Salisbury University

What you'll study

The BSN curriculum combines foundational sciences, nursing theory and hands‑on clinical practice to develop competent, evidence‑based practitioners. Core modules typically include human anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, and lifespan development. Nursing‑specific courses cover adult medical‑surgical nursing, maternal and child health, paediatric nursing, mental health and psychiatric nursing, community and public health nursing, and gerontological care.

Students also study nursing research and evidence‑based practice, leadership and management in healthcare, ethics and legal issues in nursing, and quality improvement. The programme emphasises clinical reasoning, patient safety, interprofessional collaboration and cultural competence.

Practical learning is delivered through high‑fidelity simulation labs, skills laboratories and multiple supervised clinical placements across acute care, primary care, community settings and long‑term care facilities. Many students complete a capstone or practicum project in clinical nursing, nursing administration, or nursing research to synthesize learning and demonstrate readiness for professional practice.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have a secondary school diploma (or equivalent) with strong performance in science and mathematics. Typical prerequisites include college‑level courses or demonstrated competence in biology (including anatomy and physiology), general chemistry, microbiology, statistics, and developmental psychology or lifespan human development.

Entry to the programme is competitive. Schools usually look for a solid overall academic record and may require specific minimum GPAs for prerequisite courses. Some pathways — such as accelerated second‑degree options for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree — require completion of the listed prerequisites prior to entry.

Additional requirements before clinical placements commonly include current CPR certification, immunisations, background checks, drug screening and liability insurance. Transfer applicants and currently licensed RNs seeking the BSN should consult the department for required documentation and evaluation of prior coursework.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared to sit for licensure as Registered Nurses and work across a wide range of clinical settings, including hospital medical‑surgical units, intensive care, emergency departments, community health centres, long‑term care facilities and outpatient clinics. The BSN is also a strong foundation for roles in nursing administration, case management, clinical education and quality improvement.

Those interested in research can move into clinical research coordination, outcomes measurement or pursue graduate study focused on nursing research and evidence‑based practice. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study (MSN, DNP or related master’s programmes) to specialise in advanced practice, nurse leadership, public health or nurse education.

Why study at Salisbury University

Salisbury University offers a nursing programme that integrates rigorous academic coursework with extensive clinical experience on the Eastern Shore and beyond. Students benefit from modern simulation facilities, experienced faculty with clinical and research backgrounds, and partnerships with regional health providers that support diverse clinical placements.

The department emphasises student support, small‑group learning and interprofessional collaboration, helping students build clinical competence and professional networks. For students planning further specialisation or leadership roles, the BSN provides the competencies and academic preparation sought by employers and by graduate programmes in nursing.