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Second Degree

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Second Degree BSN Program

This pre-licensure track program builds on previous learning experiences and provides the quickest route for those with undergraduate degrees to transition into nursing. This BSN takes approximately the same length of time as would be necessary for an associate degree in nursing while offering better long-range opportunities to the graduate.

The core and general education requirements met by the first degree are accepted by the University.  The U.S. and Georgia History and Constitution Requirements of the University System of Georgia must be met by all second degree students who are admitted to the program prior to the senior year of coursework. The Nursing program has full approval of the Georgia Board of Nursing.

All core curriculum requirements must be completed prior to entering the nursing program.  Transfer students must have their final official transcripts received by Admissions before beginning nursing classes.

 

Apply to GSW Apply to the School of Nursing

Undergraduate Major

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Health & Human Science Complex
Carter I

229-931-2275
229-931-2288 fax
nursing@gsw.edu

Faculty & Staff

BSN Program Admission

All application materials should be received by the application deadline and include:

  • Online BSN Application
  • Two BSN Reference Forms
  • HESI Score/Transcript

Admissions Review

Review of applications by the Admission Committee will take place shortly after the application deadline. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance status approximately one month from the application deadline. If all application documents are not turned in by the published deadline, the application will not be reviewed. Please contact the office at 229-931-2286 if you have not been notified.

Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

  1. Attain admission in good standing to the University.
  2. Submit the completed application and required supporting documents to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences by the published deadlines.
  3. Must have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher from a recognized college or university with an overall GPA of 2.80 or higher. In addition to degree GPA, grades on courses in Area F (excluding the Area F elective and Human Growth & Development) and Area D Elementary Statistics as noted below will be considered with preference given to those with higher grades than minimum. These grades will make up your Nursing GPA and must be 2.80 or higher. All attempts are calculated for the Nursing GPA.
  4. Must have completed the following prerequisites at the time of application:
    • Area F with grade of C or higher: 
      • BIOL 2251K Anatomy and Physiology I*
      • BIOL 2252K Anatomy and Physiology II*
      • BIOL 2260K Microbiology*
      • PSYC 2103 Human Growth and Development
        • *These courses must be taken within 5 years of the anticipated entry date.
    • Area D with grade of C or higher:
      • MATH 2204 Elementary Statistics (or equivalent course)

      •  (A Nursing GPA will be figured using course grades in Area D -Statistics only and F (excluding the elective in Area F) as noted above with preference given to those with high scores, but they must have a minimum Nursing GPA of 2.80 with all attempts calculated.  An unofficial transcript verifying final course grades must be submitted to the College of Nursing Student Services Coordinator ASAP after completion.)

  5. Must take the HESI A2 exam and request HESI transcript -- students have two attempts within two years and must receive a minimum score of 75%. 
  6. Must not have been excluded from this or any other nursing program for any reason, including but not limited to, academic misconduct, disruptive behavior, or program failure within the five years of the application date. A nursing course failure in another institution counts as a failure in this institution.


It may not be possible to admit all students who meet the minimum requirements for admission.
 If there are more qualified applicants than positions available in a nursing class, selection for admission will be based upon the following:

  • Grade Point Average - greater than the minimum of 2.80 Nursing GPA.
  • Grades in Area F Science courses - minimum of B is preferred
  • HESI Admission Assessment A2 - minimum score of 75%---two attempts within two years.
  • Patterns of withdrawal from courses/schools
  • Grades of Ds and/or Fs
  • Written communication ability
  • Availability of space in clinical sites
  • Availability of faculty resources

Professional Licensure Disclosures

The state of Georgia is a member of the Nurse License Compact (NLC), which allows graduates of the Georgia Southwestern’s ASN and BSN programs who pass the NCLEX-RN exam to apply for a license that will be good in all forty-two states that belong to the compact. If you are an out-of-state student and you plan on moving back to your home state after graduation, it is strongly advised that you make sure your home state is a part of this compact. More information can be found on the Out of State Students Webpage below:

Transfer Students

  • Upon applicant’s acceptance to GSW, a letter of acceptance and transcript evaluation will be available to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. These documents must be on file in GSW office of admissions and are required before the Admission & Progression Committee can review the College of Nursing and Health Sciences application.
  • If applicant is taking or in progression of courses at other institutions during the admission process, applicants must make note of what courses they are taking on their nursing application.
  • Applicant must submit an official transcript verifying final course grades to Registrars office and an unofficial transcript verifying final course grades to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences Student Services Coordinators office ASAP after completion.

Transfer applications will require a transcript evaluation so be sure to apply early so this document can be completed before the deadline.

Entrance Exams

HESI Admission Assessment

The HESI (Health Education Systems, Inc.) Admission Assessment (A2) is a computerized exam designed to assess prospective students entering the health science fields. The HESI A2 consists of eight different exams, seven of which are required by the Nursing program at Georgia Southwestern State University.

Students must receive a 75 total composite score as a requirement and the HESi exam can only be taken 2 times within two years.

 

TOEFL

The official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test scores are required for applicants whose first language is not English.  Exemption from the TOEFL requirement is allowed for undergraduate students who complete courses equivalent to English Composition I and II at a regionally accredited United States college or university and earn at least a “C” on the courses.

Forms & Additional Resources

Application Deadlines

The College of Nursing and Health Sciences application form and the required support documents must be received by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences by the published application deadline at nursing@gsw.edu, mail or personal delivery to:

College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Student Services Coordinator
Georgia Southwestern State University
800 Georgia Southwestern State University Drive
Americus, GA 31709
Fax: 229-931-2288

Deadlines
Fall Admission:
 February 15th
Spring Admission: October 15th