Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Program Overview

The George Mason University Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program prepares students for nursing careers in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare settings. The program is accredited by the VA-BON and CCNE and offers various pathways to complete the degree, including direct entry, accelerated second-degree, RN-BSN, and co-enrollment. Graduates are highly sought after for their expertise in health promotion, disease prevention, and patient care.

Program Outline

George Mason University Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program Extraction:

Degree Overview:

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at George Mason University is accredited by the Virginia State Board of Nursing (VA-BON) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The program aims to prepare students to deliver high-quality nursing care and assume leadership roles within the complex and evolving healthcare landscape. Graduates are highly sought after by hospitals, long-term care facilities, community health agencies, and other healthcare organizations. The program emphasizes health promotion and disease prevention, focusing on early detection of potential health problems, health maintenance in both ambulatory and acute-care settings, and preparing students for managerial responsibilities in nursing. The School of Nursing offers various pathways to complete the BSN, each designed to meet the program's objectives:

• Direct entry 4-year BSN: A full-time program where students complete Mason Core and nursing prerequisites, with nursing courses introduced in their freshman year.
• Accelerated second-degree BSN: A full-time, 12-month program for students holding a baccalaureate degree outside of nursing.
• RN-BSN Program: An online, flexible program for US-based RN license holders to complete their BSN either full-time or part-time.
• Co-Enrollment BSN Program: A flexible, online program that allows students to complete their BSN while concurrently enrolled in an Associate of Applied Science nursing degree (AAS Nursing) program at a partner community college.

Assessment:

The program includes various assessment methods, including:

• Practice NCLEX-style exams: Integrated into select courses to prepare students for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).
• Content-specific testing: Used to assess student understanding of specific nursing concepts.
• Final cumulative assessment exam: Administered towards the end of the program to provide students with an indication of their readiness for the licensing exam.
• Critical thinking and test-taking strategies course: Required in the senior year to further enhance students' preparedness for the NCLEX-RN.
• Remediation in select content areas: May be required as part of the critical thinking and test-taking strategies course.
• Clinical courses graded pass/fail: A satisfactory (S) grade is required for all NURS courses using this assessment.
• NURS courses graded with a C+ (77%) or higher: Required to pass any course with a NURS prefix.

Careers:

Graduates of the George Mason University BSN program are prepared for a variety of nursing roles, including:

• Professional nurses in hospitals: Providing direct patient care in various settings.
• Nurses in long-term care facilities: Caring for individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
• Community health nurses: Promoting health and wellness within communities.
• Other healthcare agencies: Working in diverse healthcare settings.

Other:

• Professional Conduct Policy: All students in the School of Nursing are expected to adhere to the Professional Conduct Policy of the College of Public Health.
• Health Clearance and Immunizations: All BSN students are required to obtain a health clearance and complete the immunizations required by Mason and the School of Nursing.
• CPR Certification: All students must have CPR certification before entering the first clinical nursing course and maintain it throughout the program.
• Health Insurance: All students must have current health insurance before entering the first clinical nursing course and maintain it throughout the program.
• Active Mason e-mail account: All students are required to have an active Mason e-mail account.
• HIV/HBV Policy: No student or faculty member will be discriminated against or denied admission to the nursing program for the sole reason that the student or faculty member has been exposed to, infected with, or diagnosed with HIV or HBV.
• Universal Precautions: All students are expected to practice Universal Precautions with all clients.
• RN-licensed students: Enrolled in the RN-to-BSN pathway are required to submit a copy of their current license prior to the first day of class and maintain current licensure throughout the academic program.