Academic Catalog

Professional Nursing Curriculum Four-Year Track, Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program prepares graduates to assume entry-level positions in a variety of health care settings. The program is divided into two components; entry as a pre-nursing major focused on meeting course pre-requisites, and entry as a nursing major focused on the clinical and didactic portions of the nursing curriculum. Required pre-nursing courses provide a broad background in general education and form the foundation for the professional nursing component of the program. Courses taken in the last two years of the program provide the theoretical and practical basis for nursing practice in an increasingly complex health care system.

In addition to focusing on the essentials of nursing in the hospital, the curriculum also emphasizes community based and primary care. Opportunities to provide care to diverse clients are provided. Use of technology is integrated throughout the program.

The program prepares graduates for professional positions immediately after graduation and provides a firm foundation for graduate study. Students who earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program Goals

  1. Apply critical reasoning in nursing judgment and ethical decision-making using a broad knowledge base, to make evidence-based decisions grounded in standards of nursing practice. 
  2. Demonstrate effective communication using various modalities and technologies to provide caring, competent, and holistic nursing care to diverse populations across the lifespan. 
  3. Practice competent nursing care that is evidence-based, safe, holistic, and therapeutic to individuals, families, and communities in a variety of clinical settings. 
  4. Operate as a professional role model and assume responsibility of accountability for personal and professional behaviors, ethical practice, and client advocacy.
General Education Courses 1,2
I. Communication
English:
ENGL U101Composition I3
ENGL U102Composition II3
Speech:
SPCH U201Foundations in Oral Communication3
II. Mathematics, Logic & Natural Sciences
Mathematics:
Select one of the following:3
College Mathematics
College Algebra
Precalculus I
Precalculus II
Calculus I
Natural Science (w/ lab): 3
BIOL U244
U244L
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
4
CHEM U109
U109L
Chemistry of Living Things
and Chemistry of Living Things Lab
4
or CHEM U112
U112L
General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis
and General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis Lab
Math, Logic and/or Natural Science:
Select one of the following:3
Elementary Statistics
Psychological Statistics
Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences
III. Information Technology
Information Technology:
CSCI U138Introduction to Computer Technology3
or INFO U101 Survey of Information Technology
IV. Fine Arts, Humanities & History
Fine Arts:
Select one of the following:3
Introduction to Art
History of Western Art: Prehistory - Middle Ages
History of Western Art: Renaissance - Modern
Introduction to Music
History of American Popular Music
Introduction to Theatre Art
Fundamentals in Acting
History:
Select one of the following:3
History of the United States to 1877
History of the United States from 1865
V. Foreign Language & Culture
Foreign Language:
Select one of the following: 4,53
American Sign Language I
Introductory French I
Introductory German I
Introductory Spanish I
VI. Social & Behavioral Sciences
Social & Behavioral Science:
PSYC U101Introduction to Psychology3
VII. General Education Electives
General Ed. Electives:
Select any approved general education course or courses6
Major Requirements 1,2
NURS U306Introduction to Professional Nursing4
NURS U310Health Assessment3
NURS U310PHealth Assessment Lab0
NURS U320Fundamentals of Nursing6
NURS U320PFundamentals of Nursing Practicum0
NURS U325Evidence-Based Practice3
NURS U330Health Alterations I6
NURS U330PHealth Alterations I Practicum0
or NURS U331P International Health Alterations I Practicum
NURS U351Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing6
NURS U351PPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practicum0
or NURS U352P International Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practicum
NURS U375Pharmacology3
NURS U410Health Alterations II6
NURS U410PHealth Alterations II Practicum0
or NURS U412P International Health Alterations II Practicum
NURS U440Nursing of Childbearing Families and Women's Health5
NURS U440PNursing of Childbearing Families and Women's Health Practicum0
or NURS U443P International Nursing of Childbearing Families and Women's Health Practicum
NURS U445Child Health Nursing5
NURS U445PChild Health Nursing Practicum0
or NURS U446P International Child Health Nursing Practicum
NURS U450Health Alterations III5
NURS U450PHealth Alterations III Practicum0
or NURS U451P International Health Alterations III Practicum
NURS U461Community and Public Health Nursing6
NURS U461PCommunity and Public Health Nursing Practicum0
or NURS U471P International Community and Public Health Nursing Practicum
NURS U480Nursing Content Mastery1
NURS U499Leadership in Professional Nursing Practice3
NURS U499PSenior Practicum in Professional Nursing3
Supporting Courses 1,2
NURS U301Nutrition3
NURS U308Pathophysiology Topics in Health Care 33
or BIOL U370 Pathophysiology
BIOL U243
U243L
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab 3
4
BIOL U250
U250L
Principles of Microbiology
and Principles of Microbiology Lab 3
4
PSYC U302Developmental Psychology3
Total Hours126
1

All courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C or better.

2

Final responsibility for satisfying degree requirements as outlined in the USC Upstate academic catalog rests with the student.

3

Required science courses have a 5-year age limit. Students are allowed two attempts to earn a "C" or better in each course. Attempts include a W, WF, and AUD. Students who make below a "C" two times in any required science courses or any nursing courses or any combination, will be ineligible for the program. All applicants must have a 2.5 or higher GPA on at least three required sciences to be eligible to apply.

4

The minimum acceptable level of competency is completion of the 101 level of a language. 

5

If the student places at the 102 level or higher, the foreign language requirement has been fulfilled and the student will not be required to take an additional course and can graduate with 123 credit hours.