Nursing

BS in Nursing Degree - Code #0291

Jody Blankenship, Department Chair
Email address: NursingDepartment@alfredstate.edu

The demand for nurses with bachelor's degrees or higher has never been greater.  To maintain licensure as a registered nurse (RN) in New York State, RNs must have attained a baccalaureate degree or higher in nursing within 10 years of initial licensure.  To meet those needs, Alfred State offers a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BS in Nursing). This upper-division completion program will enhance your knowledge and skills foundation to function more autonomously and interdependently in diverse, complex, and dynamic health care environments.

The program will serve as a solid academic foundation for advanced study in nursing. The BS in Nursing program is offered in an online format, providing flexibility and learning style choices for the adult student and working professional.

The graduate will be prepared to assume a leadership role in the health care delivery system using gained experience, research, and technology for evidence-based decision making. The baccalaureate graduate will be able to deliver, design, and coordinate care for a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds to improve client outcomes.

The core foundation nursing courses are arranged to increase the student's knowledge base and skill level for the expanded role as a baccalaureate-prepared practitioner.

A professional capstone course (NURS 8013) is required as a culminating educational experience of the BS in Nursing program. To further advance the student's knowledge base and skill level, there are clinical components integrated within the program.

Meeting the needs of registered nurses seeking a bachelor's degree, the BS in Nursing program is offered primarily as an online format. This provides flexibility and learning style choices for the adult student and working professional.

A computer with internet access, webcam, and Microsoft Office is required for the nursing program. Written work must be submitted in Word and APA format. 

Students are permitted to repeat an upper-level (5000 or higher) nursing core course one time only. If a student is unsuccessful in the same nursing course twice, they will be unable to progress in the nursing program.

Bachelor-level students are expected to write at a BS level proficiency, using APA format. Writing proficiency, grammar, spelling, and APA formatting are all essential elements of every nursing course. Failure to write at a BS level may result in failure of nursing course work.

It is strongly recommended that clinical site affiliations are submitted at least two months prior to taking the course to ensure a clinical site agreement is in place. Clinical components will be required in the following courses:

• NURS 6003 - Nursing Leadership and Management
• NURS 6413 - Health Assessment and Promotion Across the Lifespan
• NURS 7004 - Population Focused Care in the Community

Advantages

The BS in nursing program can be taken entirely online, allowing the student to progress at their own pace. Articulation agreements are in place between multiple regional community colleges and Alfred State for the BS in Nursing program.

Student Achievement Data

The completion rate for the May 2019 graduates is 76 percent.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

• Synthesize theory and concepts from nursing, the liberal education domain, and other professions to expand knowledge.
• Create a plan to foster social justice through civic engagement.
• Apply principles of critical reflection, inquiry, and evidence-based practice to resolve nursing issues.
• Integrate leadership principles to design, manage, and coordinate care for individuals and populations in complex and changing health care delivery systems.
• Appraise issues related to health promotion and disease prevention to promote healthy life for individuals, families, groups, and populations across the life span, with attention to rural communities, maintenance, and end of life.
• Apply knowledge of informatics to foster inter- and intra-professional communication and collaboration in the delivery of safe, quality health care.
• Create a philosophy as a foundation for commitment to the profession, advancement, and lifelong learning.
• Use a variety of methods to communicate in written and oral form throughout the program.

Professional Opportunities

Leadership, management, research, education, and practice opportunities exist in a variety of health care settings and institutions throughout New York State and the US.

Employment Statistics

Admissions Requirements

Admission to the BS in Nursing program requires graduation from an accredited or state-approved associate degree in nursing or certified diploma program in nursing, and plans to secure licensure as a registered professional nurse by completion of the first semester in the program. The minimum GPA requirement for admission is 2.00. The applicant's associate degree course work typically includes the following:

• A minimum of 30 credits of nursing
• A minimum of 24 hours of liberal arts and sciences credit
• A minimum of three of 10 SUNY General Education categories
• Eight credits of anatomy and physiology (taken at the same school in a classroom setting)
• A lab course in microbiology in the classroom
• Course work in composition, global studies, psychology, and human development

*If any of the above were not taken, they would be additionally required within the BS in Nursing degree completion.

It is essential that students are able to fully participate, with or without a reasonable accommodation, in clinical caring for clients as assigned.  Nursing students should be able to: 

• Function in a safe manner, not placing clients in jeopardy
• Maintain confidentiality in regard to professional practice
• Appropriately use standard medical equipment
• Interpret data from electronic devices in health care setting for the purpose of client care
• Maintain professional composure at all times
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing

Students must have an active, unencumbered state license to progress into the second semester of BS in Nursing courses.

Accreditation/certification

• Alfred State College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), 3624 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19104; 215-662-5606, http://www.msche.org. The MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).  The Alfred State College BS in Nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.  Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000 http://www.acenursing.com/candidates/candidacy.asp. 
• The BS in Nursing program is registered by the NYS Education Department.

General Notes:  A zero tolerance for incivility is in effect at Alfred State nursing.  Furthermore, if a student's behavior compromises or threatens the health or safety of others, including clients, peers, faculty, and staff, the student may be denied enrollment or continuation in the program.  A policy regarding chemical impairment is publicized to enrolled nursing students.  Background checks may be required by affiliating agencies.  Background checks will be at the expense of the student.  Any costs associated with clinical would be the responsibility of the student.  Nursing students are required to provide health related documentation or other requirements to the affiliating agencies.  Student are permitted to repeat an upper-level (5000 or higher) nursing core course one time only.  If a student is unsuccessful in any upper-level nursing course twice, they will be unable to progress in the nursing program.  Bachelor-level students are expected to write at a BS level proficiency, using APA format.  Writing proficiency, grammar, spelling, and APA formatting are all essential elements of every nursing course.  Failure to write at a BS level may result in failure of nursing course work.

ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS

Articulation agreements are between multiple regional community colleges and Alfred State for the BS in Nursing program.

Required Equipment

A tier 1 laptop computer is required for students entering this degree program. Laptop specifications are available at www.alfredstate.edu/required-laptops. 

Office of Accessibility Services

Students who believe they need a reasonable accommodation to properly participate in this program may contact Melanie Ryan in the Office of Accessibility Services. This office may be contacted by email at oas@alfredstate.edu  or by phone at 607-587-4506. Please keep in mind that some accommodations may take time to implement, so students seeking accommodations are encouraged to contact OAS as early as possible.