Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)

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Caldwell University’s B.S.N. program provides an exceptional curriculum to prepare professional nurses for modern practice. The program is structured to provide a strong liberal arts foundation that is further developed in nursing course work, which includes clinical and laboratory activities. Clinical experience is provided in a variety of healthcare agencies and community centers in the region. Simulation activities are integrated throughout the program to provide students with opportunities to further develop essential clinical skills.

Why Caldwell?

Our program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the New Jersey Board of Nursing, ensuring high standards of quality. The university’s collaboration with the Healthcare Foundation of NJ further enhanced the program by offering advanced simulation opportunities. Graduates of the program are equipped to deliver safe and effective care to diverse populations in various healthcare settings.

We are pleased to offer the most up to date advanced simulation experiences with the generous
funding through the Healthcare Foundation of NJ.

Three Entrance Tracks

Our B.S.N. program offers three entrance tracks: a second-degree track for those with a prior degree, a traditional track for incoming freshmen, and a transfer track for students moving from other institutions. The program requires completion of 124-125 credits, including nursing prerequisites, core courses, and nursing-specific courses. Students must also complete a criminal history background check before clinical placement.

Track I – 2nd degree

Track I (Second degree: Students with B.A./B.S. degree)

This track is for students who have a non-nursing baccalaureate degree and seek a career in professional nursing. Second degree students complete 25 credits of prerequisite course work before taking the 62 credits of nursing major course work.

Admission of Second Degree Students

Students applying to Caldwell University with a B.A./B.S. degree must send the following to the University:

A completed Nursing Transfer and Second Degree Application from the Caldwell website;
Official transcript(s) from every school in which you have earned college credit;
Personal essay addressing why you would like to be a nurse;
Letter of recommendation from a college professor;
Résumé.

Second Degree Student Admission Policies

Selection of Second Degree Students is based on:

Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5;
Nursing prerequisites accepted with a grade of B- or higher;
Nursing prerequisites may be repeated only once and a passing grade achieved to be considered for admissions
Science courses must be five years old or less to be accepted for transfer;
Applicants with transcripts documenting pre-requisite course completion will be given higher ranking in admission decision making;
All Nursing (NU) courses must be completed at Caldwell University.

Second Degree Student Filing Date
April 1st for completed application submission with supporting documents

Curriculum for Second Degree Students (88 Credits)

Nursing Prerequisites* (25 credits)

The nursing program requires all admitted students to have completed the prerequisite courses listed below prior to the start of nursing classes.

BI 203 Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (4)
BI 204 Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (4)
CH 110 Principles of Chemistry with Lab (4)
BI 315N Microbiology with Lab (4)
PS 101 General Psychology I (3)
SO 101 Introduction to Sociology (3)
MA 207 or PS 208 Statistics (3)

Nursing Courses (62 credits)

NU 219 The Professional Nurse: An Introduction to Practice (2)
NU 301 Fundamentals of Nursing (6)
NU 303 Health and Cultural Assessment Across the Lifespan (5)
NU 305 Pathophysiology (4)
NU 306 Adult Health I (8)
NU 308 Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice (3)
NU 310 Pharmacology (3)
NU 409 Maternal-Child Nursing (3)
NU 410 Pediatric Nursing (3)
NJ 412 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (4)
NU 415 Leadership, Finance and Healthcare Policy (4)
NU 416 Adult Health II (8)
NU 418 Transition to Professional Nursing (3)
NU 420 Community and Public Health (5)

Track II – Traditional

Track II (Traditional Students: High School Graduates )

Admission Requirements

Selection of the freshman student is based on:

An official high school transcript, class rank and activities
Completion of four units of English, two units of modern language, four units of math and three or more units of science courses that include Biology and Chemistry, one unit of history and other college preparatory courses
Three years of Math at a Cumulative Math GPA of 3.0 or Higher. Must have taken Algebra 2 or higher
Three years of Science at a Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Must have taken Biology and Chemistry
Overall GPA must be a 3.0 or higher
If student opts to submit SAT/ACT: 2.75+ GPA overall and in all math and science courses with SAT of 1080 (minimum 500 math), or ACT 21
Two letters of recommendation
A personal essay
Advanced Placement scores. Caldwell University offers advanced placement credits to students who qualify by earning a score of 3 or higher.

Traditional Student Filing Dates

December 1 – Completed application due if interested in Early Action.

After December 1 , applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Requirements for the Nursing Major

DEGREE: Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Liberal Arts Foundational and Enriched Core 37 credits
Nursing Prerequisites 25 credits
Nursing Courses 62 credits
Total 125 credits
B.S.N Curriculum

Liberal Arts Core 37 Credits

Communication Arts (3)
English Literature & Writing (6)
Fine Arts (3)
Modern Language (3)
History (3)
Mathematics (3)
Philosophy (3)
Theology (3)
Catholic & Dominican Tradition (3)
Global Awareness & Cultural Understanding (3)
Ethical Inquiry & Applications (3)
Freshman Seminar (1)
Nursing Prerequisites (25 Credits)

The nursing program requires all admitted students to have completed the prerequisite courses listed below prior to the start of nursing classes.

BI 203 Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (4)
BI 204 Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (4)
CH 110 Principles of Chemistry with Lab (4)
PS 101 General Psychology I (3)
SO 101 Introduction To Sociology (3)
BI 315N Microbiology with Lab (4)
MA 207 or PS 208 Statistics (3)
MA 118 Analytical Math for Nursing (3)*
*Although a nursing prerequisite course, credits are applied to the Liberal Arts Core.

Nursing Courses (62 credits)

NU 219 The Professional Nurse: An Introduction to Practice I (2)
NU 301 Fundamentals of Nursing (6)
NU 303 Health and Cultural Assessment Across the Lifespan (5)
NU 305 Pathophysiology (4)
NU 306 Adult Health I (8)
NU 308 Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice (3)
NU 310 Pharmacology (3)
NU 411 Parent Child/Pediatric/Mental Health (8)
NU 412 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (4)
NU 415 Leadership, Finance and Healthcare Policy (4)
NU 416 Adult Health II (8)
NU 418 Transition to Professional Nursing (3)
NU 420 Community and Public Health (5)

Track III – Transfer

Track III (Transfer Students)

This track is for students with some college credits earned. Caldwell University staff members are dedicated to assisting transfer students during the transfer process and can answer questions about transfer evaluations. Transfer students complete 61 credits of liberal arts core and prerequisite course work before taking 62 credits of nursing major course work.

Admission Requirements

Students applying to Caldwell University with some college credits must send the following to the University:

A completed application;
Official College transcript(s) from all institutions attended;
An official high school transcript if less than 24 college credits earned;
SAT/ACT test scores optional
Personal essay addressing why you would like to be a nurse;
Letter of recommendation and resumé recommended.

Nursing Transfer Admission Policies

Selection of Transfer Students is based on:

Admission GPA of 3.0;
Nursing pre-requisites accepted for transfer credit with a grade of B- or higher;
Science courses may be repeated only once and a passing grade achieved to be considered for admission.
Science courses must be five years old or less to be accepted for transfer;
All Nursing (NU) courses must be completed at Caldwell University.

Admission to the nursing program is competitive due to limited number of seats.

Transfer Student Filing Dates
May 15 – application submission
June 1 – supporting document submission

Curriculum for Transfer Students

Liberal Arts Core/ 36 Credits

Communication Arts (3)
English Literature & Writing (6)
Fine Arts (3)
Modern Language (3)
History (3)
Mathematics (3)
Philosophy (3)
Theology (3)
Catholic & Dominican Tradition (3)
Global Awareness & Cultural Understanding (3)
Ethical Inquiry & Applications (3)

Nursing Prerequisites (25 Credits)

The nursing program requires all admitted students to have completed the prerequisite courses listed below prior to the start of nursing classes.

BI 203 Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (4)
BI 204 Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (4)
CH 110 Principles of Chemistry with Lab (4)
PS 101 General Psychology I (3)
SO 101 Introduction To Sociology (3)
MA 207 or PS 208 Statistics (3)
MA 118 Analytical Math for Nursing (3)*

*Although a nursing prerequisite course, credits are applied to the Liberal Arts Core.

Nursing Courses (62 credits)

NU 219 The Professional Nurse: An Introduction to Practice I (2)
NU 301 Fundamentals of Nursing (6)
NU 303 Health and Cultural Assessment Across the Lifespan (5)
NU 305 Pathophysiology (4)
NU 306 Adult Health I (8)
NU 308 Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice (3)
NU 310 Pharmacology (3)
NU 411 Parent Child/Pediatric/Mental Health (8)
NU 412 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (4)
NU 415 Management and Leadership (4)
NU 416 Adult Health II (8)
NU 418 Transition to Professional Nursing (3)
NU 420 Community and Public Health (5)

Requirements Upon Entering Nursing (NU) Major Courses

Career Outlook

The career outlook for nursing in New Jersey is strong and continues to improve. Key factors contributing to the positive career outlook for nurses in New Jersey include:

High Demand for Nurses: The state is experiencing a shortage of registered nurses (RNs), especially in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health care. This shortage is expected to continue in the coming years, driven by an aging population, increased chronic health conditions, and the retirement of older nurses.
Strong Job Growth: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of registered nurses is projected to grow by 6% from 2021 to 2031, which is faster than the average for all occupations. In New Jersey, the demand for nurses is even higher due to the state’s population demographics.
Competitive Salaries: Nurses in New Jersey enjoy competitive wages. The average salary for a registered nurse in New Jersey is higher than the national average. As of 2023, the average annual salary for an RN in New Jersey is around $85,000 to $95,000, depending on experience, location, and healthcare setting.
Diverse Career Opportunities: Nurses in New Jersey have a wide variety of career paths to choose from, including roles in hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, home health care, and long-term care facilities. Specialized nursing roles such as nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse educators are also in demand.
Advancement Potential: New Jersey offers various opportunities for career advancement. Nurses who pursue advanced degrees or certifications (such as becoming a nurse practitioner, nurse educator, or nurse manager) can further enhance their career prospects and earning potential.
Workforce Diversity: New Jersey’s diverse population increases the demand for nurses who are culturally competent and can provide care to a wide range of communities, making it an ideal state for nurses looking to work in diverse settings.

In conclusion, nursing in New Jersey offers promising job security, career advancement opportunities, and competitive salaries, making it a strong field for current and future nursing professionals.

Accreditation

Caldwell University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

The affiliated Clinical Agencies of the School of Nursing and Public Health are accredited by nationally recognized accrediting bodies; the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Caldwell University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

The Caldwell University Baccalaureate Nursing Program is also fully accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing.

For any comments or concerns regarding the program, please contact the New Jersey Board of Nursing at 124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor, Newark, New Jersey 07101, or (973) 504-6430.

Title IV Compliance