DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Nursing

Overview of Nursing Programs

Nursing is a respected and challenging academic discipline and the faculty at the RSU Nursing program recognizes that while skills remain important today, nursing requires critical thinking and a high level of intellectual ability.

It’s not just what you do with your hands, but what you do with your brain that impacts patient care. RSU’s nursing programs are academically-rigorous and highly-regarded.

A Program Designed for Registered Nurses

The specially-designed Bachelor of Science in Nursing provides an opportunity for RNs who have completed an associate or diploma program to continue their studies and advance their careers.

This bachelor degree builds on the strengths of the university’s two-year program in nursing.

The Bachelor’s program is designed to prepare registered nurses to assume leadership positions in medical centers, home health, and community health centers. The degree has a special emphasis on rural health care and federally-operated facilities. The program also will prepare nursing students for graduate school and jobs requiring a bachelor degree.

The Bachelor’s degree is intended to foster advanced clinical reasoning and analytical skills and the curriculum embraces a broad foundation of biological, physical, and social sciences. The degree program builds on prior course work to prepare students for a broader scope of practice. Through a solid liberal arts component, the program helps students understand the cultural, political, economic, and social issues impacting patients and influencing care delivery. Students will be admitted to the B.S. program on a full or part-time basis.

Preparing for Leadership with Other Degrees

The Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S) in Nursing degree leads to registered nurse licensure. This rigorous five-semester program introduces the student to the Nursing profession through classroom, laboratory and clinical learning experiences.

Some students may choose to complete the A.A.S. degree and the B.S. degree within four academic years. This academic pathway is designed for the full-time student only.

Paramedics and Licensed Practical Nurses can choose a degree option which allows qualified students to bypass the first year of clinical nursing courses.