Nursing (BSN)

School of Nursing Mission

Allen College Nursing Programs prepare professional graduates who meet essential nursing practice standards in a variety of settings, caring for diverse individuals, families and populations. These programs emphasize the values of inclusion, scholarship, experiential and lifelong learning, service and interprofessional partnerships.

School of Nursing Philosophy

The philosophy and purpose of the nursing programs arise from the mission, philosophy and goals of Allen College. The faculty values the goals of higher education and supports the missions of teaching, scholarship, practice and service.

Nursing is an art and science that is continuously evolving through the synthesis of theory and knowledge. Caring and professionalism are the essence of nursing practice. As a holistic and humanistic profession, nursing is committed to addressing the individualized health-related needs of diverse clients. Nurses apply the nursing process while using healthcare technologies, evidence, critical thinking and clinical judgment to provide person-centered care. Nurses collaborate with other members of the interprofessional health care team in the delivery of safe, high quality, culturally sensitive care to diverse individuals, families and populations, with an emphasis on improving health outcomes within complex healthcare systems.

The faculty believes in an equitable and inclusive approach to nursing education, recognizing the uniqueness of each learner. The teaching-learning process involves a dynamic interaction among faculty, learner and environment. Faculty consider learning an active, lifelong, self-motivated process necessary for professional, personal and leadership development. Knowledge, skills and attitudes are best transferred using principles of good teaching and a variety of teaching methods in diverse settings. The Allen College faculty value service as an extension of learning that fosters the development of a sense of caring for others.

BSN Program Goals

To achieve the School of Nursing mission, the goals of the BSN program are to:

• prepare professional nurses as generalists, capable of meeting healthcare needs of diverse individuals, families and populations;
• prepare professional nurses to become active, engaged members of the community; and
• provide a foundation for life-long learning and graduate education.

BSN Program Outcomes

In concert with the Allen College philosophy and the Nursing program philosophy the graduate will:

1. Integrate knowledge from liberal arts, natural and social sciences, and nursing knowledge to guide clinical judgment and practice.
2. Apply the nursing process and implement person-centered strategies when delivering inclusive, compassionate care to diverse individuals in a variety of settings.
3. Apply population health principles to advocate for diverse populations and promote health equity.
4. Demonstrate application of nursing research and evidence-based practice in the delivery of nursing care.
5. Deliver safe, quality care through individual performance and system effectiveness.
6. Communicate and collaborate as a member of the interprofessional health care team.
7. Recognize resources necessary to provide safe, quality, and equitable care within complex health care systems.
8. Use information and healthcare technologies to support decision making for safe, efficient care and improved outcomes.
9. Develop a professional identity reflective of nursing’s characteristics and values.
10. Demonstrate personal, professional, and leadership development.

Faculty 

Adjunct Faculty

RN Licensure

Graduates of the BSN programs may be eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination - Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). Upon passing the examination, the individual may be licensed as a Registered Nurse in the state they apply. The NCLEX pass rate of Allen graduates consistently exceeds state and national averages.

Out-of-State Residency or Clinical Rotations

Applicants and current students must be aware select states require approval prior to Allen College offering online courses and clinical study in those states. Additionally, a state certification or governing licensing board may also require prior approval for an Allen College student to engage in clinical study within the state. Therefore, Allen College cannot guarantee out-of-state clinical or practicum placement. Allen College also cannot guarantee students maintaining residency in a state other than Iowa will be allowed to enroll in online courses.

Applicants planning to maintain residency in any state other than Iowa and planning to enroll in an online course or engage in clinical study in any state other than Iowa, should consult an admission counselor prior to applying to Allen College.

State Code (if you have a felony conviction)

The Iowa Code (Chapter 147.3) states that conviction of certain felonies will make an individual ineligible for licensure. Previous conviction of a felony does not automatically bar an individual from eligibility for licensure. After completion of a nursing education program, the student will file an application for licensure with a state board of nursing. At that time, the board of nursing may review any felony convictions to determine eligibility for licensure.

Highlights of Clinical & Simulation Experiences

• 585 hours (traditional track) and 540 hours (accelerated and hybrid tracks) of hands-on clinical and simulation experiences in acute care, specialty care, and community-based agencies
• Variety of learning experiences throughout the curriculum using clinical group education and one-on-one precepted experiences
• Clinical learning experiences at Blank Children’s Hospital, Des Moines
• 180-hour (traditional track) and 225-hour (accelerated and hybrid tracks) internship during the final semester of the program working one-on-one with an assigned RN preceptor