College of Nursing

The College of Nursing offers undergraduate and graduate programs designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values to positively impact the health of populations. The college is committed to teaching, research, and outreach that advances health and quality of life in our state, nation, and world. Graduates from the program emerge as leaders in healthcare, prepared to lead advancements in patient care, research, and education.

Undergraduate Program

The College of Nursing includes a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program with two pathways, traditional and RN to BSN. The traditional track includes classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences that prepare graduates for professional nursing practice across the lifespan with diverse populations across a variety of settings. The RN to BSN track has two options, traditional RN to BSN and concurrent RN to BSN. Both tracks provide associate degree nurses with education focused on knowledge development, leadership, evidence-based practice, and quality patient care outcomes. Students in the traditional RN to BSN are licensed associate degree nurses who must complete the required prerequisites followed by the three-semester professional program. Concurrent students complete associate degree and BSN courses concurrently and graduate with the BSN one semester after associate degree completion.

Graduate Programs

The graduate programs in the College of Nursing include Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) programs. Students seeking the MSN may select the Primary Care Nurse Practitioner or Nurse Educator track. Graduates of the Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track have specialized, advanced education and clinical practice competencies to provide health care for populations and sit for certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The Nurse Educator track prepares graduates to teach both student nurses and professional nurses at the bedside and in academic environments. The DNP is a post-master's, practice-focused doctorate that prepares advanced practice nurses with advanced knowledge of evidence-based care and the ability to apply this knowledge in practice to improve patient outcomes. The PhD in Nursing is a research-focused doctoral degree that prepares nurse scientists for positions in academia and other research settings.

Facilities

The College of Nursing is housed in the nursing building located at 710 South Donahue Drive. Undergraduate clinical nursing experiences are conducted at acute care, community and long-term care facilities in a variety of locations across the state of Alabama and in neighboring states. Graduate clinical nursing experiences are conducted in primary care and other healthcare facilities in Alabama and beyond. Students are responsible for complying with policies and procedures required by agencies in which clinical experiences are completed.

Technical Standards and Requirements

Technical standards are provided to inform incoming and current Auburn University College of Nursing students of the performance abilities and characteristics necessary to successfully meet program outcomes and provide safe and effective nursing care.

Acquire and interpret information (AACN Essentials Domains 1, 4, 7, & 8)

• Ability to acquire and interpret information, including, but not limited to information conveyed through coursework, lecture, group activities, written documents, computer systems, and laboratory, simulation, and clinical experiences.

Communicate with others in oral and written form (AACN Essentials Domains 2, 6, & 8)

• Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively through various mediums with a variety of individuals including patients, families, healthcare team members, faculty and peers of diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to elicit information from patients, family members, and healthcare team members to effectively evaluate and plan patient care.
• Ability to comprehend and use standard professional nursing and medical terminology.
• Ability to convey information to patients, families, and the healthcare team including health teaching and explaining care.

Integrate knowledge to demonstrate clinical judgment (AACN Essentials Domains 1, 2, & 3)

• Ability to assess, interpret, respond to, and evaluate patient health needs.
• Ability to critically think, problem-solve, and apply clinical judgment to care for patients, families, and/or communities across the health continuum in diverse care environments.

Exhibit professional behaviors and attitudes (AACN Essentials Domains 9 & 10)

• Ability to exercise proper judgment and complete responsibilities in a timely and accurate manner.
• Ability to demonstrate concern for others, integrity, accountability, interest, and motivation.
• Possess the emotional health necessary to function under stress and adapt to changing environments within the context of classroom and clinical settings.

Utilize motor skills (AACN Essentials Domains 2 & 5)

• Ability to obtain accurate information from patients using gross and fine motor skills appropriate to the technique.
• Possess psychomotor skills and endurance necessary to provide holistic nursing care.
• Practice in a safe manner using universal precautions.
• Provide timely and appropriate care in urgent and emergent situations.

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Auburn University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). The AUCON prelicensure BSN program is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing.

Undergraduate Programs

• Nursing — Traditional
• RN — BSN

Majors

• Nursing — Traditional
• RN — BSN