The USF nursing program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The nursing major has three tracks, all leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Following are the student learning outcomes and a brief description of each track, described in order of their implementation. Student Learning Outcomes: 1. Students will acquire the knowledge and clinical and critical thinking skills required to plan and provide excellent evidence-based clinical care, with a strong foundation in the arts and sciences. 2. Students will be prepared and inspired to become leaders who have an appreciation for the human dignity of every individual and practice within an ethical framework with social justice at the core. 3. Students will promote the health of all people, regardless of race, color, creed, age, or any other human discriminators. 4. Students will understand the value of inter- and intradisciplinary collaboration and communication and integrate this into one's practice. 5. Students will integrate a strong commitment to life-long learning, in order to respond to clinical and technological advances, changes in health care delivery and health systems, population changes, genetic advances, and access to health care globally. 6. Students will be prepared to practice within different settings and complexities of situations, including caring for people across the life span.
Accelerated Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing The accelerated track is a 15-month consecutive semester program designed for students who currently have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing. It is an intense program with courses offered in a compressed 15-month timeframe as compared to the more traditional eight-semester program. It includes a combination of classroom instruction and clinical experiences. At the completion of the program students will be eligible to take the national examination (NCLEX) to become licensed as registered nurses. Admission Criteria: 1. Bachelor’s degree from a U.S. Department of Education accredited college or university in any field. 2. Minimum of 2.75 cumulative GPA from all previous college courses. 3. Completion of the Accelerated Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing Program application including essay questions. 4. Three professional references. 5. An approved background check. 6. An on-campus interview may be requested.
7. Successful completion (minimum grade of C-) of the following prerequisite courses within the past seven years: ❏ General chemistry (with a lab component) ❏ Organic chemistry or biochemistry (with a lab component) ❏ Human anatomy (with a lab component) ❏ Human physiology (with a lab component) ❏ Microbiology (with a lab component) ❏ Nutrition ❏ General psychology ❏ Developmental psychology or human growth and development
Financial Aid Accelerated Nursing students may be eligible to receive federal financial aid if they are enrolled in at least 6 credit hours of required coursework each term. As the Accelerated Nursing degree requires students to possess a bachelor's degree in order to enter the program, this degree is a subsequent baccalaureate degree and federal financial aid consists of any federal loan eligibility the student may have remaining following previous undergraduate coursework. Accelerated Nursing students interested in federal financial aid must be accepted into the nursing program and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A monthly payment plan or private alternative loan options may be available for students needing funding assistance. Other sources of financial assistance may include employer tuition assistance/ reimbursement, veterans' benefits or outside scholarships if eligible. Students receiving these types of assistance need to notify the Financial Aid Office and complete additional USF paperwork. Accelerated Nursing students are not eligible to receive institutional aid from the University. Payment is due on or before the first day of each term. The FAFSA application, employer paperwork, loan applications or payment plans must be prepared and submitted in advance. For additional information about financial aid for the Accelerated Nursing Program, contact the USF Financial Aid Office at (605) 331-6623.
Eight-Semester Bachelor of Science in Nursing The eight-semester option is designed primarily for students who have no nursing background and do not have a previous bachelor’s degree. Students may register at the University and designate nursing as their major. However, admission to the nursing program is a two-step process and applicants will be eligible to apply to the nursing program after completing a minimum of one semester of college post high-school. Prerequisite courses will be treated as required liberal arts/ supporting courses and students will complete these courses during their first six semesters. At the completion of the program students will be eligible to take the national examination (NCLEX) to become licensed as registered nurses.
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UNIVERSITY OF SIOUX FALLS
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