Skip to main content

Traditional BSN

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. Approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing (VBON) and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), NSU’s Bachelor of Science in 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.

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, Portsmouth Naval Medical Center, Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, and Hampton VA Medical Center. 

The RN-BSN program is delivered in an asynchronous online format to provide a convenient, professional method to expand your education and career opportunities.

Where Will My Nursing Degree Take Me? 

Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates are increasingly in-demand. Once you earn your BSN and pass the 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 BSN 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 BSN from NSU can open these doors for you!

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.

 

curriculum options

The NSU Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree has two tracks:

  • a Traditional track for individuals with non-nursing degree (pre-licensure)
  • an RN to BSN track for individuals who have earned an associate degree or diploma in nursing (post-licensure). 

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program 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.

BSN Degree at a Glance


How do I earn my degree at nsu?

To graduate with your Bachelor of Science in Nursing from NSU, you must:

  • Enroll at NSU in the Pre-Nursing Major. 
  • Satisfactorily complete two years of prerequisite and general education classes. 
  • Satisfactorily complete the Health and Environmental Science Institute Admission Assessment Exam (HESI-A2).
  • Submit your admission packet for for admission into NSU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing major.
  • Complete your remaining nursing courses in just five semesters.
  • Complete 121 total credit hours.

For details, see NSU’s BSN curriculum plan. 

 

I am ready to get started!