Nursing
Baccalaureate of Science Degree in Nursing Program (BSN)
Purpose
The purpose of the Baccalaurate of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is to prepare graduates in a Christian liberal arts setting with a broad foundation in the sciences and humanities who are able to provide therapeutic nursing interventions to individuals, families, groups and communities in diverse health care settings. The BSN graduate is prepared to synthesize theory and research-based knowledge in the provision of primary, secondary and tertiary care to function in the roles of provider of care, designer/manager/coordinator of care and member within the profession of nursing. Integral components of baccalaureate nursing education are the development of critical thought processes including creative problem solving when making clinical decisions, integration of leadership concepts and skills in the delivery of care to individuals and groups, evaluation of research for use in nursing practice and implementation of health promotion in planning health care for individuals, families, groups and communities. The BSN graduate is expected to demonstrate respect for life, a loving concern for individuals and an appreciation of the need for ongoing education in nursing. The BSN graduate has a foundation for graduate education in nursing. Therefore, the BSN graduate is prepared to:
Program Objectives
- Apply critical thinking when making effective decisions and engaging in creative problem solving with individuals, families groups, and communities.
- Communicate effectively with individuals, families, groups and communities while using a variety of methods.
- Evaluate therapeutic nursing interventions for individuals, families, groups and communities from culturally diverse populations to achieve optimal functioning on the wellness-illness continuum.
- Integrate the nursing process as a basis for nursing practice and health promotion in primary, secondary and tertiary care settings with individuals, families, groups and communities.
- Incorporate Christian principles while providing compassionate holistic nursing care to individuals families, groups and communities.
- Demonstrate professional behaviors of leadership, accountability and professionalism according to the legal and ethical standards of the nursing profession while providing care to individuals, families, groups and communities.
- Participate in self-development activities as well as individual, group, community and societal endeavors to improve health care.
- Incorporate principles of teaching and learning to promote health and direct learning of individuals, families, groups and communities.
- Evaluate research findings for use in nursing practice.
- Synthesize knowledge from concepts and theories of nursing, the humanities and the sciences while making nursing practice decisions and providing nursing care for individuals, families, groups and communities.
- Foster interdisciplinary relationships while designing, managing, and coordinating nursing care in primary, secondary and tertiary care settings.
Track I Program Format
Bethel's BSN program consists of 126 hours of course work. A portion of this may be completed by transfer credit from accredited colleges or universities and by standardized national exams. The program includes two semesters of preparatory work, at the end of which the student applies to the nursing program. The nursing portion of the program is six semesters in length. A physical examination, immunizations and completion of a CPR course are required prior to beginning clinical courses.
Course of Study
| Freshman Year | First Semester | |||
| ENGL | 101 | Written Communication II | 3 | |
| THEO | 110 | Explor. Christ. Faith | 3 | |
| BIOL | 214 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 | |
| PSYC | 182 | General Psychology | 3 | |
| NURS | 124 | Nursing Perspectives | 1 | |
| CAPP | College Level Computer Course | 2 | ||
| 16 | ||||
| Second Semester | ||||
| BIOL | 215 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 | |
| CHEM | 150 | Intro. General/Organic/Biochemistry | 4 | |
| PHIL | 150 | Logics & Critical Thinking | 2 | |
| PSYC | 288 | Life span Development | 3 | |
| COMM | 171 | Speech Communication | 3 | |
| 16 | ||||
| Sophomore Year | Third Semester | |||
| NUR | 231 | Nursing Fundamentals | 6 | |
| BIOL | 312 | Microbiology | 4 | |
| NS | 211 | Nutrition | 3 | |
| SOC | 151 | Principles of Sociology | 3 | |
| 16 | ||||
| Fourth Semester | ||||
| NUR | 232 | Nursing of Individuals | 8 | |
| NUR | 220 | Health Assessment | 3 | |
| NUR | 224 | Pharmacology | 3 | |
| NUR | 227 | Introduction to Community-based Care | 1 | |
| 15 | ||||
| Junior | Fifth Semester | |||
| Year | NUR | 315 | Nursing of Children and their Families | 4 |
| NUR | 313 | Nursing of Mental Health Issues in Families | 4 | |
| NUR | 322 | Nursing Theory | 3 | |
| BIBL | 215 or | Old Testament Literature or | 3 | |
| BIBL | 216 | New Testament Literature | ||
| Elective | Nursing or General | 3 | ||
| Elective | 5 | |||
| 17 | ||||
| Sixth Semester | ||||
| NUR | 317 | Nursing of Maternal/Infant Families | 4 | |
| NUR | 316 | Nursing of the Critically Ill and Their families | 4 | |
| NUR | 323 | Nursing Issues | 3 | |
| MATH | 111 | Basic Probability & Statistics | 3 | |
| NUR | 425 | Nursing Care and Health Promotion of Older Adult | 2 | |
| 16 | ||||
| Senior | Seventh Semester | |||
| Year | NUR | 411 | Nursing in the Community | 8 |
| NUR | 422a | Nursing Research I | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE | Nursing or General Elective | 3 | ||
| PHIL | 452 | Senior Experience | 1 | |
| 15 | ||||
| Eighth Semester | ||||
| NUR | 413 | Nursing Management | 7 | |
| NUR | 423a | Nursing Research II | 1 | |
| ELECTIVE | Economics/History/Social Science Elective | 3 | ||
| ELECTIVE | Art/Drama/Literature/Music Elective | 3 | ||
| NUR | 426 | Clinical Problem Solving | 1 | |
| 15 | ||||
The program includes seven credit hours in nursing or general electives. One must be nursing other than NUR 122 or 121.
RN - BSN Completion Program (Track II)
Bethel's BSN Completion Program consists of 126 hours of course work. A portion of this may be completed by transfer credit from accredited colleges or universities. Another portion may be completed by standardized national examinations and/or validation of active practice. The 31 credits of required nursing courses may be taken at Bethel College, Lakeland Health Care Systems in St. Joe Michigan, or Grace College and meet the requirement for hours that must be taken from Bethel College. Required general studies courses may be taken prior to, concurrently with, or after nursing courses. Nursing courses are taught in an seven week adult format. Clinical practicum for NUR 471 and NUR 473 will be arranged individually in conjunction with the faculty. Credit may be available for prior learning experiences and may be validated by a portfolio format. Elective credit is also available for recognized nursing certification programs. Students are required to have a physical examination, immunizations and complete a CPR course prior to the clinical courses.
Course of Study
The program has three components. The first component includes general studies courses. These courses may be completed on the Bethel Campus, at Grace College in Winona Lake, IN, by transfer of credit from an accredited college or university, by standardized national exams or by Bethel College instructor exams.
The first component includes the following courses:
- Written Communication II 3 hrs.
- General Psychology 3 hrs.
- Sociology 3 hrs.
- Speech 3 hrs.
- Basic Probability & Statistics 3 hrs.
- Bible / Religion Courses 6 hrs.
- Economics/History/Social Science Elective 3 hrs.
- Arts/Literature/Music/Drama
- Elective 3 hrs.
- General Electives 9 hrs.
The second component includes the following courses:
- Life Span Development 3 hrs.
- Anatomy & Psychology I & II 8 hrs.
- Microbiology 4 hrs.
- Computer Elective 2 hrs.
- Nutrition 3 hrs.
- Pharmacology 3 hrs.
Actively practicing nurses with a satisfactory employer verification or current practice and competency will be granted up to 33 hours of credit for lower level nursing courses.
The third component consists of nursing requirements. These may be taken at Bethel College, Lakeland Health Care Systems in St. Joe Michigan, or Grace College.
| Junior Year | ||||
| Fall Semester | ||||
| NUR | 381 | Transition to Professional Nursing |
3 | |
| NUR | 380 | Health Assessment | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||||
| NUR | 382 | Nursing Theory | 3 | |
| NUR | 422b | *Nursing Research I | 3 | |
| Summer Semester | ||||
| NUR | 383 | Nursing Issues | 3 | |
| Senior Year | ||||
| Fall Semester | ||||
| NUR | 471 | Nursing Management | 6 | |
| NUR | 423b | Nursing Research II | 1 | |
| Spring Semester | ||||
| NUR | 473 | Nursing in the Community | 6 | |
| NUR | 483 | Community Health Seminar | 3 | |
| 31 | ||||
*Basic Probability & Statistics is a prerequisite to Nursing Research I. Other requirements for prerequisite sequencing can be found in the college catalog. In addition, three credits of Nursing Electives/Independent Study are required and may be taken during the semester of choice.
