Undergraduate Nursing Program Overview
The Brigham Young University College of Nursing, fully approved by the Utah State Board of Nursing, and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, offers a baccalaureate program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree. The baccalaureate degree in nursing at Brigham Young University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation). All students completing the Bachelor of Science program are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN) necessary to become a registered nurse.
The baccalaureate nursing program prepares general practitioners with the knowledge, skills, leadership abilities, values, and competencies commensurate with roles of professional nursing practice. Nursing education builds on the sciences, humanities, and religious studies to develop the strong theoretical and practical base necessary to understand and meet the health needs of people in various health care settings.
At the completion of the baccalaureate program, graduates may seek employment opportunities in hospitals, clinics, community agencies, home health, and world health agencies. Graduates function as colleagues on various health care teams. The nursing program gives students a broad array of learning experiences in helping to prepare them for the complex "professional nurse" role.
The baccalaureate nursing curriculum is designed for the full-time student. Students carry as many as 16 credits most semesters. The six semesters of nursing courses include up to 12 hours of clinical experience each week in addition to course work. Because of the rigors of this study plan, students should not expect to be employed more than 10-12 hours a week during their program.
Students working part-time or having family or other outside responsibilities are encouraged to complete as many of the required general education courses as possible prior to applying for acceptance into the nursing program. Currently, Nursing students spend about 30 hours weekly in course preparation.
Learning Comes Alive
Learning comes alive as students move from the classroom to actual patient care through the clinical simulation laboratory. Students assess, diagnose, and treat actual and potential health problems in an effort to promote, restore, or maintain health. Baccalaureate graduates develop their ability to be sensitive to the welfare of others, communicate effectively, evaluate research findings, think critically, solve problems, and utilize appropriate technology as they provide quality nursing care to people of all ages.
Student Resources
Student resources include a fully equipped Nursing Learning Center with audiovisual and computer learning aides, as well as a research center, and a state-of-the-art clinical simulation laboratory. Clinical practice opportunities exist in a variety of urban and rural hospital, home, and community settings along the Wasatch Front and beyond. Students gain extended experiences with specialized national and international health-care experiences.