2014-2015 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

Bachelor of Science in Nursing - RN to B.S.N.

Requirements for a Major in Nursing
Suggested Order of Coursework (after admission to KCON)

Registered Nurses

The Kirkhof College of Nursing offers programs of study specifically designed for RNs to obtain the B.S.N. The programs are designed for part-time or full-time study. Individual needs and appropriate alternatives for program planning are examined. Options for part-time study make degree completion more accessible to employed nurses.

Admission

1. Registered nurse students apply to Grand Valley State University for admission to the university as degree-seeking students. To be considered for the program, students must be admitted to Grand Valley and nursing must be declared as a major prior to application. This must occur before seeking admission to Kirkhof College of Nursing. To be admitted to senior-level nursing courses, students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or have an earned 3.0 GPA within their last 15 courses. Students must also have completed the required prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C (2.0). Admission is selective.

2. Registered nurses are given advanced standing in the program through the following mechanisms:

Direct transfer of credits.
University credits for nursing courses.
National certification.

3. Students should be aware that prior to beginning NUR 411, they must complete comprehensive health compliance obligations including but not limited to, a criminal background check, fingerprinting, drug screening, immunizations, physical exams, technical standards, CPR, and relevant training. Evidence of RN licensure is also required.

4. Students are scheduled for clinical practice at a variety of community hospitals and health care agencies, including home care, public health departments, and other ambulatory settings. Students should be aware that most clinical facilities may require a criminal background check and/or drug screening prior to allowing a student to practice at the site.

Requirements for a Major in Nursing

Completion of the baccalaureate in nursing requires:

General university requirements as identified in the General Academic Regulations section in this catalog. RN students are required to fulfill the university general education requirements listed elsewhere in this catalog and complete a minimum of 120 semester hours of credit for graduation.

Required prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C (2.0). In order to progress in the nursing program, a grade of C (2.0) is required in core and nursing courses.

Students who have met these requirements in their pre-licensure program may request a review of these courses:

BMS 212 - Introductory Microbiology Credits: 3
BMS 213 - Laboratory in Microbiology Credits: 1
BMS 250 - Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4
BMS 251 - Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4
BMS 305 - Clinical Nutrition Credits: 3
BMS 310 - Basic Pathophysiology Credits: 3
BMS 311 - Pharmacological Aspects of Biomedical Sciences Credits: 3
CHM 109 - Introductory Chemistry Credits: 4
MTH 110 - Algebra Credits: 4
PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 364 - Life Span Developmental Psychology Credits: 3
STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics Credits: 3
WRT 150 - Strategies in Writing Credits: 4
WRT 305 - Writing in the Disciplines Credits: 3

*Footnote

Upon completion of NUR 411, students may be eligible to receive credits for these courses if they do not have transferable college courses. All prerequisite courses taken at another university must have a grade of C (2.0) or better.