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Nursing, BSN - ACHIEVE

Program Description

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (prelicensure, evening program) ACHIEVE

The ACHIEVE Program is the part-time evening/weekend program leading to the BSN degree. Students must have earned 58 credits in designated coursework prior to taking nursing major courses. In addition to these 58 credits, all students must take REL 100 Religion Matters. The curricular plan for ACHIEVE students is taught over nine continuous semesters once prerequisite courses are met. The 16 nursing courses are taught during the fall, spring, and summer sessions. Didactic portions of the courses are taught in the evenings during the week. Clinical experiences are planned for day and evening weekend hours.

GPA Requirement for BSN 

Students will be admitted into the Nursing major in the sophomore year. In order to be formally accepted into the sophomore year and begin nursing major courses, the student must have earned the following:

  • At least 58 credits in the liberal arts and sciences 
  • A grade of “C” or higher in all pre-requisite courses
  • An overall cumulative GPA of 3.0
  • A Science GPA of 3.0, with completion of Chemistry (4cr), Microbiology (4cr), Anatomy & Physiology I (4cr), and Anatomy & Physiology II (4 cr); no individual science course grade may be lower than a “C”; students may only repeat one science one time in order to achieve the required 3.0 GPA or required minimum course grade.

Students should be aware that the grading system and requirements for a passing grade in the undergraduate nursing program as well as most programs within the School of Nursing and Health Scienc­es are different than those of the general University. Specific grad­ing scales are published in the SONHS Undergraduate and Graduate Student Handbooks.

Clinical Requirements

The undergraduate nursing program of La Salle University's School of Nursing and Health Sciences has established community partnerships with a number of senior centers, adult day care centers, hospitals and other health-care facilities within Philadelphia and surrounding areas (including Montgomery, Bucks, and Delaware Counties as well as New Jersey).
Clinical experiences associated with coursework may be assigned at institutions such as Jefferson Health System, Belmont Center for Comprehensive Care, Bryn Mawr Rehab, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Cooper Medical Center, Doylestown Hospital, Friends Hospital, Shriner's Hospital for Children, Main Line Health System, Penn Health System, Redeemer Health, St. Mary Medical Center, Temple University Hospital, and various public, parochial, and private schools in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. Students participate in a wide of variety of community clinical rotations.

Additional Requirements

A cleared child abuse check, a cleared criminal record check from the state of Pennsylvania and primary residence state, a cleared FBI nationwide fingerprint check, and a negative urine drug screen.

Progression in the Nursing Program

Students in the nursing major must meet specific academic stan­dards for continued progression in the major. Effective Fall 2024, students must main­tain a 2.67 semester GPA in nursing major courses in order to progress; if a student does not maintain the GPA, the student will no longer be permitted to progress in the nursing major. Grades of "C+” or better are required in all nursing courses to meet the course requirement.

Why Take This Major?

Students earning a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing degree qualify to complete an application to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN® exam). Once licensed as a Registered Nurse, a program graduate is prepared to provide holistic, professional nursing care to patients in a variety of health care settings including but not limited to acute and long-term care, occupational health, outpatient settings, rehabilitation centers, and a variety of community based agencies. Nursing professionals also seek career options in areas such as correctional facilities, education, pharmaceutical or medical device sales and in areas focused on informatics and technology applications. Nurses work in multidisciplinary teams to improve client outcomes in a diverse, global society ever mindful of cultural and lifespan considerations. Program graduates from La Salle University are prepared to advance the evidence base for nursing practice.