Nevada State College Nursing Program Review

Nevada State College (NSC) is a relatively young institution of higher learning. It was founded in 2002 after a deliberative proposal to establish a state-founded college south of Nevada.  The college started operations under the stewardship of University of Nevada Reno. However, the college has been near the edges of closure in recent years following the cutting-down of state funding but it’s still crawling to keep open..

Nursing Programs at Nevada State College

Nevada state college offers students 3 distinct paths to becoming professional nurses. The college has curriculum that leads to a Bachelor of Science in nursing with different entry options.  Entry-level students can choose to join the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.  Registered Nurses (RNs) can choose from the RN to BSN completion program while student with another baccalaureate degree can apply for the accelerated BSN for a second degree in nursing. All nursing programs at Nevada State College are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and are approved by the Nevada state Board of Nursing.

Registered Nurse to Bachelors of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN Program)

This program is designed for RNs that are graduates of associate or diploma nursing programs. The curriculum aims at building on prior nursing experience at those levels towards the advancement to earn a baccalaureate degree. Students admitted to this program complete 128 credits of both core curriculum and major nursing &supporting credits.

The program is offered as a collaborative effort between the college and University of Nevada- Las Vegas (UNLV). As such, students must complete 6 credits from the University following an application to do so as a non-degree seeking student. There is also a choice of taking 6 graduate UNLV courses in place of the undergraduate that will count towards the BSN but can still be used towards a Master of Science in Nursing at UNLV.

Those who meet the core curriculum needs require only 56 nursing major credits to finish the program in RN to BSN curriculum at Nevada state college. The program can be completed in either a full time basis taking 2 years or a part time basis lasting 3 years.  Students in the full time study plan have 1 summer session and 2-January sessions while those who choose the part time plan require 2 summers and 3-januray sessions besides the usual fall and spring semesters.

Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN)

This is the traditional/regular track that admits fresh entry students seeking a BSN degree. The curriculum is covered in 8-fall &spring semesters of 4-academic years on a full time study plan. Students require 128 credits to complete the program and be eligible to apply for the NCLEX-RN exam to become registered nurses.

Part-Time Bachelors of Science in Nursing

Unlike the traditional BSN, the part time option includes summer sessions throughout the period of study but with the same completion time of 8 semesters.  It is designed for students whose commitments cannot match the rigorous traditional program. Classes for the part time option commence each fall and spring semesters unlike the traditional option that starts only on fall. Theory courses are taught every two days/week with lab and clinical sessions being held Thursday through Saturday during day or evening hours.

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

The Accelerated BSN is meant for highly motivated career shifters who already hold a first bachelors degree or higher. Students are admitted to the program for classes commencing August and finish in August the next year.  Preferably, students are advised to complete any outstanding prerequisite courses before taking the upper division courses. The upper division portion is a study-intensive full-time track that takes 3 semesters of full-load coursework in fall, spring and summer and a shorter winter session. Completion of the program awards the student a second degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Nevada state College and eligibility to apply and sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to become a professional RN.

Contact:
Nevada State College
1125 Nevada State Drive, Henderson,
NV 89002