The Second Degree BSN program is for individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university and wish to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

Eligible applicants will have:

• Acceptance into Grand Valley State University as a degree seeking undergraduate student no later than the semester preceding the start of the professional nursing program. 
• First bachelor’s degree must be earned and verified prior to the first day of the professional nursing program.
• Overall GPA of 2.7 or higher (includes GVSU and non-GVSU graduate and undergraduate coursework).
• Overall GPA of 2.7 or higher in the admission pre-requisite courses and a minimum grade of “C” in each course. These courses include: BIO 355, BMS 250, BMS 251, BMS 212, CHM 230, and PSY 364.
• Adhere to the Kirkhof College of Nursing course repeat policy: Students may repeat three admission pre-requisite courses of which two can be BMS, CHM, or BIO. No required course may be repeated more than once.                                       
• In addition, BMS 305, BMS 310, and STA 215 must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” before starting the professional nursing program.

GVSU Course Listings and Descriptions

The Kirkhof College of Nursing admits 48 students into the Spring/Summer semester, 48 students into the Winter semester, and 48 students into the Fall semester. Admission to the nursing program is highly competitive, and students who only meet the minimum criteria may not be admitted.  Admission is based on balanced consideration given to the following components:

• Prerequisite GPA
• Interview
• Personal Statement
• Student Profile
   

Prerequisite GPA
The grades earned in the following courses are calculated to comprise your prerequisite GPA. 

BIO 355 Human Genetics 
BMS 250 Anatomy and Physiology I 
BMS 251 Anatomy and Physiology II 
CHM 230 Intro to Organic & Biochemistry 
BMS 212 Introductory Microbiology 
PSY 364 Lifespan Developmental Psychology 

For course equivalency questions, please refer to the FAQ page.

Interview 
Students will participate in a short interview to help faculty better understand their readiness for the program. 

Personal Statement
Students will submit a 650 word typed response based on an open-ended question.

Student Profile
Students will be asked to describe the impact and skills acquired for the following experiences:
work experience, leadership experience, study or service abroad, healthcare job shadow experience, certifications/honors/awards, other languages spoken, and volunteer experience.

Applications

Students complete the application online during the application period. A link to the application will be available on the KCON website during the application periods which is January 1st - 8th for a May start, May 1st - 8th for an August start, and August 1st - 8th for a January start. All applications must be completed by 5:00 pm on the final day. No late applications will be accepted. 

The admission decisions will be made by the KCON Undergraduate Affairs Committee, and candidates will be notified via email.  Student scores are for internal use and will not be released.

Admitted students are required to comply with, and provide documentation of, all Health Compliance expectation including, but not limited to: physical examination, verification of immunizations, TB testing, criminal background check and drug screen, and CPR certification. 

Curriculum Guide

Courses needed before taking the Admission Prerequisite course
BIO 120 - General Biology w/ lab
CHM 109 - Introductory Chemistry w/ lab
PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology

Admission prerequisite courses that must be complete before applying to the nursing program (21 credits)
BIO 355 Human Genetics - 3 cr.
BMS 250 Anatomy and Physiology I w/ lab - 4 cr.
BMS 251 Anatomy and Physiology II w/ lab - 4 cr.  
CHM 230 Intro to Organic & Biochemistry w/ lab - 4 cr.
BMS 212 Introductory Microbiology - 3 cr.
PSY 364 Lifespan Developmental Psychology - 3 cr.

Courses to be completed prior to start of the professional nursing program
BMS 305 Clinical Nutrition - 3 cr.
BMS 310 Basic Pathophysiology - 3 cr.
STA 215 Introductory Applied Statistics - 3 cr.

Nursing Semester I Spring/Summer
NUR 265 Intro to Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice – 3 cr.
NUR 266 Professional Nursing I – 4 cr.
NUR 267 Clinical Nursing I – 4 cr.
NUR 328 Pharmacology – 3 cr.
Total 14 cr.

Nursing Semester II Fall
NUR 316 Professional Nursing II – 4 cr.
NUR 317 Clinical Nursing II – 6 cr.
NUR 362 Professional Nursing II- Childbearing – 2 cr.
NUR 363 Clinical Nursing II- Childbearing – 3 cr.
Total 15 cr.

Nursing Semester III Winter
NUR 368 Professional Nursing III-Childrearing – 2 cr.
NUR 369 Clinical Nursing III-Childrearing – 3 cr.
NUR 416 Professional Nursing IV – 4 cr.
NUR 417 Clinical Nursing IV – 6 cr.
Total 15 cr.

Nursing Semester IV Spring/Summer
IPE 407 Integrated Team Health Care – 2 cr.
NUR 467 Professional Nursing V – 10 cr.
Total 12 Cr.