Stevenson University and Stevenson University Online offer a variety of undergraduate degree opportunities in nursing. These include the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Associate to Bachelor’s (ATB) in Nursing, and RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BS). All three options leading to a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Below is a quick overview of the differences among the undergraduate nursing options:
| Traditional BSN | Associate to Bachelor’s (ATB) | RN to BS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Licensure Required for admission? | No | No | Yes, NCLEX-RN |
| Educational Requirements | High School Degree | Dual Enrollment at SU and Community College | Associate’s Degree or Nursing Diploma |
| Course Formats | Daytime and On-Campus | Online or Hybrid | Online or Hybrid |
Stevenson University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing is an on-campus, daytime program. Upon successful degree completion, graduates are eligible and prepared for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become a registered nurse. This on-campus undergraduate program is offered during the daytime in a classroom setting. Students are provided program-specific guidance from their first semester. The first two years of the nursing curriculum focus mainly on the Stevenson Educational Experience (S.E.E.) and other requirements that provide a foundation for third and fourth year nursing courses. Clinical nursing courses begin in the third year and engage students in dealing with real-life issues in the world of healthcare. These clinical experiences at local hospitals and community-based settings ensure breadth and depth in your applied nursing education. As students progress through the program, theory and clinical expectations increase as students move toward their desired goal of becoming competent, knowledgeable and caring practitioners.
The Associate to Bachelor’s (ATB) option offered through Stevenson University Online provides students the opportunity to begin courses toward a baccalaureate degree in nursing while simultaneously completing their associate’s degree in nursing from ATB nursing partner community colleges. The program is flexible and convenient with courses offered in online or hybrid formats. Currently, Stevenson University Online partners with the Anne Arundel Community College (AACC), Carroll County Community College (CCC), College of Southern Maryland (CSM), Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), and Howard County Community College (HCC). Session start dates for the ATB option are specific to each community college.
Stevenson University Online’s RN to BS in Nursing provides working registered nurses the opportunity to advance their careers by earning their bachelor’s degree. Designed for the working registered nurse’s busy schedule, the RN to BS in Nursing option offers courses taught fully online or in a hybrid format in 8-week sessions, with the exception of NURS 424 – Health in the Community which is offered in a full 16-week semester. Multiple entry and exit points along the way enable registered nurses to complete requirements according to professional and personal goals. The program builds on expertise registered nurses have earned in their existing careers and focuses on developing competencies in areas such as critical thinking, communication, evidence-based decision making, and scholarly inquiry. Upon completion of the RN to BS in Nursing program, graduates will be able to integrate the concepts of caring in nursing practice in diverse healthcare settings across the health-illness continuum. The RN to BS program is offered primarily in 8-week, accelerated sessions and was developed to meet the needs of the busy, working adult.
No matter what path you choose, Stevenson University will help you reach your professional goals. Our nursing programs emphasize the ethics of care, critical thinking, and a spirit of inquiry in education practice, service, and research. Upon completion of the baccalaureate nursing program, graduates will be able to apply leadership concepts, skills, and decision-making in creating caring environments to promote health and healing in individuals, families, communities, and global populations. For more information about Stevenson’s ATB or RN to BS programs, please contact us at suo-inquiry@stevenson.edu or 1-877-531-7118. Students interested in the on-campus, daytime program should contact 1-877-468-6852 or admissions@stevenson.edu.