Frequently Asked Questions
Accelerated Second Degree BSN
Kirkhof College of Nursing
Grand Valley State University

What is the Accelerated Second Degree program?

The Accelerated Second Degree nursing program is an alternative program that shortens the time frame for receiving a BSN degree.

Who is eligible for the ASD program?

The ASD program is for individuals who have earned a bachelor's degree in another discipline from an accredited college or university.

What are the prerequisites for the ASD program?

ASD students have seven prerequisite courses: Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Human Genetics, Introductory Microbiology, Introduction to Organic & Biochemistry, Life Span Developmental Psychology, and Self-Health & Wellness.

How long is the program?

The accelerated clinical nursing program starts in May and takes 3 semesters (12 months) to complete.

Do you have to be a full-time student in the ASD program?

Successful completion of the Accelerated Second Degree program is dependent on three semesters of full-time study.

How many hours of study does the ASD program require? Can students in the ASD program be employed at the same time?

The ASD program is very demanding. We highly recommend that students do not work during the accelerated program. As the clinical courses increase in credit load, they also increase in time demands. We calculate clinical hours on a 3:1 ratio, so a clinical course that is 6 credits will require 17-18 hours of your time each week. You can roughly expect 3 hours of reading/preparation time for each hour of a theory course.

What type of expenses should I expect when I start the ASD program?

The following is a list of some of the expenses you should expect, and estimated costs that you should be prepared for.

• Tuition & Lab Fees: Please consult the GVSU Undergraduate and Graduate catalog for Costs and Financial Aid questions.
• Textbooks: Estimated average per semester is $300 new, $200 used. Some semesters will be more expensive than others. This cost only includes nursing courses' textbooks.
• Uniforms: At orientation, you will receive information about ordering uniforms (polo shirt, pants, and a lab coat). You are also responsible for purchasing shoes that are appropriate to wear with the uniform.
• Parking and Transportation: Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from clinical. The CHS express and all Dash buses/Campus Connectors are free to GVSU students. Consult http://www.gvsu.edu/operations/ to find out parking permit fees for students.
• Lab equipment: BP Cuff=$30, Stethoscope=$85-170, Penlight/scissors pack=$15, Reliable analog watch=$40.

What are the admission criteria?

Minimum admission criteria include a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, an overall GPA of 3.0, an overall GPA of 3.0 in the decision courses (Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Human Genetics, Introductory Microbiology, Introduction to Organic & Biochemistry, Life Span Developmental Psychology), a personal statement, and a list of service, leadership, & work experiences. The first degree must be completed prior to submitting the clinical nursing application.

When is the deadline for the accelerated program?

The deadline to submit your clinical nursing application is November 1.

Besides the prerequisite courses, should other course be completed before starting the ASD program?

BMS 305 Clinical Nutrition, BMS 310 Basic Pathophysiology, and STA 215 Introductory Statistics must be completed prior to starting the clinical program.

BMS 311 Pharmacology can be taken during the spring semester or earlier.

Where will I have my clinical experiences?

The grant for the accelerated second degree program requires a partnership with a healthcare facility. Our partner is Spectrum Health which means the majority of the clinical experiences will be done through their organization.

What happens if I need to drop out of the program for some reason and how would I get back in?

As soon as you realize you may need to step out of the program for a semester or longer, it is extremely important that you meet with your advisor immediately! Re-entry into either the traditional baccalaureate program or the ASD is not guaranteed.

Whom do I contact if I have additional questions?

You can contact Wanda Moerland, Student Services Coordinator, by phone: 616-331-6742 or 800-480-0406 or e-mail: moerlanw@gvsu.edu.