American University of Beirut

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

​Admissions

The School of Nursing follows the admission policies and criteria of the university. For further details, see the section the Office of Admissions section of this catalogue.

Generic BSN program

Students holding diplomas from a 12–year secondary school may gain admission to the School of Nursing as first year nursing students (see required courses at the freshman level). Freshman students wishing to transfer to the School of Nursing from AUB or another institution may gain admission, provided they complete the required freshman courses.

TS/LT-BSN

The curriculum is designed to permit the graduates of TS/LT in nursing to pursue the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing as per the university entrance requirements. The time limit for completion of the program should not exceed six calendar years. A selected number of nursing courses may be validated if applicable.
Preferred requirement for admission to the program is one-year experience in addition to the University entrance requirement. Applicants should provide the TS/LT governmental exam certificate and license to practice nursing from the Ministry of Public Health. Candidates may be asked to have an interview with the program convener or a designated faculty member.

BT-BSN 

According to the decree no. 855 dated 01/07/2015, issued by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, holders of the technical baccalaureate (BT) are eligible for admission to similar fields as that of BT. In this case, holders of BT nursing may apply to any health-related major. 

Those applying to the BSN program should complete the following remedial/prerequisite freshman level courses prior to the BSN II year:

  • 3 credits in mathematics (choose one of: MATH 101, MATH 102, MATH 203, MATH 204).
  • 3 credits in chemistry (CHEM 101).
  • 3 credits in biology (BIOL 101).
  • 3 credits in physics (PHYS 101, 103 or 200).

BS/BA-BSN

The School of Nursing accelerated program is designed for individuals who have a BS/BA in fields other than nursing. The streamlined curriculum permits students to earn a BSN in 24 months. Students who graduate from this program are entitled to sit for the National Colloquium Exam to become registered nurses. The admission to the BS/BA-BSN program requires the following:

  • BS/BA degree in a field other than nursing.
  • A minimum GPA 3.0 including prerequisite courses and general education requirements.
  • Completion of the following prerequisite courses prior to admission: ENGL 204, PSYC 201, Biostatistics course, PSYC 210, SOAN 201, and four elective courses in humanities.
Applications are available online through the AUB website. Students are urged to submit course syllabi and course descriptions for courses requiring equivalence.

Transfers

Transfer from the Freshman Class

Transfer students from the freshman class of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences may apply to the sophomore year at the Rafic Hariri School of Nursing. To be eligible for admission, the applicants must have:

  • completed at least 26 freshman credits prior to their registration in the fall or spring term and achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7.

Transfer from Other Faculties at AUB

Transfer students from other faculties at AUB may apply to the BSN program. To be eligible for admission, applicants must have:

  • completed at least 24 credits prior to their registration in the fall or spring term and achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7.

Transfer from Other Universities

Transfer students from other universities in Lebanon or abroad may apply to the junior year. To be eligible for admission, applicants must have:

  • completed 30 sophomore credits (one year) or more prior to their registration in the fall or spring term.
  • achieved a minimum cumulative GPA equivalent to the AUB GPA 2.7.
  • submitted the most recent transcript of their grades.
  • met the Readiness for University Studies in English.​
Once students are accepted, the assigned academic advisers follow up with them on credit transfer and course equivalence. Students should submit course syllabi and course descriptions for courses requiring equivalence. Credits transferred from other institutions will show as ‘Pass’ on the AUB transcript and will not be part of the calculation of the GPA (with reference to the General University Academic Information). A grade of (C+) or above is required in the major courses for transfer. Furthermore, accepted students must complete the final 45 credits at AUB.

Graduation Requirements

All recommendations for graduation are made by vote of the faculty upon the recommendation of the academic committee.
To be eligible for graduation with the degree of bachelor of science in nursing, the following requirements must be met:

  • Completion of the prescribed program of study with a minimum of 103 credits after the freshman class or equivalent, and 91 credits for those entering as registered nurses (excluding the remedial courses mentioned under section TS/LT-BSN program)
  • An overall minimum GPA of 2.3, excluding freshman courses.
  • The degree program must be completed within a maximum of six years, divided as follows: two calendar years for BSN II, two calendar years for BSN III, and two calendar years for BSN IV.
  • Please refer to the General university academic information for more details.
​All undergraduate transfer students from AUB or from other recognized institutions of higher learning to the School of Nursing need to complete the required prerequisites and all required nursing courses. A minimum residency period of one year or 30 credits for within AUB transfers and 45 credits for transfers from outside must be completed at AUB.
Course credits pertinent to the nursing curriculum may be transferred according to criteria set by the admission and academic committees.

Licensing

Graduates are qualified for the licensing examination in Lebanon (Colloquium). Non-Lebanese graduates cannot practice nursing in Lebanon, unless permitted by the Order of Nurses in Lebanon in exceptional situations.

Promotion

Students shall be promoted at the end of the summer term after completion of 30 or more credits beyond the requirements from the previous level. However, students who register in September and who lack 6 or fewer credits for completion of a class will be registered in the next higher class at the discretion of the academic committee. In order to be promoted, students must attain a minimum average of (GPA: 2.1) at the end of the second regular term (sophomore year) and (GPA: 2.3) in the following years. Promotion of BSN students based on earned credits: sophomore (N2) nursing students are promoted to N3 if they complete 30 earned credits, and junior (N3) nursing students are promoted to N4 if they complete 67 earned credits.

Grading System

The passing grade for all nursing major courses is C+, except for NURS 203 (passing grade is D).
Refer to the grading system, under “General University Academic Information” section in the catalogue.

Dismissal from the BSN Program

Students may be dismissed by vote of the faculty upon the recommendation of the academic committee in any of the following cases:

  • Failure to remove probation within two terms.
  • Failure in one-third or more of the load attempted during that year and failure to attain the minimum yearly average (GPA). 
  • Failure to make satisfactory academic progress, not showing sufficient professional promise, or having behaved in a manner below the norms expected by the school.
  • Failure to meet clinical requirements as stipulated in the nursing courses syllabi.
  • Failure to satisfy the requirements of the repeated year.​
Students who are dropped from the program will be placed as major less for two consecutive regular terms to secure a transfer to another major by the third term of being major less or risk being dismissed from the university. Please refer to the General University Academic Information section for more details.

Awards

BSN students can be nominated for an award. A list of awards is found below for your reference. Students can nominate themselves. In addition, an adviser or a faculty member can nominate students for awards. Eligible nominees should:

  1. submit a nomination form.
  2. have a minimum overall GPA of 3.2.
  3. not have received a dean’s warning.
  4. be recommended by their adviser.
  5. have contributed to university life.
  6. portray a professional image.​

Florence Nightingale Award

Awarded to an undergraduate senior student who meets the following criteria: academic achievement, professional integrity, and contribution to professional and university life.

Penrose Award

Awarded to an undergraduate student on the basis of scholarship, character, leadership, and contribution to university life.

Janet Jeries Haddadin Nursing Award

Awarded to an undergraduate student with the highest GPA.

Salma Mansur Jurdak Excellence Award in Nursing

Awarded to a graduating student majoring in Nursing at the Rafic Hariri School of Nursing with top academic achievement and demonstrated dedication to the profession.

Women’s Auxiliary Awards

Awarded to senior students who meet the following criteria: academic achievement, professional integrity and seriousness of purpose, contribution to professional and university life, and willingness to join AUBMC after graduation.

Lions Award

Awarded to an outstanding student who has been commended by the faculty of the School of Nursing.

Rouzan Al-Najjar Memorial Award in Nursing

Awarded to three Arab students, one in each year of the nursing program, who are the most academically qualified.

Siham Rida Ali Endowed Nursing Award

Awarded to a top graduating senior student from the Rafic Hariri School of Nursing (HSON), who demonstrates excellence and high impact in a community project or engagement.

Courses

Course Numbers

Nursing courses are numbered according to level and they normally follow a sequence. See curriculum for the bachelor of science in nursing and course descriptions below: 

Numbers Following Course Titles in the Course Description

  • The first number following the title of the course indicates the number of class hours per week.
  • The second number indicates the clinical/simulation hours required each week.
  • The last number indicates the number of credit hours applied towards graduation.​​

Frequency of Courses

Courses marked fall/spring/summer are offered accordingly during each academic year.

Curriculum for Bachelor of Science in Nursing

First Year

Freshman curriculum requires completion of 30 credits. The following courses are required: ENGL 203 (3cr), Humanities & Social Sciences (9cr), MATH 100 (3cr), MATH 101 (3cr), CHEM 101 (3cr), CHEM 101L (1cr), BIOL 101 (3cr), & Electives (5cr), suggested electives: ENGL 102 (IF TAKEN) or any other 100-level course OTHER THAN SOAN 101/201 and PSYC 101/201.

Second Year​

 
 
No. of Weeks Lecture Hrs. Lab. or Clinical Hrs. Total Clock Hrs. Credit Hrs.

First term
BIOC 246
Biochemistry for Nurses
16
64
-
64
4
ENGL 203
Academic English
16
48
-
48
3
HUMR 244
Introduction to Human Biology 16
32
-
32
2
NURS 200
Introduction to Nursing
16
32
-
32
2
PSYC 201
Introduction to Psychological Science 16
48
-
48
3
​Total​
224
 
224
​14

​​Second term
NURS 201
Introduction to Nursing Practice 16
16
35
51
2
NURS 202
Health Assessment
16
16
35
51
2
HUMR 248
Human Anatomy and Physiology 16
60
30
90
5
MBIM 237
Microbiology and Immunology for Nursing ​16
32
28
60
3
NURS 203
Biostatistics for Nurses
16
48
-
48
3​
Total​
172
128
300
15

​Summer term
ELEC
History of Ideas (Cultures and Histories)
8
48
-
48
3
ELEC
Cultures and Histories​
8
48
-
48
3
ENGL 204
Advanced Academic English
8
48
-
48
3
Total
144 0 144 9


Third Year

 
 
No. of Weeks Lecture Hrs. Lab. or Clinical Hrs. Total Clock Hrs. Credit Hrs.

​First term
PHRM 240
Pharmacology
16
48
-
48
3
​NURS 300
Nursing Care of Adults and Older Adults I: Theory and Practicum

16

32

112

144

5

NURS 304

Nursing Care of the Expectant Family: Theory and Practicum

16

32

112

144

5

PSYC 210

or


EDUC 225

Lifespan Development Psychology



Child & Adolescent Development

 

16
 

48


 -
 

48


 3
​NURS 210A Pathophysiology
16
16
-
16
1
Total
176 224 400 17

​Second term

NURS 302

Nursing Care of Adults and Older Adults II: Theory and Practicum

16​

32

112

144

5

NURS 306

Nursing Care of the Children, Theory and Practicum

16

32

112

144

5

NURS 210B Pathophysiology
16
16
-
16
1
ELECT
Human Values (Ethics)
16
48
-
48
3
Total
128 224 352 14

​​S​ummer term
SOAN 201
Introduction to the Study of the Society 8
48
-
48
3
ARAB
Arabic Communication Skills
8
48
-
48
3
NURS 307
Practicum I
8
-
80
80
0
Total
96 80 192 6​​


Fourth Year

 
 
No. of Weeks Lecture Hrs. Lab. or Clinical Hrs. Total Clock Hrs. Credit Hrs.

​​​First term
NURS 400
Critical Care Nursing, Theory and Practicum 16
32
84
116
4
NURS 402
Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Theory and Practicum 16
48
84
132
5
NURS 406
Nursing Research
16
48
-
48
3
NURS 404
Nursing Informatics
16
32
-
32
2
Total
160 168 328 14

​​Second term

NURS 408

Community Health Nursing, Theory and Practicum

6

48

84

132

5

NURS 410

Leadership and Management in Nursing, Theory and Practicum

16

48

96

144

5

ELEC
Cultures and Histories
16
48
-
48
3
NURS 411
Intensive Practicum II
16
-
​144
144
0

IPEC 300

Interprofessional Education and Collaboration

16

16

-

16

1

​Total
159 324 483 14
Total Credit Hours
1259 1164 2423 103

Curriculum for TS/LT-BSN.

First Year​

 
 
No. of Weeks Lecture Hrs. Lab. or Clinical Hrs. Total Clock Hrs. Credit Hrs.​

​Fi​rst term
BIOC 246
Biochemistry for Nurses
16
64
-
64
4
ENGL 203
Academic English
16
48
-
48
3
HUMR 244
Introduction to Human Biology 16
32
 
32
2
PSYC 201
Introduction to Psychological Science 16
48
-
48
3
MATH
 
16
48
-
48
3
Total​
240

240
15

Second term​
HUMR 248
Human Anatomy and Physiology 16
60
30
90
5
MBIM 237
Microbiology and Immunology for Nursing 16
32
28
60
3
NURS 205
Foundations of Professional Nursing
16
32
-
32
2
NURS 203
Biostatistics for Nurses
16
48
-
48
3
PHYSICS
 
16
48
-
48
3
​Total
220
58
278
16

Summer term
PHRM 240V Pharmacology
8
48
-
48
3
NURS 308V Maternal-Child Nursing, Theory and Practicum 8
48
144
192
6
​Total​
96
144
240
9


Second Year

  
No. of Weeks Lecture Hrs. Lab. or Clinical Hrs. Total Clock Hrs. Credit Hrs.
​First Term
SOAN 201
Introduction to the Study of the Society 16
48​
-
48
3
PSYC 210
Lifespan Development Psychology 16
48
-
48
3
ENGL 204
Advanced Academic English
16
48
-
48
3
ELEC
Cultures and Histories
16
48
-
48
3
BIOLOGY
 
16
48
-
48
3
NURS 210A Pathophysiology
16
16
-
16
1
​Total​
256
0
256
16

​Second Term
NURS 312
Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Theory and Practicum 16
48
84
132
5
NURS 210B
Pathophysiology
16
16
-
16
1
NURS 313
Leadership and Management in Nursing, Theory and Practicum 16
48
96
144
5
CHEMISTRY
 
16
48
-
48
3
Total
160
180
340
14

​Summer term
NURS 311V​
Nursing Care of Adults and older Adults, Theory and Practicum 8
48
126
174
6
ELEC
Elective Humanities
8
48
-
48
3
​Total
96
126
222
9


Third Year

 
 
No. of Weeks Lecture Hrs. Lab. or Clinical Hrs. Total Clock Hrs. Credit Hrs.
​​
​First Term
NURS 405V Critical Care Nursing, Theory and Practicum 16
32
84
116
4
NURS 406
Nursing Research
16
48
-
48
3
NURS 404
Nursing Informatics
16
32
-
32
2
NURS 314
Community Health Nursing, Theory and Practicum 16
48
48
132
5

IPEC 300

Interprofessional Education and Collaboration

16

15

-

15

1

Total
-
175
168
343
15

Second term

ARAB 201

Issues in Contemporary Arab Culture

16

48

-

48

3

ELECT
Cultures and Histories
16
48
-
48
3
ELECT
Human Values
16
48
-
48
3
Total
-
144
-
144
9
Total Credit Hours
1387
508
2063
103

Courses may be validated through examination.

Course Descriptions

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