College of Nursing - Radford and Radford University Carilion & Roanoke Higher Education Center locations

Dr. Wendy Downey, Dean of College of Nursing

www.radford.edu/nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree prepares graduates for the Registered Nurse (RN) workforce through nursing education and applied experiences. Graduates of the B.S.N. program are prepared with the clinical competencies and self-reflection necessary for practice in healthcare today. The B.S.N. program builds upon a strong foundation of general education courses and prepares students to take the National Council Licensure Exam-RN (NCLEX-RN) in Virginia.

This major includes the development of a broad foundation in liberal arts and the physical, behavioral, and social sciences obtained through completion of the REAL Curriculum for general education. Pre-licensure nursing courses are concentrated in the junior and senior years (upper division) of the four-year academic program and include classroom, laboratory, and clinical learning experiences.

The B.S.N. graduate:

• promotes health to individuals, families, groups and communities
• implements evidenced-based interventions when health is altered
• works in a variety of health care and community settings
• is prepared to pursue graduate education

There are two Tracks leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

1. Prelicensure BSN is for those who will sit for licensure to become a Registered Nurse (RN) after completion of the degree requirements. Students are prepared to take the RN licensure exam in Virginia (NCLEX). Nursing courses in the Prelicensure BSN are concentrated in the junior and senior years (upper division) of the four-year academic program and include didactic, laboratory experiences, and clinical learning experiences in hospitals and healthcare agencies.

There are two pathways for completion of the Prelicensure BSN Track:

a. ​Traditional pathway: A traditional prelicensure BSN pathway in which students take upper division coursework during the fall and spring semesters.

b. Accelerated pathway: An intense, 16-month prelicensure BSN pathway in which students take upper division coursework year-round, including summer.

2. RN-to-BSN (post-licensure) provides flexible online learning opportunities for those who are a graduate of community college or diploma schools and are a licensed Registered Nurse (RN).  This major also offers co-enrollment options for those enrolled in a RN program in a Virginia Community College. Students complete 30 credit hours in specific nursing courses at Radford University and transfer credit hours are awarded for prior work from regionally accredited institutions per the transfer policy. Students must complete a total of 120 credit hours at the baccalaureate level. Students are admitted six times per academic year following the fast-track schedule.

Accreditation and Licensure Requirements

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the master’s degree program in nursing, the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and the post-graduate APRN certificate program at Radford University College of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

The College of Nursing pre-licensure degree programs are approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico Virginia 23233-1463. https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/nursing

The practice of professional nursing in every state in the United States requires licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). Successful completion of the Prelicensure BSN track requirements and the awarding of a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree qualify the graduate to take the national NCLEX-RN examination. Application to take the NCLEX-RN examination requires proof of completion of an accredited nursing program and a criminal background check.

Graduates are strongly encouraged to take the NCLEX-RN examination and obtain their initial licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Other state Boards of Nursing may have other requirements for licensure. The College of Nursing cannot guarantee that students can gain initial licensure in other states due to differing requirements. Once a graduate obtains licensure as a Registered Nurse in Virginia, they may then transfer licensure to another state, if desired.

Applying for licensure in Virginia will require a Virginia address and proof of residency (Virginia driver’s license, voter registration card). Specific requirements are subject to change.

Student Learning Outcomes for the B.S.N.

1. Integrate life-long learning strategies into professional nursing practice.
2. Assume leadership role within complex healthcare systems to promote holistic health and diverse populations.
3. Utilize evidence-based processes in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team to improve nursing practice and healthcare outcomes.
4. Utilize technology and information systems to enhance clinical decision making.
5. Advocate for policies and legislation that promote a safe, affordable, patient-centered healthcare environment.
6. Utilize effective communication strategies to create a positive professional work environment.
7. Collaborate in the design, implementation, and evaluation of a health promotion program.
8. Exemplify the core values of nursing as a collaborative member of the healthcare team.
9. Facilitate coordination of care within a variety of healthcare settings.

BSN offered at several locations:

Radford University Main campus

Prelicensure BSN: traditional pathway

Radford University Carilion (RUC) & Roanoke Higher Education Center

Students admitted to RUC will take their first two years of coursework at RUC then upper division courses are taken at the Roanoke Higher Education Center (RHEC) building located approximately one mile away.

Prelicensure BSN: traditional and accelerated pathways

Radford Online

Fast Track RN-to-BSN (100% online)

Prelicensure BSN – Traditional Pathway

Direct Admission to Prelicensure BSN Major – Traditional Pathway

High school students who are interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can now be directly admitted to the Nursing major at both Main Campus and Radford University Carilion. High school GPA requirement of 3.0 and successful completion with a C or better of Biology and Chemistry OR Anatomy and Physiology are required. Offers of direct admission will be revoked if a high school student does not maintain the direct admission requirements. Progression requirements in the nursing major are required.

Direct Admission Prelicensure BSN Students: Progression Requirements in the Major

Students must meet all first and second-year requirements to continue as a prelicensure BSN major and before taking upper division Nursing courses. Students who do not meet progression requirements will be changed to a Pre-Nursing major and are eligible to apply during the second semester of the sophomore year once the application requirements are met.

• Year 1. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above at the end of their 2nd semester of freshman year to progress in the BSN program.
• Year 2. Students must meet all of the following criteria to progress into upper-division (junior & senior years) nursing:

1. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
2. Grade of “C” or above on all prerequisite courses
3. No more than one (1) prerequisite course repeated due to unsuccessful completion (C-, D, F), not including withdrawals
4. Completion of prerequisites for nursing: NUTR 214, STAT 200 or 130, CHEM 120 or equivalent, SOC 110, PSYC 230, BIOL 310 & 311, BIOL 334, NURS 321

• Years 3 & 4. Once in upper division nursing courses, students are allowed one withdrawal without penalty. Thereafter, any combination of two (2) NURS course failures and/or withdrawals will result in program dismissal

Competitive Admission to the Prelicensure BSN: Pre-Nursing Major

Pre-Nursing Major

Radford University students who wish to pursue Nursing who did not receive direct admission can enter the Pre-Nursing program and apply for admission into the Prelicensure BSN once application requirements have been met. Students considering changing their major to Pre-Nursing should meet with their advisor in the Highlander Success Center. See the application Eligibility Requirements below.

Nursing Students who are Unsuccessful Meeting Progression Criteria

Students who are directly admitted to the Prelicensure BSN but who are unsuccessful in meeting the progression criteria may

1. choose to pursue another major, or
2. pursue nursing through the Pre-Nursing pathway and apply for admission to the BSN program once application Eligibility Requirements have been met.

Transfer Pathway from Another University or College

• Transfer students must be admitted to Radford University and submit official transcripts from all previous institutions to apply for the Nursing program. See Eligibility Requirements below.
• Students with a prior BA/BS degree may demonstrate meeting the REAL curriculum requirements by submitting an official transcript from the institution conferring the degree.
• Two semesters of Chemistry (CHEM 111 and 112) are required to receive credit for CHEM 120 at Radford University.

Students From Other Nursing Programs

• Students who have been unsuccessful in a previous nursing program may apply to the School of Nursing if it has been at least one year since the last enrollment in the program in which the student was unsuccessful. They must be admitted to Radford University and meet the Eligibility Requirements below.
• The student must not have had any conduct or honor code violations and must provide a letter of good standing from the previous nursing program director.
• The student should provide a letter with the application explaining the previous experience in the nursing program and how the student plans to be successful in the future.
• All transcripts from the previous nursing program must be supplied. If the student is accepted, the student will be required to take all nursing courses.
• The School of Nursing may request further documentation from previous nursing programs.

Eligibility Requirements for Competitive Admission to the Prelicensure BSN

• Radford University students who apply for admission to the Prelicensure BSN program must meet the following eligibility requirements:  
• Cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale on all college-level courses.  
• The GPA required to be competitive for admission may be considerably higher than 2.8. 
• Students admitted to the nursing program must maintain a cumulative GPA 2.8 prior to beginning upper division coursework.  Admission to the major will be revoked for students who fail to maintain the required GPA or are unsuccessful in completion of pre-requisites.  
• All pre-requisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or above before students can start the nursing major.  
• All foundational education courses (Fundamental math and fundamental writing) must be completed before the student can start the nursing major.  
• The student must be within 6 credits of meeting additional general education/REAL requirements.  

Pre-requisite courses:

• CHEM 120 - Chemistry of Life  
• PSYC 230 - Lifespan Developmental Psychology  
• SOC 110 - Introduction to Sociology  
• NUTR 214 - Introduction to Nutrition  
• STAT 130 - Understanding Statistics in Society or STAT 200 Intro to Statistics  
• BIOL 310 and 311 Human Structure and Function 1 & 2 (Anatomy & Physiology 1&2) 
• BIOL 334 - Microbiology  
• NURS 321 - Pathophysiology  

*at the time of the application deadline students may have no more than two (2) of the following science courses to complete: CHEM 120, BIOL 334, BIOL 310, BIOL 311.  

Prelicensure BSN: Accelerated Pathway

Transfer or Direct Admission students can apply to the Prelicensure BSN accelerated pathway for either Fall or Spring semester admission to upper division coursework. There are a limited number of seats for the Accelerated pathway each semester. These will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Eligibility Requirements for Competitive Admission to the Accelerated Pathway

Radford University students who apply for admission to the Accelerated Pathway must meet the following eligibility requirements:  

• Cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale on all college-level courses. The GPA required to be competitive for admission may be considerably higher.
• Completion of all pre-requisite courses with a grade of “C” or above before prior to starting upper division coursework.
• Completion of NURS 321 Pathophysiology prior to starting upper division coursework.
• No more than 2 courses left to take at time of application from the following: NURS 321, CHEM 120, BIO 334, BIO 310, BIO 311. All foundational education courses (Fundamental math and fundamental writing) must be completed before the student can start the nursing major. The student must be within 6 credits of meeting additional general education/REAL requirements. 
• No more than 1 pre-requisite course repeated (failure or withdrawal)
• Admission to the major will be revoked for students who fail to maintain the required GPA or are unsuccessful in completion of pre-requisites.  

Application Acceptance Window for Admission to the Traditional or Accelerated Pathways for Radford University students

Fall admission: January 1st - 20th

Spring admission: August 12th - 31st

Nursing, B.S.N. (L) or (R, A, L)*  

Academic Advising

During freshman and sophomore years, Prelicensure BSN students are advised in the Highlander Success Center for completion of all lower division and pre-requisite coursework. When students begin coursework in the upper division nursing sequence, they are assigned to a faculty advisor within the department. Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor regularly to facilitate smooth progress towards completion of their degree.

Upper-Division Prelicensure BSN Policies

Drug Screen and Background Check

Students are required to complete a criminal background check and drug screening during the term prior to upper-division courses, or more frequently as required by the clinical agency. If there are any areas of concern on the criminal background check or student conduct violations that would prohibit the student from attending clinical rotations, the student may not be able to continue in the Nursing program and would thus be dismissed from the program. Students with a positive drug screen will be dismissed from the program. If an offer of admission is revoked, the School of Nursing will notify the student by e-mail or by phone call.

College of Nursing Grading

Minimum Passing Grade for Nursing Courses

The undergraduate Nursing programs use the Radford University grading scale except the minimum passing grade for all upper division nursing courses is 80 (B-) (see Radford University College of Nursing Undergraduate Grading Policy). A final grade of “C” or below requires the student to re-take the course. Additionally, unsuccessful clinical performance will result in course failure.

In didactic courses combined with laboratory and/or clinical experiences, a passing grade of 80 must be earned in each component to pass the entire course. In addition, clinical evaluations must receive a grade of PASS on PASS/FAIL scale to pass the course.

Faculty will measure the theory component of a nursing course with clearly measurable assessment instruments (tests, proctored quizzes, final exam).

• Numeric scores from these instruments will stand alone as the course grade if less than 80 is achieved.
• Papers, projects and other course work will not be calculated until the minimum score of 80 is achieved.
• If the grade for the theory component of a course is lower than the 80, then the final grade in the course will be the same as the theory component, regardless of grades in the other components of the course.

Progression Requirements: Course Failure and/or Withdrawal

Once in upper division nursing courses, students are allowed one withdrawal without penalty. Thereafter, any combination of two (2) NURS course failures and/or withdrawals will result in program dismissal.

Medication Mathematics Testing

All students in every level of upper division nursing must successfully complete a standardized medication math test at each level of the pre-licensure nursing curriculum. Tests will cover typical drug dosage calculations for the patient populations encountered at each level and will be given during the initial week of each academic semester. Students will be also required to pass dosage calculations in selected nursing courses throughout the curriculum. For more details on testing and general rules for rounding in math calculations, please see the College of Nursing Medication Mathematics Testing Policy.

Clinical Requirements

Pre-licensure Nursing students receive direct, hands-on experiences through participation in experiential learning activities (clinical rotations) at healthcare partner sites across the New River and Roanoke valleys and through simulated experiences at our state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Centers. A minimum of 500 hours of direct client care, supervised by qualified faculty, is provided to our students as required by the Virginia Board of Nursing (Regulation 18VAC90-27-100). For details of all requirements of clinical, uniforms, and dress code, please refer to the College of Nursing Classroom and Clinical Policy and the College of Nursing Dress Code Policy.

Clinical shifts may be up to twelve (12) hours and may include days, evenings, nights, and weekends. Clinical rotations are subject to last minute changes each semester. Requests for placement into a specific clinical site cannot be accommodated. Therefore, students’ personal commitments must remain flexible to accommodate program requirements. Each student is responsible for providing their own transportation to meet the requirements for clinical.

Nursing students are required to complete orientation and training at assigned clinical agencies throughout the nursing program. College of Nursing staff and faculty will notify students electronically and/or in person when and where orientation/training will be held (or if online training is to be utilized) and any associated due dates. Students may be required to complete online training when school is not in session because of agency deadlines. Students are expected to check email frequently and comply with the requests in the email.  Some clinical agencies require an additional fee for clinical placements. The payment for clinical placements will go directly to the agency and will be the sole responsibility of the student.

Prelicensure BSN Functional and Technical Standards

The following serves to notify prospective students of standards for safe nursing practice. It is the student’s responsibility to utilize a critical thinking process to assess, implement, and evaluate their ability to learn and fulfill these standards throughout the educational process and the act of professional nursing.

Students seeking academic accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act must register with Radford University’s Center for Accessibility Services (CAS). The policies regarding students with disabilities may be found at www.radford.edu/cas.  Students qualified for academic accommodations should meet with each course professor during office hours, to review and discuss accommodations.

Essential Mental Abilities:

• Follow instructions and rules.
• Demonstrate safe nursing practice within the defined clinical time period.
• Maintain reality orientation accompanied by short- and long-term memory.
• Assimilate knowledge acquired through lectures, discussion, readings and self- directed studies and effectively apply that knowledge in clinical settings for a variety of client needs and problems.
• Locate, retrieve, and utilize information from a variety of resources, e.g., electronics, libraries, people, and organizations.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply basic mathematical skills accurately, including, but not limited to, ratio proportion concepts, use of conversion tables, and calculations of drug dosages and solutions.
• Comprehend and apply abstract concepts from biological, sociological, and psychological sciences.
• Utilize sufficient critical thinking abilities for clinical judgment.
• Appreciate the diversity of people relative to age, gender, sexual orientation, culture, ethnicity, religion, socio economic level, lifestyle, values and functional ability.

Essential Communication Skills:

• Organize thoughts to communicate effectively through written documents that are correct in style, grammar, and mechanics.
• Speak clearly in order to communicate with patients, families, healthcare team members, peers and faculty.
• Effectively utilize interpersonal abilities to interact with diverse individuals, families and groups.
• Establish interpersonal rapport sufficient to communicate, collaborate, and relate effectively with individuals, families, community groups, and health care professionals.
• Read and accurately interpret written communications (i.e., test questions, provider orders etc.).

Essential Physical Abilities:

• Visual Acuity: 
  • Be able to read charts, records, scales, small print, handwritten notations, and detect changes in skin color or condition accurately. 
  • Be able to draw up the correct quantity of medication in a syringe, accurately read a syringe, and any other measuring device.
  • Demonstrate eye/hand coordination for manipulation of equipment.
• Auditory Ability: 
  • Demonstrate the ability to distinguish tonal differences and the ability to use the telephone. 
  • Included in this policy, but not limited to, is the ability to communicate effectively with patients in English, detect sounds related to bodily functions using a stethoscope, and detect audible alarms generated by mechanical systems used to monitor patients.
• Sensory Ability:
  • Distinguish odors, e.g., drugs, solutions, body fluids, smoke, and chemicals.
  • Demonstrate sufficient tactile ability to differentiate changes in sensation, with or without the use of protective gloves, e.g., pulse, temperature, and skin irregularity.
• Motor Ability:
  • Manipulate equipment appropriately to provide nursing care to clients, e.g., syringes, infusion pumps, life support devices, and stethoscopes. Use of hands for grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulations.
  • Move unassisted from room to room, maneuver in small spaces, and stand and walk for six to twelve hours per day. Maintain balance while standing and able to reach below the waist and overhead. Able to bend, squat and kneel.
  • Provide a safe and clean environment and be able to assist others in activities of daily living, e.g., walking, bathing, eating, toileting, transferring, and lifting.
  • Perform CPR (i.e., move patient to compress chest and manually ventilate patient).
  • Complete assignments with specified time periods, e.g., technical procedures, health assessments, written work, tests, and client documentation.
  • Perform multiple tasks accurately in rapidly changing situations.
  • Take responsibility for personal safety in laboratory and clinical environments.
  • Adhere to the College of Nursing dress and professional behavior policy. Must be well- groomed, clean, showered with no perfumes or strongly scented lotions of any kind. Included in this policy, but not limited to, are expectations that hair will be kept up and away from the face, fingernails will be kept short, body art will not be visible, and a maximum of one body piercing (small metal stud only) in each earlobe.

RN-to-B.S.N. Fast Track, Online

The post-licensure track of the BSN program, or “RN-to-B.S.N.,” provides flexible online learning opportunities in short 7-week terms for those students who are graduates of community colleges or diploma schools and are a licensed Registered Nurse (RN). Co-enrollment options are available for students enrolled in a Virginia Community College System (VCCS) RN program. This curriculum is designed to accommodate working RNs.

A total of 120 semester hours are required for graduation including general education and nursing major requirements:

• 30 credit hours minimum at Radford University: ten (10) 3-credit hour nursing courses
• All RN-to-BSN students will need to complete the following courses, or their transfer equivalencies, with a grade of “C” or better prior to degree completion: Anatomy/Physiology (equivalent to 8 total credit hours), Microbiology with lab, Statistics (this is a prerequisite to Nursing Research), and Nutrition.
• For students who have achieved licensure as a Registered Nurse, a block of 20 credit hours will be awarded.

RN-to-B.S.N. Admission Requirements

Eligibility criteria options:

Option 1:  Full-time or part-time studies

• An Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing from a State-approved program
• An active license as Registered Nurse with the Virginia Board of Nursing or a Nurse Licensure Compact state; OR an active license as Registered Nurse in another state and eligible for licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia

Option 2: Concurrently Enrolled VCCS Students

• Enrolled in an Associate of Applied Science Nursing Program in any Virginia Community College System (VCCS) school
• Completed at least one year of program
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on all nursing courses attempted and on all cumulative college work
• Limited to one course per term while concurrently enrolled

Nursing, B.S.N. (L) or (R, A, L)*  

Professional Portfolio

During the last semester of RN-to-B.S.N. program, students are required to submit a professional portfolio. The portfolio represents the best of a student’s work and is concrete evidence of individual talent, skills, abilities and interests. The student is advised to retain all student work completed during nursing major in preparation for completion of this requirement. If clinically relevant information is used in the portfolio, all potential patient identifying information must be removed from all work.

Academic Advising

Students in the RN-to-BSN program are advised by an RN-to-BSN professional advisor. All students should make advising appointments upon admission and anytime necessary to help modify a program of study or discuss program progression.  All advisors are focused on supporting the growth and development of the students and assist them in utilizing Academic Support Services as needed. Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor regularly to facilitate smooth progress towards completion of their degree.

Graduate Programs

The graduate programs in Nursing offer courses leading to the Doctor of Nursing Practice and the Master of Science in Nursing degrees. The program is designed to provide advanced knowledge in nursing theory, research, and practice. For more information about the Doctor of Nursing Practice and the Master of Science in Nursing degree programs, please consult the Radford University Graduate Catalog.