Curriculum: Pre-licensure BSN
Hello. My name is Phyllis Barham and I am the Academic Advisor for the undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Old Dominion University. I am looking forward to working with you as you progress through the six semesters of BSN degree requirements. Below you will find information specific to the traditional schedule and accelerated schedule of the pre-licensure BSN curriculum.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Lower Division
The University requires 120-126 credits for the BSN degree. There are both lower division (100-200 level) and upper division (300-400 level) university general education requirements and departmental (School of Nursing) requirements that constitute the BSN degree. The difference of six credits is the foreign language requirement. There are several exemptions to the foreign language requirement:
- Graduation from high school prior to 1986
- Completion of three years of a foreign language in high school (ODU must get a high school transcript for this exemption)
- Completion of two years EACH of two foreign languages in high school. (again, a high school transcript is needed for the exemption)
- Completion of a previous bachelor's degree prior to earning the BSN as a second degree
- Completion of selected Virginia Community College Associate degrees
If you do not meet any of the exemptions above, you will want to make sure that you complete two semesters of the same foreign language to meet this general education requirement.
In addition to the foreign language requirements, the university requires three (3) English courses (two in composition, one in literature), fine arts, history, philosophy, two in social science, two in life science and mathematics. These general education courses are designated with letters following the course numbers (i.e. Chem 101N, Engl 110C). Because these requirements are very specific, transfer "elective" courses cannot be used to fulfill them. Check your ODU transcript on LeoOnline to see how courses have transferred from other colleges/universities or access MONARCH TRANSFERMATION for information about course transfer. You and I will review your transcript in detail when you come to see me for academic advising.
There is one credit of "free elective" on the BSN curriculum; anything that transfers to ODU and is not used for another requirement may fulfill this elective.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Upper Division
At the upper division there are additional university general education requirements. A BSN student earning a first bachelor's degree may meet these requirements with an approved university minor; a second major or a "cluster." The nursing curriculum has "built in" the Administrative Leadership and Ethics for Professional Roles cluster for BSN students. To meet the cluster requirements a nursing student completes two of the courses from the list on the bottom of the BSN curriculum guide. These two courses in addition to Nursing 480 (Nursing Leadership) complete the cluster. A nursing student may elect, however, to earn a minor or second major if desired.
NOTE: Second baccalaureate students do NOT have to earn a minor, second major or cluster. Your first degree covers this upper division general education requirement
CLASS DESIGNATION
Upon admission to the nursing major we consider you a "sophomore" in nursing. After the first two semesters you are a "junior" and in the last two semesters a "senior." You follow the curriculum guide for nursing courses into which you were initially accepted - either traditional or accelerated. Do not plan to ask to change from one schedule to another. Both are "maxed" out with students and therefore switching schedules is not possible. Nursing courses are offered in a specific order with knowledge and skills building upon previous courses. Do not expect to be able to "double up" on courses in an attempt to complete the Nursing major in less than six semesters.
DEGREE EVALUATION
The University has a degree evaluation program through which students admitted to a major may track the progress of degree requirements completion. You may access the "Degree Evaluation" through LeoOnline. Each time you take a look at your degree evaluation (I suggest you check it each semester) you should select GENERATE NEW EVALUATION from the options on the bottom of the screen. That way, your most current ODU transcript is compared to the degree requirements for your major. Requirements are indicated by YES if met and NO if not met. Should you have "NO" for a requirement you believed you have met, please see me. We will want to correct any errors/issues before the time for graduation.
GRADUATION
When you have successfully completed all of the courses listed on the BSN curriculum guide, passed the university's Exit Exam of Writing Proficiency and completed the Senior Assessment faculty will celebrate with you at graduation! After graduation you will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. It is after passing this exam you can officially add the letters RN to your name.
Additional Information
The School of Nursing also offers an RN>BSN curriculum designed for registered nurses who have earned an associate degree or hospital diploma in nursing and desire the BSN. If you see a nursing course designated "for RN>BSN only" know that it is for this "post licensure" population of registered nurses earning the BSN degree. While this group of students meets the same graduation requirements as "pre licensure" students, the major courses are taught differently and draw upon the student's previous nursing education. RN>BSN courses are offered via TELETECHNET, video-stream or online to registered nurses throughout the United States and abroad.