Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing at Bethel College Mishawaka Indiana
The purpose of the Baccalaurate of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is to prepare graduates in a Christian liberal arts setting with a broad foundation in the sciences and humanities who are able to provide therapeutic nursing interventions to individuals, families, groups and communities in diverse health care settings. The BSN graduate is prepared to synthesize theory and research-based knowledge in the provision of primary, secondary and tertiary care to function in the roles of provider of care, designer/manager/coordinator of care and member within the profession of nursing. Integral components of baccalaureate nursing education are the development of critical thought processes including creative problem solving when making clinical decisions, integration of leadership concepts and skills in the delivery of care to individuals and groups, evaluation of research for use in nursing practice and implementation of health promotion in planning health care for individuals, families, groups and communities. The BSN graduate is expected to demonstrate respect for life, a loving concern for individuals and an appreciation of the need for ongoing education in nursing. The BSN graduate has a foundation for graduate education in nursing. Therefore, the BSN graduate is prepared to:
Program Objectives
Apply critical thinking when making effective decisions and engaging in creative problem solving with individuals, families groups, and communities.
Communicate effectively with individuals, families, groups and communities while using a variety of methods.
Evaluate therapeutic nursing interventions for individuals, families, groups and communities from culturally diverse populations to achieve optimal functioning on the wellness-illness continuum.
Integrate the nursing process as a basis for nursing practice and health promotion in primary, secondary and tertiary care settings with individuals, families, groups and communities.
Incorporate Christian principles while providing compassionate holistic nursing care to individuals families, groups and communities.
Demonstrate professional behaviors of leadership, accountability and professionalism according to the legal and ethical standards of the nursing profession while providing care to individuals, families, groups and communities.
Participate in self-development activities as well as individual, group, community and societal endeavors to improve health care.
Incorporate principles of teaching and learning to promote health and direct learning of individuals, families, groups and communities.
Evaluate research findings for use in nursing practice.
Synthesize knowledge from concepts and theories of nursing, the humanities and the sciences while making nursing practice decisions and providing nursing care for individuals, families, groups and communities.
Foster interdisciplinary relationships while designing, managing, and coordinating nursing care in primary, secondary and tertiary care settings.
Track I Program Format
Bethel’s BSN program consists of 126 hours of course work. A portion of this may be completed by transfer credit from accredited colleges or universities and by standardized national exams. The program includes two semesters of preparatory work, at the end of which the student applies to the nursing program. The nursing portion of the program is six semesters in length. A physical examination, immunizations and completion of a CPR course are required prior to beginning clinical courses.