Division of Pre-Licensure Nursing

Area of Associate of Science in Nursing

Southwest Baptist University (SBU) offers a 2-year pre-licensure nursing program leading to the Associate of Science in Nursing degree (ASN). Graduates of the ASN program meet the requirements to sit for the National licensure examination (NCLEX-RN®) for registered professional nurses (RN).

Graduation from this program does not guarantee licensure as an RN. This program is offered at the SBU-Springfield and Salem Campuses. A graduate of the ASN program enters the health care environment as a nurse generalist, prepared to practice in settings where policies and procedures are established and guidance is available. Graduates will have experience caring for individual clients across the lifespan, within the context of their families and communities, in settings across the health care continuum. Students may progress from the ASN to BSN completion program, or may be concurrently enrolled. LPN and Paramedic students entering into the ASN Program as advanced placement students must complete all prerequisites, general education courses, and program requirements.

Note: Students are required to take nationally normed tests throughout the curriculum and to make satisfactory scores on such tests. During the fourth semester of nursing courses, students may be required to take a comprehensive exit exam. If satisfactory scores are not achieved on these tests, repeat testing and remediation may be required.

Note: Students that are not successful in core nursing courses may be allowed to repeat the course the following semester. For those students needing to repeat a nursing course, a course has been designed to assist those students in the development of skills and strategies necessary for success in the nursing courses. This course will be taken concurrently with the repeat 16-week nursing course (NUR 0011 - Student Success Academy ).

Students unsuccessful in an ASN course will then be required to take the Student Success Course in order to repeat and progress. The table below pairs the ASN Program Course with the related Student Success Course.

Students Applying to the ASN Program

1. Students must be admitted to Southwest Baptist University (SBU). Admission to the University does not guarantee admission into the ASN program. Application for admission to SBU also serves as the application for admission to the ASN program.
2. Provide copies of:
   1. Driver’s license/Photo ID
   2. Official transcripts from all colleges or universities other than SBU
   3. LPNs desiring Advanced Placement
      1. Missouri LPN License in good standing
      2. IV certification
   4. Paramedic Students desiring Advanced Placement i. Missouri Paramedic License
3. Students accepted into the ASN program are required to submit the following within the designated time limits (full admission into the program is contingent upon negative drug screen & acceptable background check):
   1. Background screening
   2. Drug screening
   3. Immunization record (Tdap, Varicella, MMR, annual influenza, Hepatitis B series, COVID-19) * subject to change based upon clinical site requirements
   4. CPR card (if certified as BLS by the American Heart Association),
4. For full acceptance into the ASN program, prerequisite courses must be completed. Students may be conditionally admitted if they are within one semester of completing required science courses. All applications will go through the selection process for admission.
5. Prior college credit:
   1. Minimum of a C in all Pre-requisite courses required for the ASN program
   2. Minimum of 2.5 cumulative or program GPA.
   3. If repeating any course required for the ASN program, course must be completed with a grade of C or better before admission to the ASN program.
6. Admission is contingent upon an acceptable background check and drug screen.
7. Acceptance into the ASN nursing program is based on satisfactory completion of the admission criteria and space availability. When applicants meet minimum qualifications, an admission selection criteria worksheet may be used if qualified applicants exceed space availability. The applicants with the top scores will be offered first choice for the seats in the cohort. An interview and/or admissions testing may be required.
8. Admission is based on space availability. Application deadlines for early consideration in:
   1. June (Summer Semester) - February 1 of that same year
   2. August (Fall Semester) - February 1 of that same year
   3. January (Spring semester) - July 1 of previous year
   4. A selection scoring sheet is utilized to rank the students for admission.
   5. Review of applications will begin following the application deadline.
   6. When the qualified applicant pool exceeds the maximum number of seats available in the program, admission into the ASN program will be offered to the highest-ranking candidates who applied by the application deadline.
   7. Applicants with incomplete prerequisites or requirements may be admitted conditionally upon the review and approval of the Admission, Progression and Retention (APR Committee).
   8. The selection of each cohort will be reviewed by the Admission, Progression and Retention (APR Committee).
9. Special consideration will be given to qualified applicants who have submitted previous or early applications.

Students admitted on a conditional acceptance status

1. Full admission is contingent upon fulfilling requirements necessary to meet the admission criteria.
2. Upon verification of meeting the specified criteria, the applicant will be notified of their full admission or changes in admission status if they have not met the necessary requirements.

ASN End of Program Student Learning Outcomes 

Upon completion of the ASN Program to continue the healing ministry of Christ, the graduate nurse will: 

1. Provides compassionate, patient-centered care in full partnership with the patient and family recognizing the patient’s preferences, values, culture, and needs. (Patient-Centered Care) 

2. Maintain a safe environment using clinical judgement in all health care settings. (Safety) 

3. Demonstrates effective collaboration inter-professional teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision making to achieve quality patient care. (Teamwork and Collaboration) 

4. Exemplifies servant leadership by facilitating the health, well-being, and growth of those served through personal integrity, shared values, and service. (Servant Leadership) 

5. Exhibits professionalism within standards of practice and established ethical guidelines. (Professionalism) 

6. Utilizes current evidence, technology, and data to monitor and improve patient outcomes. (Evidence-Based Practice) 

Area of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Don and Carrie Babb Nursing - Bolivar Campus

Southwest Baptist University (SBU) offers a traditional 4-year nursing program for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN). Graduates of the program meet the requirements to sit for the National licensure examination (NCLEX-RN®) for registered professional nurses (RN). Graduation from this program does not guarantee licensure as an RN. The BSN program is offered at the SBU-Bolivar Campus. A graduate of the BSN program enters the health care environment as a nurse generalist, prepared to practice in settings where policies and procedures are established and guidance is available. Graduates will have experience caring for individual patients across the lifespan, within the context of their families and communities, in settings across the health care continuum.

Requirements:

1. Meet admission requirements of SBU and be enrolled at SBU
2. Have a minimum cumulative or program GPA of 2.8

Note: Students are required to take nationally normed tests throughout the curriculum and to make satisfactory scores on such tests. If satisfactory scores are not achieved on these tests, repeat testing and remediation may be required.

Students Applying to the BSN program

1. The student must be admitted to Southwest Baptist University (SBU). Admission to the University does not guarantee admission into the BSN program. A separate application process to the BSN program is required to be considered for admission.
2. Provide copies of:
   1. Driver’s license/Photo ID
   2. Official transcripts from all colleges or universities other than SBU
3. Students accepted into the BSN program are required to submit the following within the designated time limits (full admission into the program is contingent upon negative drug screen & acceptable background check):
   1. Background screening
   2. Drug screening
   3. Immunization record (Tdap, Varicella, MMR, annual influenza, Hepatitis B series, COVID-19)* subject to change based upon clinical site requirements
4. For full acceptance into the BSN program, prerequisite courses must be completed. Students may be conditionally admitted if they are within one semester of completing required science courses. All applications will go through the selection process for admission.
5. Based on transcript and ACT, SAT, or CLT score evaluation, MAT 0243 Mathematical Literacy may be required.
6. Prior college credit:
   1. Minimum of C in all courses required for the BSN program
   2. Minimum of 2.8 cumulative or program GPA
   3. If repeating any general education or program required course required for the BSN program, the course must be completed with a grade of C or better before admission to the BSN program.
7. Acceptance into the BSN nursing program is based on satisfactory completion of the admission criteria and space availability. When applicants meet minimum qualifications, an admission selection criteria worksheet may be used if qualified applicants exceed space availability. The applicants with the top scores will be offered first choice for the seats in the cohort.
8. Application deadline for consideration in January (spring semester) is August 1 of the previous year.
   1. Cumulative GPA of 2.8 and completion of all prerequisite coursework qualifies the applicant for full admission to the BSN program.
   2. A selection scoring sheet will be used to rank the students for admission based upon standardized exam score, completion of other nursing program courses, and cumulative or program GPA.
   3. All applications will be considered at the same time following the application deadline. Exceptions to the deadline must be reviewed with the BSN Program Coordinator and Admissions, Progression, and Retention (APR) committee and must complete the selection process for consideration for admission.
   4. When the qualified applicant pool exceeds the maximum number of seats available in the program, admission into the BSN program will be offered to the highest-ranking candidates in the applicant pool
   5. Applicants with incomplete prerequisites or requirements may be admitted conditionally upon the review and approval of the APR Committee.
   6. The selection of each cohort will be reviewed by the APR Committee.
   7. Accepted applicants will be required to make a $200, non-refundable deposit to hold a seat in the cohort.

Students admitted on a conditional acceptance status

1. Full admission is contingent upon fulfilling requirements necessary to meet admission criteria.
2. Upon verification of meeting the specified criteria, the applicant will be notified of their full admission or changes in admission status if they have not met the necessary requirements.

High School Early Acceptance

High school students are eligible to apply on a competitive basis for early acceptance into the BSN program. The High School Early Acceptance (HSEA) application is located on the BSN webpage and is subject to the following guidelines and parameters.

1. Applicants must be entering SBU as a first-time freshman to be eligible for consideration and require no remedial coursework for English or Math based on standardized test scores. (Ex. ACT Math subscale <17; English subscale <18).
2. Complete the HSEA application by May 1st prior to freshman start at SBU. Applications will be processed in the order they are received.
3. Minimum Requirement: ACT 21 | SAT 1060 | CLT 68
4. Completion of an essay
5. Students accepted in the HSEA program:
   1. Are required to pay a non-refundable $200 seat deposit fee that will apply towards tuition.
   2. Must follow the degree plan for the BSN program to ensure enrollment in the first nursing course in semester 4 (Spring Sophomore Year).
   3. Must maintain the same pre-requisite GPA and admission test requirements as all applicants.
   4. Students that fail to earn a minimum grade of “C” in a BSN prerequisite course forfeit the HSEA seat, but may still apply to the nursing program through the standard selection process.

(*Admission criteria subject to change.)

BSN End of Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate of nursing program, the graduate will:

1. Provides compassionate patient-centered care in full partnership with the patient and family, recognizing the patient’s preferences, values, and needs across the healthcare continuum. (Patient-Centered Care)

2. Demonstrates effective collaboration within inter-professional teams using leadership principles that foster open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision making to achieve quality patient care. (Teamwork & Collaboration)

3.  Utilizes clinical judgment and a systems level approach to maintain safety in the healty care environment. (Safety)

4. Utilizes information management, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement to provide safe, quality care to patients across the lifespan. (Evidence Based Practice)

5. Exhibits professionalism within the standards of practice and ethical guidelines that reflect integrity, leadership, and advocacy for diverse patients within the family and community. (Professionalism)

6. Exemplifies servant leadership by facilitating the health, well-being and growth of those served through personal integrity, shared values and service. (Servant Leadership)

Graduation Policy, BSN

All candidates must meet the graduation requirements of the University. Students must earn a “C” or better in all nursing prerequisites, program requirement and major courses. For graduation, students must have an overall 2.00 GPA. Participation in outcome assessment activities including standardized testing is a graduation requirement.