Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Upon completion, a student should be prepared to:

1. Synthesize knowledge from nursing and the arts and sciences in the holistic practice of professional nursing.
2. Design, manage, and coordinate nursing care to deliver quality healthcare and safety for patients.
3. Base practice on current knowledge, theory and research.
4. Integrate effective inter-professional collaboration practice to enhance the health of all patients, including diverse and vulnerable populations.
5. Use patient care technologies and clinical information systems to facilitate decision making necessary for delivery of safe care.

Students achieve general education outcomes as they:

1. Develop creative and critical analytical skills across a wide range of clinical and human knowledge situations
2. Develop skills in written, technical, and oral communications
3. Function ethically and meet professional standards with integrity
4. Demonstrate evidence of and caring for a diverse and multicultural society
5. Develop skills for independent decision making and leadership.

• Submit official transcripts and course descriptions for review by the Dean of Nursing Education Programs or designee 
• Applicants to the pre-licensure baccalaureate and associate nursing programs will be required to take the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE). The SLE minimum entrance requirements for the pre-licensure baccalaureate and associate degree programs are a score of 22 on the first, and single attempt at the SLE exam. The applicant who does not score the minimum score on the single attempt is eligible to take the HESI A2 examination to meet entrance requirements, as noted below.
• Applicants that do not achieve a score of 22 on the SLE exam have two opportunities within a 12-month period to obtain a minimum of 75% on the HESI A2 English Composite Subscale (Reading Comprehension,Vocabulary, and Grammar) and on the Math Subscale. If unsuccessful in the two attempts at the HESI A2, a third opportunity may be granted within the 12-month period with evidence of completion in a refresher or remediation course in the subject or subjects below the minimum score.
• Provide a background check and drug screen that meets licensure requirements 
• Successfully complete Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology within seven (7) years of start date
• Applicants to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion Option must show satisfactory completion of 56 semester credits or 80 quarter credits from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better

NOTE: Meet additional requirements detailed in the Admissions Policies and Procedures section of the DCN catalog available for download on this site.

• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above on a 4.0 scale. 
• Grades of C or above (C- or below are not acceptable) for the listed prerequisite courses.
• Have completed all prerequisites prior to the start date of their program. (Not before application)
• Prerequisite course work does not have to be completed at the time of application, however please be realistic about being able to complete all outstanding prerequisites before the start date of the program.
• Applicants will submit a one-page typewritten personal statement (double-spaced, 12 point font) that addresses your professional goals, healthcare related work background and volunteer experience with their application. The content is the most important part of the statement; however it will be reviewed for writing style, syntax and grammar.
• Eligibility for all BSN programs is pending the successful completion of a drug screen and a criminal background check due before the start of the program. These are not required with the initial application.
• Eligibility for all BSN programs is pending the successful submission of all required immunizations records and completed “Fit For Practice” form. Applicants will receive more information on submitting these forms during the admissions interview if granted. These are not required with the initial application.
• Applicants must have the ability to meet all the requirements for licensure and the physical, psychological and emotional standards established by the applicable governing bodies and State regulations for the location of their campus.
  
• Applicants must have the ability to become certified in CPR. This is not required with the initial application.
• BSN applicants meeting our admission requirements will be contacted for an application interview and testing.
• Applicants to the pre-licensure baccalaureate and associate nursing programs will be required to take the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE). The SLE minimum entrance requirements for the pre-licensure baccalaureate and associate degree programs is a score of 22 on the first, and single attempt at the SLE exam. The applicant who does not score the minimum score on the single attempt is eligible to take the HESI A2 examination to meet entrance requirements, as noted below.  
• Applicants that do not score an 22 or higher on the SLE have two opportunities to obtain a minimum of 75% on the HESI A2 English Composite Subscale (Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar) and on the Math Subscale.

Important note: This program has an admissions process where students are selected based on a number of factors including personal statement, previous health care and or volunteer experience and cumulative / science GPA (acceptance is not based solely on GPA).