Weber State University Nursing School Review

Established in 1889, Weber State University (WSU) offers over 200 programs to over 24,000 full and part-time students in Ogden, Utah. Weber State University offers associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as several certificate programs both online and in person during the day or in the evening for students who need to continue their employment while attending school.

Weber State University – School of Nursing

The Nursing Program at Weber State University is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and students in the nursing program go on to work in hospitals, physicians offices and several other healthcare settings. The nursing programs at Weber State University include an Associate of Science in Nursing (RN), a Bachelor of Science Nursing for Registered Nurses (RN to BSN), and a Master of Science in Nursing program (MSN). Applications for the Fall semester for the Associate of Science in Nursing are due in February and the Master of Science in Nursing deadline is March. March is also the deadline for the Registered Nursing to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program and March is also the Practical Nursing to Registered Nursing Program (PN to RN) deadline. When applying to a Spring semester start, students must submit applications to the Associate of Science degree by September, and by October for the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. October is the deadline for the Practical Nursing to Registered Nursing Program for a Spring semester start.

Students can enter the program by five different streams, the Practical Nursing Program, the Registered Nursing Program, the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in nursing Program and the Master of Science in Nursing Program. The Practical Nursing option leads to a certificate and Practical Nurse licensure, after the students passed the state examination. The Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse program and the Associate’s degree Registered Nursing options both lead to associate’s degrees and licensure as a Registered Nurse. The Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program mandates that applicants hold a Registered Nursing licensure before being able to apply to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. The Master of Science in Nursing program requires students to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, in order to apply to the program.

Weber State University’s School of Nursing offers an Honors Program in the Bachelor’s degree. In order to obtain an Honors Degree, students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above and register with the university honors program. The students must arrange a meeting with the nursing honors advisor prior to the commencement of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program, in order to plan objectives for the program and projects. Students must complete 12 hours of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing courses, which are pre-designated as honors courses and complete a final honors course during their final semester of study.

All graduates of the nursing programs at Weber State University are required to write state licensing examinations in order to obtain licensure and begin practicing in the United States.

Practical Nursing (PN) Certificate

Students who take this program will be prepared for work as licensed practical nurses in entry-level clinical practices under the eye of a registered nurse (RN).

To apply, students will need to submit the application form, complete all of the prerequisite courses, and prepare the necessary proof for credit transfers if needed. General counseling would also be advised.

Graduates of this program will get an institutional certificate and be allowed to sit for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Exam to become practical nurses (NCLEX-PN).

PN to RN (RN Completion)

This program gives working PNs or students who are eligible to get a PN license the chance to advance their skills, earning potential and careers within the entire healthcare system.

This program takes 86 credit hours to complete for an Associate of Science degree or 68 credit hours to complete for an Associate of Applied Science degree.

To apply, students will need to have completed all of the non-nursing courses and prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C.

Graduates will be able to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing licensure exam to become registered nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Associate of Science (AS)

This program prepares students to practice as registered nurses. However, working students are advised not to work more than 24 hours every week while taking this program since it will take up a lot of time and consists of intensive learning courses.

To apply, students will need to have completed all of the non-nursing courses and prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C.

Graduates will be able to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing exam to become practical nurses (NCLEX-PN) or registered nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Bachelor of Science for Registered Nurses (RN to BSN)

Students who are already RNs can take advantage of their previous experience through this program and advance further into the world of professional nurses through it. This program follows a hybrid format, which means that students will have to take face-to-face classes and online classes. Students may also look into a part-time schedule, though.

This program is usually completed in four semesters, though some students get to complete it in three semesters with the approval of the administration. To do this, students will simply need to increase their current credit load to 12 to 16 hours a semester instead of the usual 8 to 10 credit hours. Either way, this program needs to be completed in five years or less.

To apply, students will need to have completed all of the non-nursing courses and prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C. Students with at least two years of professional RN experience may get course credits by completing various challenge examinations.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Registered nurses who already have a BSN can take this program to prepare themselves for careers as nurse educators or nurse administrators. This program follows a hybrid format, which means that students will have to take face-to-face classes 20% of the time and online classes 80% of the time.

Working students are advised not to work more than 24 hours every week while taking this program, though, since it will take up a lot of time and consists of intensive learning courses.

To apply, students will need to have a BSN degree and a valid RN license in Utah. They will also need to complete an advanced college writing course that has been approved by the program.

Graduates of the education track will be allowed to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator Exam given by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), while graduates of the administration track will be able to sit for the Nurse Executive-Advanced Certification Examination given by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Contact:
Weber State University
3848 Harrison Blvd.,
Ogden, UT 84408-3903