Nursing
(Bachelor of Science Degree)

Southern Vermont College offers the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) program for preparation of professional nurses. The Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing program allows the student to develop the knowledge base and clinical, critical-thinking and management skills required to be a supervisor and to manage patient care.

Students may continue course work for completion of the BSN degree immediately following completion of the Southern Vermont College associate's degree in Nursing program. Take the next step and apply now.

Students who have already completed the associate's degree in Nursing prior to initial matriculation at SVC and have a current RN license can complete the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in two years of full-time study. Students must complete 69 credits from the SVC associate's degree requirements (Fy100 Quest for Success is not required for the baccalaureate degree program), followed by an additional 51 baccalaureate credits and must take a minimum of 39 of the 51 credits at SVC.

Graduates of accredited nursing programs are awarded 36 transfer credits for Nu150, Nu200, Nu210 and Nu250. Graduates of diploma programs or nonaccredited nursing programs are required to take the National League for Nursing Mobility Profile II examinations. Upon successful completion of the examinations, the student is awarded 36 credits for Nu150, Nu200, Nu210 and Nu250.

Nursing courses at the 300 level or higher must be taken within four years of graduation in order to count toward the BSN degree. Nu360, Nu400 and Nu450 require 90 hours of clinical with a preceptor nurse. It is not recommended that a student take on responsibilities requiring a substantial time commitment while enrolled in these courses.

Nursing Degree Progression

Students must receive a passing grade in the clinical and lecture portion of Nursing courses in order to receive a passing grade for the course. A student who fails the clinical portion but has a passing grade in the lecture portion will be considered to have failed to successfully complete the course and will receive a grade no higher than a "C." For additional information on course and clinical grading see the Nursing Student Handbook.

A student who fails to successfully complete one Nursing course (fails the clinical portion of the course or receives a grade lower than a C+, a WF or a W) may repeat the course once. A student who fails to successfully complete the repeated course or fails a second Nursing course is dismissed from the program. The Division of Nursing may choose to use nationally recognized standardized tests as graded components of selected courses. These tests are designed as useful evaluation tools which also promote success on the national licensing exam. For additional information on course and clinical progression, see the Nursing Student Handbook.

Clinical Experience

Clinical sites are engaged by the College and the days and times set by the Division Chair. In courses that have a clinical requirement, students are expected to follow all guidelines for clinical as outlined in the Nursing Student Handbook. Failure to comply with those guidelines can result in failure of clinical or, in some cases, dismissal from the program. Students are required to provide their own transportation to and from the clinical site.

To read about a Nursing student's experience, click here.