Certain general education courses are required for admission to most nursing college programs. Jefferson School of Nursing requires 59 credits for the BSN program, which include English, general and child psychology, algebra, statistics, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, sociology, nutrition and electives. A grade of C or better is required in all prerequisite courses.
Applying to a nursing college requires planning. It is best to meet with a counselor before starting any prerequisite courses. Follow a course of study accepted by several colleges and apply to each one. Proof that the prerequisite courses were taken is required through an official college transcript. There is a fee for submitting an application that can range from $20 to $80. An essay question is usually part of the application. Two letters of recommendation and an interview with the admissions staff are required. Most colleges also perform a background criminal check.
Students enter a BSN program as a junior. In addition to the 59 prerequisite credits, 64 credits in the nursing major are required for graduation. The first year is spent learning basic nursing techniques, such as nursing principles, pharmacology, acute and chronic disorders. Students begin clinical in a hospital setting the first semester. Clinical studies are similar to on-the-job training and form an essential part of a nursing program. The second year continues studies in pharmacology and disorders while integrating courses in psychology and neurology. Children and adult illnesses not covered the first year are studied and clinical practice increases, giving the student more than 400 hours of clinical experience.
Tuition costs vary according to the college. A state college is cheaper than a private and Ivy League college. Michigan State University charges $371 per credit while Ohio State charges $237 per credit. A private college such as Jefferson charges $825 per credit. The tuition does not necessarily include the cost for student fees, such as lab and activity fees. It also does not include the cost of books. In addition to the extra costs, if a student decides to reside on campus, the cost of housing can be as much as $1,000 per month.