Program Description

The Wellstar School of Nursing (WSON) offers both full-time traditional and accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs for students who want to become a registered nurse. The curriculum includes courses in the humanities and the biological and social sciences as well as the theoretical and clinical practice background necessary for the practice of professional nursing. The purpose of the BSN program is to prepare graduates for generalist nursing practice. Graduates will be prepared to practice with patients, including individuals, families, groups, and populations across the lifespan and across the continuum of healthcare environments. 

Once accepted into the BSN program, students will follow a specific curriculum plan. The traditional program is four semesters. The accelerated program is an abbreviated four consecutive semesters (including summer) for students who hold a baccalaureate degree in another discipline (from an accredited U.S. institution, or equivalent international degree). All program admission requirements are the same for traditional and accelerated applicants, except for the requirement to hold a baccalaureate degree in another field of study for the accelerated program. The WSON does not offer a part-time curriculum in either program. Refer to the WSON website for additional details about both programs.

In addition, all KSU students must complete KSU’s General Education Core IMPACTS Curriculum  and university-wide degree requirements to graduate with any bachelor’s degree. These courses should be taken before, or during, acceptance into and completion of the BSN program. All courses must be completed before students can graduate with a BSN degree. Transfer students and students who already hold a degree in another field may already meet some or all of these general core requirements.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to: 

1. Apply foundational knowledge from nursing science, natural sciences, social sciences, arts, and other disciplines to inform clinical judgement and holistic, innovative nursing care.
2. Implement evidence-based, holistic, compassionate, person- and family-centered care for diverse individuals within multiple contexts across the lifespan.
3. Participate in collaborative activities with communities, public health, healthcare systems, academia, and government to promote equitable population health outcomes for diverse populations across the continuum of care-from prevention to disease management.
4. Synthesize and apply nursing knowledge to maintain best practice and improve health outcomes.
5. Implement evidence-based processes and practice guidelines that promote the delivery of safe, quality nursing care and minimize risk of harm to patients and providers through both system effectiveness and individual performance.
6. Collaborate with care team members, patients, families, and communities to optimize care, enhance healthcare experiences, and improve outcomes.
7. Apply internal and external system processes to coordinate resources and services that support the delivery of safe, cost-effective, equitable, and quality care for diverse populations within complex health systems.
8. Use information and communication technologies and informatics processes in accordance with best practices and professional and regulatory standards to gather data, inform decision-making, and enhance communication to support the delivery of safe, high-quality, efficient, and innovative care.
9. Demonstrate formation of a professional identity by exemplifying accountability, collaboration, advocacy, integrity, civility, and behavior that is ethical and reflective of nursing’s values and one’s scope of practice.
10. Engage in self-reflection and activities that foster and support personal health, resilience, well-being, lifelong learning, and the development of leadership skills.

 

 This program is a part of the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services .

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree and master’s degree in nursing at Kennesaw State University are accredited by the:

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

655 K Street NW

Suite 750

Washington, DC 20001

Phone: 202-887-6791

Return to Top ↑

---

Admissions, Enrollment, and Graduation Criteria

Admissions Criteria

Admission to the Nursing program is separate from Admissions  to Kennesaw State University. Students must meet the following program requirements to pursue this degree program. 

Admission is a competitive process and will be based on a combination of several factors such as number of required prerequisite courses completed at the time of nursing application deadline, grades received in these courses, cumulative grade point average (GPA), GPA in required nursing science courses, and the score received on the ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) exam. Decisions regarding admission into the Nursing program and progression in the program are made by a Nursing Admissions, Progression, and Retention committee. 

Students must meet program specific minimum requirements to be a qualified applicant and to be considered for admission into the program; no exceptions will be made. Information about admission criteria is outlined below, with more specific details available on the WSON website.

Baccalaureate Program Admission Criteria: 

• Students must first be admitted to Kennesaw State University through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions as a degree-seeking student or be a currently enrolled student. Previously admitted KSU students who have been inactive for 3 or more consecutive semesters must reapply to the university as a readmission.  

• Due to regulations related to financial aid, KSU students are unable to declare Nursing as their major until they apply to and achieve acceptance into the Nursing program. Prior to this time, students interested in pursuing a BSN degree are encouraged to declare a major from one of the following Nursing-concentration (-N) pathways as identified by SCRAPPY (A System for Completion, Retention and Academic Professional Pathways): Human Services (HS-N), Integrated Health Science (IHS-N), or Public Health (PH-N). Each of these pathways incorporate the Nursing major prerequisite courses into the DegreeWorks plan. Note: Students interested in the Nursing program may select from other majors offered on campus besides these pathways, but they will not see the Nursing concentration on their DegreeWorks plan and thus will need to identify an alternate way to track their progress in meeting the Nursing program admission requirements. More details about SCRAPPY and nursing pathways can be found on the KSU Registrar Office website. 

• Once admitted to KSU, students must then access the BSN program application from the WSON website (only after verifying they meet minimum admission requirements) and electronically complete and submit the application by the designated admission cycle deadline (published on the WSON website).  

  • Students may only submit one nursing application per admission cycle and can only apply to one BSN program (traditional or accelerated). 

  • Students who were previously enrolled in a nursing program and were dismissed for any reason may not be eligible for admission into the KSU Nursing program. To be considered for eligibility, these students must submit a letter to Nursing Admissions that explains details of their previous dismissal. 

• Applicants to both the traditional and accelerated programs must meet the following minimum requirements by the designated deadlines to be a qualified applicant and to be considered for admission: (1) successful completion of 11 prerequisite courses; (2) a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0; and (3) a minimum GPA of 3.0 in required nursing science courses; and (4) completion of the ATI TEAS exam. In addition, accelerated program applicants must have an awarded baccalaureate degree in another area of study (verified by KSU Registrar) before starting the Nursing program. More details about each of these requirements are provided below and on the WSON website. 

1. Prerequisite Courses:  

Students must successfully complete 11 prerequisite courses (with a minimum grade of “C” or higher in each course), prior to beginning the Nursing program; 6 of these courses may be taken within KSU’s General Education Core IMPACTS Curriculum and 5 courses within the Core Field of Study. (Note: Courses listed with a lab component are counted together as one prerequisite course). These 11 prerequisite courses include the following (or approved KSU equivalents):   

• Core IMPACTS Area Communication in Writing (2 courses); 

• Core IMPACTS Area Mathematics & Quantitative Skills (1 course); 

• Core IMPACTS Area Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences (2 Natural Science Courses and their associated labs). Students must select two of the following ‘course with lab’ options to complete. (Note: Any combination of options is allowable; however, students are strongly advised not to combine CHEM 1151/L and CHEM 1211/L) 

  • CHEM 1151 /CHEM 1151L  
  • CHEM 1152 /CHEM 1152L  
  • CHEM 1211 /CHEM 1211L  
  • CHEM 1212 /CHEM 1212L  
  • BIOL 1107  /BIOL 1107L  
  • BIOL 1108  /BIOL 1108L ; 
• Core IMPACTS Area Social Sciences (1 course); and 

• The Core Field of Study (5 courses), including: 

  • PSYC 1101 ,  
  • STAT 1401 ,  
  • BIOL 2251  and BIOL 2251L ,  
  • BIOL 2252  and BIOL 2252L , 
  • BIOL 2260  and BIOL 2260L . 

The WSON will only accept the first two graded attempts for STAT 1401 and for the science prerequisite courses (i.e., those with BIOL and CHEM prefixes); however, a third attempt may be considered but must be at least five years after the first attempt was completed. Science courses older than ten years at the time of the nursing application deadline will not be accepted by the Nursing program. However, an exception can be made for students who successfully complete a KSU approved Prior Learning Assessment (as available) to demonstrate relevant knowledge in the course which was taken over 10 years ago. 

While students must successfully complete all 11 prerequisite courses before starting the Nursing program (if accepted), applicants must complete a minimum of 7 of these 11 courses before the nursing application deadline (for the semester in which applicant is applying for), to be considered for admission. Of these 7 courses, at least 5 must be from the math and science requirements. 

• Note: If an applicant is invited for admission but does not successfully complete all 11 prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher prior to starting the Nursing program, their admission will be canceled, they will not be eligible to enroll in nursing courses, and they will have to reapply for a future application cycle if they wish to continue pursuing a BSN degree. No exceptions will be made to this requirement.  

Transfer and Exam Credit for Prerequisite and Nursing Courses:  

• For transfer and exam credits for prerequisite courses to be considered for admission to the Nursing program, they must be transferred to and verified by the KSU Registrar’s Office, as well as entered in DegreeWorks, by the nursing application deadline; this includes international credits and credits by exam (e.g., AP or CLEP). 

• Note: Transfer credit for nursing program courses are rarely awarded toward a BSN degree in the KSU WSON. For any nursing course taken in another program to even be considered for transfer credit, it must be from an accredited nursing program and evaluated and approved by the WSON Associate Dean/Director (or designee). The course must also have been completed within the past two years and a grade of “B” or better received in the course.  

2. Grade Point Average: 

• Applicants must have at least a 3.00 cumulative grade point average (GPA) at the time of the applicable nursing application deadline. For students who have completed less than 18 credit hours at KSU by the nursing application deadline, their transfer GPA will be reviewed. For students who have completed 18 or more credit hours at KSU by the nursing application deadline, their KSU cumulative GPA will be reviewed. 

• Applicants must also have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in required science courses.

3. ATI TEAS Exam: 

• Applicants must take the ATI TEAS exam within 5 years prior to the nursing application deadline and ensure their score is submitted to KSU. The exam can be taken remotely online or in-person. Cost is incurred by the student. Students must earn a TEAS score of 78 or higher to be considered for admission. The WSON does not accept TEAS scores less than 78, nor do they accept scores from entrance exams other than ATI TEAS. No exceptions will be made to this requirement. 

• Note: Applicants may retake the TEAS as many times as desired. However, ATI requires a 14-day waiting period between each exam attempt. The WSON will review the highest exam score that is received prior to the nursing application deadline that does not exceed the 5-year age limit. 

• Refer to the WSON and ATI websites for more details about the TEAS exam. 

Enrollment Criteria

In addition to meeting KSU’s requirements outlined in the KSU Undergraduate Student Handbook, Academic Policy 4.0 ACADEMIC STANDING, DISMISSAL, & REINSTATEMENT , students in the Nursing program are expected to also meet program-specific enrollment criteria as described below.  

Requirements for students accepted and enrolled into the Nursing program include: 

• Annual health history and physical exam. 

• Immunizations and proof of immunity to specified communicable diseases as required by clinical agencies. 

• Annual tuberculosis screening (more frequently for some clinical agencies). 

• Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) health care provider cardiopulmonary resuscitation by the American Heart Association. 

• Nursing program specific purchases such as the following: (1) mandatory health insurance coverage (unless a waiver is approved); (2) uniforms (must be purchased from designated WSON vendor), stethoscope, a suitable watch, and other supplies; (3) designated products to help students master core nursing content and succeed on the licensure exam after graduation; and (4) clinical agency credentialing costs (e.g., health requirements, background checks, drug screens, and credentialing software fees). Additional expenses may be incurred throughout the Nursing program where applicable. Refer to the KSU Undergraduate Catalog, TUITION, EXPENSES, & FINANCIAL AID section, for more specific details about required Nursing program expenses. 

• Attend mandatory nursing orientation session prior to entry into the Nursing program. Failure to attend the mandatory nursing orientation will result in cancellation of a student’s admission into the program. 

• Criminal background check and drug screen (cost incurred by student) must be conducted by the WSON designated vendor. Dismissal from the program may result if the student is not capable of meeting clinical agency requirements for criminal background check and/or is found to have a positive drug screen or multiple negative dilute results. 

• Students’ health records will be released to clinical agencies when requested for clinical credentialing. Students enrolled in clinical nursing courses who have not met the above requirements may be administratively withdrawn from courses. 

• Students must be able to attend their assigned clinical placements, which are randomly assigned at multiple sites around metro Atlanta and surrounding areas, 7 days a week and at various hours, including nights and weekends. The WSON is unable to accommodate any personal preferences in clinical placements and does not allow students to change their assignments once placed. In addition, students must provide their own transportation to the clinical sites and adhere to clinical agency credentialing requirements to attend clinical. This includes all vaccination requirements of the agency. Successfully completing clinical is a requirement for progression in the Nursing program. 

Criteria for progression once admitted and enrolled into the Nursing major are as follows: 

• A student must receive at least a grade of “C” in all nursing courses to progress.  

• If less than a “C” is made in one course, the student will repeat that course, upon seat availability. In addition, if the student is in the accelerated program, they will automatically be moved to the traditional program.  

• A student may repeat only one nursing course. A grade less than “C” in any two or more nursing courses will result in being dismissed from the program. Students who are dismissed are not eligible to continue in the program and must withdraw from any nursing courses they are enrolled in. They are also ineligible to reapply but may formally appeal as outlined below. Students dismissed from the program must also change their major from Nursing to a non-nursing degree-seeking program as soon as possible to avoid financial responsibility for mandatory fees associated with the BSN program that the KSU Bursar’s Office charges to student accounts.  

Leave of Absence:  

• A student may submit a request to the Associate Director of Nursing Student Success (or designee) for a leave of absence (LOA) from all nursing courses for one semester, due to extenuating circumstances only. Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and must be approved and granted by the Associate Director of Nursing Student Success (or designee). 

Course Withdrawal:  

• Students may officially withdraw from a nursing course without academic penalty no later than the deadline designated by KSU. Students who withdraw from a nursing course must meet with the Associate Director of Nursing Student Success (or designee) to discuss their progression in the nursing program and how the course withdrawal may impact their eligibility to remain enrolled in other nursing courses. 

Program Withdrawal:  

• A student must notify the Associate Director of Nursing Student Success (or designee) if they plan to withdraw from the BSN program so they can receive instructions for important steps to take, including changing their major to a non-nursing degree seeking program to avoid financial responsibility for mandatory fees associated with the BSN program. 

Other Progression Requirements: 

• If a student’s progression in the BSN program is interrupted for any reason (e.g., leave of absence, course withdrawal, course failure), they must meet with the Associate Director of Nursing Student Success (or designee) to discuss their progression. If the student is eligible and wishes to return to the program, readmission to the nursing sequence (per the Curriculum Plan) is not guaranteed. 

• Eligible students who drop out of the nursing sequence for any reason will be readmitted to the sequence on a space-available basis. Students will be accommodated in rank order according to their GPA. 

• Students in the accelerated program whose progression is delayed related to academic performance (e.g., nursing course failure or withdrawal) will automatically be moved to the traditional program; other instances will be determined on a case-by-case basis. 

• Upon a student’s return to the BSN program after an interruption in progression, they must complete all applicable requirements (e.g., repeat background check and drug screen). In addition, a formal written agreement that outlines criteria the student must meet may be necessary to return to and progress in the program. 

• If a student is on leave from the Nursing program for an extended period of time without communication to the WSON, they may be administratively withdrawn from the program, and their eligibility to reapply will be determined on a case-by-case basis. If the student is allowed to reapply and is accepted for admission (which is not guaranteed), they must repeat the entire sequence of required nursing courses. 

• If a student has been on leave from the Nursing program for more than 24 months and they wish to return to the program, they must reapply for admission. If accepted (which is not guaranteed), the student must repeat the entire sequence of required nursing courses. 

Admission, Progression, and Retention Decision Appeals: 

• Students may formally appeal a decision to deny them admission into the WSON BSN program, to delay their progression in the program, or to dismiss them from the program. The appeal must be submitted within 30 days of the decision notification. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with the Associate Director of Nursing Student Success (or designee) prior to submitting a formal appeal. If an informal resolution does not occur or is not successful, students may submit a formal appeal to the WSON Undergraduate Admissions, Progression, and Retention (APR) Committee by emailing a written letter (with relevant supporting documentation, if any) to the Associate Director of Undergraduate Nursing Programs.  

• The Undergraduate APR Committee will review all pertinent information, including the student’s appeal letter with supporting documentation (if any), KSU and WSON academic records, and any exceptional or extenuating circumstances. The Committee will notify the student of its decision in writing.  

• If a student wishes to appeal the decision of the Undergraduate APR Committee, they must submit a formal written appeal via email to the WSON Associate Dean/Director within 30 days of the Committee’s decision notification. The decision of the Associate Dean/Director is final. 

• For students readmitted to the Nursing program through the appeals process, they must follow specific conditions outlined in their readmittance letter. Should they not adhere to these requirements or they fail one or more courses in the nursing curriculum after readmission, they will be dismissed from the program again but may make a formal appeal of the dismissal decision as previously described. 

Core Performance Standards: 

• The WSON has identified essential eligibility requirements based on adopted core performance standards for admission to and progression within the nursing major. These standards identify the abilities and skills necessary to perform in an independent manner. The core performance standards, along with specific examples of each essential requirement, are contained in the WSON Student Handbook (posted on the WSON website) and in the acceptance contract for admission to the Nursing program. 

• If a student admitted to the program believes they cannot meet one or more of the requirements or standards without accommodations or modifications, the student must take the following steps: (1) self-identify; (2) notify the WSON Associate Dean/Director (or designee) in writing at least 2 weeks prior to beginning the program and before the start of each subsequent semester; (2) complete the registration process with KSU’s Student Disability Services (SDS), to include provision of all required documentation; and (3) be granted approval by SDS for provision of requested accommodations.  

• If the student receives approval, they must provide a copy of all applicable approval notification letters from SDS to the WSON Associate Dean/Director (or designee) for review and consideration.  

• In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the WSON will follow KSU’s policies and collaborate with SDS to determine on a case-by-case basis, whether the approved accommodations or modifications can be reasonably provided in the Nursing program or if alternative options need to be explored. 

Graduation Criteria

In addition to each student is expected to meet the requirements outlined in Academic Policy 5.0 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & GRADUATION  students must also: 

Licensing Exam: 

• The Nursing program of study offers students the opportunity to obtain a BSN degree. After completion of the degree, graduates will be eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX) to practice as a registered nurse (R.N.). All applicants must be aware that the state examining board has the right to refuse to grant a registered nurse license to any individual regardless of educational credentials under circumstances of (1) falsification of application for licensure, (2) conviction of a felony or crime of moral turpitude, or (3) other moral and legal violations specified in the Georgia law. Applicants who think they might have an applicable situation should talk with the Associate Director of Undergraduate Nursing Programs (or designee) early in their program of study.  

Return to Top ↑

---

Program Course Requirements