Grant Available for BSN Degree

Salem University is pleased to announce our New Student Success Grant! New students enrolling in our hybrid associate or our 100% online RN-BSN degree completion program at Salem University who are residents of Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia are now eligible for our New Student Success Grant. This opportunity will reduce your cost of attendance to just $475 per credit!

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Nursing is both an art and a science, a career based on compassion and the desire to better your community by serving the needs of your patients. It encompasses holistic care of individuals of all ages, in all settings, across diverse populations, and right now, the U.S. is in vital need of skilled nursing staff.

About Salem’s National Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Program

Salem University’s 3-Year National Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program combines the Associate of Science in Nursing and RN-BSN curriculum into an innovative, accelerated pathway. Designed to prepare the next generation of nursing professionals, this program allows students to earn a BSN in three years while benefiting from a hybrid learning format.

Join us at Salem and take the first step toward a successful nursing career!

The Hybrid BSN Program Curriculum

The program is a comprehensive 3-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, integrating components from both the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and RN-BSN programs. The total program consist of 120 credit hours, broken down as follows:

  • Delivery Format: Hybrid
  • Start Dates: Three intakes per year (Spring, Summer, Fall)
  • Program Length: 3 years
  • Total Credits: 120 credits
    • 53 credits of pre-nursing courses, online format, 1 course/4 weeks
    • 67 credits of professional core nursing courses, didactic format, 2-3 courses/8 weeks

Accredited by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses, Salem’s BSN program focuses on preparing student graduates with the knowledge and skills to address the challenges of a rapidly changing and culturally diverse healthcare environment.

Live NCLEX-RN Review

A 3-day live NCLEX-RN review and a personal virtual mentor who works with students one-on-one are provided to help our students prepare for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.

Hybrid Nursing Courses

The BSN program is structured with students taking two core nursing courses every 8 weeks. Salem’s prerequisite general education courses are offered online in a 4-week, one-course-per-month format, allowing students to focus on one subject at a time.

The core nursing courses are delivered in a hybrid format for the didactic component and in-person, on-campus settings for clinical and lab experiential learning. The program culminates with a final capstone course in the last semester, providing students with the opportunity to synthesize and integrate their educational experiences under the mentorship of professional nurses.

Preceptorship experiences are specifically tailored to align with each student’s area of interest, enhancing their learning and supporting professional growth. This program structure allows students to concentrate on their associate degree nursing courses while decreasing competing demands on their time, ensuring a a streamlined and focused educational journey.

Admission to the Core Nursing Courses

To be considered for progression to the core nursing courses, students must:

  • Have completed all required prerequisite general education courses with a grade of “C” or higher.
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 from all college-level courses. This includes Salem and all previous post-secondary academic institutions.
  • Complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) examination (with scores at or above the minimum requirement).
  • Submit all health and other requirements for clinical experiences.

Please contact the nursing office for information regarding these requirements.

Transcripts

Students applying to one of Salem’s nursing programs must send their official transcripts from each post-secondary academic institution they have previously attended to Salem, regardless of whether they want to transfer any courses. All official transcripts must be received by the end of the student’s first course, or the student will be administratively dropped from the nursing program.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Salem is committed to the success of our nursing students.
  • NCLEX licensure exam pass rate is greater than 90%
  • 100% job placement rate
  • Experienced Faculty: Learn from dedicated educators with extensive clinical and academic experience.
  • State-of-the-Art Facilities: Hands-on learning in modern simulation labs and clinical settings.
  • Strong Partnerships: Clinical placements with leading healthcare organizations in the region.
  • Supportive Learning Environment: Academic advising, tutoring, and mentorship tailored to student success.

It is a process that evaluates the quality of nursing programs to determine if they are meeting specific state and national standards. Nursing programs that are nationally accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the US Department of Education, such as CNEA, ensure the public that their program is held to a common set of standards of quality across the United States. This process improves the quality of nursing education, creates a culture of continuous improvement of academic quality, keeps the curriculum up to date on current trends and advances in nursing and healthcare, and greatly enhances the overall quality of care administered by nurses who graduate from a nationally accredited program.

Attending a nationally accredited nursing school offers numerous benefits, particularly in terms of education quality, career opportunities, and professional development. Here are the key advantages:

  1. Assurance of High Educational Standards
    National accreditation ensures that the nursing program meets rigorous academic and professional standards set by accrediting bodies. These standards promote consistency, quality, and relevance in nursing education.
  2. Eligibility for Licensure
    Graduating from a nationally accredited nursing school is often a requirement for taking the NCLEX-RN (for registered nurses) licensing exam. Accreditation demonstrates that the program adequately prepares students for licensure and professional practice.
  3. Transferability of Credits
    Accredited programs allow for easier transfer of credits between institutions, making it more convenient to pursue further education, such as a MSN or DNP.
  4. Access to Federal Financial Aid
    Only students enrolled in nationally accredited nursing schools are eligible for federal financial aid, including grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.
  5. Enhanced Career Opportunities
    Employers often prefer or require graduates from accredited programs, as it reflects a high standard of training and competency. Accredited programs are recognized nationwide, providing greater flexibility in job applications across states and healthcare institutions.
  6. Advanced Education and Certification
    Graduating from an accredited program is typically a prerequisite for admission to graduate-level nursing programs (e.g., MSN, DNP, or Ph.D. programs). Many professional certifications, such as nurse practitioner specialties, require graduation from an accredited school.
  7. Commitment to Continuous Improvement
    Accredited nursing schools undergo regular reviews to ensure they are meeting or exceeding standards, which fosters a culture of continuous improvement in teaching, resources, and clinical opportunities.
  8. Access to Quality Clinical Experiences
    Accredited schools are often partnered with reputable healthcare organizations, ensuring students gain hands-on clinical experience in settings that meet professional standards.
  9. Support from Professional Organizations
    Accreditation signals alignment with the broader nursing community, including organizations like the American Nurses Association (ANA) and specialty nursing groups, offering networking, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
  10. Confidence in Your Education
    Graduating from an accredited program provides students with confidence in the value of their education, knowing they are prepared to meet the demands of the nursing profession and excel in their careers.

The School of Nursing will provide accessible, state-of-the-discipline education and focus on fostering the preservation, promotion, and restoration of health in the international community. Our graduates will be highly competent practitioners who are grounded in a sense of inquiry and committed to human caring across the lifespan within a climate of diversity.

The mission of nursing education coincides with that of the University. It is committed to preparing professional nurses who utilize a systematic approach in the assessment and management of actual or potential health needs across the life span of a diverse population. A commitment to lifelong learning will serve as the catalyst that propagates career advancement.

Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BSN program will be well-positioned for roles in diverse healthcare settings, including hospitals, community health organizations, and specialty clinics. Additionally, the program prepares students for leadership positions, advanced certifications, and graduate-level education in nursing.

Take the Next Step

If you’re interested in getting started on your degree from Salem University, request more information by filling out a quick form or start a live chat with us today!

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Accreditation

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