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Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Accelerated

Program Mission

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs build on a foundation of the arts and sciences to form self-directed, nurse generalists prepared to assume leadership roles in the delivery of evidence-based nursing care. The nursing program develops professional nurses within an educational climate of honesty, respect, inquiry, service, and collaboration.

Program Purpose

The Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program allows students who already have an earned bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing to earn a BSN in 16 months, following completion of required prerequisites. The ABSN builds on the student's foundation in the arts and sciences to form self-directed nurse generalists prepared to assume leadership roles in the delivery of evidence-based nursing care. The ABSN program develops professional nurses within an educational climate of honesty, respect, inquiry, service, and collaboration.

Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

  1. Provide holistic nursing care to individuals, families, communities, and populations across the lifespan, the health continuum, and healthcare contexts.
  2. Integrate knowledge from the arts, sciences and nursing in the delivery of high-quality nursing care.
  3. Translate existing evidence into safe nursing practice.
  4. Communicate and collaborate in respectful partnerships to optimize health.
  5. Function as a leader and change agent within dynamic healthcare systems using knowledge of health policies and legal principles.
  6. Apply ethical principles while serving as an advocate and a caring healthcare provider.
  7. Demonstrate reflective practice to support continuous personal and professional growth.

Admissions Requirements

Admission to the Accelerated BSN program is a competitive selection process. Applicants to the Accelerated BSN program should meet the following minimum admission criteria. Meeting minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission to the Accelerated BSN program.

  1. Be in good academic standing at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
  2. Have an earned bachelor’s degree in any field
  3. Complete at least 12 hours of the following required pre-requisite courses with a grade of C or better prior to application to the clinical nursing program and must appear on the transcript
    • BIOL 2310: Human Anatomy & Physiology I (3 credit hours) (B or better preferred)
    • BIOL 2311: Human Anatomy & Physiology II (3 credit hours) (B or better preferred)
    • BIOL 2325: Fundamentals of Microbiology (3 credit hours)
    • Science Lab (1 credit hour) (Anatomy & Physiology II Lab or Microbiology Lab preferred)
    • PSYC 2330: Developmental Psychology (3 hours)
    • PHIL or RELS: Ethics elective (3 hours)
    • MATH 2315: Statistics (3 hours)
    • BIOL 2320: Nutrition (3 hours)
    • NURS 2410: Pathophysiology (4 hours)
    • THEO 1310: Introduction to Theology (3 hours)
  4. Have earned a grade point average of 3.0 on the combination of any completed required pre- requisite coursework and all previous coursework (Elective Arts/Sciences courses) applied to the BSN program.
  5. Have completed with a grade of C or better, have in progress, or plan to complete all remaining prerequisite coursework prior to beginning the clinical program.

    Students must earn a grade of C or better in NURS 2410 (Pathophysiology) within 3 years of admission.

    Students may only attempt NURS 2410 or NURS 2510 twice within a 3-year period. Any grade, including a W, constitutes an attempt.

  6. Have earned a grade of C or better in all courses applied to the BSN program
  7. Additional factors may influence acceptance into the BSN program.

Final program acceptance is contingent on approval from the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN).

Admissions Decisions

Admission decisions are made in a manner consistent with the University's policy on admission. Applicants will be considered on a competitive basis. Factors considered in the review of applications include: the admission criteria listed in this section of the catalog, the ability to meet the Core Performance Standards of the School of Nursing, the University's policy on admission and other individual characteristics or attributes that increase likelihood of success in the program.

Upon acceptance into the BSN Program, students are required to:

  • Attend new nursing student orientation;
  • Submit to a criminal background check (at the student's expense);
  • Comply with the health and safety requirements of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University School of Nursing;
  • Submit an application for approval to enroll in a clinical nursing course;

The Nurse Practice Act of Louisiana requires that all students must be approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) to enroll in clinical nursing courses. The LSBN requires persons who have been arrested, charged with or convicted of any criminal offense in any state to petition the Louisiana State Board of Nursing in writing for the right to practice as a student nurse in Louisiana. The LSBN also requires persons who have any addiction or impairment which may affect their ability to practice nursing to petition for the right to practice as a student nurse prior to enrolling in a clinical nursing course. The Application for Approval to Enroll in a Clinical Nursing Course form will be provided to the student once accepted into the program. Final program acceptance is contingent upon LSBN approval.

School of Nursing Health & Safety Requirements

All health and safety requirements should be completed prior to the start of any clinical course. These requirements include:

  • MMR, Tetanus-diphtheria booster, and meningococcal immunizations,
  • Hepatitis B vaccine series,
  • Evidence of immunity to varicella (chickenpox) or the vaccine,
  • TB (tuberculosis) skin test,
  • Evidence of influenza vaccine,
  • Covid vaccine or exemption
  • Physical exam,
  • Negative drug screen, and
  • Current CPR (American Heart Association approved)

TB skin test and influenza vaccine must be updated yearly. Random drug screens maybe required during the program of study. All health and safety requirements must be submitted to the Office of Health and Safety. Non-compliance will result in removal from clinical courses.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Graduation Requirements

  1. Complete one hundred twenty (120) credit hours in the required courses;
  2. Complete the nursing courses within five (5) years;
  3. Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher on all course work;
  4. Achieve a grade of C or better on all course work leading to the BSN degree;
  5. Complete at least 50% of the nursing credit hours at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University;
  6. Fulfill the residency requirement of 54 credit hours for the Bachelor of Science degree with the last 30 hours completed at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University;
  7. Complete the service-learning requirement for the Bachelor of Science degree (two service-learning courses); and
  8. Clearance of all indebtedness to Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, including the return of all materials borrowed from the University.

Licensure

Requirements for professional licensure and certification can vary by state and can change without notice. All students should the state licensing body in the state in which they reside or seek to be licensed to ensure that the degree they earn will meet requirements for licensure in that state.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) located at 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326; (404) 975-5000. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is Continuing Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm.

All School of Nursing programs leading to licensure are approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN), 17373 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70810, (225) 755-7500.