Program: Nursing, BSN - Widener University

Apr 05, 2025

2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog (Edited Version)

Curriculum Sequence

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) option is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and prepares students as generalists to provide competent, compassionate, patient-centered care. The competency-based curriculum is developed in alignment with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (2021). The courses are designed to promote critical thinking, ethical reasoning, knowledge synthesis, interprofessional collaboration, as well as a commitment and understanding of both the art and science of nursing.

Students take a strong liberal arts general education program called Foundations and Transformation in addition to their nursing courses which begin in the fall semester of freshman year. Hands on activities include over 400 hours of clinical, lab and simulation experiences in a variety of healthcare settings connecting academic learning to real world experiences.

General Education – Foundations and Transformation

Liberal education plays a crucial role in shaping well-rounded, competent, and compassionate nurses. It provides a broad foundation in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, which enhances critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and effective communication—essential qualities for delivering high-quality patient care.

Furthermore, liberal education enhances nurses’ adaptability in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape. The ability to think critically, analyze data, and synthesize knowledge from various disciplines empowers nurses to advocate for patients, contribute to policy discussions, engage in lifelong learning and fosters a holistic, humanistic approach to patient care.

See General Education for further information.

Curriculum Sequence

First Year

Fall (14.5 Credits)

ASC 101 - Thinking Through 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 101 - Reading, Thinking and Writing 3 Credit(s) **
CHEM 105 - General, Organic, and Biochemistry 3 Credit(s) *
CHEM 106 - General, Organic, and Biochemistry Laboratory 1 Credit(s) *
Social Science/Humanities/Flex Course Elective 3 Credit(s)
NURS 101 - Nursing Seminar 1 Credit(s)
Physical Education Elective 0.5 Credit(s) ⁺

Spring (16.5 Credits)

BIOL 121 - Anatomy and Physiology I 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 123 - Anatomy & Physiology I Laboratory 0 Credit(s)
NURS 125 - Introduction to Nursing (W) 3 Credit(s) (W, S)
Three Social Science/Humanities/Flex Course Electives 9 Credit(s)
Physical Education Elective 0.5 Credits ⁺

Sophomore

Fall (16 Credits)

BIOL 122 - Anatomy and Physiology II 4 Credit(s)
BIO 124 - Anatomy & Physiology II Laboratory 0 Credit(s)
NURS 202 - Introduction to Gerontological Nursing 3 Credit(s) (S)
Three Social Science/Humanities/Flex Course Elective 9 Credit(s)

Spring (16 Credits)

BIOL 219 - Microbiology 3 Credit(s)
BIOL 220 - Microbiology Laboratory 1 Credit(s)
NURS 261 - Health Assessment 3 Credit(s) (L)
NURS 262 - Health Assessment Laboratory 0 Credit(s) (L)
NURS 205 - Pharmacokinetics and Medication Administration 3 Credit(s) (L)
NURS 206 - Pharmacokinetics and Medication Administration Laboratory 0 Credit(s) (L)
UALH 390 - Statistics for Health Care Professionals 3 Credit(s) (F/S)
NURS 216 - Nutrition in Health Care 3 Credit(s) (F/S)

Junior

Fall (12 Credits)

NURS 330 - Medical/Surgical Nursing Interventions: Approaches to the Care of the Adult I 4 Credit(s) (C)
NURS 333 - Family Focused Maternal Newborn Care 4 Credit(s) (C, F/S)
NURS 374 - Knowledge Synthesis I 2 Credit(s)
NURS 305 - Pathopharmacology I 2 Credit(s)

Spring (16 Credits)

NURS 306 - Pathopharmacology II 2 Credit(s)
NURS 331 - Medical/Surgical Nursing Interventions: Approaches to the Care of the Adult II 5 Credit(s) (C)
NURS 334 - Family Focused Care of Children 4 Credit(s) (C, F/S)
NURS 375 - Knowledge Synthesis II 2 Credit(s)
NURS 371 - Research, Design and Evidence-Based Nursing Practice (W) 3 Credit(s) (WE)

Senior

Fall (17 Credits)

NURS 405 - Pathopharmacology III 2 Credit(s)
NURS 432 - Medical/Surgical Nursing Interventions: Approaches to Care of the Adult III 5 Credit(s) (C)
NURS 465 - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing 4 Credit(s) (C, F/S)
NURS 474 - Knowledge Synthesis III 3 Credit(s)
NURS 480 - Senior Nursing Elective (W)(S) 3 Credit(s)

Spring (15 Credits)

ASC 401 - Thinking Forward 3 Credit(s)
NURS 445 - Nursing Leadership 5 Credit(s) (C)
NURS 475 - Knowledge Synthesis IV 3 Credit(s)
NURS 485 - Population Health 4 Credit(s) (C, F/S)

Total Credits: 122

All freshman and sophomore year courses must be completed by the end of sophomore year summer in order to enter the junior year courses. Students must have a minimum cumulative average of 3.0 or higher and earn a C or higher in all required and elective courses; a C- is not acceptable.

*MATH 101 is a prerequisite for chemistry; student placement in Math 101 is based on transcript evaluation.

**Students in the university’s Honors Program take ENGL 103 plus one additional elective in lieu of ENGL 101 and ENGL 102 .

+Veterans, freshmen, and incoming transfer students 21 or older, students transferring with 30 or more credits, and students with verifiable excuses are exempt from Phys Ed Requirements. They may graduate with 122 credits.

(C) = a clinical course and (L) = a nursing laboratory course, with both classroom and clinical/laboratory experiences. Each credit is equivalent to one hour of class each week, or 2 hours of laboratory and 3 hours of clinical.

(W) = writing enriched. (S) = service learning. (F/S) = can be taken in fall or spring.

***Minor in a foreign language or social work.

Note: Note: The School of Nursing, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Human Service Professions have developed curricular plans to provide students the opportunity to complete a minor while obtaining a nursing degree. Contact the assistant dean of student services in the School of Nursing for more information.

The program of study that appears here applies to students who were admitted for the summer session of this catalog year and later. Students admitted prior to that term should select the appropriate catalog year of their admission. Choose previous catalogs from the Home, Graduate, or Undergraduate Catalog Page at http://Catalog.widener.edu.