Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (BSN)

Overview

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ACC BSN) degree program is a 16 month, four consecutive semester program that prepares students for initial licensure as a registered nurse.  The program is full-time on the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) campus in Charleston, SC.  This rigorous program has eight courses with clinical experiences in local hospitals and community agencies. Students learn in the classroom, as well as through web-enhanced activities.

The program focuses on the knowledge, skills, and values deemed essential for professional nursing practice in today’s multifaceted health care system. As a BSN-prepared nurse, graduates may work in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, community agencies, health clinics, long term care facilities and private practices. Special focus is given to leadership, care coordination and communication skills. The baccalaureate program also provides a foundation for graduate study in nursing.

The student who enters the nursing program is prepared for upper division course work and brings knowledge of the humanities and the natural and social sciences as a basis for study in the nursing major.  Students learn to apply concepts and principles to clinical practice and gain experience doing so with individuals, families, and populations in a variety of health care systems.  Opportunities to practice nursing with persons of all ages, including those who are healthy as well as those who are experiencing health alterations.  The leadership role of the nurse as a contributing member of the profession and the values and behaviors that reflect professional commitment to society are emphasized throughout the program.

The MUSC BSN program enables students to:

1. Demonstrate accountability, responsibility, and professional values in the practice of nursing.
2. Develop and use critical thinking skills as the basis for decision-making in nursing practice.
3. Communicate effectively with diverse patients and health care professionals through active listening and written, non-verbal, and oral formats.
4. Collect, analyze, and synthesize data to make judgments about nursing interventions and evaluate health care outcomes.
5. Perform, teach, delegate, and supervise technical skills with safety and confidence.
6. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in health promotion, risk reduction and disease prevention across the lifespan and population.
7. Use knowledge of pharmacology, pathophysiology, assessment and management of symptoms and the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual responses of individuals and family/caregiver(s) to disease and illness across the lifespan to maximize the quality of life and maintain optimal functioning.
8. Uses information and communication technology in a confidential manner to discover and retrieve information, document and evaluate health care, enhance patient education, and enhance own knowledge base.
9. Demonstrate knowledge of ethics and ethical decision making in nursing practice as well as professional conduct and relationships.
10. Apply knowledge of the effects of cultural, racial, socioeconomic, religious, and lifestyle variations across the lifespan on health status and response to health care in providing nursing care across a variety of settings and with diverse populations.
11. Apply knowledge of health care policy and the ways in which it shapes the health care system, including a global perspective, to participate in efforts to influence health care policy makers on the behalf of individuals, families, groups, populations, and/or the nursing profession.
12. Provide evidence-based nursing care and teaching, using current knowledge, theory, and research, in collaboration with individuals, families, groups, populations, and other health care professionals across the life span within the context of cultural diversity.
13. Use leadership and management skills to design, coordinate, collaborate, and negotiate a seamless plan of care with other members of the interdisciplinary health care team, to delegate and supervise health care activities, and to allocate physical, fiscal, and human resources.
14. Develop and demonstrate goals for life long learning and professional development.

Accreditation

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits our undergraduate program.

Program

We provide a student-centered environment that encourages academic success and a higher than national average pass rate on the RN-NCLEX examination.

Plan of Study

Prerequisites

Sixty semester hours of prerequisite coursework are required for students planning to apply for the ACC BSN degree program.  This coursework may be completed at any accredited college or university.  For students planning to apply to the ACC BSN program who have not earned a bachelor’s degree in another area, the courses below must be completed by the time you matriculate at the College of Nursing.

(Equivalencies at Trident Technical College and the College of Charleston)

Many students applying to the ACC BSN degree program already have an earned bachelor's degree in another area. These students should complete the prerequisite coursework below if  planning to apply for the ACC BSN degree program. These courses must be completed by the time you matriculate at the College of Nursing. 

(Equivalencies at Trident Technical College and the College of Charleston)

Faculty

The experienced faculty in the BSN program will guide and mentor you through the required coursework and clinical experiences.

 Faculty Directory

Current Students

Sixty students are admitted each fall and spring semester. Our stellar student body is comprised of over 80% of students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in another area.

Technical Requirements

The MUSC College of Nursing is committed to increasing the use of technology in nursing education. The campus program utilizes various forms of online methodologies including WebCT classes, chats, discussion groups and podcasts.  The course work requires use of word processing and presentation graphics.  To enhance your educational experience, the College of Nursing offers orientation and assistance in the use of technology and online education. The Nursing Technology Center website provides information regarding technology hardware and software requirements, computer purchases, computer policies, and who to contact for assistance.

Admission Requirements

The preferred minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) should be a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students must earn a minimum grade of "C" in prerequisite courses. Course work may be in progress at the time of application, but must be completed by the initial date of enrollment.

The SAT Reasoning Test (SAT) or ACT Test is required for the Accelerated BSN program.  Preferred applicants should have a combined score of 1000 on the Critical Thinking and Mathematics sections of the SAT or an ACT score of 22.  Applicants who have not taken the SAT must register online at www.collegeboard.com.  You should receive your official scores within three to four weeks of taking the test.

Applicants should also submit official transcripts, three (3) satisfactory reference forms included with the application, a one hundred (100) word essay and a résumé. It is highly suggested that applicants have volunteer or work experience in a health care setting.

Clinical Experiences

ACC BSN students conduct clinical experiences in a variety of clinical agencies which include in-patient as well as out-patient settings in the greater Charleston area. The primary clinical sites located on the MUSC Campus include Medical University Hospital, Ashley River Tower (a new state-of-the-art, 156 bed hospital), MUSC Children’s Hospital, MUSC Institute of Psychiatry and the Ralph H. Johnson Veteran’s Administration Medical Center. MUSC is the only academic health science center in South Carolina and its programs are frequently recognized for excellence. In 2009, the MUSC Children’s Hospital was ranked in the US News and World Report issue on Americas Best Children’s Hospitals. The heart and vascular and digestive diseases programs located in the Ashley River Tower have also earned distinguished reputations. The MUSC Hollings Cancer Center has attained National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation, a distinction held by only 63 other cancer centers in the U.S.  The College of Nursing houses the MUSC Healthcare Simulation Center, which was recently named one of 15 “Laerdal Centers of Excellence.” The 11,000 square-foot simulation center houses more than $900,000 in sophisticated simulation technology, including more than 50 advanced adult and infant simulators. BSN nursing students use the simulation center in all clinical courses for application of critical thinking skills and demonstration of professional competencies.

Financial Aid

Scholarships of varying amounts are awarded by the College of Nursing. These scholarships are awarded based on the criteria of scholarship determined by the benefactor, financial need, and academic performance. To be considered for a College of Nursing scholarship, you must be a fully matriculated student (full-time or part-time). In addition, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) via the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Application Deadlines

Fall
Regular Admission: February 1
Priority Admission: November 15

Spring 
Regular Admission: September 15
Priority Admission: August 15

Students are notified of their acceptance status approximately 1 month after the application deadline.

Information about the Priority Admission requirements can be found at this link: Priority Admission Requirements for Accelerated BSN Program.

Application Process

The Medical University of South Carolina offers applicants an admission process that is timely and easy to understand. Applications are available online only. You may apply online by clicking the link provide below, or by copying and pasting the URL in your browser's address bar.

http://www.musc.edu/es/application/nurs/index.html

All forms originate from the Office of Enrollment Management. The telephone number is 843-792-8721. A nursing admissions specialist is available to answer questions from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.

The online University Application is available several months before the application deadline. Applicants are encouraged to file early to expedite processing.

The application is to be supported with:

• official transcripts of all collegiate course work completed
• 3 reference forms included with the application
• 100 word essay
• résumé
• official SAT or ACT test scores

Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen

Upon matriculation, all College of Nursing students will be required to undergo a criminal background check and complete a drug screen.

FAQs

Why should I apply to the MUSC College of Nursing? The College of Nursing is an integral part of the Medical University of South Carolina, which is the only academic health science center in the state. We are widely recognized for providing a supportive learning environment that has a low student to faculty ratio, expert faculty and preceptors as well as highly successful complex clinical settings.

How many students do you accept for the ACC BSN program? We currently accept 60 students for the fall semester which begins in late August, and an additional 60 students for the spring semester which begins in early January. The deadline for fall admission is February 1, and the deadline for spring admission is September 15.

Do you have a waiting list for your ACC BSN program?  No, our admission process is competitive and students are either accepted or rejected for admission. Some students may be placed on an alternate list. In this case, an alternate may be offered admission at a later date if a student offered admission does not accept their position in the program. If an alternate is not admitted, they must re-apply for admission in the next cycle. Applicants who are rejected from the program may request a review of their application to explore their strengths and weaknesses.

I am still working on prerequisites, can I still apply? Yes, you can apply to our programs while you are working on prerequisites, as long as they are complete by the time you begin the nursing program.

How do I determine which courses will meet the prerequisite coursework and transfer to the College of Nursing? A database of frequently approved coursework is available through the Office of Enrollment Management. Prospective students also may ask Mardi Long, Director of Student and Alumni Relations to unofficially review transcripts. Please scan them and send then via e-mail to Longm@musc.edu

Can a student attend full-time or part-time? The Accelerated BSN program is only offered as a full-time program. It is a 16 month, four consecutive semester program.

How do you make your admission decisions? Our Admissions, Progression, and Graduation Committee takes their responsibility very seriously. Each application is reviewed in its entirety. Data about grades, standardized test scores, and references are used in the decision-making process. Information about work and volunteer experience, as well as what an applicant shares in their 100 word essay is reviewed.

I already have a bachelor's degree in another area, do I need to submit ACT or SAT scores? Yes, all applications require submission of an SAT or ACT score.

Who should I use as references? The Admissions, Progression, and Graduation Committee prefers references from employers or academic professionals who are familiar with you and your abilities. They must use the reference form provided in the application. Letters may not be used as a substitute.

How do I apply for admission to the ACC BSN program? Applications must be submitted electronically through the Office of Enrollment Management. Applications are received and processed by this office. Questions or problems concerning the application should be addressed to Lyla Hudson at hudsonly@musc.edu

Do you accept out-of-state students? Yes, tuition and fees are higher for out-of-state students, however. For tuition and fee information, please visit this site: http://www.musc.edu.em/recordsfees_09.html

How do I become a South Carolina resident? Residency is determined by the Office of Enrollment Management. For more information, please visit this site: http://www.musc/edu/em/records/residency.html

Do you accept international students? Yes, for specific information, guidelines, and policies, please visit this site: http://www.musc.edu/em/admissions/international.html

Is financial aid available? Yes, for more information, please visit this site: http://www.musc.edu/em/financialmanagement

Are scholarships available? Yes, scholarships are available to students who have completed a FAFSA with the Office of Financial Aid. They are awarded based on need, academic merit, and scholarship criteria after a student has been admitted to the College of Nursing. There is no separate scholarship application process required. To review scholarships offered through the College of Nursing, please visit this site: http://www.musc.edu/nursing/scholarships.htm

Is it possible to work while I am in the program? Students are discouraged from working while they are in the ACC BSN degree program. Some students find after they have completed their first semester of coursework, they are able to work a minimal number of hours per week as a nurse extern or tech. Essentially, the program will require you full attention each day either in the classroom or clinical areas. There may be some evening or weekend clinicals as well.

Do you have on-campus housing? No, but MUSC has an excellent Office of Off-Campus Housing which will provide you with information about the Charleston area. The office even coordinates "room-mate finder" parties.

To learn more about the College of Nursing, read our monthly newsletter, E-Connections, and Lifelines, the College of Nursing magazine. Find these publications at this site: http://www.musc.edu/nursing/publications/index.htm

Nancy D. Duffy, MSN, RN, CEN Director of Undergraduate Programs Assistant Professor

For more information, please contact: Mardi G. Long, MEd Director of Student and Alumni Affairs Telephone: (843) 792-6683 Fax: (843) 792-9258 longm@musc.edu