Spalding University Nursing School Review

Spalding University (SU) is located in Louisville, Kentucky and is affiliated with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. It is a private university that was founded in 1814 which makes it the oldest Catholic university west of the Alleghenies. Although it was once for women only, today it is coeducational. Day, evening, and weekend classes are offered to undergraduate and graduate students.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is the oldest college-based nursing program in the state. The university was also one of the first to offer a two-year Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Spalding also offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with three tracks that lead to advanced nursing careers.

Over 24 other degree programs are offered at the urban campus where 2,400 students are enrolled in various programs. The university has a strong commitment to community service, and students are able to take part in a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. Spalding is involved in HeadStart, local church health ministry, Metro government, local schools, and the Kentucky Corrections and Special Olympics. There are also opportunities to international study.

Nursing Programs

BSN: Pre-licensure Track

Spalding’s School of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Pre-licensure track for high school graduates who want to pursue a career in nursing. The first two years of the program are spent completing the general education and all prerequisite courses. The final two years are comprised on the clinical portion of the nursing program and nursing courses. After completing all requirements, graduates take the NCLEX-RN to obtain their licenses as registered nurses. Applicants must apply to the university and complete the first two years of their degree. To qualify for admission to the nursing program, applicants must have a grade point average of at least 3.0. They must also take the Test of Essential Skills (TEAS) and score at least 60 percent on the reading and math parts of the exam. Applicants must also have completed a certified nursing assistant (CAN) course. Applicants must also participate in five pre-nursing workshops.

In the middle of the sophomore year of studies, applicants must submit an application to the School of Nursing. Students who have two or more grades of D or F in prerequisite courses in the past 10 years will not be considered for admission to the Nursing Program. While taking nursing courses, students must earn a C or higher in nursing courses.

BSN: (2nd Degree)

Students who want to change careers and become a professional nurse who already have a bachelor’s degree can enter the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): 2nd Degree program. In this program, the BSN curriculum and clinical experience are comprised of eight six-week sessions. The program is full-time and is held year round. Graduates of the program take the NCLEX-RN for licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). There are two ways to complete the program, which are the Accelerated Day Option or the Extended Evening Option. The day option consists of nine six-week sessions. It is a full-time program that is year round. The evening option is for students who work full-time during the day. It takes 24 months to complete and classes meet three to four nights each week. Clinicals are held on the weekend.

Students must first apply for admission to the university, and it is important to realize that admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the nursing program. To qualify for the BSN: 2nd degree program, applicants must first apply to Spalding University. They must have a bachelor’s degree in another field with an undergraduate average of 3.0 or better. They must also earn a C or better in all prerequisite courses. The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is required, and at least 60 percent must be earned on both the reading and math sections. Also, applicants must have completed a certified nursing assistant (CAN) course.

RN to BSN

The Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Spalding is designed for the nurse with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Diploma. Candidates must be currently licensed as RNs. The faculty at Spalding considers learning to be their mission and they offer a personal approach with all students. Most work in this program is completed online while classes are scheduled at the college for a few Saturdays each session. It takes one year to complete the upper level nursing courses in the program, and liberal arts and science classes needed for a bachelor’s degree may be completed online. The program is very flexible for working nurses.

Those interested in the program must apply to Spalding University first. They need to have an unrestricted license as an RN and be a graduate of an accredited nursing program. A grade point average of at least 3.0 in previous nursing courses is required. Credit is given for the nursing courses and other associate degree level courses that the RN has taken if they meet the university’s requirements. A total of 125 credits are needed for graduation.

Masters of Science in Nursing Program

The Masters of Science in Nursing Program (MSN) prepares students for a career in advanced nursing practice as leaders, nurse educators, or nurse practitioners. The program can be either full-time or part-time. Some of the unique features of this program are that the GRE is not required if an applicant’s undergraduate grade point average was at least 2.8. Also, there is flexibility in scheduling classes. Students may attend in the afternoon or evening on Wednesday or all day Thursday. There is also an opportunity for those who choose the MSN Nurse Educator track to earn 17 additional credits to also earn a post-Master’s certificate as a Nurse Practitioner. This is a great opportunity for a nurse to be able to teach as well as provide primary care to patients.

Since Spalding University emphasizes community service, MSN students must complete 25 hours of service learning activities while in the graduate program. Those in the post-master’s program must complete 15 hours. Admission requirements to the MSN program are that applicants must have a BSN with a grade point average of at least 3.0. They must submit an official transcript and GRE scores. A license to practice nursing in Kentucky or Indiana is required, and each applicant must complete an interview with the graduate faculty of the nursing school. Two professional recommendation letters are required, as is a paper explaining the applicant’s goals. CPR certification is also required, as are required immunizations and malpractice insurance. Each track is explained below.

Educator

Students in this program complete the core courses needed for the MSN. They then focus on nurse educator courses that prepare them to develop curriculum and to assess the students that they teach. Graduates are eligible to teach nursing students in a variety of college settings and to teach peers as well. They also learn to educate patients about chronic diseases, wellness, and more.

Leadership in Nursing and Health Care

This program leads to a MSN and teaches nurses to become leaders in hospital and other healthcare settings. Students combine business courses with advanced nursing courses.

Nurse Practitioner

Adult Nurse Practitioner

This MSN program prepares nurses to care for adults of all ages, including the elderly. Adult Nurse Practitioners provide primary care in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, community agencies, and doctor’s offices.

Family Nurse Practitioner

Students in this program earn their MSN and are prepared to care for all members of the family, including children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. They provide primary care in a variety of healthcare settings.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

RNs complete their MSN and learn to care for infants and children in this track. When they graduate, they are prepared to provide primary care to children in hospitals, doctor’s offices, community centers, and more.

Post-Master’s Certificate

RNs that have previously completed their MSN may complete some of the courses in the MSN track. The program is shorter since they have already completed the core courses of the master’s degree program and do not need to repeat these. They focus on the advanced nursing practice area that they want to specialize in. After completing the program, the student receives a certificate.

Educator

This program prepares the MSN prepared nurse to teach student nurses in a variety of educational settings. The Nurse Educator also teaches peers in hospital and community settings during workshops and other professional development programs. Additionally, these nurses are experts at educating patients and often teach workshops on diabetes, wellness, or other topics.

Nurse Practitioner

Students may choose to complete a program on the Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Each type of Nurse Practitioner provides primary care to patients in many different healthcare and community settings.

RN-MSN Bridge

This program is for the RN with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) who wants to earn a MSN in one of the specialty tracks offered by the university. The Registered Nurse (RN) to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Bridge program helps the student adjust to the four-year college and to complete upper level nursing courses and liberal arts and science courses that are needed before enrolling in one of the MSN tracks. Once all of the prerequisites are completed, the student enrolls in the MSN program. A bachelor’s degree is not awarded, but at the completion of the MSN program, students are awarded this degree.

Contact:
Spalding University
845 South Third Street,
Louisville, Kentucky 40203
(502) 585-9911

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