Contents
Catalog Links

Academic Catalog

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pre-Licensure Teach Out

As of September 19, 2022, Aspen University is not accepting new applications. Aspen voluntarily surrendered its program approval with the Arizona Board of Nursing through a consent agreement with a two-year teach-out of Core component students: https://www.azbn.gov/education/nursing-programs-lists/programs-under-current-discipline. The Core component of the program is additionally being taught out in all locations.

NCLEX Pass Rate Disclosure

Program Specific Admissions Requirements: BSN (Pre-licensure Program)

Applicants must demonstrate the following:

  • Completed Application
  • High School Transcripts: An official transcript demonstrating a completed high school diploma.
    • Waived if the student has completed at least 15 credits of college level coursework at an institution that is accredited by a CHEA-recognized accrediting body or an international equivalent.  For clock hour and quarter conversions, complete credits will be rounded to the nearest whole credit.
    • If the Registrar's Office has reason to believe that a high school diploma is not valid, its authenticity will be validated through the high school listings on the particular state’s department of education website.
    • Applicants who have a GED will enroll as a Continuing Education (non-degree seeking) student and complete the following courses: COM100, MAT140, BIO210, and CMP160.  After completion of those credits, students with a 2.75 cumulative GPA may reapply for the BSN Pre-Licensure program.
  • Official Transcripts for all previous college credit earned
    •  Students must not have been dismissed from or failed out of another non-Aspen ASN, ADN, or BSN pre-licensure nursing program (or any other program that would have led to an RN-license)
  • Submission of the signed Nursing Essential Functions Form
  • Criminal Background Check: Submission of a clear criminal background check through Castle Branch (varies by state; see BSN Pre-Licensure programmatic handbooks). Felony convictions prevent students from being licensed as an RN in the United States.
  • Minimum GPA: a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 is required for all previous high school or previous undergraduate college credit.  GPAs will not be rounded for admissions purposes.  There are no exceptions to the minimum GPA requirement.

 

Competitive Evaluation Process for the Nursing Core:

Aspen uses a competitive evaluation process to assess student readiness for the Nursing Core. The Nursing Core begins during the session in which students would enroll in SEM101, N110, N320, and N320L. Students are not guaranteed entry to the Nursing Core. Entry to the Nursing Core additionally requires:

  • Interview: interview with location Program Director or designee.  Potential candidates will be asked to complete a writing assignment during the interview process.
  • Minimum GPA: a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for all Pre-Professional Nursing Coursework.
    • Successful completion of CMP160, MAT140, BIO201/L, BIO202/L, BIO210, and BIO220 with a "B" or higher
    • During the competitive ranking process, grades for individual courses, particularly science courses, may also be reviewed when necessary
    • During the competitive ranking process, the number of course withdrawals and retakes the student has had within the last five years may also be reviewed when necessary
  • HESI A2: Minimum required scores for English Composite-80; Math-80; A&P-75.
    • Students must meet all required scores on the first attempt.  Students who do not meet the required scores on the first attempt will no longer be eligible to continue in the program.  Students will be given the choice to program change to another program.  Students who do not program change by the deadline will be administratively withdrawn from their program.
    • The exams must be taken at Aspen University
    • Scores from other institutions or locations are not accepted
  • Criminal Background Check: Submission of a passed criminal background check (varies by state; see BSN Pre-Licensure programmatic handbooks)
  • Fingerprint Clearance Card: Submission of a fingerprint clearance card (varies by state; see BSN Pre-Licensure programmatic handbooks)

Readmission into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pre-Licensure Program

Due to the rigors of the program and the importance of up-to-date competencies and knowledge, students who are applying for readmission to the BSN Pre-Licensure program are held to the following requirements:

  • Students who have been in a closed status for 2 sessions (16-weeks) or less:
    • Students will be held to all current Pre-Professional Nursing general education requirements.  The students Pre-Professional Nursing coursework will be reevaluated.  The student will have to retake any Pre-Professional Nursing coursework that no longer meets the requirements in place at the time of readmission.
    • If the student had previously completed Nursing Core coursework, students will be required to take an assessment checklist for each Core course previously completed.  The student will have one chance to pass the assessment checklist; if the checklist is not passed on the first try, the student will have to retake the course.  All assessment checks must be completed before the student is assigned to a new nursing cohort in order to ensure the student is placed with the appropriate cohort.
  • Students who have been in a closed status for more than 2 sessions (16-weeks):
    • Students will be held to all current Pre-Professional Nursing general education requirements.  The students Pre-Professional Nursing coursework will be reevaluated.  The student will have to retake any Pre-Professional Nursing coursework that no longer meets the requirements in place at the time of readmission.
    • If the student had previously completed Nursing Core coursework, none of those prior credits will apply. Students will apply for a new cohort upon completion of the Pre-Professional Nursing courses and restart the Nursing Core courses.

Program Description:

Aspen University’s Pre-licensure BSN program provides students with opportunities to become a BSN-educated nurse and learn the essential skills needed to practice as a professional registered nurse (RN). Skills lab, clinical simulation, seminars and community-based clinical experiences anchor the curriculum.

Upon completion of their studies in this appropriately state-authorized and state Board of Nursing approved program, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) in the state or territory in which they choose to practice (the NCLEX is the national registered nurse examination used by all states for potential registered nursing licensure). Students provide their state board of nursing applicable forms to the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, which completes them on behalf of the individual student, and take the exam in the state in which they choose to practice. Upon passing the NCLEX, students then work with their state Board of Nursing to finalize their professional licensure.

Degree Requirements: 120 Credits, including 14 lab credits and 855 clinical hours

 

Program Goals:

It is intended that Graduates of the Aspen University Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pre-licensure program will learn or be able to do the following:

  1. Generalist Nursing Practice: Apply the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors needed to provide high quality patient-centered health care across the lifespan and function as a leader in health care environments. (Baccalaureate Essential I, II, IX; UMBO 3).
  2. Evidence-based Practice: Demonstrate that one’s professional nursing practice is grounded in current research. (Baccalaureate Essential III; UMBO 4).
  3. Patient Care Technology: Utilize patient care technology while managing resources efficiently and effectively when planning, implementing and evaluating interventions to achieve optimal health outcomes for diverse populations (Baccalaureate Essential IV, UMBO 5).
  4. Healthcare Policy: Exhibit an understanding of healthcare policies, including financial and regulatory, that impact the role of the nurse and the healthcare system. (Essential V; UMBO 3).
  5. Population Health: Recognize the leadership role of the nurse in health promotion and disease prevention for individuals, families and communities. (Baccalaureate Essential II, VII; UMBO 2)
  6. Value Systems and Ethical Behavior: Develop a personal and professional value system that is ethical and demonstrates cultural competence and sensitivity. (Baccalaureate Essential VII, VIII; UMBO 1, 2).
  7. Inter-professionalism: Demonstrate communication and collaboration among and between healthcare professionals who are critical to delivering high quality and safe patient care. (Essential VI, VIII; UMBO 2)

 

Academic Schedule:

Pre-Professional Nursing (41 credits)

COM100- Introduction to Communications

MAT140- College Algebra

BIO210- Microbiology

CMP160- English Composition I

SBS105- Introduction to Psychology

HCA130- Healthcare Writing and Communications

BIO201- Anatomy and Physiology I

BIO201L- Anatomy and Physiology I Lab

SBS110- Introduction to Sociology

BIO202- Anatomy and Physiology II

BIO202L- Anatomy and Physiology II Lab

HCA205- Principles of Health and Disease

SBS120- Diversity and Culture

BIO220- Pathophysiology

SBS200- Human Development

Nursing Core (79 credits)

SEM101- Nursing Seminar 4A

N110- Foundations of Nursing Practice

N320- Introduction to Health Assessment

N320L- Introduction to Health Assessment Lab

SEM102- Nursing 4B

N340 Pharmacology in Nursing

N340L- Pharmacology in Nursing Lab

SEM103- Nursing Seminar 5A

N310A- Fundamentals of Nursing I

N310AL-  Fundamentals of Nursing I Skills Lab

SEM104- Nursing Seminar 5B

N315- Professional & Legal Aspects of Nursing Practice

N310B- Fundamentals of Nursing II

N310BL- Fundamentals of Nursing II Skills Lab

SEM105- Nursing Seminar 6A

N356- Adult Health I

N356C- Adult Health I Clinical

SEM106- Nursing Seminar 6B

MAT181- Nursing Statistics

N366- Adult Health II

N366C- Adult Health II Clinical

SEM107- Nursing Seminar 7A

N325- Maternal & Child Health

N325C- Maternal & Child Health Clinical

N489 Community Health Nursing I

N489C- Community Health Nursing I Clinical

SEM108- Nursing Seminar 7B

N493P- Community Health Nursing II

N493C- Community Health Nursing II Clinical

N300- Mental Health

N300C- Mental Health Clinical

SEM109- Nursing Seminar 8A

N410- Adult Health III

N410C- Adult Health III Clinical

SEM110- Nursing Seminar 8B

N415- Research/Evidence-Based Practice

N420- Adult Health IV

N420C- Adult Health IV Clinical

SEM111- Nursing Seminar 9A

N437- Healthcare Informatics

N455A- Transition to Professional Practice

N455AC- Transition to Professional Practice Clinical

SEM112- Nursing Seminar 9B

N455B- Transition to Professional Practice

N455BC- Transition to Professional Practice Clinical

 

 

 

Additional Information: There are additional health, safety, and immunization requirements for the nursing lab and clinical courses as outlined in the BSN Pre-licensure Student Handbooks. Students are encouraged to review these prior to admission to the Nursing Core and again prior clinical courses within the Nursing Core.

Students are required to adhere to all policies and clinical placement directives in the Student Handbook and Academic Catalog. Since both have elements that may change periodically, students are advised to review both often.

Prior to the first Nursing Core course, students must ensure that all required vaccinations are completed and they are prepared to provide appropriate documentation per the direction of the clinical coordination office. Clinical placements throughout the entire Nursing Core are only available to students who have met the vaccination and other requirements of Aspen’s clinical partners.

Students enrolled in this program are subject to program-specific proctored exam requirements, including, but not limited to, the HESI A2, HESI content exams, NCLEX Predictor exams, Kaplan Diagnostic Exams, and mid-terms and finals. Failing one or more course-specific exams may lead to failure of the course. All are course-specific and scheduled by cohort. Students participate in the supplementary Kaplan courses throughout the program, completing them by N455B. Graduated students are advised to continue working with Kaplan and the NCLEX Coaches to assist in facilitating their successful passing of the NCLEX on the first attempt.

Aspen recognizes that, for many students, working full-time while going to school is the norm. However, the BSN Pre-licensure program is rigorous and time-consuming with its requirements. Therefore, working full-time is discouraged throughout the Nursing Core but especially in N455A/B, Transition to Professional Practice.

For BSN Pre-Licensure scholarship information, please see the scholarship page on the Aspen University website.