Bachelor of Science in Nursing Honors Program

Sara and Dean Waite stand to one side of a poster board with the results of Sara's project printed on it — BSN Honors student Sara Fairbank’s project, titled “Exploring the Health Literacy Level and Health Needs of Undergraduate College Students,” was recognized for best project in 2024. She is pictured with School of Nursing Dean Roberta Waite, EdD, RN, PMHCNS, ANEF, FAAN.

About

The purpose of this Honors Program is to allow traditional undergraduate nursing students with academic potential to be challenged at the highest level. Participants in the Nursing Honors Program will address, through scholarly inquiry, a contemporary issue related to clinical nursing practice.

Students who successfully complete the requirements of the Honors Program will graduate with the notation: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Honors).

Honors Project Award Recipients

2024: “Exploring the Health Literacy Level and Health Needs of Undergraduate College Students” by Sara Fairbank

2023: “Perceptions and Attitudes of Pediatric Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Regarding Pre-induction Anxiety Management Strategies in Toddlers and Children” by Katie Wang; mentor, Dr. Mary Scott-Herring

2022: “Evaluating the Effect of an Educational Video for College-Aged Females on Knowledge of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease” by Rhiannon Leonardo

2021: Honors program paused during the Pandemic

2020: “Significance of and Satisfaction with Kangaroo Care for Nurses and Mothers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit” by Kennedy Folse

2019: “Pediatric Nurses’ Knowledge, Perceptions, Attitudes, and Beliefs about Management of Acute Pain in Adolescent Inpatient Populations” by Sophie Roberts

2018: “Effect of Routinely Performed Exercise on Fatigue and Pain in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Adjuvant Chemotherapy” by Shana McLaughlin

2017: “Let’s Get Shredded: Older Adults and Exercise Opportunities in Underserved Communities” by Natasha DeSousa

2016: “Examination Accommodations by CNMs and WHNPs for Adult Female Sexual Assault Survivors” by Haley Maness

Program Expectations

Karina Han speaks to an audience from the front of a classroom — Honors students are expected to summarize their projects in formal oral presentations. Karina Han (N’23) (pictured standing) presented her project in 2023.

The Honors Program requires that the students conduct an IRB-approved research study. Each student will summarize their final project in a formal oral presentation. In the last semester of the Nursing Honors Program, students submit results of their Honors project as a manuscript prepared for submission to a peer reviewed journal.

Participants in the Honors Program are expected to complete all requirements for the nursing major, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5, and successfully complete the Honors Seminars (NURS 340, 341, 342 — 6 credits total).

Eligibility Requirements

Traditional nursing students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher are eligible to apply. A November application deadline will be posted for students in the Fall semester of their junior year.

Application Requirements

Each applicant must submit:

A personal statement that presents an overview of the proposed research topic
Two letters of recommendation
A copy of their transcript

Eligible candidates will be interviewed by Nursing faculty who coordinate the Nursing Honors Program.