BSN-PRE LICS - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four-year pre-licensure degree (Fast-Track BSN program can be completed in 3 1/2 years) that prepares students to enter the nursing profession as a nurse generalist.  The graduate is qualified to practice in a variety of health care settings and nursing specialties. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) for entry into practice in any state. The baccalaureate program builds upon courses in the humanities, sciences, social studies, and behavioral studies. The BSN curriculum provides graduates with prerequisite courses required to enter a Master's of Science in Nursing program.

Students interested in the BSN program must meet the College admissions requirements listed in the Admissions section of this catalog. The BSN program has limited enrollment and a selective admission process. Applicants must adhere to submission deadlines.  During freshman and sophomore years, prospective applicants must take 60 total credit hours of the core curriculum in areas A through F (listed in this section). Interested applicants may view program and admission information through the nursing website. For additional questions, please contact the Department of Nursing office at (912) 279-5860. 

Accreditation

The bachelor of science in nursing program at the College of Coastal Georgia located in Brunswick, GA is accredited by the:  Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326

(404) 975-5000

 The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the bachelor of science in nursing program is continuing accreditation.

 View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website (here is the link https://www.acenursing.org/search-programs/)

Georgia Board of Nursing Information
The Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON) requires criminal background checks for licensure. 

It has the authority to refuse to grant a license to an applicant upon a finding by the board that the applicant has been convicted of any felony, a crime involving moral turpitude, or crime violating a federal or state law relating to controlled substances or dangerous drugs in the courts of this state, any other state, territory, or country or in the courts of the United States, including, but not limited to a plea of nolo contendere entered to the charge; or any licensing board or agency in Georgia or any other state denied the applicant's license application, renewal or reinstatement; or revoked, suspended, restricted, or prohibited the applicant's license, or requested or accepted surrender of the applicant's license, or reprimanded, fined or disciplined the applicant. Further questions regarding GBON policies may be viewed on the State of Georgia web site or call (478) 207-1640. All new graduate nurses are subject to, and required to submit, a background check. Please refer to the Georgia Board of Nursing website www.sos.ga.gov/plb/rn for additional information. 

The Georgia Board of Nursing requires a social security number to apply for licensure as a registered nurse in the state of Georgia.

General Information
Students must meet with an advisor each semester and review the plan of study. Students must complete the prerequisite and co-requisite courses of all nursing core courses before enrollment. The nursing program sequence begins every fall semester. Classes, laboratory, and clinical experiences in the BSN program require a commitment of approximately 25-35 hours per week; therefore, it may be difficult for a student to continue employment while in the BSN program.  The licensing boards may change requirements prior to the completion of the course of study. While reasonable efforts will be made to enable one to satisfy additional requirements, no assurances can be made that the College will be able to offer these additional courses or, if taken, that such courses will entitle one to take the licensing examination.

Program Admission Information and Requirements
Applicants will be considered for admission once they meet BSN program-specific requirements. The Department of Nursing office must receive a student's application by the deadline date posted on the college website for admission consideration. Students should verify that the Registrar's office has received all transcripts before applying to the BSN program. Likewise, students may need to communicate with the Registrar's office to ensure the proper articulation of all transfer courses. The Progression and Admission Committee will continue to look at applications until the Committee fills all open spaces with qualified applicants. Applications will be considered based on qualifications and space availability. The Department of Nursing office will send initial notification of a student’s acceptance to the program electronically, through the Self-Service Center.  An official admission letter will follow in the mail.  The Department of Nursing office will notify students who are accepted or denied acceptance into the program electronically through the Self-Service Center.  Meeting minimal admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the BSN program.

Applicants must:

1. Complete the College of Coastal Georgia admission process.  Application for admission is available at www.ccga.edu. The College of Coastal Georgia must officially accept a student before the student can apply to the BSN program. 

2. Complete the BSN application available at www.ccga.edu. Submit all required documents online as instructed.

3. Take the required HESI A2 Admission Assessment exam and submit results with application. Applicants must achieve a score of 80% or higher on each of the four (4) sections of the HESI A2 Assessment.  The individual parts are Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge, and Anatomy and Physiology. Applicants must also take the Critical Thinking section of the HESI A2 assessment, although the results from this section will not be used during the decision regarding acceptance to the program.  Applicants may not have more than two attempts on the HESI A2 exam (with a minimum of 30 days between tests). Achieving the 80% on the HESI A2 does NOT guarantee admission to the nursing program. HESI A2 scores are valid for up to 3 years following testing.  A student has 2 attempts to achieve the required score for each of the 4 sections of the HESI exam. The admission committee will accept the highest score for each section.

4. Have a minimum grade of C in all required core courses.

5. Have a minimum of a 2.8 overall grade point average (GPA) for the BSN Program, and a minimum of a 3.0 overall GPA for the BSN Fast-Track Program.

6. Students complete all required core courses before the start of the BSN courses.

7. If the student has ever received a D or F in a nursing course in any nursing program, they will be evaluated on an individual basis by the BSN Admission and Progression Committee. If a student has received a D or F in two or more nursing courses they are not eligible for admission to the BSN program.

8. Meet/perform the Core Performance Standards for nursing as listed below:

• Critical thinking -- Critical-thinking ability sufficient for rapid clinical judgement and decision making.

• Interpersonal -- Interpersonal abilities sufficient for interaction with individuals, families and groups, from various social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds.

• Communication in English -- Communications abilities sufficient for verbal and written interaction with others to include note taking abilities and the ability to rapidly interpret and disseminate information.

• Mobility -- Physical abilities sufficient for movement from room to room and in small spaces.

• Motor Skills -- Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient for providing safe, effective nursing care.

• Hearing -- Auditory ability sufficient for monitoring and assessing health needs.

• Visual -- Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care.

• Tactile -- Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment.

Students accepted into the BSN program must complete the following requirements :

1. Attend the nursing orientation session.

2. Submit proof of the following before the stated deadline (form provided upon acceptance):

   1. Yearly TB skin (PPD) test or TB screening. The student must keep this current throughout the program.

   2. A current physical health examination by a healthcare provider.

   3. Any additional immunizations required by the program or clinical agencies.

   4. American Heart Association Healthcare Professional CPR Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR Certification (the student must keep this certification current throughout the program). 

   5. Professional liability insurance (included in tuition and fees). The student must keep this current throughout the program.

   6. Health insurance is required. Students must present proof of personal health insurance prior to program orientation and periodically throughout the program. The USG has a health insurance program which is available for students to purchase if needed.

3. Adhere to the student guidelines specific to the BSN program as outlined in the Nursing and Health Sciences Student Handbook.

4. Travel at own expense to clinical sites. Note: Some clinical experiences may be distances up to 120 miles from CCGA Brunswick Campus.

5. Attend clinical practice experiences which may be scheduled during days, evenings, nights and/or weekends.

6. Undergo a background check and 10-point drug screen through PSI Background Screening services, as required by individual agencies. The cost will be the responsibility of the student. Background checks could result in denial of the clinical site and inability to pass a course or the program. Students must complete all required testing successfully before the start of each fall semester. 

7. Purchase required Department of Nursing uniforms and supplies.

Continuation and Progression in the BSN Program

1. Continuation in the BSN Program requires a minimum grade of C in all nursing courses. A student earning a grade of less than C, W or WF in a nursing course must repeat the course.

2. The BSN program uses the following grade scale in all nursing courses (NURS):
   A = 90-100      B = 80-89     C = 75-79      D = 66-74      F = 65 and below

3. Students are allowed one failure during the entire nursing curriculum. This does not apply to Late Term withdrawals.

4. Only one nursing course may be repeated one time (from a course failure) during the program. Management of failures is as follows:

   1. Withdrawal or Failure of one class requires a student to meet with their advisor to establish an academic plan.

   2. Permission to re-enroll in any nursing course is contingent on space availability and recommendation from the faculty, and therefore is not guaranteed.

   3. Failure of two nursing courses will result in program dismissal. This process does not apply to Late Term withdrawals.

   4.  A student dismissed from the program for failing two or more courses is eligible to reapply to restart the ASN or BSN program two years after the date of dismissal.  

5. All nursing courses must be completed within four years of the date of entry into the first nursing course.

6. All clinical nursing courses include a medication calculation requirement.

7. All pre-licensure nursing students will be required to participate in comprehensive assessment testing while enrolled in the nursing program. Additional fees per semester will be applicable.

8. The College will charge students various laboratory fees.

In addition to the above, students must also complete all collegewide Graduation Requirements.