Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)

B.S.N. Program Outcomes

The B.S.N. program provides students with a liberal arts and science foundation along with concentrated study in the professional nursing major. Students are provided 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 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 First-year Students

First-year 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 first-year students 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.

Progression in the B.S.N. program is based on the following criteria:

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 assistant to the dean for students. 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.
3. The grade earned in courses transferred from an institution on the quarter system will be calculated against the semester credit hour equivalency. Examples include: 3 quarter credit hours equal 2 semester credit hours; 4 quarter credit hours equal 2.67 semester credit hours; 5 quarter credit hours equal 3.33 semester credit hours.
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 director or the assistant to the dean for students.
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 B.S.N. program director or the assistant to the dean for students.
9. Students may only withdraw from one nursing course one time regardless of withdrawal or unsuccessful completion.
10. Students may only repeat NRS 204, NRS 206, or NRS 207, or one 300 or 400 level nursing course one time, and only if they receive a C- or lower per University of Portland academic regulations.
11. All courses must be successfully completed before progressing to the next semester.
12. Satisfactory completion of all professional practice entry requirements including required background check, clean drug screen, American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification, and completion of all immunizations.
13. Students may not audit a required prerequisite course.
14. 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 B.S.N. program.
15. If it is mathematically impossible for a student to reach the required GPA, that student will be notified (often at the end of fall semester of sophomore year) and they will be dismissed from the B.S.N. program so that they can pursue a different major.
16. A grade of C- or lower in any nursing course (NRS XXX) will result in delayed progression and delayed program completion.
17. A grade of C- or lower in any two nursing courses throughout the program of study will result in dismissal from the B.S.N program.

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.

• Students interested in a spring semester study abroad experience must meet with the B.S.N. program counselor to discuss their program of study. 

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 based on the following criteria:

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 assistant to the dean for students. 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. A grade of pass/no pass is not allowed
3. The grade earned in courses transferred from an institution on the quarter system will be calculated against the semester credit hour equivalency. Examples include: 3 quarter credit hours equal 2 semester credit hours; 4 quarter credit hours equal 2.67 semester credit hours; 5 quarter credit hours equal 3.33 semester credit hours.
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),
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. Satisfactory completion of all professional practice entry requirements, including required background check, clean drug screen, American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification, and completion of all immunizations.
9. Students may not audit a required prerequisite course.