Nursing is a noble profession – and it’s more vital than ever! As America’s population gets older, the need for skilled nurses will surely increase, and there’s always work to be done aiding patients in need. If you’ve felt a calling to help and heal, Ohio University’s nursing degree is the best way to gain clinical experience and prepare for your RN licensure exam.
There are lots of reasons to study for a nursing degree at Ohio University , like our 2023 NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate of 98.49%, which is well above the national average.
Choose What You Want to Learn
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Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing
OHIO’s traditional four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is a comprehensive pathway to your nursing credential. It combines on-campus classroom lectures, laboratory activities, clinical experiences, and nursing simulations.
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Online RN-to-BSN
Ohio University’s 100% online RN-to-BSN program can be completed in one year if you already have your RN license. Nursing classes are five weeks long, with eight different start dates, perfect for working nurses who need maximum schedule flexibility.
Choose Where You Want to Learn
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Athens, OH, Residential Campus
Beyond the state-of-the-art nursing learning facilities and excellent student pass rate, Ohio University provides an exceptional campus and university experience and a well-rounded student life. Ranked the best college town in Ohio, the Athens campus has an idyllic setting, and the area offers plenty of cultural and outdoor recreation activities.
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OHIO Online
Nurses who already have their RN licensure can take our 100% online RN-to-BSN program without having to set foot in a classroom. Many nursing prerequisite classes are available online, as well.
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On a Regional Campus
Take classes near where you work and live with OHIO’s BSN program at a regional campus. Clinical experiences can be done at local clinics or medical facilities, and your faculty members will assist in finding the right places for you to hone your knowledge and patient-related skills.
Named a best nursing RN to BSN program in the countryby U.S. News & World Report
- Our RN to BSN has been named a best nursing BSN program in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
- OHIO’s School of Nursing is highly regarded and has been selected by Niche as the best nursing school in Ohio.
- Our online RN to BSN is ranked #1 among public schools and second overall in the nation by allnurses .
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Ohio University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education .
Careers in Nursing
Nursing is already an incredibly important career, and it’s set to become even more vital in the years to come. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment Projections 2021-2031 , the registered nurse workforce should grow by 6% by 2031, meaning the United States will need approximately 200,000 new nurses sooner rather than later.
In addition to working as a nurse in a hospital or other medical clinic, some of the possible nursing jobs you might hold include:
- Public health nurse
- Hospice nurse
- Nurse manager
- School nurse
- Travel nurse
- Nurse educator
- Family nurse practitioner
Most nursing degree graduates from Ohio University have employment opportunities well before their final class dates. It’s all thanks to the industry-relevant experience you’ll accumulate, as well as the quality of the classroom instruction you’ll receive from faculty members.
Post-grad Opportunities for Nursing Majors
OHIO Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing can advance their career outlook with a graduate degree or certificate. We encourage all our students to have a goal of lifelong learning, as nursing is an ever-evolving science. And we make it convenient for you to continue your nursing studies at OHIO with online graduate certificates and degrees.
Ohio University offers a 100% online Master of Nursing (MSN) program that can prepare you for a specialized nursing career, such as caring for patients as a family nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner or adult gerontology-acute care nurse practitioner. Or you might pursue a career as a nurse executive or nurse educator. OHIO also offers five online Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates .
Nurses interested in advanced clinical practice or executive leadership also might pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) , also offered online by OHIO.
Get Hands-on Experience with Your Nursing Degree
Our nursing program provides important experiential learning opportunities for students. What you learn in the class is also valuable and applicable in the field, so you’ll get experiences in the clinic and in the community.
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Complete Undergraduate Research
All nursing degree students are required to participate in evidence-based practice projects. Each senior is assigned to work with a preceptor nurse for 168 hours (about one week) in a hospital setting. Preceptors are experienced licensed clinicians who help students translate their classroom learning into clinical practice.
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Participate in Community Engagement Opportunities
Along with blood drives and charitable fundraising, all nursing degree students are required to take a community course that features practical experience at local schools, home health agencies, and local hospitals, such as Nationwide Children's Hospital .
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Take Advantage of Leadership and Networking Opportunities
Our nursing degree students are involved on campus and have opportunities to interact and collaborate with peers through activities provided by a variety of BSN student organizations available on every campus and Minority Association of Pre-health Students (MAPS). OHIO also has a chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
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Learn What You Need for the NCLEX-RN
Students attending the BSN program will complete all the classes and clinical hour requirements to prepare for the NCLEX-RN exam. In fact, by the conclusion of your program, you’ll have clocked over 1,500 hours of combined classroom, laboratory, and clinical credit hours – plenty to provide you with the confidence and capabilities needed to succeed in any professional environment!
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Practice in the OHIO Nursing Simulation Lab
Ohio University nursing students can test their skills and practice fundamental classroom knowledge in the Simulation Labs. These come with state-of-the-art equipment, such as biomedical equipment and human patient simulators. By the time you arrive in a clinical setting, you’ll already be familiar with many of the tools and technologies needed to provide competent care to your patients.
Why Choose a Nursing Degree?
There are many reasons why you might want to pursue a BSN degree to become a nurse. Maybe you’ve always had an interest in medicine and want to combine that interest with job security. Or perhaps you want to make the world a better place, one patient at a time. Each shift as a nurse is an opportunity to help or heal in a way that’s hard to replicate with other careers, whether you work at a hospital, private practice, or elsewhere.
Nurses save and improve lives. That’s the kind of positive difference many students want out of their careers, even if the work can sometimes be taxing. The right education, however, can more than prepare you for the challenges unique to this profession. OHIO’s focus on experiential learning and clinical instruction ensures that you’ll know exactly what to do and how to help, no matter the situation.
Student Support Resources for Nursing Majors
Ohio University provides a strong support network for all our students, including students in our nursing programs. For example, all nursing degree students will receive a customized graduation plan to help maintain a surefire pace to graduate on time. Students can also take advantage of the Student Success Team for academic planning or research assistance.
Meanwhile, the faculty of the College of Health Sciences and Professions and School of Nursing are committed to providing one-on-one mentorship and other support as needed. Studying nursing at Ohio University is a lot like joining a family for life. Whether you’re joining as an RN or starting your nursing journey from scratch, your professors will be with you every step of the way. Our faculty-to-student ratio is 1 to 18, so you’ll never feel lost in a crowd of your peers.
The OHIO Experience for Nursing Majors
Nursing majors at Ohio University will take prerequisites for the program in their freshman year, including one introductory nursing course. Once admitted to the nursing major, students are exposed to courses and clinical experiences designed for professional proficiency.
Since practical experience is important to future nurses, OHIO’s dedication to experiential learning is even more valuable. Clinical practice experiences are a core part of your curriculum. It’s a fast-paced, intense major. But it’s perfect to prepare you for the bustling pace of nursing life!
By the time you graduate, you’ll emerge confident in yourself and your ability to provide critical medical care to the people under your charge. With our program, you’ll be ready to help and heal wherever you choose to work.