Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

As a BSN student, you’ll develop key relationship, communication, and advocacy tools and learn to inspire patients and families.

Providing you with a firm foundation are the pre-nursing courses, completed as part of your Basic Skills and General Education requirements. Subjects covering chemistry, biology, statistics, physiology, sociology, anatomy, nutrition, and psychology get you ready for the clinical, patient care, and technical demands of the BSN curriculum and further strengthen your written and oral communication abilities.

Once you’re accepted into the BSN program, you’ll complete 66 credits of nursing courses along with four credits of upper-division electives. Angled toward your aspirations, you’ll become familiar with the principles of pharmacology and pathophysiology, learn to conduct health assessments, and gain a more detailed understanding of chronic and acute conditions. From the classroom into the simulated labs and through your clinical experiences, you’ll see how nurses provide, coordinate, and manage care, better understand the human experience, and begin to develop your professional identity. 

Throughout, the BSN curriculum emphasizes strategic thinking, conflict resolution, health promotion, diversity, evidence-based practices, legal factors, and care management and addresses a spectrum of health care environments. Advanced courses integrate simulation labs, helping you practice your skills in a safe, controlled environment. 

Along with classroom learning and hands-on experience in the simulation labs, you’ll be assigned to a clinical site. Placements include public health departments, clinics, outpatient and surgery centers, and regional medical centers. These experiences serve to expand and strengthen your technical and clinical knowledge, refine your patient interactions, and cultivate connections to boost your career. At the same time, they fulfill SVSU’s mission of service learning and addressing the needs of local and global communities. 

In total, you’ll complete 124 credits to earn your degree. As the BSN is an interdisciplinary program, a second major or minor is not required.

An increasing aging population has fueled demand for health care professionals, including registered nurses. The BSN qualifies you to sit for the NCLEX-RN to be certified and practice as a registered nurse.

With this credential and the enriching, multifaceted education you’ve received, you’re positioned to assist patients and promote effective care in clinics, hospitals, outpatient settings, senior centers, mental health facilities, public health departments, surgery centers, home health agencies, and hospital education institutions. Furthermore, with a bachelor’s degree, you have the background to continue your education, broaden your skills, and hone your leadership abilities in a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program.

• 7% projected growth for the employment of a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree through 2029. (U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• $71,730 is the median yearly pay for a registered nurse in the U.S. (U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• With a bachelor’s degree from SVSU’s BSN program, you’re prepared to work as a registered nurse in a variety of environments or attend graduate school to become an advanced practice registered nurse, such as a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse educator, or nurse administrator.

Fully integrated into social networks, SVSU Connect is a valuable networking space dedicated to the community of SVSU students, faculty and alumni which cultivates a culture of helping and giving back. In addition to connecting with each other, students at all points along their journey can reach out to alumni mentors for guidance and insight into making the most of their SVSU experience and successfully transitioning into life after graduation.