Our Accelerated Second Degree BSN track is challenging, but the rewards of completing your degree and entering this critical profession are many.  With the support of an experienced nursing faculty adviser, you’ll receive academic and professional guidance throughout your 15 months in the program. Our state-of-the-art, specialized nursing labs create an environment that prepares you exceptionally well for what you will experience in your clinical rotations.  The ASD-BSN Track is offered in Winchester, Virginia, at the Health and Life Sciences Building, and at Scholar Plaza, Loudoun conveniently located on Route 7 just east of Leesburg, Virginia. After you’ve completed your studies, you’ll sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), prepared with the skills and knowledge needed to apply for entry-level professional nurse positions.  We’re excited to share our programs with you.

I had just finished the fifth week of the first semester of the ASD nursing program when I got an unexpected call from my brother that my mom had suddenly passed away. Within the first few days after my mom passed away I was also contacted by someone in the spiritual life department offering to talk to me if I needed to talk. I was also able to speak to one of my professors who was teaching the nursing psych class I was in and she helped me process through the different options of returning right away, coming back one semester later or waiting indefinitely to begin again. She also helped me with some counseling referrals. The ASD Nursing program is VERY intense. I don’t think I could have been successful at restarting this type of program without the added support I have received from SU. Several of the students who were in the cohort I started with have continued to support me in my journey of beginning again. My advisor has been an available support person I can turn to if I need to cry or get encouragement to continue pressing on. All of the faculty I have had have been so supportive, not just of me, but of all the students in our program

Amy Eckrote ’23

Simulation Experiences

Shenandoah uses high- and low-fidelity simulation equipment in laboratories that enhance student learning.  Simulation technology, in the form of human models/manikins, allows faculty members to design specific events or scenarios that simulate actual clinical situations and events.  This technology provides an interactive, educational approach to teaching theory, assessment, technology skills, pharmacology and decision-making in a safe environment that allows you to apply and integrate knowledge, skills and critical thinking.

Clinical Experiences

Shenandoah University enjoys collaborative relationships with many regional hospitals and, in addition to our full-time faculty, our clinical preceptors are some of the finest practitioners in the region.  Clinical locations can vary and typically include: 

Winchester, Virginia, Clinical Locations:

• Valley Health System Hospitals including Winchester Medical Center, Warren Memorial Hospital, Shenandoah Hospital
• WVU East Berkeley Medical Center
• Martinsburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center
• INOVA Health Systems
• Varied community settings including Blue Ridge Hospice, Public Health Departments, Sinclair Free Medical Clinic

Scholar Plaza, Loudoun (Virginia) Clinical Locations:

• INOVA Health System Hospitals including Loudoun, Fair Oaks, Fairfax, and Alexandria 
• Reston Hospital Center
• Virginia Hospital Center
• Children’s National Medical Center
• Fauquier Hospital
• Novant Hospitals

Interprofessional Experience

The Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing fosters interdisciplinary learning and practice through collaboration with our other health care programs, including pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical and occupational therapy, athletic training, public health and music therapy.

After you’ve completed your studies, you’ll sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), prepared with the skills and knowledge to apply for entry-level professional nurse positions.

Shenandoah’s first-time NCLEX pass rate is consistently above the national average pass rate. Our NCLEX first-time pass-rates are consistently among the highest in the state of Virginia!

Our nursing student’s last semester includes a NCLEX preparation course.

Graduates from our BSN programs are eligible to apply for licensure/registration across the country. Once the NCLEX is successfully completed, graduates are designated as registered nurses.

View Our Recent NCLEX Pass Rates

Nursing is the fastest-growing occupation in the U.S. and the demand is expected to rise. Graduates enjoy high starting salaries and flexible schedules in terms of hours and locations. As a nurse, you’ll have numerous opportunities for specialization and career advancement.

Any university will prepare you for employment — SU prepared me for discipline, integrity and empathy. The nursing curriculum was developed to be directly helpful for clinical application. I’m a nurse now! And I’m making a difference!

Scott Long ’20 | ASD Nursing

The BSN degree is the entry-level degree for many health care organizations. It prepares you to perform clinical practice in today’s high tech health care environment, using clinical reasoning and critical thinking along with a caring demeanor.

The Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing prepares you to deliver, manage and lead nursing care in a variety of health care settings and participate in personal and professional development. You will be ready to do this in many settings, such as hospitals (acute care), clinics, medical practices, health departments, hospice and the military. You can work in international care, home care, trauma care or school nursing (you may teach in vocational LPN programs) and pursue graduate studies in advanced practice nursing, nursing education and research.

Salary information for nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing can be found at BSN Payscale.com

The Career & Professional Development provides a comprehensive range of services and resources to assist Shenandoah students in their career search. Services offered include resume and cover letter building, mock interviews, and professional dining etiquette workshops.

Career & Professional Development at Shenandoah

Our Nursing program has small classes, and faculty with expertise in a variety of specialties.  Our curriculum includes core nursing courses, nursing ethics and genomics, nursing research and evidence based practice and Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief courses. Nursing students are also prepared in our campus learning facilities to develop knowledge, skills, clinical judgment and confidence.

BSN Program Outcomes:

• Synthesize knowledge from the liberal arts, sciences, and nursing science as a basis for professional nursing practice
• Apply evolving information technology to monitor health care outcomes
• Integrate concepts of illness prevention/wellness, quality, safety, ethics and leadership into professional nursing practice
• Demonstrate effective communication and collaboration with patients, families and inter-professional teams
• Deliver safe, quality nursing care to diverse populations
• Advocate for institutional, professional, and governmental policies to influence positive health care outcomes of diverse populations
• Incorporate evidence-based research into professional nursing practice to provide quality care to families and communities

** Denotes a clinical course. The first number refers to the didactic portion of the course and the second number refers to the clinical portion of the course.

Students are required to have 121 total credits (from General Education, Prerequisite, and Nursing courses) to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. A minimum of 30 credits must be taken at Shenandoah University.

Learning support services are available to all students in every course at Shenandoah. Free peer tutoring with a student who has previously succeeded in the course is available for any course across the university. The Writing Center is available for every stage of the writing process from proofreading and bibliography assistance to thesis development. The Math Enrichment Center is available for math and science assistance. Professors and Academic Advisors across the university also have office hours and open door policies to ensure Shenandoah students succeed academically.

Learning Support Services at Shenandoah

We have a low faculty-student ratio with small classes and clinical groups so you will receive personal attention from faculty. The result is a close-knit, collaborative community of nursing students, faculty and clinical preceptors.

There is a special bond between Shenandoah University students and their professors. You will enjoy close relationships with faculty members who will mentor you in and out of the classroom. This remains a hallmark of our nursing education.

Shenandoah’s experienced and practicing faculty take every opportunity to provide you with the academic foundation you will need to meet the standards and rising expectations for practice in the nursing profession. They provide an environment where you can be inquisitive, grow and excel.

Meet Lesley McCorry, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs at Scholar Plaza, Loudoun

Meet The Nursing Faculty

Continue your education by earning a graduate degree at Shenandoah University (discount offered for SU alumni):

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse-Midwifery
• Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner
• Doctor Of Nursing Practice

Shenandoah University works on rolling admissions and accepts applications throughout the year. Applications are reviewed individually and holistically.

Submit your application, review required admissions materials, find our admissions standards, and learn more about our ASD / Transfer Admissions Information.

Application Information

I chose to attend Shenandoah University after I came to the Scholar Plaza campus for a tour. Almost immediately, I felt a strong sense of community and belonging. In conversations I had that day with current students and professors, it was evident that the professors were so supportive of their students and made themselves readily available at any time of the day to ensure their student’s success in their classes. I can still remember a specific conversation I had with a professor where he said, ‘Yes, the program is hard, but we get through it together.’ Having faculty support was extremely important to me coming into an accelerated nursing program, where I knew the intense rigor of the program and accelerated speed would be a challenge. I felt supported on this nursing school journey by faculty and staff every step of the way – without their continued support, I would not be where I am today!

Maeve Mulvanerty ’21