Nursing - Accelerated BSN

This accelerated, generic baccalaureate Nursing Program (BSN) is designed for the student who has an earned baccalaureate degree or higher in another discipline who wishes to become a registered nurse (RN) with a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree.


Admissions Information

There are two entry time points per year for admission to the accelerated nursing program: Fall and Spring. Applications for Spring- entry accelerated program will be accepted until October 15th. Applications submitted after October 15th will be reviewed. However, late applications cannot be guaranteed for admissions consideration.  Applications for the Fall-entry accelerated program will be accepted until May 15th. Transcripts for both entry points will be evaluated on an individual basis. 

 

 

About the Program

The program encourages critical thinking and independent decision making. The roles of advocate, educator and health care provider/coordinator are emphasized. Health promotion and disease prevention within a global society are stressed in the program. The program prepares the graduate to successfully complete the NCLEX-RN and provides a base for graduate education and clinical specialization.

The program focuses on the acquisition of the knowledge and skills necessary to practice as a professional RN. Students build on previously learned theories and concepts from the physical, social and behavioral sciences and the humanities. Concepts such as ethics, altruism and communication are integrated throughout the curriculum. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning experience with guidance from faculty preceptors. The program prepares graduates to participate in a culturally diverse and ever-changing global society.

 

Admission Requirements

Students with earned baccalaureate degrees*

Students must have an earned baccalaureate degrees or higher and must have earned credits in the following courses:

  • English I & II
  • Intro to Psych
  • Life Span Development
  • Statistics
  • Nutrition
  • Chemistry I - Inorganic
  • Chemistry II - Organic
  • Microbiology
  • Anatomy & Physiology I & II
  • Ethics (waived for Stockton graduates with a Health Science degree)
  • Pathophysiology* Recommended 

A GPA of 3.5 and no less than a C in all required science courses taken at Stockton are desired for admission.  Required science courses taken at schools other than Stockton should be a grade of B or higher. Science courses must be 5 years old or less for transfer. All transcripts will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Students must successfully pass a criminal background check and drug screen prior to enrollment. In addition, students must meet Technical Standards and Functions outlined by the program on admission and throughout the program. Complete COVID-19 vaccination (without exemption) is required for students to attend clinical. Students must also successfully complete a criminal background check in order to be licensed as an RN in the State of New Jersey.

Applications for the Fall-entry accelerated  Program will be accepted until May 15th. 

Applications for the Spring-entry accelerated Program will be accepted until Oct 15th.  

Transcripts will be evaluated on an individual basis. 

* Pathophysiology is a recommended pre-requisite course for the accelerated program. Students who do not take Pathophysiology prior to admission into the accelerated nursing program will be required to take the course during their first semester in the program.

All applicants must fill out a transfer application

Accelerated Nursing Checklist

For answers to questions not included in the above information or in the FAQ sheet, please call 609-652-4501 or e-mail: AcceleratedNursing@stockton.edu

Program and Clinical Requirements

The Nursing Program at Stockton University adheres to policies required by clinical affiliates where student clinical learning experiences occur. Since clinical affiliates require criminal background checks (CBC), urine drug screenings, and current vaccinations for all students coming to their facility, all nursing students will conform to the following policy mandates. Students are responsible for all costs related to the mandatory requirements. Students entering the Nursing Program must be able to pass a criminal background check and a 10-panel urine drug screen.

  • Freshman nursing students are required to have a Criminal Background Check completed and submitted to CERTIPHI. Information about obtaining the background check will be given to freshmen students at summer orientation.
  • Junior nursing students are required to have a Criminal Background Check completed and submitted to CERTIPHI. An e-mail will be sent from the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator to notify the junior students of this requirement.
  • Accelerated students are required to have a Criminal Background Check completed and submitted to CERTIPHI. Information regarding this requirement will be included with the admission letter. All students will complete the Criminal Background Check requirements one time prior to enrollment in the first semester.

All documents (Criminal Background Check reports) must be received by the Nursing Program Academic Fieldwork Coordinator or Program Chair by the designated due dates or the student will be dropped from nursing classes and cannot be guaranteed a clinical placement.

  • Results of the Criminal Background Check will be valid for two years, unless there is reason to initiate another check or if the clinical facility requires annual or more frequent screening.
  • If the nursing student leaves the program for more than two semesters, a new Criminal Background Check and Urine Drug Screen is required prior to return.
  • Students must use CERTIPHI to register for the screening. No other results will be accepted. Information to access CERTIPHI will be provided by the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFC) or Chair/Associate Chair.
  • History of the following infractions will disqualify an accepted student from enrollment in the Nursing Program:
    • Falsification of records or omission of pertinent information on either the certified background check or urine drug screen
    • Felony convictions
    • Misdemeanor convictions, probated sentences or felony deferred adjudications involving crimes against persons, including physical or sexual abuse
    • Misdemeanor convictions related to moral turpitude, including prostitution, public lewdness/exposure, theft, etc.
    • Felony probated sentences or deferred adjudication for the sale, possession, distribution, or transfer of narcotics or controlled substances
    • Registered sex offenders

A nursing student who is charged/convicted of a criminal offense must report the charge or conviction to the Nursing Program Chair within three days of the charge. A nursing student whose second (just prior to junior year) Criminal Background Check reveals any of the infractions noted above, will be disqualified from participating in any clinical experience and will then be dismissed from the Nursing Program.

Students should also note that a third successful criminal background check must be completed after graduation and before taking the licensure exam (NCLEX-RN) in order to be licensed in the state.

  • Freshman nursing students are required to register for a urine drug screen and submit to CERTIPHI. Information regarding registration for a urine drug screen will be e-mailed to freshmen students by the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator.
  • Junior nursing students are required to have a urine drug screen completed and submitted to CERTIPHI. A letter will be sent from the Nursing Program Chair to notify the junior students of this requirement.
  • Accelerated students are required to have a urine drug screen completed and submitted to CERTIPHI. Information regarding this requirement will be included with the admission letter. Accelerated students will complete the urine drug screen requirements one time prior to enrollment in their first semester.

All documents (urine drug screen reports) must be received by the Nursing Program Academic Fieldwork Coordinator or Program Chair by the designated due dates or the student will be dropped from nursing classes and cannot be guaranteed a clinical placement.

  • Results of the urine drug screening will be valid for two years, unless there is reason to initiate a random urine drug screening or if the facility requires annual or more frequent screening.
  • Students must use CERTIPHI to register for the drug screening. No other results will be accepted. Information to access CERTIPHI will be provided by the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator.
  • The drug screening will consist of a 10-panel urine drug screening, see below under program requirements for the list of the substances.
  • A positive drug screen on admission may result in dismissal from the Nursing Program. A prescribed medication that shows up on a drug screen requires a letter to the Nursing Program Chair from the prescribing licensed physician or nurse practitioner within one week of the formal notification of the drug screen report.
  • If a nursing student has a positive drug screening on the test done just prior to the junior year, the student will not be permitted to participate in the clinical component of a nursing course and is required to withdraw from all nursing courses for a period of one year. Students may appeal to the Nursing Program Chair for immediate reinstatement warranted by individual circumstances. The appeal for reinstatement due to individual circumstances must occur within a period of 5 days of the positive drug screen results in the form of an electronic communication to the Nursing Program Chair. When a challenge to a screening is issued by a student, only the positive urine drug will be reviewed in the appeal.
  • A student who had a positive drug screen and wishes to return to the Nursing Program in one year, and who does not appeal for immediate reinstatement, must undergo chemical dependency evaluation and treatment by a therapist specializing in addiction behaviors. In order to be considered for full reinstatement at the end of the year, a statement is required by the addiction behavior therapist indicating rehabilitation related to the substance identified in the drug screening. The documentation must also include a statement that the student is able to function effectively and provide safe care for clients in all clinical sites. The student is responsible for communicating intent to return in one year, electronically, to the Nursing Program Chair within 5 days of the positive drug screen results. The student is also responsible for contacting the Nursing Program Chair, electronically via e-mail, three months prior to the beginning of the semester to confirm that they are ready to meet the requirements of the Nursing Program, the clinical facilities and the university.
  • A second positive drug screening by the same student, after reinstatement in the Program, will result in immediate dismissal from the Nursing Program with no appeal process.
  • All students are subject to random drug screening at the discretion of a nursing faculty, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Chief Nurse Administrator, and staff member with due cause.

Note: Individuals with a history of any disqualifying behavior on the Criminal Background Check or urine drug screen, will only be considered for readmission to the Program if the NJ Board of Nursing issues a statement that the student is eligible for initial licensure as a registered profession nurse following program completion.

All of the University’s clinical partners have updated their immunization requirements to include mandatory COVID-19 vaccination. The University’s affiliation agreements with those third-party clinical sites require the University’s compliance with the standards implemented by the respective sites, including immunization requirements. Please note the following important information, which may affect nursing program progression and graduation: 

  • University medical or religious exemptions will not be honored at clinical placements. Our clinical facility partners have advised us that unvaccinated students will not be permitted to participate in clinical experiences at their facilities, and that University Covid-19 exemptions will not be honored at those sites. 
  • Available clinical sites for unvaccinated participants may not be an option. Where possible, Stockton will assist students to identify alternative options if external vaccination requirements present a barrier to a student’s participation; however, the University cannot guarantee the availability of alternative or comparable sites. Some programs may use certain sites for specific clinical experiences required by the program and alternative sites may not be an option. 
  • Program participation and degree completion may be impacted. Attendance and participation in clinical-based learning is a requirement for nursing students. Unvaccinated students may be permanently excluded from clinical participation due to external clinical site requirements and may be ineligible to continue or to complete the degree program, which may delay graduation, or impact choice of campus and program of study. 
Requirements Students
A physical examination by a physician or nurse practitioner must be completed and documented on the Health & Immunization Record Form (See Health & Immunization Record in the appendicies of the Nursing Student Handbook) Junior & Accelerated Nursing Students
Tuberculosis screening is an annual requirement. The 2-step PPD is required or the IGRA (infereron-Gamma Release assays blood test [quantiferon-tb Gold Test is the trade name].

ANNUAL Requirement for Junior, Senior & Accelerated Nursing Students

Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification (CPR) Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers – Only the American Heart Association certification is accepted.

Certification is good for two years.
BI-ANNUAL for Junior, Seniors and Accelerated Nursing Students
Current tetanus vaccine (Tdap) (within 10 years) All Nursing Students
Proof of personal health insurance/Documentation must have the student’s name

All Students University-wide

All Four-year pre-licensure students

All Accelerated nursing students

Laboratory results indicating positive titers for the following are listed below. If the titers are negative, proof of immunization is required.

  • Hepatitis B
  • Measles
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Varicella
Junior & Accelerated Nursing Students
Criminal Background Check

Four-year pre-licensure Freshman & Juniors & Junior (incoming) Accelerated

Urine Drug Screen

  • Amphetamines
  • Barbiturates
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Cannabinoids
  • Cocaine
  • Methadone
  • Methaqualone
  • Opiates
  • Phencyclidine
  • Propoxyphene

Four-year pre-licensure Freshman & Juniors & Junior (incoming) Accelerated

COVID-19 Vaccine and Boosters All Students

Effective: October 1, 2013

Reviewed: May 2015

Revised: August 2020

The Stockton University Nursing Program has a responsibility to educate competent nurses to care for their patients (persons, families and/or communities) with critical judgment, broadly based knowledge, and well-honed technical skills. The Nursing Program has academic as well as technical standards that must be met by students in order to successfully progress in and graduate from its programs.

Nursing is a discipline that requires a range of psychomotor and psychosocial skills. Stockton University’s Nursing Program ensures that access to its facilities, programs and services is available to all students, including students with disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101-12212 (2013) (amended 2008) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq. (“Rehabilitation Act”). Stockton University’s Nursing Program provides reasonable accommodations to students on a nondiscriminatory basis consistent with legal requirements of the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act. A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to an instructional activity, equipment, facility, program or service that enables a qualified student with a disability to have an equal opportunity to fulfill the requirements necessary for graduation from the nursing program. To be eligible for an accommodation(s), a student must have a documented disability of (a) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; (b) a record of such impairment; or, (c) be regarded as having such a condition (Marks & Ailey, 2014). Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with disabilities, provided the accommodation does not fundamentally alter essential academic requirements pursued by the student or any directly related licensing requirement. Student requests for reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case by case basis in consultation with the Learning Access Program (LAP), Stockton University's disability support services office.

Nursing majors at Stockton University should be able to perform the following skills and behaviors:

General Abilities: The student is expected to possess functional use of the senses of vision, touch, hearing, and smell so that data received by the senses may be integrated, analyzed, and synthesized in a consistent and accurate manner. A student must also possess the ability to perceive pain, pressure, temperature, position, vibration, and movement that are important to the student's ability to gather significant information needed to effectively evaluate patients. A student must be able to measure, calculate, reason, comprehend, analyze, integrate and synthesize materials in the context of nursing education and practice. A student must be able to quickly read and comprehend sensitive written material, engage in critical thinking, clinical reasoning and evaluate and apply information in both the classroom and clinical settings. A student must be able to respond promptly to urgent situations that may occur during clinical training activities and must not hinder the ability of other members of the health care team to provide prompt treatment and care to patients.

 

Technical Standards:

Thefollowing description/examples of technical standards are intended to inform prospective and enrolled students of the standards required to complete the nursing science curriculum.

  1. These technical standards illustrate the performance abilities and characteristics that are necessary to successfully complete the requirements of Stockton University’s Nursing Program. The standards are not requirements of admission into the programs and the examples are not all-inclusive.
  2. Individuals interested in applying for admission to the programs should review these standards to develop a better understanding of the skills, abilities and behavioral characteristics required to successfully complete the programs. Key areas for technical standards in nursing include having abilities and skills in the areas of: (1) acquiring fundamental knowledge; (2) developing communication skills; (3) interpreting data; (4) integrating knowledge to establish clinical judgment; and (5) incorporating appropriate professional attitudes and behaviors into nursing practice capabilities.
  3. Examples of the key areas for technical standards in nursing (acquiring fundamental knowledge, developing communication skills, interpreting data, integrating knowledge to establish clinical judgment, and incorporating appropriate professional attitudes and behaviors into nursing practice capabilities) include the following (adapted from Marks & Bailey, 2014):

To acquire fundamental knowledge, students have the ability to:

  • Learn in classroom and other educational settings
  • Find sources of knowledge and acquire the knowledge
  • Be a life-long learner
  • Use and apply novel and adaptive thinking

To develop communication skills, students have the ability to:

  • Communicate sensitive and effective interactions with patients (persons, families and/or communities)
  • Communicate for effective interaction with the health care team (patients, their supports, other professional and non-professional team members
  • Make sense of information gathered from communication
  • Apply social intelligence

In the interpretation of data, students have the ability to:

  • Observe patient conditions and responses to health and illness
  • Assess and monitor health needs
  • Apply computational thinking
  • Manage cognitive loads

To integrate knowledge to establish clinical judgment, students have the ability to:

  • Critically think, problem-solve and make decisions needed to care for persons, families and/or communities across the health continuum and within (or managing or improving) their environments and/or in one or more environments of care
  • Intellectualize, conceptualize, and achieve the Essentials of Baccalaureate, Master’s, and Doctor of Nursing Practice education (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], Essentials, 2020)
  • Apply information literacy
  • Collaborate across disciplines

To incorporate appropriate professional attitudes and behaviors into nursing practice students have the ability to:

  • Demonstrate: concern for others, integrity, ethical conduct, accountability, interest and motivation
  • Acquire interpersonal skills for professional interactions with a diverse population of individuals, families and communities
  • Acquire interpersonal skills for professional interactions with members of the health care team including patients, their supports, other health care professionals and team members
  • Acquire the skills necessary to promote change for necessary quality health care
  • Acquire cross-cultural competency
  • Collaborate virtually

 

Skills that nursing majors may use also include the following:

Motor Function: Sufficient motor function, neuromuscular strength and coordination to effectively perform client care activities. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Transfer, turn, lift clients
  • Push, pull, lift and support 25 lbs.
  • Manipulate life support devices
  • Use diagnostic instruments for physical assessments
  • Achieve and maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
  • Apply pressure to stop bleeding
  • Manipulate diagnostic and life support devices
  • Measure and administer medications by all routes
  • Maintain balance, reach above shoulders, reach below waist, stoop and squat

Gross and Fine Motor Coordination: To provide safe and effective nursing care. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Move about in limited patient care environments
  • Perform a variety of treatments and procedures
  • Calibrate and use equipment
  • Write with a pen/pencil and use keyboard and/or mouse
  • Sit, stand, move within classrooms, labs, acute nursing units, operating rooms, emergency rooms, community settings, and long-term care facilities for as long as required.

In addition to meeting the above criteria there are Technical Standards and Essential Functions that nursing students must meet upon entry and throughout the program. See Chapter 1 in the Student Handbook.

Due dates for clinical requirements will be communicated to the students via classroom announcements and e-mail messages from either the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator or the Program Chair. Students who have not met all requirements will not be permitted in the clinical area and may jeopardize their clinical placement. Students who miss two or more clinical days are at risk for clinical failure.

Clinical facilities are selected based on the opportunity to provide the student experiences that meet the learning outcomes of the course. The assignment to a clinical group is made at the beginning of the semester, or earlier, and is dependent on faculty and the institutions availability. Students must be aware that they may need to travel a distance (up to 1.5 hours) from campus to attend assigned clinical sites. Students should also be aware that some clinical rotations may be in the evening or on Saturdays or Sundays. Please note that the university carries malpractice insurance on all students.

Accreditation Statement

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing and post-graduate APRN certificate program, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Stockton University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.


Stockton's nursing programs are accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, a subsidiary of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, New Jersey Board of Nursing, 124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor, and P.O. Box 45010 Newark, New Jersey 07101, (973) 504-6430.

Complaint Process

Applicants for admission and current students can submit program complaints to the New Jersey Board of Nursing, a subsidiary of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Complaints may reach the Board of Nursing by writing to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General Division of Consumer Affairs New Jersey Board of Nursing 124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor, and P.O. Box 45010 Newark, New Jersey 07101.