Bradley University Nursing School Review
Bradley University (BU), located in Peoria, IL, boast that within six months of graduation, 100 percent of its nursing students are working as nurses. This compelling fact proves that Bradley University’s investment in technology and faculty is worthwhile and its partnerships with local hospitals and clinics are successful. Prospective nursing students coming from all different types of academic backgrounds can find opportunities through Bradley University’s nursing programs.
BU Undergraduate Nursing Programs
Undergraduate programs for nursing students include the following programs; Baccalaureate Science of Nursing (BSN), Accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, and LPN to BSN program.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Students with no previous nursing experience or education can enroll in Bradley University’s traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. They will spend the first two semesters focused entirely on prerequisites in science, math, English, and the humanities. After these two initial semesters, they transition into nursing coursework, although they continue taking at least one general education course each semester throughout the remainder of the program. After earning 124 credits and completing all required coursework, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN).
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Accelerated Option (ABSN)
A prospective nurse who holds a full baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing can transition into the nursing field through the accelerated BSN program at Bradley University. This program begins each May, and takes fifteen months to complete. But before beginning, a student must complete prerequisites (if she has not already completed them in the course of earning her previous baccalaureate degree) in science, psychology, nutrition, sociology, and statistics. Once she begins the accelerated program, the coursework is entirely focused on nursing. After fifteen months, she is prepared to take the NCLEX_RN and begin working in the nursing field.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN-BSN
An RN who has an associate degree or diploma may complete the full baccalaureate degree through the RN-BSN program. Like the traditional BSN student, a RN to BSN student must have 124 credit hours to graduate. However, he may transfer up to sixty-six hours of general education courses and prerequisites from his previous academic work. If he is missing any of the required courses, he must complete them as part of the RN-BSN degree. In addition to transferring general education classes, he may transfer up to thirty-one credit hours toward the nursing component of the BSN degree. This will be determined by an advisor, based on his work experience and academic transcript. He must complete the upper-level nursing courses at Bradley University in order to earn his BSN. The program length can vary considerably depending on how many courses he must take besides the upper-level nursing courses.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – LPN-BSN
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can advance in the nursing field by earning a full BSN and earning the title of Registered Nurse (RN). Like the traditional BSN students, she must complete 124 credit hours. However, based on her nursing experience and education, she can earn eleven credits toward the nursing component of the program, allowing her to begin with the junior-level nursing courses. She may transfer up to sixty-six credits of prerequisites and general education courses from a community college; any missing courses will need to be completed as part of the LPN to RN program. At the end of the program, which will vary in length depending on her previous education, the LPN may take the NCLEX-RN.
BU Graduate Nursing Programs
Graduate programs in nursing include the following; MSN Nursing Administration, MSN Nursing Education, BSN/MSN Nursing Administration, BSN/MSN Nursing Education, RN-MSN, MSN General, and a Certificate in Nursing Education.
Master of Science in Nursing
A nurse who has completed the full BSN degree can enroll in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at Bradley University. The program consists of core nursing courses, electives, and courses in one of two areas of specialization: nursing administration and nursing education. Core classes and courses in the area of specialization are offered on-site; electives are available online. After earning thirty-six credit hours, which generally takes four or five semesters, the nurse is eligible for certification as either a Nurse Educator or a Nurse Administrator.
Master of Science in Nursing –BSN-MSN
A BSN student may transition directly into the MSN program without a break through the RN-MSN program. He transitions directly from his senior-level undergraduate nursing classes to the graduate-level nursing classes. As a full-time student (as opposed to the traditional MSN students), he completes the graduate-level coursework in three semesters. This includes a summer semester, so one year from the time he earns his BSN, he completes his MSN degree. As with the traditional MSN students, he can choose to specialize in either nursing administration or nursing education.
Master of Science in Nursing – RN-BSN
A nurse who holds an associate degree or diploma in nursing is also eligible to enroll in Bradley University’s MSN program. The RN must start with the BSN junior-level nursing courses, and transition through the upper-level nursing requirements of the BSN degree into the graduate-level nursing courses. (Depending on her previous academic experience, additional coursework may be required). Over the course of six semesters, she completes the core nursing courses, electives, and nursing courses in either the nursing administration specialty or the nursing education specialty.
Master of Science in Nursing – General
A nurse who holds a certificate or diploma in an advanced practice specialty, but does not hold a full MSN degree, can earn an MSN degree in just thirty credit hours. The program consists of three core classes, four classes focused on research, electives, and clinical hours. The MSN General student does not choose an area of specialization.
Post-master’s Certificate in Nursing Education
A nurse who has already earned an MSN degree and wishes to turn to teaching may enroll in the Post-master’s Certificate program. Through this program, the student gains practical teaching experience and learns education theory. The program is short, consisting of only fourteen credit hours total.
Contact:
Bradley University
1501 West Bradley Avenue
Peoria, IL 61625
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