Four-Year Bachelor of Science Nursing Program

The College of Staten Island (CSI) offers a fully accredited four-year Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Nursing for students who wish to become registered nurses (RNs) over a four-year course of study. 

Students complete 120 credits over 8 semesters combining liberal arts, sciences, and nursing coursework, with opportunities for hands-on learning through clinical rotations, practice labs, and simulation experiences. By completing the 4-Year BS Nursing Program, students can expect to enter the nursing profession with a solid foundation in nursing science and a liberal arts education. The 4-Year BS Nursing Program offers a direct pathway to multiple nursing career options.

Why pursue a four-year degree? 

Graduates will meet the New York State requirement for all RNs to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing within 10 years of licensure upon completion of the 4-Year BS Nursing Program.  

A 4-year degree offers immediate entry into the workforce already meeting the degree requirement for promotional opportunities.

Upon completion of the program, graduates:

  • Are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) 
  • Can launch their careers in a variety of healthcare settings
  • Are eligible to apply for advanced study in graduate programs

What is unique about CSI’s 4-Year BS Nursing Program? 

  • A contemporary curriculum incorporating holistic care of the nurse and nursing student
  • Nursing courses begin in the third semester of study (Year 2-Semester 1) of the program
  • Opportunities to develop an honors project and work with a faculty mentor
  • Opportunities to join the international honor society in nursing and connect with scholars and students around the world 
  • A transition-into-practice course (Year 4-Semester 2) aimed at success on the RN licensing exam, career growth and development, and skills for a rewarding career in nursing

Step 1: Admission to the College of Staten Island

Step 2: 4-Year BS Nursing Program Pre-Admission Requirements – Year 1-Semester 1 and Year 1-Semester 2

Step 3: Apply for Admission into the 4-Year BS Nursing Program

Step 4: Admission to the 4-Year BS Nursing Program 

Step 1: Admission to the College of Staten Island

Apply to the College of Staten Island as an undergraduate freshman/transfer student as an undeclared major/pre-nursing* 

*Please see the CSI Admissions page for more details: Applying to CSI | Admissions | College of Staten Island Website  

Step 2: 4-Year BS Nursing Program Pre-Admission Requirements – Year 1-Semester 1 and Year 1-Semester 2

Complete the following courses during Year 1 and meet academic admission requirements**:  

  • Year 1 - Semester 1 (16 Credits):  
    • BIO 106 - Principles of Biology I - 3 credits  
    • BIO 107 - Principles of Biology I Laboratory - 1 credit  
    • ENG 111 - Intro to College Writing - 3 credits  
    • US Experience & Diversity Course - 3 credits  
    • PSY 100 - Psychology – 3 credits  
    • PHL 130 - Introduction to Ethics – 3 credits  
  • Year 1 - Semester 2 (15 credits):  
    • CHM 110 - Principles of Chemistry I - 3 credits  
    • CHM 111 - Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory – 1 credit   
    • ENG 151 - College Writing - 3 credits  
    • BIO 150 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I - 4 credits  
    • MTH 113 - Introduction to Probability & Statistics – 4 credits  

Complete a standardized entrance exam during Year 1 and submit official scores prior to the 4-Year BS Nursing Program admission application deadlines. Students must achieve satisfactory scores to be considered for admission. 

**4-Year BS Nursing Program Academic Admission Requirements: 

  • Minimum overall GPA of 2.7
  • A grade of C+ or higher in each of the courses listed above (Year 1-Semester 1 and Year 1-Semester 2)
  • A GPA of 3.0 or higher in the following classes taken in Year 1:   
    • BIO 106 - Principles of Biology I 
    • BIO 107 - Principles of Biology I Lab 
    • CHM 110 - Principles of Chemistry I 
    • CHM 111 - Principles of Chemistry I Lab  
    • BIO 150 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I

** Science courses listed above (BIO 106; BIO 107; CHM 110; CHM 111; BIO 150) may only be attempted once, unless it has been more than 5 years since they were taken. If the above science courses were completed more than 5 years from the date of application, either in residence or at a previous institution, the course(s) will need to be repeated to be considered. 

BIO 150 (Human Anatomy and Physiology I) and BIO 160 (Human Anatomy and Physiology II) must be taken at the same institution whether they are transferred from another college or taken at CSI.  

The 4-Year BS Program in Nursing does not participate in the Freshman Forgiveness Program. 

Pre-College Coursework: Students who have completed college coursework or college-level examination programs recognized by CUNY as high school students may repeat pre-requisite courses to be considered for 4-Year BS Nursing Program admission without prejudice (AICE, AP, CLEP, DLPT, DSST, UEXCEL, IB).

Transfer Students:

In addition to the 4-Year BS Nursing Program pre-admission requirements above, transfer students from other colleges must be in good academic standing. 

Students who are on academic probation, or who have been academically/administratively dismissed from a Nursing or health professional program at CSI or another institution are not eligible for admission to the 4-Year BS Nursing Program at CSI.

Nursing pre-requisite courses taken outside of CSI must have transfer equivalency at CSI. The letter grades earned in pre-requisite courses at other colleges are used in the calculation of the 4-Year BS Nursing Program pre-requisite GPA for transfer students. 

For BIO 150 and BIO 160 to be awarded for transfer credit, they must be taken at the same institution.

Nursing courses taken at a previous institution are not eligible for transfer credit.

Step 3: Apply for Admission into 4-Year BS Nursing Program

Students will apply through Nursing Center for Advanced Studies (CAS) while completing Year 1-Semester 2 prerequisite requirements: NursingCAS | The Centralized Application for Nursing Programs

Provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Residency Status: Residency Information

Step 4: Admission to the 4-Year BS Nursing Program

Admission Decision:

Admission decisions are communicated to students using the Application Portal only. 

Students are required to check their application status after the decision date. 

Students will NOT be notified by email or in person of acceptance. 

Students unable to access the Application Portal may email nursing@csi.cuny.edu for assistance.  

 

4-Year BS Nursing Program Orientation:

All admitted students must attend an in-person New Student Orientation at the specified date and time. 

4-Year BS Nursing Program Courses (by semester): 

Year 1 – Semester 1 (16 Credits):  

  • BIO 106 - Principles of Biology I - 3 credits  
  • BIO 107 - Principles of Biology I Laboratory - 1 credit  
  • ENG 111 - Intro to College Writing - 3 credits  
  • US Experience & Diversity Course - 3 credits  
  • PSY 100 - Psychology – 3 credits  
  • PHL 130 - Introduction to Ethics – 3 credits  

 Year 1 – Semester 2 (15 credits):  

  • CHM 110 - Principles of Chemistry I - 3 credits  
  • CHM 111 - Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory – 1 credit   
  • ENG 151 - College Writing - 3 credits  
  • BIO 150 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I - 4 credits  
  • MTH 113 - Introduction to Probability & Statistics – 4 credits  

 Year 2 – Semester 1 (15 Credits):  

  • PSY 242 - Lifespan Development – 4 credits  
  • BIO 160 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II - 4 credits  
  • CHM 116 - Principles of Chemistry II - 3 credits  
  • CHM 117 - Principles of Chemistry II Laboratory - 1 credit  
  • NRS 101 - Holistic Self-Care of the Nurse and Nursing Student - 1 credit   
  • NRS 204 - Pharmacology and Medical Dosage Calculations for Nurses - 3 credits  

 Year 2 – Semester 2 (14 Credits):  

  • BIO 350 - Microbiology   - 3 credits  
  • BIO 351 - Microbiology Laboratory - 1 credit  
  • NRS 303 - Seminar in Profession - 3 credits  
  • NRS 208 - Foundations of Nursing - 4 credits  
  • NRS 320 - Health Assessment & Physical Examination - 3 credits  

 Year 3 – Semester 1 (16 credits): 

  • Creative Expression Course - 3 credits  
  • BIO 146 - Nutrition – 3 credits  
  • NRS 301 - Adult Health Nursing I - 5 credits  
  • NRS 310 - Interpersonal Dynamics for Professional Nurses – 2 credits  
  • Nursing Elective chosen in consultation with a Nursing Faculty Advisor (e.g. NRS 305, 319, 323, 324, 325) - 3 credits  

Year 3 – Semester 2 (15 credits): 

  • World Cultures & Global Issues Course – 3 credits  
  • NRS 309 - Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health Wellness – 4 credits  
  • NRS 307 - Adult Health Nursing II - 5 credits  
  • NRS 321 - Introduction to Nursing Research – 3 credits  

 Year 4 – Semester 1 (15 credits): 

  • NRS 410 - Community Health Nursing – 5 credits  
  • NRS 401 - Adult Health Nursing III – 5 credits  
  • NRS 412 - Nursing Leadership, Management, and Care Coordination – 2 credits  
  • Nursing Elective chosen in consultation with a Nursing Faculty Advisor (e.g. NRS 305, 319, 323, 324, 325) - 3 credits  

 Year 4 – Semester 2 (13 credits): 

  • NRS 414 - Family-Centered Maternity and Neonatal Nursing – 4 credits  
  • NRS 415 - Nursing Care of Children – 4 credits  
  • NRS 423 - Issues in Health Care and Professional Nursing – 3 credits  
  • NRS 424 - Transition to Professional Practice – 2 credits