Nursing is a rapidly changing, highly rewarding profession. Today's nurse must have a strong academic background, balanced with deep, nurturing values to deliver quality healthcare and shape the future of the profession. Today's nurse must understand the importance of developing partnerships within the community to provide health care to its constituents. Today's nurse must understand individuals' cultural and genetic differences. Today's nurse must also understand the interdisciplinary nature of the modern health care team and learn to work effectively within the team environment. Old Dominion University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the program for today's nurse. The Prelicensure Program is ideal for students from a variety of educational backgrounds: high school graduates, those with associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees in fields other than nursing, and military and civilians who are making career changes. During the challenging five semester academic program in the major, students participate in classes, laboratory experiences and clinical experiences under the guidance of highly competent qualified faculty.
Program Highlights
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The five-semester program is designed to get graduates into the workforce and enrolled in graduate nursing programs more quickly.
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Small clinical sections taught by supportive, experienced and engaged faculty allows for individualized students assistance.
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Standardized patient experiences and our state of the art simulation center allow for realistic, hands on practice in a safe learning environment
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In our Telehealth Center, students learn the use of technology to enhance care and improve patient outcomes by connecting health-care providers and patients at a distance
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100% employment rate for students seeking jobs at graduation
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Unique community health clinical experiences with organizations such as the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia, Norfolk Drug Court, Operation Smile, and Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia
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Active National Student Nurses’ Association Chapter
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Study abroad opportunities
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Clinical placements in all area hospitals
Careers
Check out these ideas from ODU's Center for Career & Leadership Development and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Critical Care Nurses
Provide advanced nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.
Health Educators
Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Collect and analyze data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May serve as a resource to assist individuals, other healthcare workers, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.
Acute Care Nurses
Provide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions such as heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome, or shock. May care for pre- and post-operative patients or perform advanced, invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
Registered Nurses
Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.
Alumni Careers
Requirements
Admission to the School of Nursing is a competitive process. Applicants for admission to the baccalaureate program in Nursing should apply initially to the Office of Admissions of Old Dominion University to seek admission to the University. Admission to the University does not constitute admission to the School of Nursing. Applicants for admission to the undergraduate Nursing program must complete prerequisite courses with a grade of "C" or better prior to being admitted to the School of Nursing. In some cases, the admissions committee of the School of Nursing may require additional course work. Transfer students may complete the prerequisite courses at another college or university but are responsible for having transfer credit evaluation completed by Transfer Evaluation Services to determine that transfer courses are equivalent and acceptable to University requirements. Applicants must complete a School of Nursing Supplemental Application to be considered for admission to the undergraduate Nursing program. The School of Nursing Supplemental Application may be obtained directly from the School of Nursing Academic Advising Office or the School of Nursing website.
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Complete prerequisite courses with a grade of "C" or better prior to being admitted to the School of Nursing. In some cases, the admissions committee of the School of Nursing may require additional course work. Transfer students may complete the prerequisite courses at another college or university but are responsible for having transfer credit evaluation completed by Transfer Evaluation Services to determine that transfer courses are equivalent and acceptable to University requirements.
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Complete a School of Nursing Supplemental Application
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Minimum GPA for admission to prelicensure program is 3.00. Please note that for the past several years, students admitted to the program have had at least a 3.6 GPA.
Transfer
At ODU, we understand that as a transfer student you have unique needs that require a wide array of campus resources. The Center for Advising Administration and Academic Partnerships aims to create a transfer inclusive culture that supports the successful...
Featured Courses
Cost
Estimated rates for the 2024-25 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.
Ways to Save
Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ODU. For more information visit University Student Financial Aid.
Scholarships & Grants
Click here for an extensive list of scholarships and grants offered to ODU Nursing students.