We See Your Future in Nursing.
We see your greatest potential and your motivation to achieve. We see you at NSU.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Make a meaningful impact on patients as a professional nurse by earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Norfolk State University. Accredited by the Virginia Board of Nursing (VBON) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), NSU’s bachelor’s nursing degree provides outstanding preparation for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam to become a registered nurse.
Throughout your BSN experience, you’ll receive hands-on instruction in clinical simulations from NSU’s expert nursing degree faculty. Gain experience and confidence in our four full-size clinical labs, with the full array of equipment and supplies you should expect from high-quality schools for nursing.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree has two tracks: a traditional track for individuals with non-nursing degree, and an RN to BSN track for individuals who have earned an associate degree or diploma in nursing. Graduates of the Bachelor's Programs are prepared as generalists in the practice of professional nursing. Upon graduation from the pre-licensure programs, individuals are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN) for Registered Nurses.
(RN to BSN) Online Track Program
NSU's RN to BSN Online Program is a highly competitive post-licensure program that prepares students as community leaders and lifelong learners in the practice and scholarship of professional nursing. Upon graduation, you will be eligible for career and educational advancements.
Clinical Affiliates
Norfolk State University utilizes a variety of settings for the clinical education experience. Some of the affiliated agencies where clinical learning occurs include Sentara Healthcare facilities, Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, Bon Secours Health System, Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, and Hampton VA Medical Center. RN-BSN program is delivered in an asynchronous online format to provide a convenient, professional method to expand your education and career opportunities.
BSN Degree at a Glance
Why Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at NSU?
A nursing degree is one of the most difference-making degrees you can earn. Not only will your bachelor’s in nursing prepare you for a career, but your BSN will also help you improve others’ lives. By choosing NSU for your bachelor’s nursing degree, you will have access to personalized teaching and support that may be harder to come by at other nursing schools.
Here are just some examples:
Learn from doctoral-level faculty
All full-time NSU BSN faculty are prepared at the doctoral level. This means that, as you progress through your degree in nursing, you’ll learn from seasoned practitioners who bring their real-world experience to every BSN class and assignment. They’re also available for virtual appointments to answer your nursing degree questions one-on-one. You can also request peer tutoring to help you with challenging assignments throughout your bachelor’s nursing degree program.
State-of-the-art facilities and classrooms
The best way to learn to “think like a nurse” is by simulating real-life situations that nurses face each day. As an NSU Bachelor of Science in Nursing student, you’ll have access to some of the most progressive simulation labs among schools for nursing in Virginia. There are four labs in total: three focused on adult care and one focused on women’s health — including labor and delivery. Each lab features mannequins with cutting-edge simulation software, as well as the supplies needed to apply the skills you gain in your bachelor’s in nursing program.
Prepare for your nursing licensure exam
Everything you learn in NSU’s BSN program is meant to prepare you to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Thanks to the small class sizes in our bachelor’s in nursing program, our graduates have maintained NCLEX pass rates above 85% for the previous five years — a standard of excellence that puts NSU in alignment with other quality schools for nursing.
What Courses Will I Take as a BSN Student?
To graduate with your Bachelor of Science in Nursing from NSU, you must complete 121 total credit hours. You will start with two years of prerequisite and general education classes. You are also required to complete the Health and Environmental Science Institute (HESI) Admission Assessment Exam (A2) for admittance into NSU’s bachelor’s nursing degree program. Once you’re admitted to the NSU degree in nursing program, you can complete your remaining nursing courses in just five semesters. For details, see NSU’s BSN curriculum plan.
Where Will My Nursing Degree Take Me?
Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates are increasingly in-demand. Once you earn your bachelor’s in nursing and pass your NCLEX, you can work in:
- Children’s hospitals and urban medical centers
- Community health centers and clinics
- Nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities
- Public schools, university medical centers and private medical practices
In fact, 100% of NSU BSN graduates are able to obtain jobs during their last semester or within 60 days of graduating.
Career outlook for bachelor’s in nursing graduates
The job market for registered nurses nationwide is projected to grow by 9% through 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The bureau also indicates that nationwide median pay for registered nurses is $77,600 per year. In Virginia specifically, nursing jobs are projected to grow by 11.75% through 2028. Earning your bachelor’s nursing degree from NSU can open doors to these jobs for you.
How Do I Get Started in the BSN Program at NSU?
You must be accepted to NSU (based on our admission standards) and be enrolled at least one semester prior to your desired semester of entry into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program before taking your HESI A2 exam. Our Office of Admissions is ready to help you understand these requirements and apply to NSU and our bachelor’s in nursing program.
Transferring to NSU
If you’ve taken courses at other schools for nursing, you may be able to apply that credit to your NSU BSN. You may also receive credit for equivalent non-business courses you’ve taken from other colleges and universities, including those in the Virginia Community College System. Our Office of Transfer Admissions & Services can help you have a seamless and positive transfer experience.
If you’ve already become a licensed registered nurse by earning an associate degree in nursing, you can earn your bachelor’s in nursing faster through our online RN-to-BSN program.
Scholarships for bachelor’s nursing degree students
Many scholarships are available to help lower the out-of-pocket costs of your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Our Financial Aid Office has more information, including other ways to pay for your nursing degree.
“Nursing school trains you for the situations where you have to be prepared for unpredictable events.”
– Ryan W., ’22, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Programs Related to BSN
Accreditation for NSU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Norfolk State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees. Also, NSU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing is accredited by the Virginia Board of Nursing and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing — a high standard of excellence among schools for nursing.
ASSOCIATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS
- NSU Nursing Honor Society
- Service Learning Opportunities
- NSU Clinical Affiliations
Admission Criteria
Admissions Coordinator
Ms. Desma B. Lans
(757) 823-2205
dblans@nsu.edu
Applications for the Traditional are open to all qualified students and highly competitive. Admission is not guaranteed.
Notes on Program
Once admitted to Traditional Nursing program, students progressing on-time will complete in 22 months.
Clinical hours may range from 6 hours to 12 hours per day dependent upon clinical.
Every effort will be made to have lecture and clinical held during weekdays, however some evening and/or weekend clinical arrangements may be necessary.
Links To B.S. Nursing (Traditional Track) Program Guides