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Second-Degree Program Curriculum


Rutgers School of Nursing offers an opportunity for students who have already earned a bachelor's degree in another field to pursue a second bachelor's degree. Students in the second-degree program seeking the bachelor of science (B.S.) in nursing degree must complete 63 credits.

Graduates who successfully complete the program will be eligible to register to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam in the state of New Jersey and in other states.

Required Prerequisite Courses (see notes, below)

Admission to the second-degree baccalaureate program requires the completion of these prerequisite courses:

  • Anatomy and Physiology I* (4 credits with lab)

  • Anatomy and Physiology II* (4 credits with lab)

  • Microbiology* (4 credits with lab)

  • Organic Biochemistry OR General Chemistry II* (3 credits)

  • General Psychology (3 credits)

  • Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)

  • Statistics (3 credits) (descriptive and inferential statistics)

  • Life Span: A Holistic Approach (3 credits) or Developmental Psychology (3 credits) (covering the entire life span: newborn to elderly)

  • Nutrition (3 credits)


    First Semester (15 Credits)

  • 25:705:306 - Health Assessment Across the Life Span (3)

  • 25:705:325 - Professional Nursing I (3)

  • 25:705:335 - Nursing Care of Healthy Populations (6)

  • 25:705:350 - Pathophysiology & Pharmacotherapeutics:  An Integrated Approach I (3)


    Second Semester (15 Credits)

  • 25:705:326 - Professional Nursing II (2)

  • 25:705:336 - Nursing Care of Adults and Older Adults with Common Health Conditions (6)

  • 25:705:340 - Nursing Care of Childbearing Families (6)

  • 25:705:351 - Pathophysiology & Pharmacotherapeutics:  An Integrated Approach II (3)


    Third Semester (15 Credits)

  • 25:705:412 - Nursing Care of the Infant, Child, and Adolescent (6)

  • 25:705:427 - Professional Nursing III (3)

  • 25:705:428 - Nursing Care of Adults and Older Adults with Complex Health Conditions (6)


    Fourth Semester (16 Credits)

  • 25:705:414 - Nursing Care of Individuals/ Populations with Acute and Chronic Mental Health Conditions (6)

  • 25:705:418 - Population Health (3)

  • 25:705:455 - Transition to Professional Practice (4)

  • Nursing Elective (3)

    Notes:

  • All science prerequisite courses must be completed within 10 years of applying to the program. There is no time limit for non-science prerequisite courses.

  • A grade of C+ or higher is required for Life Span/Developmental Psychology and Nutrition; a grade of C or higher is required for all other prerequisite courses.

  • Science grades weigh heavily in the admission decision.

  • Nursing courses completed at another nursing school are not accepted.

  • Please note, a history of numerous course failures, repeated courses, withdrawals, and dismissal from another nursing program may influence the admission decision. While not required, addressing extraordinary circumstances related to previous academic performance in a personal statement is highly recommended.

  • All science prerequisite courses (four) must be completed (with grades) prior to application submission. No exceptions.

  • It is strongly recommended all prerequisite courses are completed prior to applying, but applicants who have two non-science courses "in-progress" at the time of application submission will be considered. Proof of enrollment for any course "in progress" must be provided with the application and an updated official transcript indicating the "in progress" course(s) were successfully completed is required before beginning the program.