This program is no longer accepting applicants. Please see Nursing Pre-Licensure Tracks (Traditional and Accelerated Nursing)/Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program for the Accelerated Nursing - Second Degree Career Transition option.

Total Credit Hours: 128
Major Credit Hours: 64
Prerequisites: 64
Nursing Courses: 64

The Bachelor’s to BSN degree is designed for individuals who hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college. Upon completion of this track, the graduate will be granted a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and be eligible to sit for the national examination for licensure (NCLEX) as a registered professional nurse. Prerequisite completion will be determined by the program advisor with each individual evaluation of undergraduate transcripts.

Applicants to this program must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) from their previous undergraduate institution(s). The student’s Lewis University preterm GPA must be a 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) and they must earn a grade of “C” or better in all preterm courses before starting nursing core courses.

Registration and Progression

The accelerated student must meet the Nursing program policies related to health record, immunizations, drug and background checks. The accelerated student must earn a grade of “C” or better in all required general education courses before starting nursing core courses. Students earning a grade of “D” or “W” in any accelerated preterm or nursing course will be permitted to repeat the course only one time. The student will be given the option to remain in the accelerated program or matriculate to the 16-week program, only after meeting with the Coordinator. All other Nursing program BSN progression polices apply to the accelerated student. These policies are noted in the nursing student handbook. Students who earn a grade of “F” in any required nursing course at any level will be dismissed from the Nursing program. Students who earn two “D” grades or receive two “W” grades in required nursing courses (two “D” or “W” grades in one course, or one “D” or “W” grade in each of two courses) will be dismissed from the Nursing program. Dismissed students will have the option to appeal their dismissal per the student handbook. Dismissal from the Nursing program does not necessarily result in dismissal from the University.

The advanced writing requirement of the General Education curriculum is satisfied for Nursing majors by successful completion of NURS 33500 Evidence Based Practice and Nursing Research.

The college writing, natural science, ethics, mathematics, social science, and diversity and social justice General Education requirements are fulfilled by the non-nursing support courses.

Curriculum Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing requires the successful completion of the following courses. Progression from one term to the next requires successful completion of all nursing courses from the previous term(s). Admission, progression, curriculum, and graduation policies of the prelicensure track are subject to change in order to comply with the requirements of the current Illinois Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act, Rules for the Administration of Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act, and The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2021).

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
(Fall) (Spring)
1st 8 Weeks:
NURS 20200	Professional Development 1: Foundations 1	3
NURS 23300	Health Assessment Across the Lifespan	3
2nd 8 Weeks:
NURS 23200	Fundamentals of Safety and Quality in Patient-Centered Care	6
	Hours	12
Semester 2
(Spring) (Summer)
1st 8 Weeks:
NURS 32600	Pharmacotherapeutics	3
NURS 32900	Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Across the Lifespan	4
2nd 8 Weeks:
NURS 32500	Adult 1: Beginning	6
	Hours	13
Semester 3
(Summer) (Fall)
1st 8 Weeks:
NURS 33600	Professional Development 2: Health Care Trends	2
NURS 33800	Childbearing Families	4
2nd 8 Weeks:
NURS 33700	Children, Adolescents, and Families	4
NURS 33500	Evidence Based Practice and Nursing Research 2	3
	Hours	13
Semester 4
(Fall) (Spring)
1st 8 Weeks:
NURS 42500	Adult 2: Advanced	6
2nd 8 Weeks:
NURS 42600	Professional Development 3: Leadership, Collaboration, and Teamwork	2
NURS 42700	Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing	4
	Hours	12
Semester 5
(Spring) (Summer)
1st 8 Weeks:
NURS 43500	Adult 3: Critical Care	6
2nd 8 Weeks:
NURS 43600	Community Health Nursing 3	4
NURS 43900	Professional Development 4: Role Transition	4
	Hours	14
	Total Hours	64

¹

Note: NURS 20200 Professional Development 1: Foundations fulfills the Globalization requirement.

²

Note: NURS 33500 Evidence Based Practice and Nursing Research fulfills the Advanced Writing requirement.

³

Note: NURS 43600 Community Health Nursing fulfills the Civic Engagement requirement.

Admission Requirements

A holder of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution may earn a second bachelor’s degree from Lewis University. A minimum of 32 hours beyond the first bachelor’s degree must be earned at Lewis, including nine hours of mission designated courses and four upper-division courses in the major curriculum. Second-degree students must complete all course and GPA requirements for the major program of the second degree.

A holder of a bachelor’s degree from Lewis University may earn a second bachelor’s degree. A minimum of 32 hours beyond the first bachelor’s degree must be earned at Lewis. The student must complete all course and GPA requirements for the major program of the second degree. (If additional degrees are pursued, this paragraph policy is followed.)

To be admitted as a Second-Degree student:

Holders of a degree from a college or university other than Lewis must

1. Seek admission to Lewis University as an undergraduate student through the Office of Admission.
2. Submit an official transcript of credits from all previous colleges or universities attended. An evaluation of these credits will be made according to the University’s transfer policies. The evaluation will list major and general education requirements needed to complete the second bachelor’s degree. Upon being granted final admission, the student may begin coursework during the next academic term (fall, spring, or summer).
3. Obtain approval of the department chair (required when applicable).
4. Submit passing test scores (SAT, ACT, KAT or TEAS) for admission into a nursing program.

Holders of a bachelor’s degree from Lewis University must

1. Complete the online Application for Admission. This application includes
   1. approval of the department chairperson (when applicable);
   2. a listing of the courses needed to complete the major (to be determined by the chairperson);
   3. a statement that a minimum of 32 credits must be earned at Lewis in addition to the credits counted in earning the first degree. (See Academic Policies for other requirements)
2. Obtain clearance from the Business Office of Lewis University.
3. Submit passing test scores (AC, SAT, KAT or TEAS) for admission into a nursing program.

The student will follow the graduation and major requirements that are in effect when the student applies for the second degree.

A Bachelor to BSN pre-licensure track has been designated for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college. There is a 10-year limit on required science courses. Upon completion of this accelerated track, the graduate will be granted a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and be eligible to sit for the national examination for licensure (NCLEX) as a registered nurse.