Bachelor of Science in Nursing

School of Nursing B.S.N. Requirements

B.S.N. Program Outcomes

The pre-licensure baccalaureate program in nursing includes a liberal arts and science foundation along with concentrated study in the professional nursing major. The program provides students with the opportunity to develop competency in the assessment of health needs, and in the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health in a holistic framework. A rich variety of clinical settings are used to reflect the array of actual and potential health problems experienced by individuals, families, and communities throughout the life cycle.

The B.S.N. program of study prepares graduates to:

1. Provide safe, high-quality nursing care to individuals.
2. Deliver holistic nursing care to populations across a health care continuum.
3. Contribute to the nursing profession.
4. Improve health care delivery across the continuum of care.
5. Create and support healthy work environments.

Admission

Admission for Freshmen

Freshman applicants for admission must meet the general entrance requirements of the University as set forth in the "Office of Admissions" section of this Bulletin. All entering freshmen must complete a high school or college-level general chemistry course prior to enrolling in BIO 205. All entering first-year nursing majors with a redesigned SAT reading score less than 29 or an ACT English score less than 22 will be enrolled in ENG 107 College Writing.

For students admitted to the B.S.N. program as freshmen, progression in the nursing program is dependent upon:

1. A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above by the end of spring semester of the sophomore year.
2. A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above in the required science courses by the end of spring semester of the sophomore year. Any University of Portland School of Nursing student wishing to transfer a biology course from another institution first needs the permission of the B.S.N. program counselor or the associate dean for baccalaureate education. Permission must be obtained prior to registering for or taking any prerequisite biology courses to ensure that the courses are suitable for transfer to the School of Nursing. The student must have earned a grade of B or better in the course they wish to transfer. For all transfer students, grades of C- or lower in any required biology course or pass/no pass are not allowed. 
3. The grade earned in courses transferred from an institution on the quarter system will be calculated against the semester credit equivalency. Examples include: 3 quarter credits equals 2 semester credits; 4 quarter credits equals 2.67 semester credits; 5 quarter credits equals 3.33 semester credits.
4. A grade of C or better in all nursing courses.
5. Completion of all prerequisite courses by the end of spring semester of the sophomore year or with permission of the B.S.N. program counselor or the associate dean for baccalaureate education.
6. Completion of all 100 and 200 level nursing courses and 200 and 300 level biology courses by the end of spring semester of the sophomore year. 
7. Students may only withdraw from one biology course one time regardless of withdrawal or unsuccessful completion.
8. Students may only repeat one biology course one time, and only if they receive a C- or lower in the course per University of Portland academic regulations (see University Bulletin), or with permission of the associate dean for baccalaureate education.
9. Students may only withdraw from one nursing course one time regardless of withdrawal or unsuccessful completion.
10. Students may only repeat one 300 or 400 level nursing course one time, or with the permission of the associate dean for baccalaureate education, and only if they receive a C- or lower per University of Portland academic regulations.
11. Satisfactory completion of all clinical entry requirements including required background check, clean drug screen, American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification, and completion of all immunizations.
12. Students may not audit a required prerequisite course.

Additional Progression Information

• Student conduct issues will be taken into consideration for progression in the nursing program.

• Students with a positive drug screen prior to entry into professional practice courses will be dismissed from the School of Nursing.

• Students who have been suspended from the University may be dismissed from the School of Nursing.

• Progression in the nursing program is predicated on completing the required science coursework by the end of the spring semester of sophomore year. Students who do not meet the minimum cumulative science GPA of 3.0 for the required science courses by this time will not progress and will be dismissed from the School of Nursing.

• Students choosing to participate in a spring semester study abroad experience will be required to take summer nursing courses to complete prerequisites.

• A grade of C- or lower in any nursing course (NRS XXX) may result in delayed progression and delayed program completion.

• A grade of C- or lower in any two nursing courses throughout the program of study will result in dismissal from the School of Nursing.

Admission for Transfer Students (Internal)

University of Portland non-nursing majors who wish to transfer into the nursing program must apply as a transfer student and be considered for admission with external applicants. The application process for internal transfers is very competitive and there is no guarantee of acceptance into the transfer cohort.

For transfer students, acceptance into the B.S.N. program is dependent upon:

1. A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above in college courses.
2. A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above for the required prerequisite science courses. Any University of Portland student applying to transfer into the School of Nursing and wishing to transfer a biology course from another institution first needs the permission of the B.S.N. program counselor or the associate dean for baccalaureate education. Permission must be obtained prior to registering for or taking any prerequisite biology courses to ensure that the courses are suitable for transfer to the School of Nursing. The student must have earned a grade of B or better in the course they wish to transfer. For all transfer students, grades of C- or lower in any required biology course or pass/no pass are not allowed. 
3. The grade earned in courses transferred from an institution on the quarter system will be calculated against the semester credit equivalency. Examples include: 3 quarter credits equals 2 semester credits; 4 quarter credits equals 2.67 semester credits; 5 quarter credits equals 3.33 semester credits.
4. Completion of a high school or college-level general chemistry course.
5. Completion of all 200 and 300 level biology courses by the time the transfer application is submitted. Students may only repeat one of these courses one time, and only if they receive a C- or lower in the course per University of Portland academic regulations (see University Bulletin), or with permission of the B.S.N. program counselor or the associate dean for baccalaureate education.
6. Students may only withdraw from one biology course one time regardless of withdrawal or unsuccessful completion.
7. Completion of all prerequisite courses. Prerequisite coursework must be taken at an accredited college or university and must be graded with a C or higher. Pass/No Pass is not accepted for prerequisites.
8. Students may only withdraw from one nursing course one time regardless of withdrawal or unsuccessful completion.
9. Satisfactory completion of all clinical entry requirements, including required background check, clean drug screen, American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification, and completion of all immunizations.
10. Students may not audit a required prerequisite course.

See University Core Requirements