The Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree has four enrollment options to accommodate individuals from varying educational experiences. They are as follows:

• The Early Decision Option (EDO) is a formal understanding between the high school student and Cox College in which the student may be granted admission to Cox College and the BSN program.
• The Entry-Level Option (BSN-EL), which provides a four-year baccalaureate degree leading to eligibility for RN licensure.
• The Accelerated Option (BSN-ACC), which provides a baccalaureate degree in nursing leading to eligibility for RN licensure for individuals with a bachelor's degree in another field.
• RN to BSN Completion (RN-BSN), which provides a baccalaureate degree in nursing for registered nurses.

For Admissions requirements and specific Nuring policies please refer to the college catalog.

Upon completion of the BSN program of study, the graduate will be able to accomplish the following items:

• Utilize information management skills as a means of competent decision making and critical thinking to enhance nursing practice, client education, and personal life long learning.
• Communicate effectively using verbal, written, and interpersonal skills among colleagues, individuals, families, groups, and communities.
• Implement evidenced-based therapeutic interventions for individuals, families, groups, and communities in structured and unstructured healthcare settings.
• Integrate principles of life span development in the nursing care of diverse groups.
• Utilize methods of discovery to inform practice and improve nursing care.
• Integrate nursing roles to assure competent practice in a changing and diverse healthcare environment.

Graduation Requirements

After enrollment in the nursing program, it is recommended that students take at least one nursing course each semester. Degree requirements must be met within five years of entry into the nursing program. Every candidate for a degree is responsible for meeting all the requirements for graduation. The responsibility for understanding and meeting graduation requirements rests entirely with the student. The degree requires:

• Satisfactory completion (C or better) of all specified courses in the curriculum plan
• Completion of 400-level nursing courses with a minimum of 30 credit hours granted by Cox College for each BSN option
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale on completion of required courses for all the nursing program
• Completion of all nursing courses within 5 years of admission to the nursing program

Deadline for applying for graduation is published on the academic calendar. If a student does not complete the final course requirements, a new degree application must be submitted. 
 

Early Decision Option (EDO)

The early decision option is a formal understanding between the high school senior student and Cox College in which the student may be granted admission to Cox College and the BSN program. Students seeking the early decision option may submit their applications during their senior year of high school. Applications and transcripts showing completion of high school courses to that date must be submitted before January 15 of their senior year.

Once a candidate has been notified of an offer for admission into the BSN program, a non-refundable deposit must be submitted. The student may register for classes according to the academic calendar. Actual enrollment is contingent on receipt of an official high school transcript by July 1 of the year of enrollment, verifying that all admission and program criteria have been met. Students will be required to attend orientation.

BSN EDO application

Candidates who are high school students desiring to be admitted by the early decision option must successfully complete the following:

• Admitted to Cox College by January 15
• ACT of 25 or better;
• Completion of Missouri college bound high school graduation requirement of

o 4 units of communication
o 3 units of math
o 3 units of science
o 3 units of social studies

• Must have a "B" or greater on all College bound high school requirements
• Maintain a 3.0 GPA on current coursework
• Submit BSN EDO application 

Note: EDO students will follow the BSN-Entry Option course of study.

Bachelor of Science Degree Program - Entry Option

The entry-level option is a traditional baccalaureate program in nursing. The degree requires 128 credit hours of study. Graduates will be prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®). After passing this examination, they will be eligible to start a career as a professional registered nurse.

BSN Entry level application

Bachelor of Science: LPN Advance Placement

Deadline
Fall - January 15th 
Spring - August 15th

BSN Entry Level Option Requirements and Suggested Full-Time Course of Study

General Education:  56 Credit Hrs

*BIOL205 Human Anatomy
*BIOL206 Human Physiology
*BIOL208 Microbiology
*BIOL302 Principles of Human Nutrition
BIOL382 Pathophysiology
*CHEM103 Fundamentals of Chemistry
MATH100 Intermediate Algebra
MATH227 Introduction to Statistics
*ENGL150 English Composition
*ENGL207 Expository Writing
HUMN150 Humanities Elective
PHIL201 Introduction to Philosophy
CCPL100 Promoting Learning and Ultimate Success
GOVT101 Government and Politics in the United States
*PSYC101 Introduction to Psychology
*PSYC230 Life Span Development
SOCI101 Introduction to Sociology
SOCI304 Global Awareness and Cultural Diversity

*Denotes courses that MUST be completed prior to program entry (prior to fall or spring semester).

Nursing: 72 credit hours

NRSI 200 Introduction to Professional Nursing
NRSI 202 Foundations of Professional Nursing 
NRSI 204 Pharmacological Basis of Nursing Practice 
NRSI 206 Health Assessment 
NRSI 211 Care of Childbearing Families 
NRSI 212 Mental Health/Illness Nursing Concepts
NRSI 213 Care of Childrearing Families 
NRSI 290/490 Nursing Elective 
NRSI 300 Nursing Informatics 
NRSI 302 Adult Medical Surgical Nursing I 
NRSI 306 Aging and the Older Adult 
NRSI 310 Adult Medical Surgical Nursing II 
NRSI 400 Theories and Research in Nursing 
NRSI 402 Management and Leadership in Nursing 
NRSI 404 Community and Public Health Nursing 
NRSI 406 Trend, Issues, and Ethics in Nursing 
NRSI 410 Nursing Capstone

For more information contact Admissions at
417/269-3401
admissions@coxcollege.edu

LPN Advance Placement - BSN

Candidates who are Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and are requesting advanced placement must also complete the following items:

• Completes math proficiency
• Transcript verification and successful completion of LPN program.
• Submit Admission Application form, available from the Admissions Department., no later than January 15th for August entry and August 15th for January entry.
• Take the Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (ACE: Nursing Care during Childbearing and Nursing Care of the Child) PN Pharmacology Exam; and Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing.
  • NRSI 204 Pharmacological Basis of Nursing Practice
  • NRSI 211 Care of Childbearing Families
  • NRSI 212 Mental Health/Illness Nursing Concepts
  • NRSI 213 Care of Childrearing Families
•  Complete all required general education courses commensurate with their advanced placement with a "C" or better (Human Anatomy, Fundamentals of chemistry, Human Physiology, Introduction to psychology, Intermediate Algebra, Promoting Learning and Ultimate Success, English Composition, Microbiology, Life Span Development, Intro to Sociology, Intro Professional Nursing, Expository Writing, Pathophysiology). LPN applicants will not need to take nutrition; credit by validation (CV credit) in nutrition is awarded to advanced placement students on admission to the program.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

NOTE: Individual test results are reviewed according to the decision score for each test by the Nursing Dean or designee. Candidates scoring above 70% on each exam will be allowed to progress to appropriate nursing course. Less than 70% will be advised to begin at the appropriate nursing course.

Admission into the LPN Advanced Placement program is offered to the highest-ranking candidates in the applicant pool. This must include one of the following science courses (Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry or Microbiology)

Once a candidate has been notified of an offer for admission into the LPN Advanced Placement program, a nonrefundable  background and drug screen fee must be submitted. After receipt of this fee, the student may register for classes according to the academic calendar. There will be an Advanced Placement orientation offered during intersession classes.

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BSN Program Accelerated Option

The BSN program accelerated option offers a baccalaureate level nursing program to individuals with a previously earned baccalaureate degree in another field from a regionally accredited college or university. The degree requires completion of 128 semester credit hours. Of these, 26 credit hours are awarded for the prior baccalaureate degree; the remainder consists of 34 credit hours of general education courses and 68 credit hours of nursing courses. The accelerated option requires fulltime enrollment, and due to the academic rigor of the option, employment is highly discouraged. Students progress through the option as a cohort group beginning in the spring semester. The BSN degree is completed in a 16-month period, inclusive of three semesters and one summer session. Failure to progress with the cohort group will result in dismissal from the program.

Graduates of this option are prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN ®). After passing this examination, graduates are eligible to begin a career as a registered professional nurse.

Program consists of 8 week blocks; two blocks in the spring, one summer block and two blocks in the fall semester. Select course will be offered as blended on-line classes.

Bachelor of Science Accelerated program application

Deadline
Spring - August 15th
 

BSN Accelerated Option Requirements and Suggested Full-Time Course of Study

Prior to Program Entry

Fundamentals of Chemistry
Introduction to Psychology (or equivalent)
Human Anatomy
Human Physiology
Nutrition
Introduction to Sociology (or equivalent)
Microbiology
Statistics
Life Span Development
Pathophysiology
Note: Government course may be required
All the above courses must be completed prior to starting the program.

First Year - Spring Semester (18 hours)

NRSI 204 Pharmacological Basis of Nursing Practice
NRSI 208 Foundations of Professional Nursing 
NRSI 206 Health Assessment 
NRSI 300 Nursing Informatics 
NRSI 400 Theories and Research in Nursing

First Year - Summer Semester  (14 hours)

NRSI 306 Aging and the Older Adult 
NRSI 302 Adult Medical Surgical Nursing I 
NRSI 212 Mental Health/Illness Nursing Concepts  

Second Year - Fall Semester (18 hours)

NRSI 211 Care of Childbearing Families 
NRSI 213 Care of Childrearing Families
NRSI 402 Management and Leadership in Nursing 
NRSI 404 Community and Public Health Nursing 

Second Year - Spring Semester (18 hours)

NRSI 406 Trends, Issues, and Ethics in Nursing 
NRSI 310 Adult Medical Surgical Nursing II 
NRSI 410 Nursing Capstone Course 

Total Credit Awarded for Prior Degree 26
Total Required General Education Courses 34
Total Required Nursing Courses 68

Total Credit Hours 128

For more information contact Admissions at
417/269-3401
admissions@coxcollege.edu

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BSN Program RN to BSN or RN to MSN

The RN to BSN option provides a baccalaureate degree in nursing for registered nurses with a regionally accredited diploma or an associate degree in nursing. The RN to BSN option requires completion or validation of 128 credit hours. Of these, 66 credit hours are awarded for the prior diploma or associate degree in nursing and 58 credit hours are required for completion or validation within the RN to BSN option.

Bachelor of Science - RN completion application

The RN to MSN option allows registered nurses with a diploma or associate of science degree the option to achieve their Masters degree while working on their bachelors degree. Nine credit hours of MSN electives may be used as dual enrolled credits that work towards the BSN and MSN program. Further program information

The program is a blended on-line program. The program consists of primarily online courses with minimal on campus attendance requirements for each individual course.
Program consists of 8 week blocks; two blocks in the spring, and two blocks in the fall semester.

Program start dates:

Fall 2010 block 2 - October 18th
Spring 2011 block 1 - January 18th
Spring 2011 block 2 - March 14th
Fall 2011 block 1 - August 22rd
Fall 2011 block 2 - October 17th

RN to BSN/MSN Completion Option Requirements

General Education 24 Credit Hours

This block must be completed prior to starting the Nursing courses
BIOL 382    Pathophysiology
MATH 100  Intermediate Algebra
MATH 227  Introduction to Statistics
ENGL 207  Expository Writing
PSYC 230   Life Span Development

To be completed prior to graduation
HUMN 150 Humanities Elective
GOVT 101  Government and Politics in the United States
SOCI 304   Global Awareness and Cultural Diversity

Nursing (On-line Courses)  34 Credit Hrs

NRSI 300 Nursing Informatics
NRSI 312 Health Assessment RN to BSN
NRSI 400 Theories and Research in Nursing
NRSI 402 Management and Leadership in Nursing*
NRSI 405 Community and Public Health*
NRSI 406 Trends, Issues, and Ethics in Nursing*
NRSI 412 Professional Role Transition
NRSI 490 Nursing Electives
*denotes course with clinical component

For more information contact:

Admissions Department
417/269-3083
admissions@coxcollege.edu

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