Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree Program
Undergraduate/Pre-Licensure
- Become a nurse in as few as 3 years1
- No prior nursing education required
- Hybrid – On-site/Online 3-Year BSN
- Online 3-Year BSN Option
- Total credit hours: 1222
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The on-site Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree can be completed in three years of year-round study instead of the typical four years with summers off.
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126 credit hours (56 general education; 70 nursing) for students attending a California campus. See your academic support advisor for more information.
Program Details
3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree Program
The BSN nursing curriculum prepares the graduate for the practice of professional nursing. This is accomplished through an integration of theoretical knowledge, psychomotor skill acquisition and development of clinical judgment/reasoning. The curriculum integrates professional, ethical and legal standards with decision-making, problem-solving and leadership development. The curriculum is designed to promote lifelong learning among the graduates. A program outline for each program contains contact hours of lecture, lab and externship and total contact hours plus total credit hours (if applicable) for each subject.
For many students, the first year of the program focuses on general education; however, given individual transferred coursework, program plans vary. The majority of nursing coursework occurs in the second and third years. Learning opportunities are planned throughout the degree program to allow students to apply and synthesize content and concepts learned. The combination of classroom and faculty-directed, student-focused learning activities promote safe, high-quality, competent and compassionate nursing practice. Student learning occurs through direct patient care in a variety of healthcare settings, including acute and long-term care facilities, as well as in ambulatory and community settings. Learning opportunities may also include simulated and virtual activities, problem-based, service-based, as well as civic engagement, professional meetings, policy development, advocacy and disaster preparedness. Select non-clinical nursing courses may be offered for the student to take online or on campus.
The BSN degree program consists of a minimum of 122 credit hours (56 general education; 66 nursing).1
For more information, visit chamberlain.edu/bsn
A Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Leadership Foundations program is available to all BSN graduates. See the Certificate Program section in this catalog for more information.
Curriculum Delivery
The pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is delivered in standardized course delivery model with a structured sequence of course offerings in a combination of in-person, hybrid/blended, and online courses. Synchronous courses are taught by a professor in real time, while asynchronous courses include weekly requirements that are completed when learning is convenient for the student. Campus exceptions may apply.
Students meet periodically on campus and engage with faculty and on campus support services. Following the initial face-to-face meeting, the online component of courses, whether asynchronous or synchronous, include embedded intentional student engagement activities.
Nursing laboratory requirements and simulation experiences occur at campus in the Skills Labs and SIMCARE CENTER™. Simulation is utilized in alignment with the rules and regulations of the Board of Nursing education rules. Some nursing labs and simulations may include use of highly developed virtual software designed to support development of critical thinking and decision-making with suggested remediation activities.
General education non-nursing labs may be held asynchronously. Lab and clinical schedules are adjusted to minimize the number of days a week that students attend campus and/or clinical activities.
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126 credit hours (55 general education; 71 nursing) for students attending a California campus. See your academic support advisor for more information.
Note: Program/Program option availability varies by state/location.
Military to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree Option
Chamberlain’s Military to BSN degree option1 provides a pathway to professional nursing practice for qualified active or veteran military individuals who wish to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The option allows qualified applicants to complete Chamberlain’s BSN degree program in as few as six semesters of coursework through the award of advanced standing by means of the Chamberlain Military Articulation Plan (CMAP). The option recognizes previous knowledge, training and experience of military healthcare specialists and fosters career mobility for both active duty and veteran healthcare specialists. Students completing the Military to BSN option will demonstrate achievement of all pre-licensure BSN degree program outcomes.
The BSN degree program consists of a minimum of 122 credit hours (56 general education; 66 nursing). The BSN degree program for students attending a California Campus consists of a minimum of 126 credit hours (55 general education, 71 nursing).
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Chamberlain University is not accepting applications for this program option at this time.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree Online Option
The BSN online option is built on the same principles and professional standards as the 3-year on-site option. For many students, the first year of the program focuses on general education; however, given individual transferred coursework, program plans vary.
Learning opportunities are planned throughout the degree program to allow students to apply and synthesize content and concepts. The combination of synchronous and asynchronous online student-focused learning activities paired with on-site clinical practice promotes safe, high-quality, competent and compassionate nursing practice. Online learning opportunities also include virtual simulated and problem-based learning activities.
As part of the BSN Online Option, students will attend an on-ground retreat1 in Downers Grove, Illinois. This experience will provide students the opportunity to come together at the start of their nursing education journey and to cultivate a community of learning. Students will be introduced to the BSN Online Option leadership, faculty and support staff as well as nursing concentration curriculum, guidelines and expectations of students and faculty. There will be time for social connections and interactive experiences including mindfulness practice and socialization to the role of the nurse. Students are responsible for their travel costs while participating in the on-site retreat. Typical costs include travel to/from Illinois, lodging and meals for two nights. Further details will be provided to qualified students.
Note: Program/program option availability varies by state/location.
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The on-ground retreat is only for students entering directly into Year 2 Semester 2 courses
Program Outcomes
The outcomes for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program are as follows:
- Provides individualized comprehensive care based on theories and principles of nursing and related disciplines to individuals, families, aggregates and communities, from entry to the healthcare system through long-term planning.
- Demonstrates leadership and collaboration with consumers and other healthcare providers in providing care and/or delegating responsibilities for health promotion, illness prevention, health restoration, health maintenance and rehabilitative activities.
- Communicates effectively with patient populations and other healthcare providers in managing the healthcare of individuals, families, aggregates and communities.
- Integrates clinical judgment in professional decision making and implementation of the nursing process.
- Demonstrates responsibility for continued personal and professional development through enrollment in graduate education, continuing education degree programs, professional reading and participation in professional organizations and community service.
- Implements professional nursing standards by practicing within the legal definitions of nursing practice and acts in accordance with the nursing code of ethics and American Nurses Association (ANA) standards of practice.
- Practices in established professional roles consistent with entry-level BSN graduates to provide cost-effective, quality healthcare to consumers in structured and unstructured settings.
- Incorporates evidence-based practice in the provision of professional nursing care to individuals, families, aggregates and communities.
Employment positions determined to be in field to calculate the graduate employment rates required by the state of California for graduates of the BSN program are registered nurses (SOC Code: 29-1141.00)
3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree
Program Details
3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree (Effective January 2024)
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Semesters: 9 Full Time
Minimum credit hours required for graduation: 122 (56 general education; 66 nursing).
Note: The program detail below outlines the general three-year BSN degree program. For students attending a California campus, refer to the California BSN program details.
For those students enrolling in the Military to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree Option, refer to the Military to BSN program details.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Studies | ||
| UNIV-101 | University Seminar | 1 |
| English and Communications | ||
| ENGL-118N | English Composition | 3 |
| ENGL-148N | Advanced English Composition | 3 |
| COMM-277N | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| MATH-105N | Contemporary Mathematics | 3 |
| MATH-225N | Statistical Reasoning for the Health Sciences | 3 |
| Required Sciences | ||
| BIOS-242 | Fundamentals of Microbiology with Lab | 4 |
| BIOS-251 | Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab | 2 |
| BIOS-252 | Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab | 2 |
| BIOS-255 | Anatomy and Physiology III with Lab | 2 |
| BIOS-256 | Anatomy and Physiology IV with Lab | 2 |
| CHEM-120 | Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry with Lab | 4 |
| Social Sciences | ||
| POLI-330N | Political Science 1 | 3 |
| PSYC-110N | Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC-290N | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| SOCS-185N | Culture and Society | 3 |
| Humanities and Fine Arts | ||
| ETHC-445N | Principles of Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL-347N | Critical Reasoning | 3 |
| HIST-405N | United States History | 3 |
| HUMN-303N | Introduction to Humanities | 3 |
| Nursing | ||
| Non-Clinical | ||
| NR-103 | Transition to the Nursing Profession | 2 |
| NR-222 | Health and Wellness 3 | 3 |
| NR-224 | Fundamentals: Skills | 3 |
| NR-228 | Nutrition, Health & Wellness 3 | 2 |
| NR-283 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NR-293 | Pharmacology for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Select one of the following options: | 4 | |
| Health Assessment I and Health Assessment II | ||
or | ||
| Health Assessment 4 | ||
| NR-360 | Information Systems in Healthcare | 3 |
| NR-449 | Evidence Based Practice | 3 |
| Clinical | ||
| NR-226 | Fundamentals: Patient Care | 3 |
| NR-324 | Adult Health I | 5 |
| NR-325 | Adult Health II | 5 |
| NR-326 | Mental Health Nursing | 4 |
| NR-327 | Maternal-Child Nursing | 4 |
| NR-328 | Pediatric Nursing | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| Complex Adult Health | ||
| Complex Adult Health | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| Community Health Nursing - Global | ||
| Community Health Nursing | ||
or NR-444 | Community Health Nursing | |
| NR-446 | Collaborative Healthcare | 4 |
| NR-452 | Capstone Course | 3 |
| Electives 2 | ||
| Any combination of the courses below or courses from English and Communication, Quantitative Reasoning, Social Sciences, Humanities, Sciences and Fine Arts which you have not already taken: | ||
| COMP-150N | Computer and Technology Applications in Health Professions | 3 |
| NR-307A-C 3 | 1-3 | |
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The state of Nevada requires students to meet its requirement for study of the Nevada and U.S. constitutions. The Political Science (POLI-330N Political Science) course fulfills this requirement.
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In order to satisfy graduation requirements or maintain F-1 student visa status, elective courses may be added to the individual’s plan of study. Contact your academic support advisor for more information.
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In California, this course is not available to meet required curriculum content, such as pharmacology.
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Only available for students starting prior to July 2024.
Note: When registering for general education or science elective courses, students will need to select the course with an "N" suffix designator (i.e., ENGL-148N Advanced English Composition). The general education coursework grading scale applies to courses with this designator.
For the most up-to-date curriculum grids, visit chamberlain.edu/curriculum.
3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree Students Attending a California Campus
Program Details
3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree Students Attending a California Campus (Effective January 2023)
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Semesters: 9 Full Time
Minimum credit hours required for graduation: 126 (55 general education; 71 nursing).
Note: For students enrolling in the Military to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree Option, refer to the option-specific program details listed in the academic catalog.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| English and Communications | ||
| ENGL-118N | English Composition | 3 |
| ENGL-148N | Advanced English Composition | 3 |
| COMM-277N | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| MATH-105N | Contemporary Mathematics | 3 |
| MATH-225N | Statistical Reasoning for the Health Sciences | 3 |
| Social Sciences | ||
| PSYC-110N | Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC-290N | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| POLI-330N | Political Science | 3 |
| SOCS-185N | Culture and Society | 3 |
| Humanities and Fine Arts | ||
| ETHC-445N | Principles of Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL-347N | Critical Reasoning | 3 |
| HIST-405N | United States History | 3 |
| HUMN-303N | Introduction to Humanities | 3 |
| Required Sciences | ||
| BIOS-242 | Fundamentals of Microbiology with Lab | 4 |
| BIOS-251 | Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab | 2 |
| BIOS-252 | Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab | 2 |
| BIOS-255 | Anatomy and Physiology III with Lab | 2 |
| BIOS-256 | Anatomy and Physiology IV with Lab | 2 |
| CHEM-120 | Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry with Lab | 4 |
| Nursing | ||
| Non-Clinical | ||
| NR-103 | Transition to the Nursing Profession | 2 |
| NR-222 | Health and Wellness | 3 |
| NR-228 | Nutrition, Health & Wellness | 2 |
| NR-283 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NR-293 | Pharmacology for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NR-302 | Health Assessment I | 2 |
| NR-304 | Health Assessment II | 2 |
| NR-360 | Information Systems in Healthcare | 3 |
| NR-449 | Evidence Based Practice | 3 |
| Clinical | ||
| NR-226 | Fundamentals: Patient Care | 3 |
| NR-229 | Fundamentals – Skills | 4 |
| NR-326 | Mental Health Nursing | 4 |
| NR-327 | Maternal-Child Nursing | 4 |
| NR-328 | Pediatric Nursing | 4 |
| NR-329 | Adult Health I | 6 |
| NR-330 | Adult Health II | 6 |
| NR-342 | Complex Adult Health | 5 |
| NR-442 | Community Health Nursing | 4 |
| NR-446 | Collaborative Healthcare | 4 |
| NR-453 | Capstone Course | 4 |
| Electives 1 | ||
| Any combination of the courses below or courses from English and Communication, Quantitative Reasoning, Social Sciences, Humanities, Sciences and Fine Arts which you have not already taken: | ||
| COMP-150N | Computer and Technology Applications in Health Professions | 3 |
| MATH-105N | Contemporary Mathematics | 3 |
- 1
In order to satisfy graduation requirements or maintain F-1 student visa status, elective courses may be added to the individual’s plan of study. Contact your academic support advisor for more information.
Note: When registering for general education or science elective courses, students will need to select the course with an "N" suffix designator (i.e., ENGL-148N Advanced English Composition). The general education coursework grading scale applies to courses with this designator.
For the most up-to-date curriculum grids, visit chamberlain.edu/curriculum.
Military to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree
Program Details
Military to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree Option1 (Effective November 2022)
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Semesters: 6 Full Time
Building on current knowledge and skills acquired through the military specialist's education and experience and to incorporate nursing knowledge, Military to BSN option students are awarded proficiency credit (10 nursing and 3 general education) through the Chamberlain Military Articulation Plan (CMAP). Proficiency credits are awarded upon successful completion of the military specific courses (NR-110 Pathway to Professional Nursing for Military, NR-295 Path/Pharm for Military and NR-299 Foundations of Clinical Practice for Military) and 16 hours of open lab practice completed in conjunction with NR-110 Pathway to Professional Nursing for Military. After earning CMAP proficiency credit, students enrolled in the Military to BSN Option continue in the BSN degree program plan of study in the same sequence as non-military pre-licensure BSN students.
A total of 122 credits will be earned through course transfer, course completion and proficiency credits (56 nursing, 30 general education, 23 pre-admission transfer credits, 10 nursing proficiency, 3 general education proficiency).
Chamberlain University is not accepting applications for this program option at this time.
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Program option availability varies by state/location.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Enrollment Credits | ||
| Courses required to be completed and transferred in prior to admission to the Military to BSN degree option are: | ||
| BIOS-242 | Fundamentals of Microbiology with Lab | 4 |
| BIOS-251 | Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab | 2 |
| BIOS-252 | Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab | 2 |
| BIOS-255 | Anatomy and Physiology III with Lab | 2 |
| BIOS-256 | Anatomy and Physiology IV with Lab | 2 |
| CHEM-120 | Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry with Lab | 4 |
| MATH-114N | Algebra for College Students | 4 |
| PSYC-110N | Psychology | 3 |
| Required Courses | ||
| Course requirements for completion of the Military to BSN degree option are: | ||
| English and Communications | ||
| ENGL-118N | English Composition | 3 |
| ENGL-148N | Advanced English Composition | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| MATH-225N | Statistical Reasoning for the Health Sciences | 3 |
| Social Sciences | ||
| POLI-330N | Political Science 2 | 3 |
| PSYC-290N | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| SOCS-185N | Culture and Society | 3 |
| Humanities and Fine Arts | ||
| ETHC-445N | Principles of Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL-347N | Critical Reasoning | 3 |
| HIST-405N | United States History | 3 |
| HUMN-303N | Introduction to Humanities | 3 |
| Nursing | ||
| Non-Clinical | ||
| NR-110 | Pathway to Professional Nursing for Military 3 | 2 |
| NR-228 | Nutrition, Health & Wellness | 2 |
| NR-295 | Path/Pharm for Military 3 | 4 |
| NR-360 | Information Systems in Healthcare | 3 |
| NR-449 | Evidence Based Practice | 3 |
| Clinical Nursing Requirements | ||
| NR-299 | Foundations of Clinical Practice for Military 3 | 5 |
| NR-324 | Adult Health I | 5 |
| NR-325 | Adult Health II | 5 |
| NR-326 | Mental Health Nursing | 4 |
| NR-327 | Maternal-Child Nursing | 4 |
| NR-328 | Pediatric Nursing | 4 |
| NR-341 | Complex Adult Health | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Community Health Nursing - Global 3 | ||
| Community Health Nursing | ||
| NR-446 | Collaborative Healthcare | 4 |
| NR-452 | Capstone Course | 3 |
| Electives 4 | ||
| Any combination of the courses below or courses from English and Communication, Quantitative Reasoning, Social Sciences, Humanities, Sciences and Fine Arts which you have not already taken: | ||
| COMP-150N | Computer and Technology Applications in Health Professions | 3 |
| MATH-105N | Contemporary Mathematics | 3 |
| NR-300 A-C | 1-3 | |
| CMAP 3 | 13 | |
| Chamberlain College Articulation Plan | ||
- 1
Program option varies by state/location.
- 2
The state of Nevada requires students to meet its requirement for study of the Nevada and U.S. constitutions. The Political Science (POLI-330N Political Science) course fulfills this requirement.
- 3
Specific for the Military to BSN option
- 4
In order to satisfy graduation requirements, elective courses may be added to the individual’s plan of study. Contact your academic support advisor for more information.
Note: When registering for general education or science elective courses, students will need to select the course with an "N" suffix designator (i.e., ENGL-148N Advanced English Composition). The general education coursework grading scale applies to courses with this designator.
For the most up-to-date curriculum grids, visit chamberlain.edu/curriculum.