The U.S. is experiencing a nationwide crisis in its number of qualified nurses and other healthcare professionals. The Health Resources and Services Administration projects that New York State alone will experience a shortage of 17,000 RNs by the year 2010. A lack of nurses with baccalaureate degrees has repercussions for nearly every segment of society, particularly in rural areas, where healthcare choices are limited. 

SUNY Delhi's Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree will provide New York State with qualified Nursing graduates who will be eligible for expanded job opportunities including advanced practice, management, and teaching, and who also will be able to pursue advanced degrees and faculty appointments at institutions of higher education. In combination with SUNY Delhi’s longstanding relationships with regional healthcare leaders, this program will contribute significantly to economic development within the region and beyond, providing the healthcare industry with the educated professionals it demands. In addition the program has been developed in preparation for the New York State Board of Nursing’s initiative to advance the profession of nursing by requiring nurses prepared at the associate's degree level to complete a baccalaureate degree within ten years of graduation.

The Instructional Program

The RN-to-BSN program at SUNY Delhi provides educational mobility for registered nurses who seek a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The RN-to-BSN curriculum is designed with the working registered nurse in mind and offers versatility and flexibility as the program is 100% online. Precepted clinical experiences for select courses are completed in the student's hometown area. The objectives of the program emphasize critical thinking and practice skills necessary for clinical management of patients within a constantly changing healthcare environment. A total of 120 credits is required to earn a BSN at SUNY Delhi; however, the length of the program varies depending on equivalent prerequisite courses completed. Opportunities for full- and part-time study are available to allow students to proceed at their own pace.

Highlights of the program include the following:

• An accelerated option that allows students to complete the program in as little as one year.
• Flexible scheduling that allows students to advance at their own pace, with opportunities to begin the program in fall, spring, or summer semesters.
• A schedule design that meets the needs of working professionals.
• Required upper-division liberal arts courses may be completed at SUNY Delhi or at any other accredited institution of higher education.
• Easy-to-use Web-supported classes with technical assistance.
• A state-of-the-art curriculum delivered by a faculty with the highest credentials in the field.
• Affordable SUNY tuition rates.
• An opportunity to pursue a degree with other motivated professionals.

Curriculum

SUNY Curriculum Code: 2021

Example of Accelerated Plan of Study

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

*Precepted clinical course

Credit Summary

Admissions Requirements

• A minimum of 60 semester hours from an associate's degree Nursing program. In addition to nursing coursework (C+ or better), Liberal Arts and Science courses (C or better) must be distributed among at least six General Education groups and include Statistics. (SUNY Delhi will be offering an online research methods/statistics course that may be taken as a co-requisite.)

• Current RN license.
• Graduation from an accredited associate's degree Nursing program.
• Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above for prerequisite credits.
• One year of experience practicing as an RN immediately preceding matriculation is recommended.
• Résumé/CV.
• Official transcripts from all schools attended.
• Meet all criteria set forth in admission and progression technical standards. These standards include abilities and skills necessary to provide nursing care with or without accommodation, such as: 1) communication, observation, and sensory skills; 2) motor skills; 3) conceptual and reasoning skills; and 4) social skills.
• Computer and Internet skills; current CPR certification.

Roles and Competencies

The Provider of Care is defined as a nurse who utilizes a systematic process, assists clients in meeting healthcare needs in a wide variety of settings, and coordinates the care of clients using a multidisciplinary approach.

The Manager of Care is defined as a nurse who optimizes resources to achieve desired outcomes for promotion of health in client populations.

The Member of the Profession is defined as a nurse who is accountable for the ethical, legal, and professional dimensions of the practice of nursing.

These roles are actualized through the following core competencies (New York State Education Articulation Model, April 2007):

• Professional behaviors
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Assessment
• Clinical decision making
• Caring intervention
• Teaching/learning
• Managing care

Learning Outcomes

A graduate of the Nursing B.S. Nurs. program is a nurse generalist with additional liberal and professional nursing education who synthesizes knowledge from nursing, biophysical, and social sciences in the practice of professional nursing, and independently provides evidence-based nursing care by:

• Demonstrating critical-thinking and decision-making skills in the use of the nursing process with individuals, families, groups, and communities experiencing complex health problems.
• Participating on interdisciplinary teams to provide care for persons and/or groups whose health status is at risk or unstable.
• Providing nursing care based on relevant theoretical and research-based findings in professional nursing practice.
• Recognizing the impact of political, economic, and social factors that shape health policy and influence the health needs of clients.
• Promoting, maintaining, and evaluating health and wellness, and coordinating a plan of care across the healthcare continuum.
• Demonstrating professional role behaviors based on moral, legal, and ethical standards of practice.
• Applying leadership and management principles to enhance the quality of health care.
• Engaging in planning and implementing teaching and learning activities to foster positive health behaviors.