BSN Degree Requirements

On-Campus Traditional BSN Program

The graduate receives the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree and is eligible to take the NCLEX-RN, the national examination required for registered nurse licensure. UND Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and are approved by the North Dakota Board of Nursing.  Students must complete a formal application to the College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines (CNPD) and be approved for admission by the Nursing program before enrolling in the nursing curriculum.  All persons who wish to apply for admission to the undergraduate nursing major are advised to become informed of all admission requirements and to follow the suggested curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. All qualified students, whether currently enrolled at or planning to transfer to UND, are considered on merit. Since the College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines strives to reflect current trends in the nursing profession, there may be on-going changes in the curriculum.  Information on any newly approved programs or changes in programs/major will be available on the Nursing website.

The nursing program admits students twice during the calendar year.  The application deadline is February 1 (for admission to fall class), and July 1 (for admission to spring class). The application process is online and may be accessed at Undergraduate Nursing Application.

Pre-Nursing Declaration

Students who wish to pursue an undergraduate degree in nursing must first apply to UND as a pre-nursing major in the College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines. Once the student has successfully been admitted to UND as a pre-nursing major, a nursing Office Student Services (OSS) advisor will be assigned.  

Nursing Program Application

Students are admitted each semester based on availability of clinical and faculty resources.  The nursing program admits students who meet criteria for direct admission and standard admission.  

Direct Admission:

Direct admission is a criterion-based early admission program for pre-nursing students who have exemplary academic performance during high school. Direct admission will be offered to approximately 20 of the most qualified candidates. The selection process begins in September for the following fall semester. Students must meet either Option A or Option B requirements (listed below). Those considered under Option B must complete the Nursing direct admission application (invitation and link to application will be emailed to a selection of qualified candidates). Priority is given to early applicants and those who most align with the mission of the College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines. 

Apply for Direct Admission

High school seniors apply for admission to UND and declare intent to pursue a baccalaureate degree in nursing on UND admission application.

Admission Criteria for Direct Admission (students must meet all criteria):

• Must be admitted to the University of North Dakota as a senior in high school anticipating becoming a full-time freshman student the next academic year with declared intent to pursue a baccalaureate degree in nursing on their UND admission application.
• Priority given to early applicants
• Transfer students not eligible for direct admission (apply through Standard Admission process, see below).
• Preference will be given to those students graduating from a high school that is:
  • located in ND
  • Rural (as defined by HRSA)
• Students who are not selected for direct admission are encouraged to apply for admission to the traditional B.S.N. program through the Standard Admission process, see below.

OPTION A: Must have earned a high school (unweighted) GPA of 3.5 and earned a composite ACT score of at least 27 or a combined SAT score of at least 1280 in the previous 2 years. Super scores are not considered.

OPTION B: Must have earned a high school (unweighted) GPA of 3.75 or higher and been selected to complete the direct admission application.

Standard Admission:

The undergraduate nursing program admits students twice during the calendar year.  The application deadlines are posted on the CNPD nursing website. The application process is online and may be accessed at Undergraduate Nursing Application.

The following courses must be completed with a "C" or better prior to application for nursing admission:

*

Refers to courses which are used in the “core” grade point average (GPA) calculation for admission.  These courses may be repeated or withdrawn from a maximum of one time per course.

Admission Acceptance Criteria

Upon notice of admission to the Traditional BSN On-Campus Nursing Program, students must submit the signed admission acceptance form and a non-refundable deposit by the date indicated on the Admission Acceptance form.  Failure to return the acceptance form and deposit by deadline will result in loss of nursing placement. Current verifications and a designated background check, with acceptable results, will be required.  Details regarding required immunizations and background check process will be provided in the admission packet.

The following courses or equivalents, along with all Essential Studies requirements, must be completed with a letter grade of "C" or better prior to beginning nursing courses:

NOTE: Students will be automatically assigned to the UND catalog active at the time of admission to the Nursing program unless they request otherwise.

Students may petition to establish credit through special examinations according to University policy. Equivalency of courses taken on other campuses than UND should be verified by contacting the College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines as early as possible.

Admission Criteria for Transfer Nursing Students:

Students transferring to the nursing major from other accredited nursing programs must fulfill the same minimum prerequisite requirements as current University of North Dakota students. Transfer nursing students seeking admission to the UND nursing program must meet UND and standard admission criteria.  Additional prerequisite courses will be required in accordance with the level of requested admission. Transfer nursing students must provide a letter of good standing from their prior nursing program.  During the admission process, the student’s transfer work will be evaluated.

Additional Expenses

In addition to the regular university tuition and fees, nursing students are charged a nursing program fee each semester.  Costs of laboratory tests, immunizations, and health insurance required for the protection of the student and patients are the responsibility of the student. There are additional expenses related to background checks, uniforms and clinical equipment, graduation, and licensure. An estimated program cost sheet is available from the College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines web pages. Students are responsible for transportation related to clinical experience. Use of a car, especially for public health nursing, is necessary. Students may complete the practicum course at a distant site which will require travel and housing costs associated with that affiliation.

Standardized Testing

To facilitate success on the licensure exam, students participate in standardized testing as they progress through the curriculum and prior to graduation.

Curriculum

Required 121 credits (36 of which must be numbered 300 or above) including:

I.  Essential Studies (ES) Requirements, including 9 credits of Fine Arts and Humanities and 9 credits of Communication.  A minimum of six (6) credits of the Essential Studies requirements must meet the Intercultural Knowledge and Skills special emphasis (see University ES listing in the academic catalog).  The curriculum provides a framework for completion of ES requirements prior to beginning the undergraduate nursing curriculum.  Completion of ES and general education requirements prior to beginning nursing courses is strongly encouraged.

II.  A minimum overall grade point average of 2.75.

III.  The following curriculum:

*

Must be completed prior to admission to the Nursing program.

#

Must be completed prior to beginning nursing courses.

**

will also accept CHEM 122 General Chemistry II & CHEM 122L General Chemistry II Laboratory if BIOL 150 General Biology I & BIOL 150L General Biology I Laboratory and BIOL 151 General Biology II & BIOL 151L General Biology II Laboratory are also completed

Students are encouraged to consider elective nursing courses such as Cooperative Education, Independent Study and Honors; students should obtain supplemental information from their faculty adviser.

Progression and Graduation Requirements

Students should note that nursing courses are sequenced to build on one another over four semesters. Careful attention should be paid to pre- and co-requisites. Each semester is to be completed in its entirety before progressing to the next semester. Students who need to extend or shorten the number of semesters to complete the curriculum, i.e., part-time attendance or LPNs, must see their OSS adviser.

1. A 2.75 overall GPA is required for progression in the nursing program at the end of each semester.
2. A student must attain a letter grade of at least a “C” in each of the courses required in the undergraduate nursing curriculum, including all the nursing and support courses, to progress to the next semester of nursing courses and for graduation from the College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines. A student earning a “D” or an “F” in any required nursing course may repeat the course only once.
3. A student may only repeat one required nursing course.
4. Benchmark scores on ATI progression assessments and predictor exam must be achieved or the remediation process successfully completed.

Students who do not meet the academic progression criteria will be placed on probation. The nursing program also reserves the right to place students on probation, to suspend, or to dismiss any student in nursing who does not meet the ATI content exam policy requirements, does not uphold professional standards or conduct, or whose performance in relation to client care is unsatisfactory. Additional details and any modifications in policies may be obtained from the Dean of the College, and are available in the College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines undergraduate student handbook.