What is Nursing?

Nursing is the largest health care profession with 2.6 million RNs in the U.S. (2010) Nursing is both an art and a science, blending critical thinking, technical abilities, a compassionate heart, and healing hands. RNs assist ill persons in returning to health, assist others to stay healthy and prevent disease. Nurses are concerned with the physical aspect of health and illness, as well as with the psychological, social and the spiritual dimensions of health and wholeness for individuals, families, and communities.

Education for Professional Nursing Practice

All major nursing organizations recognize the BSN degree as the minimum educational requirement for professional nursing practice. In the BSN program, the nursing courses include classroom instruction and supervised clinical hands-on experience in health care settings. Students need good study habits and the ability to analyze and think through problems (critical thinking) to be successful in the nursing program. At the end of the BSN program, graduates must pass the national licensure examination to become licensed as a registered nurse.

The Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is a four-year program offered at colleges and universities. BSN graduates are prepared for leadership, management, and more independent nursing roles. Health care settings prefer the BSN prepared nurse and many require it for different clinical and leadership positions. A BSN is required for entry into a master’s degree in nursing program, which is needed to work as a nurse practitioner.

Why should I study nursing At Briar Cliff University?

Our programs are approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing and we are fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

The following are some of the advantages of a Briar Cliff Nursing degree:

• The BSN is the credential most desired in health care today and allows you to work in any setting. It is needed before you can enroll in a Nurse Practitioner or Nurse Anesthetist program
• The US Department of Health & Human Service recommends that at 66% of the nursing workforce hold a BSN or higher degree (currently 35% have a minimum of a BSN)
  
• The BSN allows you the greatest control over your career and starting salaries for BSNs range from $20-40/hour
• Graduates have a strong background in the sciences while being educated in a Christian liberal arts environment blending faith, learning and service
• BCU has a long tradition of preparing practitioners for excellence in health care and many of our over 800 alums work in advanced practice and leadership roles
• Our excellent health science resources include a cadaver lab and an expanded, technology enriched Nursing Arts Laboratory.
• We offer a MSN program with nurse practitioner and nurse educator options
• Our graduates have a 100% employment rate and routinely are hired for positions of leadership and challenge
• 100% of our alumni who applied to graduate school have been accepted
• No other Nursing program in Iowa has more clinical experience (800 hours), including a 100 hour senior clinical preceptorship.
• Our faculty are all master teachers and are active in clinical practice and professional nursing organizations
• The Basic BSN program can be completed in 4 years.
• Many of our students have been awarded nationally competitive internships
• We offer flexible acceptance of transfer credit, individualized programs of study and flexible course formats  
• We sponsor a nursing student organization and Theta Gamma Chapter at-large of Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society of Nursing
• We offer basic, LPN-BSN, RN-BSN, & MSN Program options

The BSN and MSN Programs at Briar Cliff feature:

• Highly qualified, clinically current faculty members.
  
  The faculty at Briar Cliff University believe that facilitating your learning is our most important responsibility. We are committed to providing the highest quality teaching available. The nursing faculty share this commitment and come with extensive and current clinical nursing experience. Faculty are also available outside of class to assist you with academic and professional issues.
   
• A state of the art nursing curriculum that recognizes what you know and does not repeat what you have already studied.
  
  The R.N. to B.S.N. Nursing curriculum includes six nursing courses. The core courses focus on content that builds upon your previous nursing education and experience. These courses include content important to working with families experiencing complex health problems, community health issues, research, leadership, and a development of theoretical basis for your nursing practice. In the L.P.N. to B.S.N. option, students have advanced placement and can complete their B.S.N. in 3 years.
   
• Financial Aid for Nurses who are working and cannot attend classes full time.
  
  Over 80% of the students enrolled in the RN to BSN program receive financial aid and over 90% of the full time nursing students receive it. Financial aid may include scholarships, grants or loans. Additionally, Iowa residents attending Briar Cliff University may be eligible for the Iowa Tuition Grant. To qualify, students must complete a financial aid application and take at least four credits per term. For more information regarding financial contact the Briar Cliff Financial Aid Offices at 1-800-662-3303.
  
  NOTE: It is the responsibility of students to establish realistic academic loads (in light of work and family obligations) which permit them the time needed to satisfactorily meet course and program requirements.