Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
The Nebraska Wesleyan University Traditional BSN program offers a traditional 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree combining clinical and foundational knowledge including liberal arts courses to receive a more comprehensive education.
Students will gain hands on experience with over 800 clinical hours completed upon graduation from the program. Students will further develop critical thinking, decision-making and communication skills through clinical and preceptorship experiences. Students will also train in a fully equipped skills lab. Access to a simulation lab will be included in the clinical coursework.
This program has small class sizes with experienced faculty in all specialty areas of nursing. A prep course is built into the curriculum to help students succeed on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
The program application process opens November 1 and closes February 1.
Students will first complete prerequisite coursework totaling 34-36 credits before admission to the program. Some nursing courses are in 8 week formats. (See prerequisite course list below.)
Standard Admission
Admission to the NWU's Traditional BSN program is a competitive, holistic process and is based upon prerequisite GPA, overall college GPA, entrance exam, essay, and professional references. It is a selective process that admits a limited number of students per year. Students must meet these requirements to be admitted:
- Completion of prerequisite courses with grade of “C” or better.
- Satisfactory performance on Nursing Admission Exam (taken at NWU prior to admission).
- Cumulative college GPA of 3.0 or higher in all college courses completed at the time of application.
- CPR certification for Healthcare Providers from an approved provider (American Red Cross, American Hearth Association, National Safety Council, or Pro CPR).
- Successful completion of a Certified Nurse Aid course and student is listed on the state registry.
- Submission of 2 professional references.
- Successful completion of background check, drug screen, immunization tracker, and essential functions form (Castlebranch).
Admission process is subject to change and/or revision by nursing faculty.
Direct Entry Admission as a High School Student
Direct Entry Admission is available to applicants of the Traditional BSN program whose high school GPA is 3.50 or higher. Up to 75% of each cohort can be admitted via Direct Entry Admission. Students in Direct Entry Admission program must meet these criteria to maintain their Direct Entry Admission status:
- Maintain a college GPA of 3.0 or higher in all completed college coursework.
- Pass all prerequisite coursework on first attempt.
- CPR certification for Healthcare Providers from an approved provider (American Red Cross, American Hearth Association, National Safety Council, or Pro CPR).
- Successful completion of a Certified Nurse Aid course and student is listed on the state registry.
- Successful completion of background check, drug screen, immunization tracker, and essential functions form (Castlebranch).
Direct Entry Admission as a Transfer Student
- Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher in all completed college coursework.
- Pass all prerequisite coursework on first attempt.
- No Pass/Fail courses in sciences (except labs graded P/F only).
- No grade below C (2.0) in any college course.
- CPR certification for Healthcare Providers from an approved provider (American Red Cross, American Hearth Association, National Safety Council, or Pro CPR).
- Successful completion of a Certified Nurse Aid course and student is listed on the state registry.
- Submission of 2 professional references.
- Successful completion of background check, drug screen, immunization tracker, and essential functions form (Castlebranch).
Direct Entry Admission with completed Bachelor's or Graduate Degree
- Graduated with cumulative college GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Prerequisite courses completed with a grade of C (2.0) or higher.
- CPR certification for Healthcare Providers from an approved provider (American Red Cross, American Hearth Association, National Safety Council, or Pro CPR).
- Successful completion of a Certified Nurse Aid course and student is listed on the state registry.
- Submission of 2 professional references.
- Successful completion of background check, drug screen, immunization tracker, and essential functions form (Castlebranch).
Students who are unable to maintain Direct Entry Admission status are encouraged to apply to the nursing program using the Standard Admission process outlined above.
Maintenance of Good Standing in Nursing Program
- Student must earn a C+ or better in all nursing courses (subject NURS) to continue in the nursing program.
- The student must maintain a cumulative average on exams of 78% in all nursing courses (subject NURS) in order to progress in the program. The weighted average of all examinations will be calculated before other coursework. If the average of exam grades is less than 78%, the exam average becomes the course final grade. If the exam average is greater than or equal to 78%, then other coursework scores will be added and the resulting average must be 78% or greater in order to pass the course.
- For courses in which theory and clinical are combined, clinical laboratory performance is rated on a Pass/Fail basis. A rating of "Fail" in clinical laboratory performance results in a F grade in the course. If the clinical laboratory performance is "Pass," the grade awarded for the course will be based upon the theory grade (see #1 above).
- Students will be dismissed from the nursing program if a final course grade of less than 78% (C+) is earned more than once in any combination of nursing courses required for the nursing major (subject NURS).
- NWU Student Code of Conduct violations may result in program dismissal.
Please refer to the Nursing Student Handbook for more information regarding retention policies.
Nursing Plan of Study
Traditional BSN Program Plan268.69 KB
| Prerequisite Courses (Required to be taken before admission to program. Grade C or higher required in all prerequisite courses) | 17-20 hours |
|---|---|
| IDS 1010 Archway Seminar/IDS 1020 Integrative Seminar | 1-4 hours |
| BIO 1080 Microbiology and BIO 1080L Microbiology Laboratory | 4 hours |
| BIO 1090 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO 1090L Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory | 4 hours |
| BIO 1100 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology II and BIO 1100L Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 4 hours |
| CHEM 1110 Chemical Principles I | 3 hours |
| HHP 1910 Medical Terminology | 1 hour |
| Capstone** | 3 hours |
|---|---|
| NURS 4970 Internship | 3 hours |
| Supporting Courses | 9 hours |
|---|---|
| PSYCH 2350 Lifespan Development | 4 hours |
| MATH 1300 Statistics | 3 hours |
| HHP 2500 Basic Human Nutrition | 2 hours |
**Grade of "C+" or better required for all Nursing courses.
An introductory study of the structure, physiology, and pathogenicity of microorganisms, with an emphasis on bacteria and viruses that cause infectious diseases in humans. Does not count toward a biology major.
Three lectures per week.
One 3-hour lab per week.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 1110 Chemical Principles I.
Pre or corequisite(s): BIO 1080L Microbiology Laboratory.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
Laboratory experiments associated with BIO 1080 Microbiology.
Corerequiste(s): BIO 1080 Microbiology.
An introductory study of cellular physiology and tissues along with a comprehensive study of the integumentary skeletal, muscular, nervous systems, and special senses. Does not count toward a biology major.
Three lectures per week.
Pre or Corequisite(s): BIO 1090L Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
Laboratory experiments and investigative exercises supporting BIO 1090 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I.
Pre or Corequisite(s): BIO 1090.
An introductory study of the blood, cardiovascular lymphatic, respiratory, endocrine, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems in addition to metabolism, fluid and electrolyte balance and acid-base balance of the body. Does not count toward a biology major.
Three Lectures per week.
Prerequisite(s): BIO 1090 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I or permission of the instructor.
Pre or Corequisite(s): BIO 1100L Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
Laboratory experiments and investigative exercises supporting BIO 1100 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology II.
Pre or Corequisite(s): BIO 1100.
A study of fundamental principles of chemistry including structures of atoms and molecules, periodicity, stoichiometry, reactions, solutions, gases, and thermochemistry.
Three classes per week.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
This course focuses on the systematic approach to word building and term comprehension of medical terms. Includes definitions, spellings, pronunciations and common abbreviations of medical terms.
(Normally offered each semester.)
This is a course designed to provide students with the basic scientific principles of nutrition focusing on their personal choices and experiences. The student will develop a definition of nutrition, and learn how nutrition has evolved. The student will be introduced to the concepts of: essential nutrient classifications, defining and developing a healthy diet, recommendations for specific nutrients, eating disorders, energy balance and obesity, body composition, lifetime nutrition (infancy to older adults), and food/beverage choices and the influence on chronic disease and optimal wellbeing.
(Normally offered each semester)
The Archway Seminar is a course designed to introduce first year students to the intellectual practices that must be cultivated and routinely exercised to make the most of a liberal education. Through a topic of intrinsic interest, students will practice and develop their capacity for critical and analytical thought, their ability to conduct and report research on a given topic, and their ability to collaborate in solving problems. In addition, students will exercise their ability to express themselves orally and in writing. The instructor/advisor will help students become independent learners who understand the intent of Nebraska Wesleyan's general education program.
No Pass/Fail.
IDS-1020 is a seminar intended for traditional undergraduate transfer students to integrate students into the Archway Curriculum, develop their Archway Curriculum e-Portfolio, develop a positive relationship to Nebraska Wesleyan University, connect with advising, network with cohort of transfer students, develop career goals and strategies, and become effective learners. No P/F.
Prerequisite: Transfer students must have 26 or more college credits earned since high school graduation.
An introduction to statistics concepts with an emphasis on applications. Topics include descriptive statistics, discrete and continuous probability distributions, the central limit theorem, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and linear regression.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
This course is designed as an introduction to the profession of nursing. Learning activities will include discussion of the history of nursing and relevance to the evolution of nursing as a profession. Professional communication, professional practices, technology, professional nursing concepts, and the nursing process will be explored. The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics and Scope and Standards will be reviewed. Basic nursing skills will be introduced, and students will demonstrate competency of basic nursing skills through practice and demonstration. The course includes two hours of theory and one hour laboratory experience.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Traditional BSN program.
Corequisite(s): NURS 2710 Pathophysiology for Traditional BSN Students, NURS 2180 Health Assessment for Traditional BSN Studentsand NURS 2000L Foundations Professional Nursing Practice Lab.
This lab must be taken with NURS 2000 Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to Traditional BSN program.
Corequisite(s): NURS 2710 Pathophysiology for Traditional BSN Students, NURS 2180 Health Assessment for Traditional BSN Students and NURS 2000 Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice.
Evidence based pharmacotherapeutic aspects of nursing care are introduced. Emphasis is on principles of safe administration of medications and common uses for major drug classifications. The relationships among technology, economic, and regulatory forces as well as collaboration with the health care team are discussed. Ethical and cultural considerations are explored across the lifespan. A 1 hour lab (NURS 2100L Pharmacology I Lab) is also required.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the BSN program or permission from program director.
Corequisite(s): NURS 2100L Pharmacology I Lab.
This lab must be taken with NURS 2100 Pharmacology I.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Traditional BSN program or permission from program director.
Corequisite(s): NURS 2100 Pharmacology I.
A continuation of evidence based pharmacotherapeutic aspects of nursing care. Emphasis is on principles of safe administration of medications and common uses for major medication classifications. Ethical and cultural considerations across the life span are considered for each medication classification.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2000 Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice, NURS 2100 Pharmacology I, and NURS 2180 Health Assessment for Traditional BSN Students with grades of "C+" or better.
This course is designed for first level students who have completed basic anatomy and physiology courses successfully. It contains the theories and skills necessary to collect a comprehensive health history as a holistic approach. Health History includes the interview with clients, psychosocial assessment, nutritional assessment, and assessment of sleep-wakefulness patterns. This course will introduce the student to assessment techniques such as inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. Following the completion of this course the student will be able to perform a complete physical assessment starting from general assessment, to “head to toe” assessment.
The course is offered during an 16-week period, which includes theory and laboratory experiences. A one hour laboratory is also required (NURS 2180L Health Assessment Traditional BSN Lab).
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Traditional BSN program.
Corequisite(s): NURS 2000 Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice with a grade of "C+" or better and NURS 2180L Health Assessment Traditional BSN Lab.
This lab must be taken with NURS 2180 Health Assessment for Traditional BSN Students.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Traditional BSN program and completion of NURS 2000 Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice with grade of "C+" or better.
Corequisite(s): NURS 2180 Health Assessment for Traditional BSN Students.
Building on foundational nursing concepts, students in this course will learn how to provide compassionate care to patients with stable disease processes in a variety of settings. Students will be introduced to professionalism, delegation and priority setting. Students will incorporate the nursing process while engaging with patients in the clinical setting. Body systems covered include: eyes, ears, nose and throat; respiratory; endocrine; cardiovascular; gastrointestinal; integumentary; genitourinary; and musculoskeletal. This course includes two credit hours of theory and two credit hours of clinical experiences.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2000 Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice, NURS 2100 Pharmacology I, NURS 2710 Pathophysiology for Traditional BSN Students, and NURS 2180 Health Assessment for Traditional BSN Students with grades of "C+" or better.
Corequisite(s): NURS 2110 Pharmacology II and NURS 2200C Medical-Surgical I Clinical.
This clinical course must be taken with NURS 2200 Medical-Surgical I.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2000 Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice, NURS 2100 Pharmacology I, NURS 2710 Pathophysiology for Traditional BSN Students, and NURS 2180 Health Assessment for Traditional BSN Students with grades of "C+" or better.
Corequisite(s): NURS 2110 Pharmacology II and NURS 2200 Medical-Surgical I.
This course focuses on providing patient-centered nursing care to individuals in chronic and acute stages of illness with an emphasis on optimization of health status, personal adaptation, and health care beliefs. Students will develop clinical reasoning skills through class and clinical experiences. Clinical includes engagement of individuals in acute care settings. Disorders of the cardiovascular, peripheral vascular, hematologic, oncologic, respiratory, immunologic, musculoskeletal, endocrine, gastric, renal and neurologic systems will be included. The course includes four credit hours of theory and three credit hours of clinical experiences.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2200 Medical-Surgical I with grades of "C+" or better.
Corequisite(s): NURS 2110 Pharmacology II and NURS 2350C Medical-Surgical II Clinical.
This clinical must be taken with NURS 2350 Medical Surgical II.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2200 Medical-Surgical I with grades of "C+" or better.
Corequisite(s): NURS 2110 Pharmacology II and NURS 2350 Medical Surgical II.
This course focuses on the provision of nursing care of individuals with acute and chronic mental health disturbances including family dynamics and societal implications. Includes clinical experiences in various behavioral health settings. Two hours theory; one hour clinical.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2180 Health Assessment for Traditional BSN Students, NURS 2110 Pharmacology II, and NURS 2350 Medical Surgical II with grades of "C+" or better.
Corequisite(s): NURS 2700C Mental Health Clinical.
This clinical course must be taken with NURS 2700 Mental Health.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2180 Health Assessment for Traditional BSN Students, NURS 2110 Pharmacology II, and NURS 2350 Medical Surgical II with grades of "C+" or better.
Corequisite(s): NURS 2700 Mental Health.
This course offers an exploration of selected pathophysiological processes in the human body that occur when a homeostatic imbalance related to internal or external factors across the lifespan is experienced. Internal or external factors may be genetics, culture, lifestyle, environment, and/or psychosocial in nature. The course will explore knowledge of the etiology and clinical manifestations of specific impaired health states. Course participants discover evidence in relation to pathophysiological processes and treatments. This course will introduce health policy in connection to select pathophysiological states for the health care provider and health care consumer. These principles will enable the learner to frame problems through the critical thinking process.
Prerequisite(s): BIO 1090 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I, BIO 1100 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology II, and NURS 1910 Medical Terminology with grades of "C+" or better.
This course explores health with an emphasis on global issues. Health will be examined using the influence of social, political, economic, cultural, and geographical factors. Students will examine the basic health needs of all people and compare the availability of and types of services in different parts of the world.
Prerequisite(s): IDS 1010 Archway Seminar and sophomore standing.
This course introduces professional nursing concepts, competencies, and issues in the context of the history of nursing's scope of practice within the collaborative environment of the United States healthcare system. The course will emphasize nursing leadership concepts and theories used in a variety of clinical settings.
Prerequisite(s): junior standing
This course introduces the student to nursing theories as the foundation for nursing practice. Coursework includes examination of the theoretical and conceptual basis of nursing to encourage the student to critique, evaluate and utilize appropriate theory within their own practice. The relationship of theory to nursing practice is examined. Historical, legal, cultural, and social factors that influence nursing are discussed. Course is over 8-week period.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to BSN program, IDS 1010 Archway Seminar, and junior standing.
This introduction to the study of ethics uses primary sources for the analysis of present day ethical dilemmas in health care. The course examines some of the prominent moral principles and systems of the western tradition from Aristotle to the present and how those principles are applied to issues in health care ethics. Course is over 8-week period.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to BSN program and IDS 1010 Archway Seminar.
This course provides an introduction to the research process and prepares students to be beginning consumers of nursing research. Emphasis is placed on critically evaluating nursing research studies and understanding the process of utilizing research for evidence-based practice. Various types of research and research methods as well as basic statistical methods will be discussed.
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to BSN program, IDS 1010 Archway Seminar, MATH 1300 Statistics or other approved Statistics course, and junior standing.
This course focuses on the provision of nursing care of the family unit during the ante, intra, and postpartum experience of birth, including high-risk situations. Assessment and nursing care of the newborn is included. Clinical experiences will include the care of obstetric patient and her family in the acute and community settings. Course is over an 8-week period, and includes two hours theory and one clinical hour. A clinical course (NURS 3400C Nursing of Women/Childbearing Clinical) is also required.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2350 Medical Surgical II with grade of "C+" or better.
Corequisite(s): NURS 3400C Nursing of Women/Childbearing Clinical.
This clinical must be taken with NURS 3400 Nursing of Women and Childbearing Family.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2350 Medical Surgical II with grade of "C+" or better.
Corequisite(s): NURS 3400 Nursing of Women and Childbearing Family.
This course focuses on nursing care of the child from infancy through adolescence including dynamics of the family unit. Content includes care of the well child, the child with special needs, and the child with acute and chronic health care needs. The course emphasizes health promotion and maintenance including age appropriate safety measures for the pediatric patient. Clinical experiences will include the care of the pediatric patient in the acute and community settings. Course is over 8-week period, and includes two hours theory and one clinical hour. A clinical course (NURS 3500C Nursing of Children Clinical) is also required.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2350 Medical Surgical II with grade of "C+" or better.
Corequisite(s): NURS 3500C Nursing of Children Clinical.
This clinical course must be taken with NURS 3500 Nursing of Children.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2350 Medical Surgical II with grade of "C+" or better.
Corequisite(s): NURS 3500 Nursing of Children.
This course is designed to provide nursing students with the skills and knowledge to care competently and safely for critically ill patients as well as provide leadership on basic nursing units. The course focuses on the application of quality, professional nursing care according to priorities. Advanced information about the nursing process of patients in the critical care setting is used as an approach to provide holistic, patient-centered care
Prerequisites: NURS 2110 Pharmacology II and NURS 2350 Medical Surgical II with grades of "C+" or better.
Corequisite(s): NURS 4300C Medical/Surgical III Clinical.
This clinical course must be taken with NURS 4300 Medical/Surgical III.
This speaking-instructive nursing course focuses on the application of community health nursing concepts and exposure to a variety of population aggregates. Emphasis is placed on application of the nursing process and communication with a variety of clients across the lifespan within the community setting. Researching and synthesizing data sources on health needs for a specific population and culminating in a professional poster presentation. This course is offered over 8-weeks; it includes three credits of theory and one credit of clinical experience.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2180 Health Assessment for Traditional BSN Students, NURS 3050 Leadership and Issues in Professional Nursing Practice, NURS 3310 Nursing Theories and Contemporary Nursing Practice, NURS 3340 Health Care Ethics, NURS 3360 Introduction to Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice, and PSYCH 2350 Lifespan Development, with grades of "C+" or better.
Corequisite(s): NURS 4450C Community Health Nursing Clinical.
This clinical course must be taken with NURS 4450 Community Health Nursing for Traditional BSN Students.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 2180 Health Assessment for Traditional BSN Students, NURS 3050 Leadership and Issues in Professional Nursing Practice, NURS 3310 Nursing Theories and Contemporary Nursing Practice, NURS 3340 Health Care Ethics, NURS 3360 Introduction to Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice, and PSYCH 2350 Lifespan Development.
Corequisite(s): NURS 4450 Community Health Nursing for Traditional BSN Students.
This course will review all major nursing topics required for licensure examination and entry into the practice of professional nursing. The NCLEX-RN test plan, assessment of knowledge deficits, and development of individual study plans based on results of ATI will be utilized. The application of NCLEX principles will be utilized preparing the student for success on NCLEX. Students assess their own strengths and weaknesses of nursing knowledge through diagnostic tools and formulate a plan for areas of needed growth.
Prerequisite(s): Completion of all nursing courses with grades of "C+" or higher.
Corequisite(s): NURS 4450 Community Health Nursing for Traditional BSN Students, NURS 4450C Community Health Nursing Clinical, and NURS 4970 Internship – must be taken either prior to or at the same time as this course.
This course builds on the knowledge and skills obtained in the nursing curriculum and integrates the curriculum concepts in varied/diverse practice settings. Synthesis of management, organizational culture and interpersonal relationship principles are applied with developing independence in the practice of nursing. This course facilitates the student nurse’s professional nursing practice and includes three credit hours of clinical experience.
Prerequisite(s): Completion of all nursing program courses except NURS 4450 Community Health Nursing for Traditional BSN Students), NURS 4450C Community Health Nursing Clinical), and NURS 4800 National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) Preparation) with grades of "C+" or better.
This class will provide a perspective on the changes that take place during an individual's life from infancy to old age/death. Participants will study and describe the developing person at different periods in the lifespan. The processes of growth and change taking place in early, middle, and late adulthood will be considered as well as the more traditional concern with development in childhood.
Prerequisite(s): PSYCH 1010/PSYCH 1010FYW Introduction to Psychological Science.
(Normally offered each semester.)