Frequently Asked Questions For Registered Nurses who want to earn their BSN In the Online Format at USA College of Nursing Q - Are all required nursing courses for the BSN Program taught exclusively in the Online Format for the RN-BSN Online Pathway & the Online RN-BSN/MSN Pathway? Yes. Currently, our nursing students enrolled in both pathways reside all over the United States. All required nursing courses to earn the BSN at this University are ALL taught exclusively in the Online Format. Our Online RN-BSN nursing students are never required to come to Mobile, AL to complete any coursework or Practice Integrated Experiences. This provides you with the flexibility of obtaining your BSN and remaining in your own community. Q - Are the Freshman and Sophomore level required prerequisite courses the same for both of the Online Nursing Pathways offered by USA? Yes. The same (19) prerequisites courses are required for either online nursing pathway. You may complete these courses in your local area, from a fully accredited institution and transfer them to the University of South Alabama. Note: The (19) prerequisite courses totals 61 semester hours of transfer credit. These are your 61 semester hours of General Education courses. Q - I would like to print out the complete list of (19) prerequisite courses, to use as my personal Advising Guide, while attending my local college. How can a student obtain and print out this list of required courses from the USA College of Nursing? UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA COLLEGE OF NURSING 5721 USA Drive North HAHN 3068 Mobile, Alabama 36688 TEL: (251) 445-9400 FAX: (251) 445-9416 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/con
Prerequisite Requirements for both online pathways are available on USA s RN-BSN Website: http://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/con/bsn/rntobsn.html Q - Where should I complete all of the required prerequisite courses? Prospective students may take all prerequisite courses from a fully accredited institution in your local area. You may take these courses in the traditional format or the online format. You must make a C or higher in each course. Q Are the (19) required Prerequisite Courses currently taught in the Online Format by the University of South Alabama? If so, what is the online tuition? Currently, the University of South Alabama does not offer many of the required prerequisite courses in the Online Format. Therefore, we encourage prospective RN-BSN Online students to locate regionally accredited institutions in your local area or other accredited institutions who do offer the required prerequisite courses in the specific learning format that is most convenient for you and your professional and personal schedule. Some of the prerequisite courses are taught by USA in the Online Format, however many of them are not available at USA. To view the current Undergraduate Web Course per Credit Hour Tuition Rates for all Online Courses taken at USA, please refer to the following website: www.usouthal.edu/studentaccounting/tuition.html Q If I want to confirm that USA does accept transfer credits from a specific school or institution I attended or plan to attend, what office at USA determines the official articulation of all my transfer coursework? Prospective students may contact the USA Office of the Registrar (Phone: 251/460-6251; Email: records@southalabama.edu) Page 2
to inquire about Articulation of Transfer Credits from a specific institution you previously attended OR a school you are planning to attend, if you do not know if USA accepts credits from your school. Q I took college courses many years ago and I want to know if any of these courses taken in the past can be used toward my Nursing Prerequisite Courses? College courses you took years ago from an accredited school may be used if you earned a C or better. There is NO time limit for college coursework taken in the past if indeed these courses were completed at a fully accredited school. Q How long does it take to complete the Professional Component in either track, to be awarded the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing? The minimum amount of time that the Professional Component for either track can be completed: 3 semesters The maximum amount of time that the Professional Component for either track must be completed: 5 years Q - Who determines the pace that the online student progresses through the online nursing program, to earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing? Students are allowed to progress through their specific track at their own desired pace. Each semester, the student actually determines the number of courses they want to take, based on their professional and personal schedules. Students are given the Nursing Course Projection, which specifies when each RN-BSN nursing class is taught by the College of Nursing during the academic year. Students plan their desired personal schedule to complete the BSN. Q How many Nursing Courses will I be required to take Online at USA to be awarded my Bachelor of Science in Nursing? Page 3
Both Online Pathways (RN-BSN Pathway) and (RN-BSN/MSN Pathway) consist of a total of 31 semester hours. The Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing is awarded to students who successfully complete the required 31 semester hours of specified online nursing coursework. Q How and where do I complete the required Practice Integrated Experiences that are my clinical requirements for either of the Online Tracks? These comprehensive learning activities are incorporated within several of the required USA Nursing Courses as practice based assignments and may be completed within any approved practice site, in your own community. These sites include but are not limited to: the student s work place, community, or other health related organizations in the student s home community. Your USA Nursing Instructor will define what constitutes these experiences in each nursing course. Q How is my GPA calculated for admission to either online track, to obtain my Bachelor of Science in Nursing? For the RN-BSN Track: Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.50 in all (19) prerequisite courses, with a C or better in each course. For the RN-BSN/MSN Track: Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on ALL academic coursework ever attempted in college, no exceptions to this requirement. Regarding courses, you have repeated: If a prerequisite course was repeated, where you made a grade lower than a C, we do include all grade attempts regarding a specific course when calculating your GPA. Example: English 101 was taken and a student s grade was a D and then the course was repeated, with C as the second grade attempt. Both grades will be calculated into the student s GPA for admission to the Professional Component of the BSN curriculum. Page 4
Q Is USA s College of Nursing accredited? USA College of Nursing is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing and it is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; One DuPont Circle, NW, Suite 520, Washington, D.C., 20036-1120, Phone: 202-887-6791 Q What steps must I follow to submit the two separate, required Applications? The TWO required applications are: 1- The Application for Undergraduate Admission to the General University and a $35.00 application fee 2- The RN-BSN Nursing Application Packet & $50.00 application fee Step 1- Verify that you do have all (19) required prerequisite courses and that USA accepts all of your prior coursework from your school: Prior to submitting the TWO applications listed above, we highly recommend that each prospective applicant verify that you have college credits that USA will accept for all (19) prerequisite courses, which totals 61 semester hours of coursework. These are your general education requirements. The 61 semester hours of General Education coursework is in addition to all the RN courses you completed to earn your Associate s Degree in Nursing. The RN-BSN Advising Office will gladly review your college academic transcripts before you actually apply for Undergraduate Admission to USA & before you actually submit your Nursing Application Packet, should you need confirmation that you are ready to submit these two specific Applications, and pay the two required application fees for the two separate applications (The Undergraduate Admission Application and the required RN-BSN Application for the College of Nursing.) Important: If you are enrolled in an institution, taking final prerequisite courses at the time you actually do submit your USA Nursing Application, you must make note of this in your USA Nursing Application, so that the Nursing Admissions Committee can expect those final grades for your missing prerequisite courses. Page 5
Step 2 - You must apply for Undergraduate Admission to USA. Apply Online, as a Transfer Student, and list your major as Pre-Nursing www.southalabama.edu/departments/admissions/applytousa.html Important: Your Entry Term on your Undergraduate Admissions Application must be the same semester that you plan to begin the RN- BSN Professional Component, which is 31 semester hours of Nursing Courses you must complete at USA. USA Student Number and USA Email Account: will be assigned to you by the USA Office of Undergraduate Admissions, once you have completed Step 2. NOTE: You need both of the above to apply to the USA College of Nursing. Step 3 Once you have completed Steps 1 and 2, then you can proceed with submitting the Application Packet for the College of Nursing and the $50.00 fee. The Nursing Application Packet is the same for either track, to earn the BSN. You will indicate which of the two online tracks you plan to pursue on page one of the College of Nursing Application. Please print the required USA Nursing Application Packet. It is available on the College of Nursing website. Q What are the Priority Nursing Application Deadlines for USA? Fall Semester: Applications due by April 1 Spring Semester: Applications due by August 1 Late Applications: Accepted on the basis of space availability in each track Summer Semester: Students are not admitted during summer semester Page 6
Students should apply for Undergraduate Admission to USA as a Transfer Student. Do this prior to submitting your Nursing Application Packet by the posted deadlines listed above. Remember you must have all official college transcripts mailed directly to: USA Office of Undergraduate Admissions; 2500 Meisler Hall, Mobile, AL 36688. Do not have official transcripts mailed directly to the USA College of Nursing. Q - What happens if I submit an incomplete Nursing Application, without all the required documents and personal information requested by the USA College of Nursing? Incomplete Nursing Application Packets submitted to us are difficult to process when there is missing required documentation. All applicants must submit all requested documentation, complete each page of the entire Nursing Application and provide all the personal information that is requested. This is important information for the Admissions Committee, to make their selection of the most qualified applicants. Please note when completing USA s Nursing Application Packet: All pages contained in the Nursing Application Packet must be filled out completely and returned to us as one complete packet, by the posted deadline, with the required $50.00 application fee, made payable to USA College of Nursing. Q What are the two separate Application Fees that I am required to pay? Step One: $35.00 - Application fee required to apply for General Undergraduate Admission to USA, to be admitted as a Transfer Student and a Pre- Nursing Major. You can apply ONLINE for General Admission: http://www.southalabama.edu/departments/admissions/applytousa.h tml Page 7
Step Two: $50.00 - Application fee required to apply directly to the USA College of Nursing, for the Professional Component to earn the BSN. All applicants must first apply for Undergraduate Admission to USA, prior to submitting the Nursing Application Packet to the College of Nursing. Students must be admitted as a Transfer Student by the USA Office of Admissions before the College of Nursing can consider you for admission to the Professional Component for your BSN. Q Where will I request to have all my official college transcripts sent directly to the University of South Alabama? Important: Never have official transcripts mailed directly to the College of Nursing, from your home institutions. Nursing does not require official transcripts. You must request that all your official transcripts from each school you have ever attended be mailed directly to: USA Office of Undergraduate Admissions Meisler Hall - Suite 2500; Mobile, AL 36688-0001 Phone: 800-872-5247 or 251-460-6141 Email: admiss@southalabama.edu Q What office at the University is responsible for completing my official transfer credit articulation of all my previous college coursework, so that I will know what college credits actually do transfer to USA? The USA Office of the Registrar does the official transfer articulation of all your transfer coursework. (Contact by Phone: 251/460-6251; Email: records@southalabama.edu) This is why you must have your official transcripts from each school you previously attended mailed directly to the USA Office of Undergraduate Admission. Once the articulation is completed by the USA Registrar s Office, a student will have access to their articulation, through the PAWS system at our University. Page 8
(PAWS = Personal Access Web System at the University of South AL) To review what the PAWS system is, refer to the USA Registrar s Website or view the website: https://paws.southalabama.edu/prod/twbkwbis.p_genmenu?name=ho mepage Note: The College of Nursing has access to your transfer articulation, done by the USA Office of the Registrar. With this articulation, Nursing can then confirm that you do have college credit for all (19) prerequisite courses, required for admission to the Professional Component for the BSN. This is why you must first apply for Undergraduate Admission, so the College of Nursing will be able to access your articulation of transfer coursework. Q Am I eligible to receive USA Financial Aid while I am pursuing my BSN in the online format, and I am classified as an Undergraduate Student, seeking a Bachelor s Degree in Nursing? You should contact the USA Office of Financial Aid as early as possible regarding all your questions about your plans to apply for USA s Financial Aid, Student Loans and Undergraduate Scholarships available for new students. Their offices determines eligibility for all new USA students. It is in your best interest to begin the required process as early as possible, to be considered for all types of financial assistance available to undergraduate students at the University of South Alabama. USA Office of Financial Aid http://www.southalabama.edu/departments/finaid/index.html USA Office of Scholarship Services http://www.southalabama.edu/departments/financialaffairs/scholarsh ips/index.html Page 9
Q Does the College of Nursing currently offer any specific Nursing Scholarships available for new Registered Nursing who are applying for one of these two online tracks, to earn the BSN? We highly suggest to all of our Applicants: All prospective students should view the complete list of undergraduate scholarships offered at USA and contact the Office of Scholarship Services, regarding ALL questions about ANY of these university-wide scholarships. Q What are USA s Online Tuition Rates for the College of Nursing? Go to the following link for USA s Current Online Tuition Rates, which apply to all Online Nursing Courses and any other online courses you enroll in at this University. To view USA s Online Tuition Rates, go to: www.usouthal.edu/studentaccounting/tuition.html To calculate the estimated cost for your specific track: Multiply the total number of semester hours required for the BSN (which is 31 semester hours) times the current online tuition rate per semester hour for Nursing students. Remember this does not include additional costs for books & misc. fees. Q What type of medical information will I be required to submit to the USA College of Nursing after I am officially admitted into the Professional Component, to earn the BSN? 1) Proof of all current immunizations, including the seasonal flu shot 2) Proof of current Health Insurance coverage 3) Proof of a current RN License 4) Proof of CPR certification- (BLS by the American Heart Association) 5) Proof of a Physical Examination 6) Proof of OSHA training Admitted students are required to provide this information when they complete their Background Check, Drug Test and Medical Document Page 10
Manager Package. All required items & immunizations must be current and the Medical Document Manager Package, which is processed through the company Castle Branch, must be completed in full before a new nursing student is allowed to register for any nursing classes at the University of South Alabama. Admitted students are mailed specific instructions regarding how to proceed with all of these requirements. Nothing is required prior to your official admission to the program. We do recommend that you make certain all immunizations are all current. Q I am a Registered Nurse, and I currently have a Bachelor s Degree in a Non-Nursing Area. What nursing program is available for me, since I am an RN and I already have a Bachelor s Degree in another field? The RN-MSN Pathway is available for RN s with a prior Bachelor s Degree in a non-nursing area. Please refer to the following webpage, if you are an RN with a Bachelor s Degree in a Non-Nursing area, you may be eligible to apply directly to an MSN Specialty track: (you will be awarded the MSN, not the BSN) http://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/con/msn/rnmsn_nonnursing. html Questions regarding the above program option, for RN s with a Bachelor s Degree in a non-nursing area RN s interested in this specific RN-MSN Pathway must contact the USA Graduate Nursing Advisors: Brea Mosley & Lisa Brock; phone: 251/445-9400 or you can email all your questions regarding this RN-MSN Pathway directly to the Graduate Nursing Advisors: congrad@southalabama.edu Note: RN s with a Non-Nursing Bachelor s Degree, who do not meet the required cumulative GPA requirement for admission into this RN-MSN Pathway Option listed above, should consider earning a second bachelor s degree at USA. Those RN s can apply for the Online RN-BSN Pathway. These RN s may contact the RN-BSN Advising Office (251/445-9400) regarding the specific admission requirements to earn a second bachelor s degree, the BSN, at the University of South Alabama. Page 11
Q Where is information located regarding all MSN Programs available at USA? I plan to apply to one of USA s Graduate Nursing Program, after earning my BSN. MSN Website regarding all MSN & DNP Programs: http://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/con/msn/index.html MSN & DNP Application Process & Application Deadlines: http://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/con/msn/msnapplic.html NOTE: All Graduate Nursing Programs at USA require you to first have a Bachelor s Degree, to be eligible for MSN Graduate Admissions. Advisors for all MSN Nursing Programs: Lisa Brock & Brea Mosley Phone: 251/445-9400 Email: congrad@southalabama.edu Advisor for DNP Programs: Dr. Mary Phillips Phone: 251/445-9400 Email: congrad@southalabama.edu Advisor for RN s with a Prior Bachelor s Degree who are applying for the RN-MSN Pathway (The MSN is awarded, not the BSN in the RN-BSN Pathway) Brea Mosley Phone: 251/445-9400 Email: bmosley@southalabama.edu Thank you for your interest in the USA College of Nursing Updated: March 2017 Page 12