Accelerated Career Entry (ACE) Program
SCSU welcomes the 4th ACE cohort graduating in 2012!!
The ACE program is an accelerated BSN program for individuals already holding a BS/BA in any field from an accredited college or university who wish to enter the nursing profession. The intensive program allows qualified individuals to complete the nursing coursework in 12 consecutive months.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts by year 2012, one million more registered nurses will be needed in the United States. An analysis of nursing workforce needs at the state level indicates that Connecticut will be one of the states that will experience the worst shortages unless actions are taken to remedy the situation. In fact, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) projects that by 2010, Connecticut nursing workforce will be 33% short of what is needed and by 2020 that number will increase to 57% (Connecticut League for Nursing, 2005). In order to meet this demand, many colleges and universities across the nation have developed accelerated BSN programs for students with baccalaureate degrees in other fields to increase access for people desiring a change in career later in life, and allow faster entry into the workforce. In fact, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2005) there are 168 accelerated BSN programs in existence, with 46 more in the planning stages. While Connecticut has several of these programs, none are located within the state university system, limiting program choice options for students who want a quality program at a reasonable price.
The undergraduate nursing program at SCSU is recognized as a high quality program. Our NCLEX pass rates have been mostly between 90-100% over nearly three decades and employers readily hire and confirm the quality of our new graduates. Many curricular changes have been implemented during the last several years to improve the quality of our instruction and better prepare students for the realities of practice
Advantages of the ACE Program
* The nursing curriculum can be completed in just 12 months (excluding nursing prerequisites).
* The ACE program is based on the same curriculum as SCSU's highly successful and nationally accredited traditional nursing program.
* There are opportunities to learn with other highly motivated, adult learners with rich life and work experiences.
* We offer small class size and affordable tuition.
* Our faculty are dedicated to working with this unique population.
Admission to the ACE program
Beginning April 15, 2012 University Admission applications will be available online through the University Admissions website (see below link). This FIRST step, in the application process to the ACE program, is on a first come, first serve bases. Because of the limited space and resources ONLY the first 120 applications will be reviewed by the university Admissions office. This application is found at http://www.southernct.edu/admissions/applications.
When applying please put Spring 2013 as desired entry date. HS records and SAT scores are not required. Please remember that you must hold your BA/BS at the application submission to the university. When you submit the the university application it does NOT matter how many pre requisites you need to complete.Recommendations are NOT part of this 1st application.
Admittance to the university will be based on the following factors:
- Receipt of your university application as one of the
1st 120 applications.
- Overall GPA of 3.0 or better from all your transcripts
DO NOT complete a Graduate Program application. This is an Undergraduate program.
The 2nd part of the dual admission process is to submit an ACE application .
The ACE application will be available
November 1, 2012 and must be submitted by January 15, 2013.
ACE applications(the 2nd part of the application process)for August 2013 cohort
will be available at www.southernct.edu/nursing/applications on November1, 2012.
In order to be eligible to apply for the 2013 ACE cohort you must be part of
the 120 accepted by admissions as outlined above. You letter of
acceptance to the university will be part of the required documentation
required with the ACE application submission.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements include the following: baccalaureate degree (BA or
BS) from an accredited college/university in any field, minimal overall GPA of
3.0, completion of the eight prerequisite courses with a grade of
C+ or better listed below, two favorable letters of recommendation from recent
employer and/or faculty, and original transcript(s) from any post secondary
institution attended.(please note that transcripts cannot be shared between the
University Admissions office and the ACE committee). An interview may be
required following the initial screening of applicants.
Admission is competitive and qualified students may not be accepted because of limited Department of Nursing resources and clinical placements. The Department of Nursing admission committee members will evaluate the overall academic record and select candidates whose academic and personal qualifications present the greatest potential for program success. Students applying to the ACE program should understand that, if accepted, they will need to follow the ACE's program's plan of study and required course sequencing. Students are advised to refer to the Student Policies Governing Academic and Professional Responsibilities of Undergraduate Programs in Nursing (2007). Students are ineligible to apply for admission to the SCSU nursing program if: -They have been dismissed for academic or clinical reasons in another nursing program. -They have failed to meet benchmark scores on assessment testing in another nursing program.Students may not apply to both the ACE and generic BSN program in the same year.
Transfer of Credits
Plans of Study
Summer Session C - Begin Program
- NUR 340 (3cr.): Theoretical Foundations of Professional Nursing
- NUR 350 (2cr.): Therapeutic Nutrition
Fall
- NUR 341 (3cr.): Health Assessment
- NUR 342 (3cr.): Evidence Based Nursing Interventions
- NUR 343 (3cr.): Integrated Pathophysiology/Pharmacology I
- NUR 344 (2cr.): Gerontological Nursing
- NUR 351 (2cr. online): Nursing Research
Winter Sessions
- Nursing Electives (1cr/course): Two required
Spring
- NUR 353 (3cr.): Integrated Pathophysiology/Pharmacology II
- NUR 352 (4cr.): Adult Health Nursing
- NUR 340 (3cr.): The Childbearing Family
- NUR 354 (3cr.): Mental Health Nursing
- NUR 431 (3cr.): The Childrearing Family
Summer A
- NUR 443 (4cr.): Adult Response to Complex Stressors
- NUR 442 (3cr.): Community Health Nursing
- NUR 433 (3cr.): Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice Across the Life Span
Summer B - Complete Program
- NUR 442 (4cr.): Nursing Capstone
- Nur (3cr): Current Issues in Nursing
For further information contact:
Marenda Weaver
Pre-Nursing Advisor/Information Coordinator
203 392-8954
