Admission Requirements
RN-BS Program: Applicants must apply using the RN-BS application and are reviewed for multiple start dates per year. Completed prerequisites and proof of RN licensure are required to apply. The prerequisites are:
- Anatomy and Physiology I
- Anatomy and Physiology II
- Microbiology
- Intro to Psychology
- English Composition
- Two additional liberal arts or sciences courses (examples include courses in anthropology, economics, English, history, humanities, mathematics, sociology, and philosophy)
Transfer credit is evaluated by the Decker Division of Advising and Academic Excellence. To be considered for transfer, coursework must be transcripted through an accredited institution.
Credit for select, non-clinical upper-division core nursing coursework can be evaluated on an individual basis by the Undergraduate Admissions and Academic Standards Committee (see Transfer of Undergraduate Upper-Level Nursing Credit).
Additional Information About the Program
A grade of C- or higher in nursing courses is required for progression in the nursing curriculum. A grade of D or less in a nursing
course will require repeating that course. For more information, please contact the Nursing program academic advisor.
Grading for Prerequisites, General Education Courses and Electives
- Prerequisites: Prerequisites must be completed with a minimum grade of C- prior to enrolling in upper-division nursing courses. Courses may be taken Pass/Fail but must be repeated to meet the minimum grade of C-.
- General Education Courses: To meet a General Education requirement, courses must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a D or better, unless the only grade option for the course is Pass/Fail.
- Electives: Any additional credits needed to meet the minimum 120 credit hour requirement for graduation may be taken Pass/Fail.
Note: Not all grading options are offered for all courses.
Class and Laboratory Attendance
Regular weekly attendance in online classes is necessary for successful completion of courses. Steady and consistent engagement is required in Weeks 1-7. Students must notify their instructor if they are unable to meet this commitment because of illness or other circumstances beyond their control. All course-related assignments must be completed as indicated in course syllabi unless prior arrangements are made with course faculty.
Clinical Laboratory Requirements
Students must meet all health and other clinical-related requirements prior to beginning in-person clinical experiences (NURS Z484). Further information is outlined in the Decker School of Nursing RN-BS Student Handbook.
Transportation
The University assumes no responsibility for providing transportation from campus to the clinical health agencies used for student clinical experiences. Students arrange their own transportation to clinical agencies and affiliated sites. Some clinical experiences require students to travel a distance of up to 150 miles from campus. There may be parking costs at some clinical agencies.
Additional Expenses
Students in the nursing program should expect to incur costs for additional items related to clinical practice and preparation. These costs are in addition to the standard University tuition and fees.These expenses are outlined in the RN-BS Predicted Materials and Costs document.
Community Agencies for Clinical Practice
The nursing curriculum places its focus on knowledge and theory drawn from health science and the related disciplines. Students apply this knowledge and theory in a number of clinical settings, giving them an opportunity to develop skills in clinical practice, critical thinking, problem solving and leadership. Students enrolled in the RN-BS program are responsible for identifying their own clinical sites. Prior to enrolling in clinical courses, RN-BS students must:
- Complete all health and clinical practice requirements
- Identify a site and preceptor that meet course objectives
- Get approval for the site and preceptor from the course instructor
For more information on choosing a clinical site and a list of affiliated sites, please contact the Nursing Program Academic Advisor.
Independent Study
An independent study is used to accommodate students who wish to pursue individual study under the direct supervision of a faculty member. The ability to study independently is determined by the faculty of record. For more information on pursuing independent study, please contact the Nursing program academic advisor.
For more information on the Nursing RN-BS program, please refer to the Division of Nursing website. To apply to the Nursing RN-BS program, please visit the University Admissions website.