2022-2023
Nursing
School of Nursing
Program description
Nurses are key players in health care delivery in the U.S. and around the world. The undergraduate program at the VCU School of Nursing provides three options for obtaining the B.S. in Nursing. These include two pre-licensure options: the traditional and accelerated B.S. options and the R.N. to B.S. option. Students may be admitted to the traditional pre-licensure program after one year of college courses or upon completion of a baccalaureate degree in another field of study. The traditional program can be completed in three years with summers free. The accelerated B.S. program is an intense, quick-paced program for those with at least a baccalaureate degree in another field. It can be completed in 19 months of full-time, year-round study. Graduates of both options have the skills and knowledge to enter the profession of nursing, and are eligible to apply for the licensing examination provided by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. The R.N. to B.S. degree option is for R.N. graduates of diploma or associate degree programs who want to continue making a commitment to nursing by advancing their education with a baccalaureate degree. The R.N. to B.S. program is fully online and allows a practicing R.N. to earn the B.S. degree in six part-time semesters.
Career opportunities
The degree-holder of a B.S. in Nursing is skilled to practice with patients, including individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations across the lifespan and across the continuum of health care environments that respects the variations of care, the increased complexity, and the use of health care resources inherent in caring for patients. The graduate is a knowledgeable, professional nurse who demonstrates professional nursing practice grounded in the translation of current evidence.
Recent alumni find employment in public, private, and community settings and with employers like the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Virginia Department of Health, the Virginia Department of Corrections, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Bon Secours, and the Inova Health System.
Change of major requirements
To be minimally considered for admission to the School of Nursing, applicants must be eligible for readmission or be in good standing at the last college or university attended; submit a completed application with all required materials to the School of Nursing, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 based on a scale of 4.0 on all college coursework; and present coursework in anatomy, physiology or microbiology earned within the last 10 calendar years and with a grade of B or above.
Applicants who are international or non-native English speakers without a degree from a U.S. high school, college or university must provide additional information with their application according to the English language proficiency guidelines.
Depending on the program to which a continuing applicant applies, additional requirements may be necessary.
Bachelor-level job titles
- Nurse
- Nurse Manager
- Public Health Nurse
- Registered Nurse
Graduate and professional level job titles
- Nurse Anesthetist
- Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
Professional associations and resources
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
- STAT 208 or STAT 210 or STAT 212
Science required
- 5+ additional science courses
Foreign language requirements
- No
Additional tuition/fees
- Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
- 2.5+
Transfer Maps
Contact information
Department name:
Department of Nursing
Contact name:
Office of Student Services
Building/room location:
1100 East Leigh Street
Phone:
(804) 828-0724
Email:
vcu_nurse@vcu.edu
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
MCV
Major map
Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and choose electives.
- Sharpen your study skills in supplemental instruction sessions at the Campus Learning Center.
- Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills.
- Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals.
- Map out a 4-year course plan in DegreeWorks' Student Educational Planner.
- Meet with your pre-professional health advisor to get a head start on your supplemental instruction application.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Get involved and meet new friends through the Student Government Association or one of over 450 student clubs and organizations.
- Participate in RAM CAMP to get a jump start on learning about VCU’s campus community.
- Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks.
- If living on campus, connect with your Resident Assistant, attend hall events, and participate in Community Council.
- Consider applying to the Honors College.
- Apply to live in a program-in-residence or a living learning community.
- Meet with a VCU librarian to explore scholarship opportunities unique to nursing students.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Join RAMmalogues to talk with peers about social identities in the context of acceptance, belonging, and inclusion in life at VCU.
- Review Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets to explore studying abroad opportunities and other global learning opportunities.
- Check out the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and follow @vcuomsa.
- Connect with the Global Education Office to explore leadership and intercultural communication skill-building programs like the Peace Corps Prep Certificate.
- Visit a study abroad fair and complete Rams Abroad 101.
- Attend a Rehabilitation Research and Training Center webinar with an eye toward holistic patient care.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
- Set up a profile in the Student Opportunity Center to explore REAL opportunities.
- Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
- Seek research opportunities by applying for research funding through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
- Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
- Begin considering what type of nursing you want to practice and create a shortlist of departments that interest you the most.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
- Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
- Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow to connect with VCU traditions and alumni networking opportunities.
- Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
- Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.
- Critically review the Virginia Board of Nursing website to ensure that you will meet minimum licensure requirements.
Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
- Schedule an appointment with your advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
- Talk to professors about your research interests, electives, and strategies for success in your classes.
- Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation classes with the da Vinci Center.
- Review your plan of study with your advisor and ensure you are earning grades of B or above on all required coursework.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
- Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
- Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
- Learn about the Sophomore Year Experience in Cary & Belvedere.
- If living on campus, join the Residence Hall Association.
- Begin cultivating your own nursing philosophy in NURS 201 and consider how you will give back to your community as a registered nurse.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Make friends with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
- Explore social issues, develop cultural competency skills, and engage with faculty through iExcel pop-up courses.
- Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty.
- Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
- Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
- Explore global career options with a career advisor to set goals for getting your dream job.
- Organize examples of your academic and professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections in an ePortfolio.
- Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
- Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
- Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
- Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
- Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
- See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
- Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help.
- Excel in your 300-level nursing classes and ensure you are on track to graduating.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Design a community-engaged research project.
- Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions.
- Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities, such as the Fulbright Student Scholarship.
- Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU.
- Connect with the Center for Biobehavioral Clinical Research for volunteer opportunities in grant writing and administration.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
- Get required REAL experience and effect community change by using iExcel’s Active Citizen’s Toolkit to vote and volunteer.
- Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
- Prepare for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams by showcasing your interpersonal skills on your resume.
- Get involved with cutting-edge, international research at the School of Nursing by joining a research team.
- Use your time in NURS 403 to consider how models for evidence-based practice can help improve access to care in RVA.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through InterviewPrep or meeting with a career advisor.
- Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
- Begin considering the locale in which you want to work after graduation and make a shortlist of local and international regions that interest you.
- Expand your leadership skills in NURS 478 by leading a group presentation on improving health outcomes in a patient population of interest.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
- Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
- Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year.
Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
- Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
- Earn grades of B or above in NURS 416 and NURS 425.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization.
- Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, Richmond Teacher Residency, or AmeriCorps.
- Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
- Lead an interprofessional student team in IPEC 502 and apply course content for improving service quality and patient outcomes in rural communities.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners.
- Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
- Master your answers to interview questions about your experience working with diverse populations.
- Plan for how you will grow your cultural agility after graduation.
- Consider joining an international service organization like Nurses Without Borders.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Consider becoming an educator through programs like RTR, which prepare graduates from a variety of majors to become teachers in high-need schools.
- Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
- Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
- Deepen your knowledge, skills, and experiences in complex patient care by taking IPEC 563.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
- Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
- Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services.
- Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
- Become a more competitive job candidate and share your final paper in NURS 498 with prospective employers.
2022-2023
Nursing
School of Nursing
Concentration(s):
No concentration
| MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING | GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY | DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY | EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS | PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE | ||
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| Excel | Year 4 |
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