University of North Carolina at Greensboro Nursing School Review

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG, UNC Greensboro) is a public university located in Greensboro. It is part of the University of North Carolina system, and there are over 100 undergraduate, 61 masters, and 26 doctoral programs offered at the university that has over 18,500 students enrolled in various programs. The school was established in 1891. It is continually ranked as one of the top academic institutions in the U.S., based on student performance, value, and academics. The School of Nursing at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro has been named a Center of Excellence by the National League of Nursing for three consecutive terms.

Nursing Programs

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The university offers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program for students who want to prepare for a career as a Registered Nurse (RN). The program can be completed in four years, but it is very rigorous so some students choose to complete it in five years instead of four years. There are four parts to the program which include the general education core courses, nursing prerequisites and co-requisites, upper division major courses, and electives that are necessary for meeting the baccalaureate degree requirements. A total of 122 credits are necessary to complete the program. At that time, graduates take the NCLEX-RN to become licensed as a Registered Nurse.

The University of North Carolina-Greensboro has some special requirements that are unique to the university. These are mandated for all students working on bachelor’s degrees. There are two intensive writing courses required. One may be in nursing and the other can be a non-nursing writing course. In addition, students must take two speaking intensive courses. One must be in nursing and the other can be a non-nursing course. A foreign language is not required for a nursing degree, but nursing students must also take four global perspectives courses, and one of these must be a nonwestern course.

Students must have a 3.0 grade point average before enrolling in nursing courses. The university recommends that students apply to the nursing program in their sophomore year. Only those who have received formal, written notice of acceptance to the program can be assured that they have made it into the program. Since the nursing program is very competitive, applicants usually have grade point averages that are much higher than 3.0. The faculty recommends that students work as Certified Nurse Assistant I or II during the summers between academic years.

BSN for Second Degree Students

This BSN program is designed specifically for students who have a bachelor’s degree in another field. The program usually takes three years to complete. Students do not have to take the general education core requirements, and once they have finished the courses that are prerequisites for the nursing program, they usually begin nursing classes. Students then complete nursing courses, clinical experience, and any electives or other courses required for the program. At the completion, a graduate is eligible to take the NCLEX-RN to obtain licensure as a Registered Nurse.

RN to BSN (2+Program)

Registered Nurses with an associate degree or those who have graduated from a state approved nursing program may enter this program as a day or night student. Students require various amounts of time to finish their BSN depending on how many course are required to reach the 122 credits needed to graduate. Applicants must have a North Carolina RN license without restrictions before beginning the program. RNs may take special exams on various areas of nursing, and if they pass the exam up to 30 credits will be awarded. All students in the program must complete a minimum of 31 semester hours in residence at the university. Also, the university has articulation agreements with North Carolina community colleges, so students who graduate from one of these with their associate’s degree in nursing are guaranteed to enter the University of North Carolina-Greensboro with at least 30 hours towards their bachelor’s degree.

RN to BSN (Diploma Program)

RNs who have graduated from an accredited diploma nursing program may enter this program to complete their bachelor’s degree. Applicants must have an unrestricted license in nursing in North Carolina. The amount of time to complete the program varies with the number of courses that are required for the BSN. Students in this program must complete all of the courses that traditional nursing students working towards their bachelor’s degree must take.

Triad Education Center RN to BSN Program

This program is offered at the Triad Education Center which is close to the Piedmont Triad Airport. RNs who enter the program can earn their BSN in two years in most cases. Students attend classes only one day each week and complete independent learning activities, web-based activities, and may complete their assignments on a flexible schedule. This program is designed for the working RN who needs to work studies into the busy nursing schedule that they must follow.

RN to BSN Outreach Program

This program is offered for working nurses who want to earn their BSN. It is a part-time program that is held at the Northwest AHEC building next to the Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory each Wednesday. University faculty travel to this location to teach classes to nurses. The program can be finished in five semesters, and students are admitted only at the start of the program which is every two years. Students in the program may take the nursing exams offered by the university to be awarded up to 30 credits.

Master’s Program

The university offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with a variety of concentrations. After completing core courses in the program, students complete the required courses in their concentration. Applicants to the Master’s Program at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 and satisfactory scores on the GRE or MAT. It is preferred that applicants have worked for at least one year as an RN. Those applying for admission to the nurse anesthesia program must have at least one year’s experience working in critical care nursing. RNs must have an unrestricted license to practice nursing in North Carolina as well as CPR certification. Each of the concentrations is described below.

Nursing Administration

This MSN concentration is an online course that requires 36 credits to complete. Students must complete 12 lab hours each week as well as courses that deal with the law, policy, and economics of healthcare, nursing case management, and advanced nursing courses. A thesis or critique in research in nursing project is also required as a capstone project.

Nurse Anesthesia

This program leads to a MSN in Nurse Anesthesia. It requires 50 semester hours for the degree and can be completed in two years of full-time study. Graduates of this program take the national exam to become Registered Nurse Anesthetists.

Nursing Education

This MSN program can be completed online, and it can be completed in 36 hours. Students learn advanced nursing in addition to education courses in which they practice designing curriculum and evaluating students’ work. Students also complete practicums in teaching student nurses.

Adult Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

The university offers the Adult Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Concentration for RNs. It takes 50 credits to graduate from this program. Students must be practicing RNs, but this is a full-time program. RNs complete 12 lab hours each week in addition to the coursework that must be completed. The program can be completed in 5 semesters.

Adult Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Concentration – Part Time

This program prepares RNs to provide primary care to older adults. It requires seven semesters to complete, including 12 hours of lab work each week and a practicum at the end of the program.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Programs

RNs with a bachelor’s degree may earn a certificate in a variety of concentrations, such as Nursing Administration, Nursing Case Management, Nursing Education, and Gerontological Nursing. Students must complete at least 12 credits during a two-year period. Credits earned may apply towards a degree program in the Graduate School.

Post-Masters Certificate in Nurse Anesthesia

RNs that have previously completed their MSN may complete a program to earn a certificate in an area of advanced nursing such as Nurse Anesthesia. It takes 41 semester hours to complete this program or four semesters of full-time studies. At the completion of the program, students take the national exam to become certified Nurse Anesthetist.

Post-Masters Certificate for the Adult Nurse Practitioner/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

This program may be completed on a part-time basis and requires the completion 41 credits. In addition, 12 hours of lab work is required each week. At the completion of the program, students receive a certificate ad take the national exam for certification as a Nurse Practitioner.

MSN/MBA Program

Students at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro may want to earn a dual degree. They can earn both their MSN and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in the 54 semester hour program. It takes 5 years of part-time study for RNs to earn this dual degree.

MSN Outreach Program

This MSN program is offered to RNs who have a BSN. It provides an opportunity for nurses to earn their MSN on a part-time basis. Classes are taught by university faculty at the Northwest AHEC building which is next to the Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory each Tuesday from 1 pm to 8 pm. There are 8 semesters in the program that takes four years to complete. Applicants are required to have a 3.0 average to qualify for admission.

PhD Program

The PhD program at the university requires that applicants have satisfactory GRE scores and that the exam was taken within the last 5 years. Applicants must also have a grade point average of at least 3.0 on any previous graduate work. At least 57 credits are required for graduation with a PhD in nursing. Applicants must be licensed RNs, have CPR certification, and carry liability insurance. Students may not take longer than 7 years to complete the program.

Study Abroad Program

Students who are enrolled in the traditional BSN four-year program, RN to BSN, or graduate MSN students in the anesthesia program may participate in an international experience. The practicum requirement may be completed through this program to the Dominican Republic from 7 days.

Contact:
University of North Carolina-Greensboro
112 Moore Building,
Greensboro, NC 27412
(336) 334-5000