A traditional 8 semester program for first-time college attendees who are admitted as nursing students in their sophomore year who wish to attend the Carbondale Campus. FAQ
Making a baccalaureate degree in nursing more accessible to the southern part of Illinois as well as addressing the nursing shortage in that area is a priority for the Edwardsville campus nursing program.
Beginning in the fall of 2009, the first pre-nursing class will be admitted to the Edwardsville/Carbondale program. These Carbondale students, like the Edwardsville pre-nursing students, will apply in the second semester of their freshman year to the Edwardsville Nursing Program. The students selected will remain at the Carbondale campus completing their education leading to a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Courses will be delivered via videoteleconference and use of web-based instruction. Clinical experiences will be in the southern Illinois region as well. Graduates will obtain the Baccalaureate of Science degree with a major in Nursing. The degree will be awarded by Edwardsville where the primary nursing program is located. The Carbondale curriculum will be identical to the Edwardsville nursing curriculum. The plan is for the Carbondale Student Health facility to be where the nursing program is housed.
The traditional Bachelor of Science degree includes one year of prerequisite and general liberal studies prior to acceptance into the nursing program. Courses required are chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, English, speech communication and statistics and six hours of general education requirements. The nursing program is 6 semesters of intense didactic and clinical study (approximately 15-18 credits per semester). Clinical coursework is held at a selection of healthcare agencies in Southern Illinois.
Admission to the traditional Bachelor of Science option is competitive. Applicants must present at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA and a 2.7 prerequisite course (both on a 4.0 scale). Meeting the minimum GPAs does not guarantee admission. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better prior to enrollment. Additionally, applicants are required to complete the HESI A2 Admission Assessment.
An overall University cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and completion of any Academic Development courses is required to declare Pre-Nursing (NUPC) as a major. Declaration as a Pre-Nursing major does not infer acceptance into the School of Nursing.