Second Degree Accelerated (SDA) BSN Program
Second Degree Accelerated Nursing Program
The Second Degree Accelerated BSN Program will enable a student with a completed bachelor’s degree to become a BSN registered nurse (BSN, RN) in 15 months. Qualified applicants are admitted into the Second Degree Accelerated BSN Program in the Davis & Henley College of Nursing after successful completion of all pre-requisite courses, including science and math courses. Prerequisite courses must be taken within the previous 5 years with a completion grade of B- or better. At the conclusion of the 15 month program, students are eligible to take the National Certification Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) in the United States.
The course progression is outlined in the Plan of Study. To receive the BSN degree from the program, the student must complete 55 required nursing course credits, 3 credit foundational SHU CIT course, 34 transfer prerequisite courses credits, and 28 transfer elective courses credits to successfully complete the 120 required credit hours. Students must maintain the overall GPA and course grade requirements and demonstrate safe and competent practice in all nursing clinical and laboratory settings while adhering to the published professional standards of conduct (see Nursing Student Guide on the Davis & Henley College of Nursing website). All Second Degree Accelerated BSN Program students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher and a grade of C+ or higher in nursing courses.
Admission to Second Degree Accelerated BSN Degree Program
- Students are accepted directly into the Second Degree Accelerated BSN Program.
- Incoming applicants to Sacred Heart University who meet admission criteria established by the Davis & Henley College of Nursing will be notified of their acceptance by Undergraduate Admissions.
- Acceptance into Second Degree Accelerated BSN Program is competitive and predominately based on scholarly achievement during their baccalaureate education. Written statements and personal and professional attributes are also considered in the application review.
- Successful completion of the baccalaureate degree.
- A 3.0 or better undergraduate cumulative GPA.
- Successful completion of all prerequisite courses. Grades of B- or better for all science and math prerequisite courses.
- All pre-requisite science and math courses must be taken within 5 years.
- Students with an adverse criminal background check may be deemed ineligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN and/or obtain a professional license to practice nursing. It is the student’s sole responsibility to discuss this issue directly with the State Board of Nursing where he/she intends to take the NCLEX-RN.
Differential Tuition
Sacred Heart University has implemented a differential tuition for the Second Degree Accelerated BSN Program. The cost of nursing education is increased relative to other majors due to intensive clinical laboratory courses and clinical supervision required to maintain the professional standards of nursing education. This charge will be reflected as a program fee in addition to undergraduate tuition and fees.
Lab Fees
Clinical laboratory fees are attached to courses that involve laboratory activities, simulation, or practical exams. These fees are used to offset expenses associated with these learning activities.
Nursing Assessment Fee
A one-time assessment fee is levied for individualized testing and evaluation that occurs throughout the nursing major courses. Students receive supplemental and remedial study materials in addition to individual feedback on assessments and recommendations for improvement. Questions about these fees and activities should be directed to the Director of the Second Degree Accelerated BSN Program or the Dean of the Davis & Henley College of Nursing.
Nursing Verification/Health Requirements Documentation Fee
The Second Degree Accelerated BSN Program requires the successful completion of clinical experiences. These experiences are offered through facilities and settings off-campus.
All clinical educational sites require the Davis & Henley College of Nursing to verify that each student placed in a clinical setting has met the necessary health, background check, and drug screening requirements as designated by the clinical site. The Davis & Henley College of Nursing uses an outside vendor to collect and verify this information. Any fee associated with this process will be paid directly by the student to the assigned vendor.
All incoming students in the Second Degree Accelerated BSN Program must submit completed and approved health documentation to the vendor for verification on the date specified by the program prior to the start of clinical. A listing of these requirements is available through the vendor or the Contract Coordinator. All health documents must be renewed and updated as required during the entire time students are enrolled in the Nursing program. Please keep copies of all health documents for your files. Students may not attend clinical or classroom activities without health clearance. Students who miss clinical activities due to non-compliance are at risk for not meeting clinical objectives which may result in course failure, probation, and/or recommendation for dismissal from the program. Clinical site affiliation agreements and patient safety needs require strict compliance with health screening requirements.
Special Clinical Site Requests/Criminal Background Checks/Drug Screenings
All students must satisfactorily complete an initial criminal background check 30 days prior to the starting of clinical. Clinical sites vary with time requirements, from one month to twelve months prior to the start of the clinical rotation. Updated background checks are necessary 30 days prior to the start of the first semester-Summer 1 (first day of class) annually until the completion of the program. Additional checks may be required in order to be compliant with certain clinical sites and students are expected to repeat as necessary.
Please note, the Davis & Henley College of Nursing is required to disclose results of the background check to our clinical sites partners for placement. If a result precludes the student from being placed with our clinical sites, the student will be unable to progress in the clinical course and ultimately the program.
The majority of the clinical sites require students to undergo drug screening prior to participating in clinical rotations. To be in compliance with the requirements as outlined in the affiliation agreements with these clinical agencies, nursing students are required to complete a drug screen. The drug screening procedure is outlined in the Nursing Student Guide on the Davis & Henley College of Nursing website.
Student Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Program, the student will be able to:
- Apply knowledge that integrates nursing science and the liberal arts to support ethical decision-making and inform clinical judgment. (Domain 1)
- Contribute as an integral member of the interprofessional team in formulation and implementation of plans of care with evidence-based, person-centered care principles that promote quality and safety outcomes. (Domain 2, 5, & 6)
- Apply principles and practices of population health across the healthcare delivery continuum while caring and advocating for diverse individuals, families, and communities. (Domain 3)
Integrate best evidence into nursing practice and participate in evaluation of outcomes. (Domain 4)
- Recognize system policies and processes that impact quality health outcomes considering cost, access, social determinants, and care disparities. (Domain 5 & 7)
- Incorporate best practices of informatics and communication technologies in accordance with legal, regulatory, and professional practices to deliver safe nursing care. (Domain 8)
- Integrate concepts of professionalism including ethics, compassion, diversity, equity, and inclusion into one’s professional nursing identity and demonstrate consistent professional behaviors. (Domain 9)
- Formulate a personal and professional leadership style that embraces self-care, reflection, life-long learning, advocacy, mentoring, and service to others. (Domain 10)
Domain = AACN The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (2021)
Required Courses for the Second Degree Accelerated BSN Program
Summer 1 Term 1
| NU 206 | Foundations of Professional Nursing AC | 3 |
| NU 206L | Foundations of Prof. Nursing Lab AC | 0 |
| NU 221 | Pharmacology AC | 3.0 Credit(s) |
| NU 221L | Pharmacology Lab AC | 0 |
Fall Ahead Term 2
| CIT 202 | Human Journey CIT Seminar II | 3 |
| NU 341 AC | Introduction to Adult Nursing AC | 5.0 Credit(s) |
Summer 1 Term 2
| NU 211 AC | Health, Wellness and Cultural Diversity | 2.0 Credit(s) |
| NU 216 | Health Assessment AC | 3 |
| NU 216L | Health Assessment Lab AC | 0 |
Fall Ahead Term 1
| NU 311 | Pathophysiology AC | 3.0 Credit(s) |
| NU 333 AC | Care of the Childbearing Family AC | 4.0 Credit(s) |
Winter B
| NU 366 AC | Evidence Based Nursing Practice AC | 3.0 Credit(s) |
Spring Ahead Term 3
| NU 301 | Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing AC | 4 |
| NU 373 AC | Concepts in Child Health Nursing AC | 4.0 Credit(s) |
Spring Ahead Term 4
May Intensive/Late Spring
| NU 371 | Nursing Leadership AC | 3.0 Credit(s) |
Summer 2 Term 1
| NU 380 | Public Health Nursing AC | 5 |
| NU 391 | Senior Synthesis Seminar AC | 3.0 Credit(s) |
Please note that
NU 391 is a continuous class from Summer Ahead 1 through Summer Ahead 2.
Summer 2 Term 2
| NU 391 | Senior Synthesis Seminar AC | 3.0 Credit(s) |
| NU 394 | Transition into Prof. Nursing Practice AC | 4 |
Please note that
NU 391 is a continuous class from Summer Ahead 1 through Summer Ahead 2.