Appalachian State University Nursing School Review

Appalachian State University (ASU) is a public facility in Boone, North Carolina. It is a large university with over 17,000 undergraduates and over 3,000 postgraduates enrolled. The campus is in a scenic area in the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are over 140 undergraduate and graduate majors. Appalachian State is one of the 16 universities that are part of the University of North Carolina system. The university has a textbook rental program that saves students a substantial amount of money over the years because they do not need to buy textbooks. The college has received many awards, including Sierra magazine’s Top 20 “Coolest” Schools.

Nursing Programs

Prelicensure BSN

Appalachian State offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program for students who are not yet licensed as Registered Nurses (RNs). Students who complete the program are eligible to take the national examination for licensure as an RN. The nursing program trains future nurses to work in many different settings, and they are prepared to enter the workforce as soon as they become licensed as RNs. The nursing department admits up to 40 qualified students each year. The program is designed to take eight semesters plus one 8-week summer session that is scheduled between the sophomore and junior year. Students need 124 credits to graduate, and they must meet all general education required to complete the BSN as well as the nursing courses and clinical experience.

Applicants to the nursing program at Appalachian must first be admitted to the university. Students may apply to the nursing department at the end of their sophomore year. They must have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher, complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills and score adequately, and complete an application to the department. All non-nursing courses and prerequisite courses must be completed by this time. Admission to the nursing program is competitive, so not all students who qualify will be accepted. Once students are admitted, they must maintain a grade of C or higher.

The university nursing department has had travel abroad opportunities for nursing students in the past. One of these trips was to the Yucatan region of Mexico during spring break with one of the faculty members for a study abroad experience. Students performed service work and evaluated healthcare in the foreign country. They also toured several nursing schools and spend time in Mayan villages where they worked in a rural clinic and went on home visits. Nursing students also distributed items in an orphanage, hospitals, nursing home, and a village school.

RN to BSN Program

This program is for Registered Nurses (RNs) and is designed for those who want to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). It is a part-time program that allows RNs to continue working. Those who have an Associate Degree in Nursing (AND) or a Diploma in Nursing and their RN license to practice in North Carolina are eligible for this program. Many students who enter this program have completed their associate degree at one of the North Carolina community colleges. Appalachian State University has an articulation plan with these colleges that graduates will be admitted to their nursing program at Appalachian. Students must earn 62 credits, and some of these are taken from credits earned in the associate’s degree work. After students finish the first semester of the senior year, they receive 30 semester hours for prior learning and clinical knowledge. Students work in a cohort to complete projects and assignments, and they do not need to travel to Appalachian State since faculty members travel to various locations. Classes are held only one evening each week.

Contact:
Appalachian State University
University Drive,
Boone, NC 28608
(828) 262-2000