, including 28 to 33 credits in the nursing major. At least 30 of these hours must be completed at Spalding. Transfer credit will be given for the courses meeting University Studies requirements. Transcripts will be reviewed on an individual basis. Students in the RN to BSN program must maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 in the total course work to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Procedure for Admission
To apply, students must submit a fully completed Spalding University Application for Admission and have official transcripts sent to Spalding from all colleges attended (official transcripts are transcripts sent directly from the college to Spalding’s Admissions Department). Applications are available from the student's academic counselor, AAP admissions counselor, or online. Review of applications occurs on an ongoing basis throughout the academic year. Based on available space, students may be accepted into the program up until the forty-eight hours before the first day of classes. Students are notified in writing of their admission status.

Contact the School of Nursing for detailed information on the program of studies, policies on admission, enrollment, academic achievement, transfer credits, withdrawal, dismissal, residency, and graduation requirements.

Program Sheets
Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Pre-Licensure Program: Accelerated Second Degree
Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Pre-Licensure Traditional Program
Bachelor of Science in Nursing: RN to BSN Program