The School of Nursing embraces the concept of nursing education advancement for individuals holding an associate degree or diploma in nursing. The Strategic Teaching for Enhanced Professional Preparation (STEP) program is a quality program designed to provide a seamless educational transition for registered nurses. The completely online delivery of this curriculum allows students to advance their nursing education while continuing to fulfill personal and professional responsibilities.
After completion of general studies requirements, nursing courses may be completed in one calendar year online for the full time student. Courses in the professional component of the BSN program are delivered via the internet and other distant learning modalities as the educational platform for teaching.
Application deadlines:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 1st | Fall Assessment |
| December 1st | Spring Assessment |
| April 1st | Summer Assessment |
Core Requirement Courses for STEP Program in Nursing (62 Semester Hours)
The following list of courses is not intended to be a substitute for individual advisement by a School of Nursing academic advisor. Students with a four-year degree from a US accredited college or university, who also have an associate degree in nursing, will be admitted to the STEP Program with no additional core requirements.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Area I (6 Semester Hours) | ||
| EH Composition sequence | 3 | |
| EH Composition sequence | 3 | |
| Area II (12 Semester Hours) | ||
| Literature 1 | 3 | |
| Literature 1 | 3 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Humanities or Fine Art | 3 | |
| Area III (11 Semester Hours) | ||
| BY 101 & BY 103 | Introductory Biology I and Introductory Biology Lab I 2 | 4 |
| CY 115 | Concepts of General Chemistry I 2 | 4 |
| MS 112 | Precalculus Algebra 2 | 3 |
| Area IV (12 Semester Hours) | ||
| History 1 | 3 | |
| History 1 | 3 | |
| PSY 201 | Principles of Psychology | 3 |
| Social Science or Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| Area V (21 Semester Hours) | ||
| BY 263 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BY 264 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| BY 283 | Health Microbiology | 4 |
| Pre-professional, Major and Elective Courses | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 62 | |
| 1 | Minimum of three hours of literature and history required; a six-hour sequence of either literature or history is required. |
| 2 | Approved Science from STARS Guide may be substituted for BY 101 Introductory Biology I (3) and BY 103 Introductory Biology Lab I (1) and/or CY 115 Concepts of General Chemistry I (4). MS 110 Finite Mathematics (3) may be substituted for MS 112 Precalculus Algebra (3). |
Required Nursing Courses
The required nursing courses can be completed online in three semesters (one calendar year). Completion of the upper division STEP nursing courses must occur in ten (10) semesters. Using the internet, a learning management system, and other distance learning modalities, the program is delivered at a time and place convenient to the individual student. The following courses are required for registered nurses in the STEP program.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester I 5 | ||
| NU 313 | Online Orientation to the STEP Program | 0 |
| NU 339 | Understanding Health Policy | 2 |
| NU 345 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing (WI) | 4 |
| NU 352 | Health Assessment Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| Semester II | ||
| NU 350 | Professional Roles | 5 |
| NU 401 | Research and Outcomes Management for the Practicing Nurse | 3 |
| NU 423 | Nursing Management and Leadership | 3 |
| Semester III | ||
| NU 390 | Informatics in Nursing | 3 |
| NU 456 | Population-Based Health Care | 6 |
| Nursing Elective | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 32 | |
| 5 | STEP recognizes the past academic and experiential knowledge of the registered nurse. RN students are awarded 35 hours of STEP nursing credit after successful completion of the first semester courses. |
Total Hours: 120 - 129
| Senior | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| NU 313 | Online Orientation to the STEP Program | 0 |
| NU 339 | Understanding Health Policy | 2 |
| NU 345 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing (WI) | 4 |
| NU 352 | Health Assessment Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| NU 350 | Professional Roles | 5 |
| NU 401 | Research and Outcomes Management for the Practicing Nurse | 3 |
| NU 423 | Nursing Management and Leadership | 3 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Summer | ||
| NU 390 | Informatics in Nursing | 3 |
| NU 456 | Population-Based Health Care | 6 |
| Nursing Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 32 | |
STEP recognizes the past academic and experiential knowledge of the registered nurse. RN students are awarded 35 hours of STEP nursing credit after successful completion of the first semester courses.