Director of Undergraduate Nursing
Mary Dishman, APRN,RN, PMHNP-BC
PH 402.552.6134
[email protected]

Assistant Director of Undergraduate Nursing
Rebecca Allen, MSN, RN
PH 402.552.3375
[email protected]

Clinical Program Administrator of Undergraduate Nursing 
Dawn Fichter, EdD, RN
PH 402.552.3373
[email protected]

Clinical Program Administrator of Undergraduate Nursing 
Jennifer Renken, MSN, RN
PH 402.552.6181
[email protected]

Program Specific Competency Goals

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), graduates will:

  • Evaluate caring relationships and behaviors that contribute to positive outcomes for clients, families, communities and populations, as well as health care providers and health care systems. (Communication, Diversity)**
  • Analyze client-centered care with respect to health, environment and cultural preferences across the lifespan while respecting the client as the source of control. (Diversity, Critical Thinking)**
  • Function effectively within nursing and interdisciplinary teams, fostering teamwork and collaboration with the client, family, community and populations. (Communication)**
  • Utilize best current evidence considering clinical expertise along with client and family preferences for the delivery of optimal health care. (Critical Thinking, Professionalism)**
  • Participate in data evaluation to monitor client outcomes to continuously improve the quality of health care. (Technology)**
  • Evaluate standardized practices and technologies to minimize the risk of harm to clients and health care providers through both system effectiveness and individual performance. (Critical Thinking)**
  • Analyze information and technology resources to build knowledge, select the mode of communication, decrease error and support decision making. (Technology)**
  • Analyze behaviors consistent with the ANA Code of Ethics, Nursing’s Social Policy Statement and Standards of Practice into the role of the professional nurse. (Professionalism)**

**Categories denoted in the parentheses represent relationship to the Clarkson College student success skills, which are our institutional student learning outcomes, and include Communication, Technology, Critical Thinking, Diversity and Professionalism.

Admission Policies

Enrollment in Clarkson College degree programs is limited through a selective admissions process. Admission policies and procedures are available from: the Enrollment and Advising office, College website or Academic Policies & Procedures section (AD-1).

Curriculum Requirements

A BSN degree at Clarkson College is 121 credit hours. Students in the RN to BSN option receive eighty-four (84) validation credit hours through previous completion of direct coursework in an associate or diploma RN program and completion of program specific coursework. Eight-one (81) validation credits are granted upon successful completion of NRS 349 Pathways for Success, NRS 356 Concepts of Professional Practice for the RN to BSN, and NRS 357 Physical Assessment and three (3) validation credits upon successful completion of NRS 205 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology: Current Practices. The RN to BSN program curriculum consists of courses which total 37 semester hours. Students are required to take a minimum of 27 semester hours (residency requirement) of classes at Clarkson College.

Service Requirements

Service reflects a holistic view that focuses on how individuals provide high quality, ethical and compassionate service in the field of health care and the community at large. Students will become familiar with service agencies, connect learning with practice and engage in civic service activities to live and demonstrate the Clarkson College Values of Learning, Caring, Commitment, Integrity and Excellence.

All students are required to complete designated service courses as a component of their program of study. Successful completion of service experiences is required to pass the designated service courses. Designated service courses are identified using the following symbol: ◊

Required Courses for Bachelor of Science in Nursing: RN to BSN Option

General Education Courses

(9 semester hours ) **Note: Upon successful completion of NRS 205 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology: Current Practices, the student will receive three hours of earned semester hours and three hours of validation credit for a total of 6 semester credit hours.

Courses Semester Hours
NRS 205 - Pathophysiology and Pharmacology: Current Practices 3
MAT 310 - Statistics 3
IPE 301 - Interprofessional Education 0
Total Semester Hours 6
Core Courses

(9 semester hours) Must be taken at Clarkson College

Courses Semester Hours
◊ ICC Core - Intercultural Communication 3
HUM Core - Humanities 3
EEA Core - Ethics, Empathy, and Advocacy 3
Total Semester Hours 9
Major Courses

(19 semester hours) RN to BSN students with two or more years of work experience and expertise in leadership, population health, or evidence-based nursing may portfolio for validation credit in one of the following nursing courses (NRS 352, NRS 475 or NRS 481).

Courses Semester Hours
NRS 349 - Pathways for Success 1
NRS 356 - Concepts of Professional Practice for the RN to BSN/MSN 3
NRS 357 - Physical Assessment 3
NRS 352 - Evidence-Based Inquiry in Healthcare for the RN to BSN/MSN Student 2
NRS 475 - Principles of Leadership and Management for the RN to BSN/MSN 3
NRS 481 - Population Health for the RN to BSN/MSN 3
NRS 482 - Capstone/Practicum for the RN to BSN/MSN 4
Total Semester Hours 19

Total Semester Hours in Program 121 (84 hours may be granted through validation)

Note: NRS 205 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology: Current Practices (three semester hours) must be taken at Clarkson College and prior to taking 400 level nursing theory and clinical courses.

Nursing courses are offered through online education. Clinical applications may be completed at the student’s workplace with faculty approval and if clinical competencies can be met.

Last updated: 08/06/2024