Can I go to school part-time?
Lecture, lab, and clinical hours are usually four full days a week. On Level 1 (first year) school days are primarily Tuesday through Friday. On Level 2 (second year) school days are primarily Monday through Thursday. School days are subject to change.

Do you have an evening program?
Yes. A Partial Evening Program is offered for the first academic year. Students in this program are required to move to the day division when the first second level course is offered in May.

How long is the program?
4 academic semesters and a early spring/summer course for the traditional track. Students may elect to apply to the accelerated track after completing the first second level course.

Level 1:
NU101 and NU102 run September to December.
NU104 and NU105 run January-April.

Level 2:
NU201 runs during May.
NU202 and NU203 run September to December.
NU204 and NU205 run January to Early May.

Students who enrolled in the accelerated program take NU202 & NU203 from June through August and NU204 & NU205 from September through December and graduate in December.

Do I take the non-nursing courses at Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing?
No. Only the Nursing courses are taken at the school.

So, where can I take the non-nursing prerequisite and co-requisite courses?
You can take the courses at any college. We work closely with Housatonic Community College, so the non-nursing courses listed in our catalog are named and numbered according to HCC courses. However, you may take the equivalent courses at another school.

If I already have a degree or some college courses, can I transfer those credits to BHSN?
Absolutely. As long as you have earned a "C" grade or better, equivalent courses will be accepted as part of the Diploma requirements at BHSN.

Is there a time limit on transferable courses?
Science courses must not be older than 7 years. The admissions committee may make exceptions on the individual's transcript and experience. There is no time limit on any of the other courses.

Must all the non-nursing courses be completed before I begin the nursing courses?
There are only two courses that must be completed before beginning nursing courses: Chemistry with a lab (taken in high school or at the college level within 7 years ) and English Composition. However, because the nursing courses are intense, most students find it easier to take as many non-nursing courses before they actually begin nursing courses. This is especially true for Anatomy and Physiology I and II (4 credits each).

Can you explain the Diploma vs. Associate Degree in Nursing?
There are three educational paths to become a Registered Nurse. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four-year degree. An Associate Degree in Nursing is a 2-3 year educational commitment where the non-nursing courses and nursing courses are usually offered at a community college. The Diploma in Nursing is a course of study usually in a hospital based setting. All three allow the graduate to take the same NCLEX examination. This is a national exam that is required for Registered Nurse licensure.

Is there an advantage of one educational path over another?
Salary, job opportunities, and educational advancement for the Associate Degree and the Diploma graduate are comparable. The diploma program focuses more on the direct care in the acute care setting. Most entry-level jobs as a RN will accept all three educational preparations. Some jobs may require experience as a RN and a BSN.

Can you explain the Associate Degree option to me?
As stated above, all nursing courses are taken at BHSN and non-nursing courses are transferred in from a college or university. BHSN has a partnership with Housatonic Community College. If a student takes an additional 3 credit course (ENG*E102) and has taken at least 16 of the non-nursing credits at HCC, graduates from BHSN and passes the NCLEX, they will receive a Diploma in Nursing AND an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing. Students who take the non-nursing courses elsewhere will receive a Diploma in Nursing from BHSN. Both the Associate Degree and the Diploma allow the graduate to become a RN. The Associate Degree is an option some students choose.

Will any of these credits transfer into a Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN) Program?
Yes. 30 nursing credits and 30 non-nursing credits are transferable to any BSN program in the state according to the Connecticut Articulation Model for Nursing Education. This is true for all Diploma and Associate Degree graduates.