Virginia BSN-RN students/graduates: Need your help!

Nursing Students General Students

Published

Hi,

Can someone please help me figure out how many theoretical hours are required in all 6 areas (Med/Surg, Obstetrics & Pediatrics, Mental Health and Geriatrics) from a traditional BSN-RN program in Virginia (VCU)? How many credit hours do you need to complete in each area in order to be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN in the State of Virginia? And how many hours does 1 credit hour typically yield?

Thank you!

/Sara

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Bump.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Did you try looking at the school website or calling VCU directly if not contact VA BoN

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have looked at school websites and sample curriculums but I cannot find any information on how their credit hours are evaluated. I sent VCU an e-mail but posted here as well in the hopes that I might receive a faster response. Va BON said they are not authorized to comment on how many theoretical hours are required.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

If the VA BoN give you that response it's unlikely a school would reply any differently. There are many variables involved.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Which party determines the amount of theoretical hours, which should be completed in all BSN-RN programs? The BoN? Why would they not share that information? Don't the amount of hours awarded for each credit hour differ from university to university?

Side track and a little background about my situation: I'm a foreign general nursing student and inquired VA BoN about the amount of theoretical hours required and the response I received was that the CGFNS determines the amount of theory hours once they evaluate my credentials. My concern is why can't I be informed of the amount of theoretical hours before my credentials are evaluated if the BoN does ultimately decide if I have enough theoretical hours or not? Why is this information not readily available before initiation of your application process?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Some states it's listed in the nurse practice act. It's the BoN's prerogative to release what requirements they choose. Maybe try cgfns but I don't know if you will find the answers you seek. Maybe there had been a run on fake transcripts like in CA so VA is not releasing such info.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Aha... well, that makes sense. Sucks it has to be that way but I totally understand why they're being cautious in that case. And I doubt I'll get CGFNS to impart on any information before I pay them $$$ to do so :sniff:. I need the information on a more comparison grounds in order to determine if I should take any additional courses in areas where I may be lacking theoretical knowledge before I start the entire application process and while I'm still in school. I'm eyeballing at least a minimum of 95 theoretical hours in obstetrics/maternal nursing; hope that's enough? I guess I just have to dive right in and take the risk of it either working out or not working out and see where I should go from there. Not so easy for someone who likes to be very very prepared though. :/

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Response from VCU for anyone who's interested:

1 credit didactic = 1 hour in the classroom for 15 weeks plus 2 hours of preparation time.

1 credit clinical = 2 hours in clinical setting for 15 weeks plus 2 hours

prep time.

-So, my calculations gave me 30 hours per didactic credit and 90 hours per clinical credit. Is this correct?

1 hour x 15 weeks = 15 hours/15 weeks x 2 hours prep/didactic hour = 30 hours/15 weeks. 1 didactic credit = 30 hours?

And clinicals,

2 hours x 15 weeks = 30 hours/15 weeks x 2 hours prep/clinical hour = 90 hours. 1 clinical credit = 90 hours?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment