Program Overview
A face-to-face accelerated BSN embedded in Grand Rapids’ Medical Mile — one of the Midwest’s major medical districts — giving students clinical rotations at top regional health systems just steps from campus, with 90% of GVSU nursing alumni working in their field after graduation.
The Accelerated Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Grand Valley State University’s Kirkhof College of Nursing (KCON) is designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. This face-to-face program spans four semesters of clinical coursework (about 16 months), preparing students for generalist-level nursing roles.
Its location is a major advantage: KCON sits on Grand Rapids’ Medical Mile, a dense concentration of hospitals and health institutions, so clinical experiences happen in partnership with top healthcare facilities right nearby.
Built on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) Baccalaureate Essentials, the curriculum develops students’ roles as care providers, care coordinators, and members of the profession, supported by personalized academic advising and state-of-the-art simulation labs.
Outcomes are strong — 90% of GVSU nursing alumni work in their field post-graduation.
Accreditation and Outcomes
The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing, so graduates meet licensure requirements and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. The program is known for rigorous clinical experiences in partnership with top healthcare facilities near the Grand Rapids Medical Mile, and 90% of GVSU nursing alumni work in their field after graduating.
Admissions & Requirements
- Apply to GVSU as a degree-seeking undergraduate
- First bachelor’s degree verified by the first day of the nursing program
- GPA minimums: overall 2.7; 2.7 in prerequisites with a C (2.0) or better in each
- Prerequisites (for GPA calculation): BIO 355, BMS 250, BMS 251, BMS 212, CHM 234, PSY 364
- Repeat policy: maximum 3 prerequisite repeats total; only one repeat per course; no more than 2 repeats from BIO/BMS/CHM
- Before program start: complete BMS 305, BMS 310, and STA 215 with a C (2.0) or better
- Admission is competitive — meeting minimums doesn’t guarantee a seat
Details and deadlines are on the KCON baccalaureate admissions process page.
Clinical Compliance (required before clinicals)
- Background check, fingerprinting, drug screen, and all health requirements
- Sites may refuse placement if requirements (or exemptions) aren’t accepted — this can delay or stop progression and graduation
- Criminal/drug findings may affect clinical eligibility and NCLEX approval; state boards can deny licensure exams for certain convictions
Curriculum
The curriculum spans four semesters of clinical coursework, pairing theory courses with clinical and clinical-judgment (simulation) courses.
Semester One
NUR 322 – Theoretical Foundations for Health Assessment and Promotion (3 credits)
Focuses on assessing well and ill patients across various settings, emphasizing health promotion, disease prevention, and risk reduction.
NUR 323 – Clinical Application of Health Assessment and Promotion (4 credits)
Combines knowledge from nursing and liberal arts to develop clinical skills in communication, health assessment, and nursing fundamentals.
NUR 324 – Introduction to Professional Nursing Theory (3 credits)
Covers nursing definitions, theories, and healthcare settings, introducing foundational professional documents and competencies.
NUR 325 – Clinical Judgment in Health Assessment and Promotion (1 credit)
Uses simulated clinical experiences to build foundational skills for safe, quality nursing care.
NUR 328 – Clinical Pharmacology for Nursing (3 credits)
Introduces pharmacology principles for managing medications, emphasizing safe and effective patient care.
Semester Two
NUR 332 – Adult Health Theory (6 credits)
Explores the role of nurses in providing care for adult and older adult patients, using the nursing process to manage illness.
NUR 333 – Adult Health Clinical (5 credits)
Applies theoretical knowledge to adult/older adult care in acute settings, focusing on communication and safe patient outcomes.
NUR 335 – Clinical Judgment in Adult Health (1 credit)
Simulated experiences focus on nursing skills for adult and older adult care, integrating concepts from core courses.
NUR 336 – Research and Evidence-Based Nursing Practice (3 credits) or NUR 338 – Critical Appraisal of Evidence-Based Practice (1 credit)
Provides a foundation in research and evidence-based nursing, emphasizing the role of data in improving patient outcomes.
Semester Three
NUR 442 – Childbearing and Child-rearing Theory (4 credits)
Expands nursing roles to the care of childbearing and child-rearing families, applying developmental concepts to patient care.
NUR 443 – Childbearing and Child-rearing Clinical (3 credits)
Clinical experience in obstetric and pediatric settings, focusing on communication and therapeutic nursing interventions.
NUR 445 – Clinical Judgment in Childbearing, Child-rearing, Community Health, and Mental Health (1 credit)
Simulated clinical experiences expand skills in caring for families and individuals with mental health challenges.
NUR 446 – Community Health and Mental Health Theory (4 credits)
Builds knowledge on community health nursing roles, mental health care, and cultural competency across the lifespan.
NUR 447 – Community Health and Mental Health Clinical (3 credits)
Emphasizes community care, mental health, and social determinants of health, leading to a community diagnosis.
Semester Four
NUR 472 – Transitions to Professional Nursing (3 credits)
Prepares students for professional nursing roles, focusing on leadership and provision of care for diverse populations.
NUR 473 – Clinical Immersion (4 credits)
A clinical experience that helps transition students into nursing practice, synthesizing knowledge and skills gained throughout the program.
NUR 475 – Clinical Judgment in Immersion (1 credit)
Simulated scenarios emphasize teamwork, management, and delegation skills in nursing.
NUR 476 – Population Health Theory (4 credits)
Integrates nursing and public health principles, with a focus on assessing community health needs and interdisciplinary teamwork.
More detail is available in the GVSU catalog.
Academic Standards & Progression
- Minimum C (2.0) in all prerequisite, co-requisite, and nursing courses
- Most courses are letter-graded; some clinicals are credit/no-credit
- Below C = course failure; more than one failed required course = dismissal
- Withdrawing while not in good standing counts as a failure
- Maintain all compliance requirements throughout the program
Tuition
Total estimated tuition for the Accelerated Second Degree BSN is approximately $31,004 for Michigan residents and $43,788 for non-residents, covering four semesters.
Confirm current figures via the official tuition and fees page.
Other Programs & Online Availability
The Accelerated Second Degree BSN is offered exclusively on campus. GVSU also provides a traditional BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) options, plus specialized certificates in areas such as health informatics and psychiatric/mental health. There are no fully online options for the BSN at this time.