Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College Review

Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College (GSN-BJC) has a long history. It is a story of two different hospital-based nursing programs: Jewish Hospital School of Nursing and Barnes Hospital School of Nursing. In 2005, the two programs merged to form Barnes-Jewish College of Nursing and Allied Health. In 2007, the allied health and the associate degree in nursing programs were phased-out and the college embarked on a new journey in nursing education. New bachelors and master and doctorate degree programs were introduced and this came with change of name to Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College.

Nursing Programs at Goldfarb School of Nursing

Goldfarb School of Nursing is one of the largest schools of nursing in St. Louis. There are three main nursing programs:  four tracks leading to the Bachelor of Science in nursing, five tracks for the Master of Science in nursing and a unique PhD/ DNP combined program. All programs offered are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing education and approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. For qualified students, there is always a perfect nursing program to suit your educational needs at Goldfarb.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs

Goldfarb School of Nursing does not accept freshmen students, rather all students ought to have completed general education and science courses before starting on any nursing courses. Four baccalaureate programs are offered:

  • BSN Upper Division Option

This track is open to pre-licensure transfer students who have completed all lower division general education courses from another institution. The ideal candidates are those who have completed at least 54 credits in a 2-year pre-nursing program from a community college. Candidates are admitted every spring and fall semesters to embark on a journey that takes 5-terms of full time study.

The full time program is very tightly scheduled and students must commit between 30-40 hours for class and clinical work. Theory classes are held during the day and evenings while courses with a clinical component often warrant weekend attendance at Barnes-Jewish hospital and other health agencies in St. Louis.

Students complete 66 upper division nursing credits to be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree. Completion also leads to educational preparedness to apply and take the NLCEX-RN exam for initial licensure as Registered Nurses (RNs)

  • BSN Accelerated Option

This entry-level program is designed for candidates who hold a baccalaureate degree or higher other than nursing and would wish to become registered nurses. There are 3 admission occasions for this track: summer, fall and spring. Due to the rigorous nature of the program, students are advised not to engage in any employment activities.

The curriculum consists of 58 nursing and 24 general education credits designed to be covered in 12 months of full time study.  The extra 24 general education credits for this track must be completed at a community college or any other institution that offers general education for BSN programs. Students are expected to commit between 30-40 hours per week in order to complete the program in time. Theory classes happen in the day and evenings while clinical and simulation work may prompt the need of weekend sessions at Barnes-Jewish hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital among others. 

Completion of this accelerated option leads to the awards of a second degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Students also become eligible to take the NCLEX-RN to make the shift into professional nursing.

  • RN to BSN Option

For licensed registered nurses who wish to complete a baccalaureate nursing program, this is the option for them. Applicants must have completed 47 general education credits besides lower division nursing courses and having a current registered nurse license. The program admits students every fall semester to start on 18-month part time study plan.

The curriculum consists of 10 upper division nursing courses translating to 33 credits. All courses are taught in a traditional classroom setting at Goldfarb School of Nursing or at the Missouri Baptist Medical Center on a 2 7-week cycles per semester. Completion leads to the award of a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree.

  • RN to BSN Online Option

This program carries a similar curriculum as the traditional RN to BSN option and all admission requirements match those of the earlier option. Unlike the former, this online option is a full time program and all courses are delivered online on a 2, 7-week cycles per semester. Students come to campus only once during the start of the program and clinical experience can be completed at a student’s location of choice.  Students earn a BSN degree after completion of the curriculum requirements.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

There are 5 tracks under the MSN category for the BSN-prepared student:

  • Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Students who wish to get into this program are required to have a current Advanced Cardiac Life Support status. Students must also have at least 2 years of work experience in an ICU setting as an RN and requires 47 credits to complete.

  • Adult Nurse Practitioner Concentration

This track requires that RNs have had at least 2 years experience in any registered nurses role. The curriculum consists of 40 core and specialty credits.

  • Nurse Executive Concentration

The nurse executive concentration does not require any prior nursing experience and has a curriculum consisting of 34 credit hours.

  • Nurse Anesthesia Concentration

This program is designed for RNs with a BSN degree but other students with a health-related Bachelor of Science degree may be considered. RNs must have at least 1 year of working experience in an ICU or high acuity environment. The program is intensive and takes 24 months full time study plan of year-round learning ie inclusive of summer terms. 75 credits are required to complete the program.

  • Nurse Educator Concentration

Students do not require any prior RN experience to be eligible for this track that requires 34 credits to complete.

Note

In all tracks, students become eligible to take the respective national examinations for certification. MSN-prepared students may also take the 23-credits Post-Master’s certificate program to be certified as an Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.

Online DNP/ PhD in Nursing

This is unique combined program that does not give demarcations between research and practice. Students receive a curriculum that provides a practice-based component in line with the DNP and a scholarly outlook in line with the PhD. Two entry options are available:

  • DNP/ PhD Post-BSN Option

This program is designed for BSN-prepared who wish to have the terminal degree in nursing. Coursework for this 5-year program is offered online with only 5-days campus visits annually. BSN students first complete MSN courses leading to either a Nurse Educator or Nurse Executive track as their MSN specialty.

  • DNP /PhD Post-MSN Option

This terminal nursing degree option is designed for the MSN-prepared RN and its takes 4 years to complete. Coursework is also offered online with 5-days annual campus visits.

Contact:
Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College
4483 Duncan Avenue, St. Louis,
MO 63110