title: Three-calendar-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing: an innovative curriculum program.
abstract: The 3-calendar-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) curriculum program was developed to facilitate a quicker entry into professional nursing practice. This program offered many advantages, including financial and time-saving benefits for students, more efficient use of campus facilities, and flexibility in faculty scheduling. Evaluation of the program showed benefits in the success rate of course-work, in retention and graduation rates, and in subsequent NCLEX-RN pass rates. The NCLEX-RN pass rate for students in the 3-calendar-year BSN program was 98.33%, compared with the national average pass rate (88.01%) for the same 5-year period for first-time test takers. The 3-calendar-year BSN program met the needs of both traditional and nontraditional students. It produced quality nurse graduates who were successful NCLEX-RN first-time test takers. The program has potential to be adopted by other universities with a student base composed of individuals of modest resources and diverse backgrounds.
authors.forename: Mary Lou Gemma
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ferranto
authors.forename: Lorene S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Karen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Zapko
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D013997:Time Factors