Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Accelerated Pathway for RN's

Please note: An accelerated RN to MSN pathway is also available for Registered Nurses. Click the link above for more details.

The accelerated R.N. - B.S.N. pathway allows registered nurses to complete the B.S.N. program in two semesters (27 credit hours) following the completion of all general education requirements.

Transfer credits are accepted for many general education courses that have been completed at other colleges and universities. (Of 120 credits required for degree completion, 27 credits are in nursing, 33 are advanced placement credits, and 60 credits are in general education.)

The accelerated pathway provides optimal flexibility and takes into consideration the needs of the working R.N. Some examples of flexibility are as follows:

• Both full-time and part-time studies are available and are equally acceptable.
• Admission to the program is possible in either the fall or spring semester.
• Course sections are scheduled in morning, early or late afternoon, or evening hours.
• Off campus sections bring some courses to geographically remote areas.
• An individualized program is planned by the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, taking into consideration family and work responsibilities.

Registered Nurses who wish to apply for the BSN program do not need to submit a separate application to the College. Registered Nurses must apply to George Mason University for undergraduate admission.

Registered Nurses must meet with Susan Swett, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, in the College of Health and Human Services for a program plan. (Please call 703-993-1901 for an appointment.)

Registered Nurses must submit a copy of their current nursing license in addition to their required health forms and criminal background check documents.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for the Accelerated Pathway for RN's include the following:

• Completion of a diploma or associate degree program in nursing
  
• Admission to the University
  
• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse

Special Requirements

All nursing students must be certified yearly in Basic Life Support CPR-Level C.
Two of the three injections for Hepatitis B Immunization must be completed prior to enrolling in clinical/practicum/internship courses. The third injection must be completed within SIX MONTHS of injection #2. (See College of Health and Human Services Form for additional health requirements that must be completed before starting clinicals)

Program of Study

Candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing must present at least 120 hours of work as follows. Please consult the GMU Catalog for Course Descriptions.

• General Education & Electives (60)
  * We are no longer a testing center for the NLN examinations.
  • English Composition (6) - 3 credits must be in Advanced Composition, ENGL 302
    
  • Communication (3)
    
  • Literature (3) - at 200 level or above, does not include ENGL 101 or 302
    
  • Fine Arts (3)
    
  • Sociology or Anthropology (3)
    
  • Psychology (6)
    
  • Western Civilization (3)
    
  • Global Understanding (3)
    
  • Information Technology (3)
    
  • Anatomy and Physiology (8) - BIO 124 & 125 *
    
  • Microbiology (4) (BIO 246 & 306) *
    
  • STAT 250 (3)
    
  • Ethics (3)
    
  • Electives (9) - no more than 3 credits of nursing electives can be used for this requirement
    
• Nursing Major (27)
  Bridge I
  • NURS 334 (3:3:0)
    Nursing as a Health Profession and Discipline
    (Transition Course; Pre- or co-requisite to senior level courses)
    *Upon successful completion of the first transition course (NURS 334), registered nurse students will be awarded a total of 30 credits in nursing and 3 credits in general education.
    
  • NURS 425 (3:2:2)
    Comprehensive Health Assessment
    
  • NURS 436 (3:3:0)
    Leadership and Management of Health Care
    
  • NURS 440 (3:3:0)
    Community Health and Epidemiology
• Bridge II
  • NURS 441 (5:0:15)
    Nursing of Clients in Communities and Large Groups
    
  • NURS 442 (1:1:0)
    Case Studies in Community Health Nursing
    
  • NURS 453 (3:3:0)
    Research in Nursing and Health Science
    
  • NURS 465 (3:3:0)
    Examination and Integration of Professional and Health Care Issues
    
  • NURS Elective (3)
    (Course selected from any 400 or 500 level nursing elective)
• 60 General Education Credits and Electives
  33 Advanced Placement Credits, upon successful completion of NURS 334
  27 Nursing Major
  Total = 120 Credits

Explanation of Credit Hours
Course titles are followed by numbers in parentheses (0:0:0), separated by colons. The numbers have the following significance:

• First Number: credits for the course
  
• Second Number: hours of lecture or seminar per week for the course
  
• Third Number: hours of laboratory for the course

For independent study, readings, topics, or similar courses, individual instructors set hours.