2011-2012 University Catalog 
  
2011-2012 University Catalog

Nursing, BSN


Banner Code:  HH-BSN-NURS

Unit: School of Nursing 

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program is accredited by the Virginia State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The undergraduate nursing program prepares students to deliver superior nursing care and provide leadership in nursing in the increasingly complex and challenging field of modern health care. Graduates are in demand as professional nurses in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community health and other health care agencies. The program emphasizes health promotion and disease prevention, capitalizing on early detection of potential health problems, health maintenance in ambulatory and acute-care agencies, and preparation for the managerial responsibilities of nursing.

The School of Nursing offers three pathways to complete the BSN, all of which lead to completion of the objectives of the undergraduate program. The traditional pathway is a two-year curriculum following the completion of general education and prerequisite requirements. An accelerated RN-to-BSN pathway for students holding current registered nurse (RN) licenses may be completed in one year (full-time) following completion of general education and prerequisite requirements. The accelerated, second degree pathway is a 12-month curriculum for students holding a baccalaureate degree outside of nursing. The traditional and accelerated pathways in nursing must be completed on a full-time basis.

To be admitted to the BSN program, students must complete a prenursing curriculum during their first two years and be admitted to junior standing. Students admitted in the traditional and accelerated, second degree pathways will enter the program in the fall of their junior year and at that point are considered nursing majors. Students admitted to the RN-to-BSN pathway may enter in the fall or spring semester.

Application to the BSN program is a process involving two applications: the George Mason University Undergraduate Application and the BSN Departmental Application. (Currently enrolled Mason students need only apply using the BSN Departmental Application.) Acceptance to the nursing program is contingent upon admission to the university, but admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the nursing program. Application to the BSN major is a competitive admission process. Prospective applicants are responsible to meet all BSN admission requirements at the time of application. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the nursing program—it only allows an application to be considered. Students who are interested in pursuing a major in nursing are strongly encouraged to attend an information session provided by the CHHS Office of Student Affairs for advising prior to applying to the nursing major.

Attendance at the first meeting of all nursing courses (lectures, on-campus laboratories, and agency laboratories) is mandatory.

Writing Intensive Requirement

Mason requires all students to complete at least one 300- or 400-level “writing intensive” course as designated by their department. Students majoring in nursing fulfill this requirement by successfully completing HHS 465.

Academic Grade Standards

Acceptable grades in the School of Nursing are grades of C or better, or an S grade. After admission to junior-year standing and to the nursing program, a student who earns a grade lower than a C in one required nursing course (NURS or HHS prefix) must repeat the course and earn a grade of C or higher to continue progression in nursing coursework. This will alter or halt further progression the nursing program and affect the expected graduation date. A student may repeat only one nursing course, one time. A student who fails to earn a C or higher in the repeated course is terminated from the BSN program. In addition, earning a grade lower than a C in a second nursing course results in termination from the nursing program. Termination from any one of the nursing undergraduate pathways constitutes termination from the undergraduate (BSN) nursing major in the School of Nursing. 

Because of the sequential nature of the nursing curriculum, students are not allowed to progress to the next semester of nursing coursework while a grade of “IN” (incomplete) remains on their academic record. A passing grade of C or higher must be recorded before beginning the next semester’s courses. 

Professional Conduct Policy

All students in the School of Nursing are expected to adhere to the Professional Conduct Policy of the College of Health and Human Services.

Appeal Process

Although faculty members in the nursing program are generally the best judges of a student’s professional performance, there may be times when a student believes a grade is unfair. Students in the School of Nursing wishing to appeal a grade are expected to follow the GMU guidelines for grade appeals, found in the Academic Policies  section of the GMU University Catalog.

NCLEX Readiness Preparation and Testing

Throughout the BSN program, all students, with the exception of RN-to-BSN students, participate in preparation for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam through opportunities provided during nursing courses. These opportunities are included as integrated components of select courses and include practice NCLEX-style exams and content-specific testing. A final cumulative assessment exam is given toward the end of the program to provide the student with guidance about their chance for success on the licensing exam. A final course in critical thinking and test-taking strategies is required in the senior year, and remediation in select content areas may be required as a component of this course.

Special Requirements

Fees and expenses related to the nursing program include: skills laboratory fee, standardized testing and course materials, uniforms, stethoscope, name pin, books, CPR certification, health forms, health insurance, immunizations, and criminal background check fees. The availability of personal transportation to and from clinical agencies is required of all students. For a summary of all current fees and estimated expenses, see the School of Nursing web site.

All BSN students are required to obtain a health clearance and complete the immunizations required by GMU as listed in the Student Health Services section of the GMU catalog. In addition, the BSN program has additional health and immunization requirements to meet the requirements of its clinical agency partners. See the Undergraduate Program, School of Nursing website for the most current information. Students are not allowed into any clinical setting without the completed immunization series as prescribed by GMU or the School of Nursing and may have an offer of admission withdrawn for inability to meet these requirements. The School of Nursing reviews health records and reserves the right to refuse admission or continued enrollment to any student who is unable to comply with these requirements. 

All students must have CPR certification before entering the first clinical nursing course and maintain it through the remainder of the program. The American Heart Association Basic Life Support - Health Care Provider is required. On-line renewal of CPR certification is not accepted. Any cost incurred is the responsibility of the student.

All students must have current health insurance before entering the first clinical nursing course and maintain it through the remainder of the program.

No student or faculty member will be discriminated against or denied admission to the nursing program for the sole reason that the student or faculty member has been exposed to, infected with, or diagnosed with HIV or HBV. All students are expected to practice Universal Precautions with all clients, and failure to do so will result in termination from the nursing major. In the event that a student has a clinical experience or practicum exposure to body fluids of a client, procedures and appropriate reports are completed according to institutional and nursing policies. Information related to exposure or infection is confidential, and dissemination of such information is based on the need-to-know criteria that apply in health care situations. HIPAA and FERPA regulations apply. A complete and detailed HIV/HBV policy is available in the CHHS Office of Student Affairs.

RN Requirements

RN-licensed students enrolled in the RN-to-BSN pathway are required to submit a copy of their current license prior to entering the first nursing course. RN-licensed students must maintain current licensure throughout the academic program. 

Degree Requirements


General Education (30 credits)


Written Communication:


  • ENGH 101 - Composition Credits: 3
  • ENGH 302 - Advanced Composition Credits: 3
  • Note: Non-native speakers of English with limited proficiency in the language may substitute ENGH 100 for ENGH 101. Students must attain a minimum grade of C in ENGH 100 or 101, as well as in 302, to fulfill degree requirements.

Oral Communication:


Choose one of the following:

Information Technology:


Choose one of the following:

Literature:


Arts:


Western Civilization:


Choose one of the following:

Global Understanding:


Designated Nursing Prerequisites (24 credits)


Electives (4 credits)


 Students will complete 4 credits of electives.

Traditional BSN Pathway (62 credits)


To be eligible to apply for the traditional BSN program, applicants must have achieved a minimum GPA of 3.00 in the designated nursing prerequisite course work and must have earned a C or better in each course: anatomy and physiology (BIOL 124 and 125, 8 credits); microbiology (BIOL 246 and 306, 4 credits); statistics (STAT 250, 3 credits); nutrition (NUTR 295, 3 credits); developmental psychology (PSYC 211, 3 credits); and bioethics (PHIL 309, 3 credits). Additional eligibility requirements include a grade of C or better in all general education courses and electives.

Application to the BSN program is a process involving two applications: the George Mason University Undergraduate Application and the BSN Departmental Application. (Currently enrolled Mason students need only apply using the BSN Departmental Application.) Admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the nursing program. Acceptance to the nursing program is contingent upon admission to the university. See the Undergraduate Program, School of Nursing web site for the latest information on applications and deadlines.

Application to the BSN major is a competitive admission process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the nursing program - it only allows an application to be considered in the review process.

The traditional BSN pathway is a full-time program beginning in the fall semester and is completed in two years (four semesters).

Traditional BSN Major, Required Courses (62 credits)


Total: 120 credits


Concentrations: Alternative Pathways


Students who are eligible for an alternative pathway to the BSN must meet the nursing course requirements for the pathway to which they have been admitted rather than those for the traditional BSN pathway described above. 

Except where noted in the concentration description, requirements for general education (30 credits), designated nursing prerequisites (24 credits) and the elective for the major (4 credits) are still required.

▲ Accelerated, Second Degree BSN Pathway (SEC): 47 credits


The Accelerated, Second Degree BSN Pathway is designed for applicants already holding a bachelor’s degree who are interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree in nursing. This full-time accelerated program begins in the fall semester and is completed in 12 months.

Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 in their first degree or a minimum GPA 3.00 in the last 30 credits of the undergraduate degree. The non-nursing baccalaureate degree must be completed by the end of the spring semester of the year a student desires to be considered for fall admission.

Applicants to the second degree pathway must achieved a minimum GPA of 3.00 in the designated nursing prerequisite course work and must have earned a C or better in each course: anatomy and physiology (BIOL 124 and 125, 8 credits); microbiology (BIOL 246 and 306, 4 credits); statistics (STAT 250, 3 credits); nutrition (NUTR 295, 3 credits); developmental psychology (PSYC 211, 3 credits); and bioethics (PHIL 309, 3 credits).

Application to the BSN program is a process involving two applications: the George Mason University Undergraduate Application and the BSN Departmental Application. (Currently enrolled Mason students need only apply using the BSN Departmental Application.) Admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the nursing program. Acceptance to the nursing program is contingent upon admission to the university. See the Undergraduate Program, School of Nursing web site for the latest information on applications and deadlines.

Application to the BSN major is a competitive admission process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the nursing program - it only allows an application to be considered in the review process.

Second Degree Pathway Requirements


Candidates for the degree must present at least 120 credits:

  • General Education requirements:  49 credits are transferred from the first degree.  Mason general education requirements are satisfied by the initial degree and fulfilled through transfer credit.
  • Designated nursing prerequisites: 24 credits
  • Concentration requirements: 47 credits.  Specific requirements are as follows:

▲ Accelerated RN-to-BSN Pathway (RN): 27 credits


The Accelerated RN-to-BSN Pathway allows RNs to progress quickly through the program through online coursework while meeting the objectives of the undergraduate curriculum. On completion of the general education requirements and designated nursing prerequisites, RN students can complete the BSN in two semesters of full-time study. The program can also be completed on a part-time basis.

RN students must satisfy all general education requirements and designated nursing prerequisites. RN-licensed students enrolled in the RN-to-BSN pathway are required to submit a copy of their current license prior to entering the first nursing course. RN-licensed students must maintain current licensure throughout the academic program.

Application to the BSN major is a competitive admission process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the nursing program - it only allows an application to be considered in the review process.

RN-to-BSN Pathway Requirements


Candidates for the degree must present at least 120 credits. A minimum of 30 credits must be earned at Mason to fulfill requirements for graduation.  These include:

  • 21 credits of nursing prerequisite courses, described below;
  • 27 credits specific to the concentration, described below;
  • 9 credits of electives, described below;
  • 33 credits designated “Credit by Exam,” described below.

30 credits of general education must be completed as previously described in the general degree requirements section. Transfer credits are accepted for many general education and prerequisite courses that may have been completed at other colleges or universities by students coming in with an RN.  Students must take ENGH 302, listed above under general education requirements. Only students holding a previous baccalaureate degree are not required to take ENGH 302.

RN-to-BSN Pathway Prerequisites (21 credits)

  •  Psychology (3 credits)
Electives (9 credits)

Credit by Exam (33 credits)

On successful completion of NURS 334, RN students will be awarded 30 credits in nursing and 3 credits of nutrition.

Total: 120 credits