Nursing (BSN)
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pre-licensure Program at Gordon State College is designed to prepare students for a rewarding career as registered nurses. Upon successful completion of the program, the unlicensed graduate is eligible to apply for licensure as a registered professional nurse after successfully passing the national licensure exam (NCLEX-RN).
Applicants must have graduated from high school or received a GED. All students must be admitted to Gordon State College by the deadline for the application period for which you are applying. Students must also submit a separate online application for the nursing program. Application periods and required paperwork are posted on the Department of Nursing website.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To be considered for acceptance into the nursing program, students must have:
1. Acceptance to Gordon State College
2. Exemption from or completion of all Learning Support classes.
3. Nursing core classes MUST be completed with a minimum GRADE of C or better. A grade of D in any core class is not accepted by the Nursing department
4. Minimum cumulative/overall GPA of 2.75 to be eligible to apply
5. Have a minimum cumulative/overall GPA of 3.0 in ALL required science and math courses
6. Completion of a Nursing Admission Test.
7. BIOL 2251K Anatomy & Physiology I, BIOL 2252K Anatomy & Physiology II, and BIOL 2260K Foundations of Microbiologymust all be LESS than 5 years old at the time of admission. NO EXCEPTIONS.
8. Not failed two (2) or more nursing courses in any unsuccessful attempt at a nursing program, including LPN. A grade of D is considered failing in a nursing program.
9. Not failed any nursing course with a grade of F in any unsuccessful attempt in a nursing program, including LPN.
10. Ability to meet Department of Nursing Core Performance Standards.
11. CORE classes must be completed before starting the BSN nursing program. To be eligible to apply to the program, the applicant must have completed one (1) course out of the Science Sequence, one (1) math course, and BIOL2251 (A&P I).
Self-managed nursing applications are available ONLINE ONLY during selective periods from the Department of Nursing website. Application deadlines are posted online.
Admission to the Nursing Program is selective and competitive. Applicants with the strongest credentials will be accepted first. A student must be accepted into the Nursing Program to be able to register for nursing classes.
Applicants who are not accepted must reapply during the next application period. The Nursing Program reserves the right to end the application period once enough qualified applications have been received.
Progression / Readmission Policy
To progress through the nursing program, the student must attain a “C” (75%) or better to pass any nursing course and have satisfactory clinical performance. If a student withdraws from one nursing course, they must withdraw from all nursing courses within the same semester.
A student may apply for readmission to the Gordon State College Nursing Program one time only under the following conditions:
- The student has not previously failed or withdrawn from another nursing course, semester, or program.
- The student failed the required course(s) for one semester of the nursing program with a grade of “D” 68 - 74.99, OR the student withdrew from the semester with a grade of W. (Students that fail any nursing course(s) with an “F” 67.99 or less, are not eligible to return to the nursing program.)
- The student has no written disciplinary actions on file that may establish a pattern of unprofessional behavior.
If the student meets the above criteria, the student may appeal to return to the semester they failed or withdrew. To appeal, the student must submit an academic request form to the department no later than midterm of the following semester. The student must return to the semester within one calendar year of the failed attempt. Readmission will be dependent on the outcome of the appeal and seat availability/clinical capacity. This policy is in effect no matter where in the program the student is unsuccessful, and for all Gordon State College nursing programs. The student may be required to sign a contract outlining requirements to be readmitted into the nursing program.
CORE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
All potential and enrolled students in the Department of Nursing must meet the Technical and Nursing Core Performance Standards that encompass intellectual, physical, and social competencies required to provide safe client care. Refer to the appropriate table in the academic catalog listed under the Associate of Science in Nursing program degree.
General Degree Requirements
For graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, these requirements must be completed in accordance with the academic regulations stated in this catalog and in the Gordon State College Nursing Student Handbook:
1. Completion of the University System of Georgia Core Curriculum (including history and constitution requirements) with a minimum 2.0 grade point average. A minimum grade of "C" is required for each core course and for each nursing course in the curriculum.
2. Successful completion of nursing courses with a minimum grade of 75%
3. Successful completion of 120-124 total semester hours which includes:
• 64 - 66 semester hours USG IMPACTS core curriculum, including four hours of GSC requirements
• 60 hours of upper division nursing credit
Clinical Assignments
All clinical agencies will have specific requirements. Students must comply with requirements such as obtaining required immunizations, background checks, and drug screens to be eligible to attend clinical. If a student is denied a clinical experience at one clinical agency because of findings in the student’s criminal background check or drug screen, the clinical requirements for that course cannot be met. The student would then not be able to successfully complete the course; therefore, withdrawal from the program would be required. Gordon State College has no way of knowing or controlling who will be permitted to have clinical experiences in the agencies.
Licensing Examination
Admission to the nursing program and completion of course requirements do not guarantee students the right to take the licensing examination for registered nurses. An applicant who has been indicted or convicted of an offense other than a minor traffic violation, who is under investigation for possible violation of the Nurse Practice Act, or who has been issued a license which has been encumbered (denied, revoked, suspended, surrendered, restricted or placed on probation) by any state board may be permitted to take the licensing examination at the discretion of the Georgia Board of Nursing. The license may not be issued until the matter is resolved to the satisfaction of the Board. If charges are substantiated, the license may be denied or sanctioned despite the applicant’s meeting all other criteria for licensure.