South University Announces Provisional Approval of Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
South University announced today that it received provisional approval from the Alabama Board of Nursing for a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN).
“This is an exciting development for South University and will broaden our institution’s offerings of programs in the health professions,” said Victor K. Biebighauser, president of South University. “We look forward to providing a quality BSN program that meets the needs of our students and will help meet the need in our regional healthcare community for baccalaureate-degreed, registered nurses,” he continued.
Biebighauser cited the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, noting that there is a shortage of registered nurses, nationwide and in Alabama. Further, the Bureau reports that employment for registered nurses is expected to grow 22% from 2008 to 2018 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, February 18, 2010 http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/).
South University is currently in the process of adding an 18,000-square-foot expansion to the university’s campus on Vaughn Road that will include nursing and health sciences laboratories, additional classrooms and computer labs, and nursing faculty offices. Construction on the project began in August 2009 and is scheduled for completion in June 2010. The university intends to start its first class of BSN students for the summer quarter of 2010.
Laura Saucer, RN, MSN, is the BSN program director for South University, and she provided the leadership for the program application to the board of nursing. “Our initial feasibility study for a BSN program, and our application to the board, were developed carefully and comprehensively over the past one and one-half years,” said Ms. Saucer. “We are very pleased that the board has approved our program, and we are eager to get started,” she added.
About the Nursing Program
In the nursing laboratory, classroom and clinical experiences, students first must learn the fundamentals of nursing and complete the basic medical-surgical courses. Building upon those skills, the students complete specialty courses such as obstetrics, pediatrics and critical care.
The final quarter of the program is designed to prepare students for their transition to the nursing profession. Students practice leadership and management skills by choosing a clinical placement in an area of interest from one of a many healthcare facilities available in the local community. During this time, students work with a registered nurse preceptor on a one-to-one basis to prepare for entry into practice, and complete comprehensive testing to assure competency and safe practice.
About South University
Established in 1899, South University is a private academic institution dedicated to providing educational opportunities for the intellectual, social and professional development of a diverse student population. South University offers educational programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate levels with campuses located in Columbia, S.C.; Montgomery, Ala.; Richmond, and Virginia Beach, Va., Savannah, Ga.; Tampa and West Palm Beach, Fla.
Information on the new BSN program may be obtained by calling (334) 395-8800.