This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2023-2024 VCU Bulletin. This edition includes all programs and courses approved by the publication deadline; however we may receive notification of additional program approvals after the launch. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.

The School of Nursing offers the following curricula in the baccalaureate program: the traditional, the accelerated B.S. and the online R.N.-B.S. completion. Successful completion of curricular requirements results in a Bachelor of Science degree. Note that the applicant is responsible for seeking advice from the School of Nursing on courses taken prior to admission.

Program goals

Students will achieve an advanced beginner level of nursing competence by demonstrating:

 I. Effective therapeutic nursing practice

II. Nursing judgment

III. A spirit of inquiry

IV. Professional identity

Student learning outcomes

The graduate is a knowledgeable professional nurse who will demonstrate:

  1. Integration of theories and concepts from liberal education into nursing practice (III)
  2. Knowledge, skills and attitudes in leadership, quality improvement and patient safety to provide high quality health care (I, II, IV)
  3. Professional nursing practice grounded in the translation of current evidence (I, II, III)
  4. Knowledge of skills in information literacy, management and patient care technology (III)
  5. Knowledge of health care, financial and regulatory policies that influence the nature and functioning of the health care system (I, II)
  6. Effective communication and collaboration skills with the interprofessional team to deliver high quality and safe patient care (I, II, IV)
  7. Health promotion and disease prevention at the individual and population level necessary to improve population health  (I, II)
  8. Professionalism that reflects the inherent values of altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity and social justice fundamental to nursing (IV)
  9. Competence to practice with patients, including individuals, families, groups, communities and populations across the lifespan and across the continuum of health care environments that respects the variations of care, the increased complexity and the use of health care resources inherent in caring for patients (I, II, III, IV)

Other information

Our international and non-native English-speaking students bring different perspectives and new thinking to our nursing programs. To ensure that all incoming student are prepared for the school’s academic rigor, all international applicants and non-native English speaking applicants without a degree from a U.S. high school, college or university must provide additional information with their applications according to the English language proficiency guidelines on the program admission tab.