Director of Undergraduate Nursing
Mary Dishman, PLMHP, MSN, RN
PH 402.552.6134  TF 800.647.5500
DishmanMary@clarksoncollege.edu

Assistant Director of Undergraduate Nursing 
Dawn Fichter, MSN, RN
PH 402.552.3373 TF 800.647.5500
fichterdawn@clarksoncollege.edu

Clinical Program Administrator of Undergraduate Nursing 
Jennifer Renken, MSN, RN
PH 402.552.6181 TF 800.647.5500
renkenjennifer@clarksoncollege.edu

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

Upon graduation, students are prepared to practice in a variety of settings, both independently and collaboratively, with colleagues in other disciplines. Graduates from the baccalaureate nursing program have a solid preparation for graduate studies in nursing and are encouraged to pursue advanced education as one means of lifelong learning.

BSN graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Registered Nurses.

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).

Comprehensive Student Assessment

Baccalaureate nursing students are enrolled in the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) program. This comprehensive program prepares individuals for the NCLEX-RN. Individual ATI tests are administered upon completion of each area of study. Areas of student weakness are addressed and remediation is provided to those students. At the completion of the nursing program, the Comprehensive Predictor examination is administered to further identify strengths and weaknesses.

Curriculum Requirements

In order to complete a BSN at Clarkson College, students must successfully complete a total of 121 semester hours. These hours must be distributed as follows:

  • General Education = 40 semester hours (which must include nine semester hours of the Clarkson College Core Curriculum).
  • Support Courses = 18 semester hours (at least eight semester hours of Anatomy and Physiology, four semester hours of Microbiology, four semester hours of General Chemistry I and two semester hours of Gerontology).
  • Major Courses = 63 semester hours (includes 40 semester hours of nursing theory and 23 semester hours of clinical nursing courses).

Program requires Health and Safety – View Health and Safety Information

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: ◊

Curriculum plan of required courses for BSN: Traditional Option

First Year

First Semester

Course Name Semester Hours
BI 211 - Human Anatomy - Lecture and Lab 4
CH 110 - Fundamentals of Chemistry - Lecture and Lab 4
EN 101 - English Composition I 3
IC HU EA - Healthcare Core Courses 3
MA 130 - College Algebra 3
IPE 301 - Interprofessional Education 0
Total Semester Hours 17

Second Semester

Course Name Semester Hours
BI 210 - Microbiology - Lecture and Lab 4
BI 213 - Human Physiology - Lecture and Lab 4
NS 118 - Introduction of Professional Nursing Concepts and Clinical Judgement: Theory 2
NS 125 - Foundational Skills and Assessment of the Adult: Theory 3
NS 126 - Foundational Skills and Assessment of the Adult: Clinical 2
NS 161 - Introduction to Population-Based Public Health Nursing: Theory Online 1
Total Semester Hours 16
Second Year

First Semester

Course Name Semester Hours
BI 122 - Nutrition Science 3
NS 227 - Pathophysiology 3
NS 233 - Assessment and Care of the Adult with Abnormal Findings: Theory 2
NS 234 - Assessment and Care of the Adult with Abnormal Findings: Clinical 2
NS 235 - Pharmacology I 2
IC HU EA - Healthcare Core Courses 3
Total Semester Hours 15

Second Semester

Course Name Semester Hours
PY 101 - Introduction to Psychology 3
PY 200 - Human Development 3
NS 254 - Managing the Nursing Care of the Adult: Theory 4
NS 255 - Managing the Nursing Care of the Adult: Clinical 4
NS 256 - Pharmacology II 2
EN 102 - English Composition II 3
Total Semester Hours 19
Third Year

First Semester

Course Name Semester Hours
IC HU EA - Healthcare Core Courses 3
NS 332 - Behavioral Health Continuum of Care: Theory 2
NS 333 - Behavioral Health Continuum of Care: Clinical 2
ST 310 - Statistics 3
NS 361 - Program Management and Care of the Client in the Community: Theory Online 1
◊ NS 362 - Program Management and Care of the Client in the Community: Clinical 1
Electives 3
Total Semester Hours 15

Second Semester

Course Name Semester Hours
NS 334 - Nursing Care of Women and Child-bearing Families: Theory 2
NS 335 - Nursing Care of Women and Child-bearing Families: Clinical 2
NS 336 - Family-Centered Nursing Care of Children: Theory 2
NS 337 - Family-Centered Nursing Care of Children: Clinical 2
NS 346 - Evidence-Based Inquiry in Healthcare 2
SO 101 - Introduction to Sociology 3
HC 220 - Gerontology 2
Total Semester Hours 15
Fourth Year

First Semester

Course Name Semester Hours
NS 458 - Concepts of Complex Multisystem Clients I: Theory 3
NS 459 - Concepts of Complex Multisystem Clients I: Clinical 3
NS 453 - Population Health Nursing-Global Health and Health Policy: Theory Online 2
NS 454 - Population Health Nursing-Global Health and Health Policy: Clinical 1
Electives 3
Total Semester Hours 12

Second Semester

Course Name Semester Hours
NS 467 - Transition to Practice 1
NS 470 - Concepts of Complex Multisystem Clients II: Theory 3
NS 483 - Principles of Leadership and Management: Theory Online 2
NS 473 - Preceptorship: Clinical 4
NS 474 - Pharmacology III 1
Electives 1
Total Semester Hours 12

Total Semester Hours - 121

Last updated: 09/15/2022