Nursing
All undergraduate tracks in the School of Nursing lead to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Graduates of the pre-licensure BSN and LPN to BSN tracks are eligible to apply for the national council licensure examination (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse (RN). Students in the RN to BSN track are already licensed as a RN.
Pre-Licensure BSN:
The pre-licensure BSN program is the largest program in the School of Nursing. This professional program consists of one year of pre-requisite courses and three years of additional non-nursing and professional nursing courses. Students in the professional program complete practicum experiences in a variety of clinical settings including acute and long term care, pediatrics, public health, emergency department, critical care, labor and delivery as well as mental health.
LPN to BSN:
The LPN to BSN program is designed for a licensed practical nurse (LPN) who wants to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Coursework in the professional program is completed on a part-time basis (5-6 nursing credits a semester) over the length of two years (including summers). Courses are delivered online with clinical work completed in a variety of Fargo locations during the summer semesters. The curriculum builds on students' prior knowledge to develop critical thinking, theoretical knowledge, leadership and growth in the RN professional role.
RN to BSN:
The RN to BSN program is designed for registered nurses wanting to advance to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The two year program is geared for part-time students. Coursework focuses on the current health care system/environment, quality and safety, evidence-based practice, population-focused nursing, leadership and chronic health issues. The program is intended to educate nurses to practice with a transformed perspective, having a better understanding of themselves and the complex environment in which nurses work.
Major Requirements
Major: Nursing - Pre-Licensure Track
Degree Type: B.S.N.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 122
General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degree
- A list of approved general education courses is available here .
- General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review the major, minor, and program emphases requirements for minimum grade restrictions, should they apply.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Communication (C) | 12 | |
| College Composition I | ||
| College Composition II | ||
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | ||
Upper Division Writing † | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning (R) † | 3 | |
| Science and Technology (S) † | 10 | |
| Humanities and Fine Arts (A) † | 6 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (B) † | 6 | |
| Wellness (W) † | 2 | |
| Cultural Diversity (D) *† | ||
| Global Perspectives (G) *† | ||
| Total Credits | 39 | |
| * | May be satisfied by completing courses in another General Education category. |
| † | May be satisfied with courses required in the major. Review major requirements to determine if a specific upper division writing course is required. |
Major Requirements
All students must complete all major requirements with a grade of ‘C’ or better including ENGL 120 and COMM 110.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Major Requirements | ||
| BIOC 260 | Elements of Biochemistry | 4 |
| BIOL 220 & 220L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory (May satisfy a general education category S) * | 4 |
| BIOL 221 & 221L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory * | 4 |
| CHEM 117 & 117L | Chemical Concepts and Applications and Chem Concepts and Applications Lab (May satisfy a general education category S) * | 4 |
| CHP 190 | Critical Thinking and Academic Success | 2 |
| CHP 400 | Interprofessional Health Care Practice | 3 |
| ENGL 325 | Writing in the Health Professions (May satisfy a general education category C) | 3 |
| HNES 250 | Nutrition Science (May satisfy a general education category W) | 3 |
| MICR 202 & 202L | Introductory Microbiology and Introductory Microbiology Lab (May satisfy a general education category S) * | 3 |
| NURS 210 | Orientation to Research and Evidence-Based Practice | 2 |
| NURS 250 | Health Promotion | 2 |
| NURS 251 | Skills and Concepts for Nursing | 2 |
| NURS 252 | Gerontologic Nursing | 2 |
| NURS 300 | Pharmacology for Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 341 | Foundations of Clinical Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 342 | Adult Health Nursing I | 5 |
| NURS 352 | Family Nursing I | 5 |
| NURS 360 | Health Assessment | 4 |
| NURS 362 | Family Nursing II | 4 |
| NURS 402 | Mental Health Nursing | 4 |
| NURS 403 | Adult Health Nursing II | 5 |
| NURS 404 | Adult Health III | 4 |
| NURS 406 | Community & Public Health Nursing | 4 |
| NURS 410 | Research and Redesign | 2 |
| NURS 450 | Nursing Synthesis/Practicum | 4 |
| NURS 460 | Management, Leadership and Career Development | 3 |
| PSYC 111 | Introduction to Psychology (May satisfy a general education category B) * | 3 |
| PSYC 250 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| or HDFS 230 | Life Span Development | |
| SOC 110 | Introduction to Sociology (May satisfy a general education category B) * | 3 |
| or ANTH 111 | Introduction to Anthropology | |
| Total Credits | 97 | |
| * | Will be used in the selective GPA calculation for admission to the Professional Nursing program. Grades for three of the five sciences (lecture/lab) will be used for selective GPA. |
Degree Requirements and Notes
- Students must maintain a semester GPA of 2.0 or above for each semester in the College of Health Professions (CoHP). A student who fails to meet this standard for two successive or three non-successive semesters may be terminated from enrollment in the CoHP.
- Would also accept the following course sequence in place of CHEM 117 Chemical Concepts and Applications/CHEM 117L Chem Concepts and Applications Lab: CHEM 121 General Chemistry I/CHEM 121L General Chemistry I Laboratory, CHEM 122 General Chemistry II/CHEM 122L General Chemistry II Laboratory or CHEM 121 General Chemistry I/CHEM 121L General Chemistry I Laboratory and CHEM 140 Organic Chemical Concepts and Applications.
Plan of Study: Pre-Licensure Fall Start Professional Program
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 110 | 4 | ENGL 120 | 3 |
| CHEM 117 | 3 | BIOC 260 | 4 |
| CHEM 117L | 1 | COMM 110 | 3 |
| SOC 110 or ANTH 111 | 3 | PSYC 111 | 3 |
| CHP 190 | 2 | MICR 202 | 2 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | MICR 202L | 1 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIOL 220 | 3 | BIOL 221 | 3 |
| BIOL 220L | 1 | BIOL 221L | 1 |
| NURS 210 | 2 | HNES 250 | 3 |
| NURS 250 | 2 | NURS 251 | 2 |
| HDFS 230 or PSYC 250 | 3 | NURS 252 | 2 |
| Cultural Diveristy (D) Elective | 3 | NURS 360 | 4 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 325 | 3 | NURS 352 | 5 |
| NURS 341 | 3 | NURS 362 | 4 |
| NURS 342 | 5 | CHP 400 | 3 |
| NURS 300 | 3 | Humanitites & Fine Arts (A) | 3 |
| Global Persepective (G) | 3 | ||
| 14 | 18 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| NURS 402 | 4 | NURS 404 | 4 |
| NURS 403 | 5 | NURS 406 | 4 |
| NURS 410 | 2 | NURS 450 | 4 |
| NURS 460 | 3 | Humanities & Fine Arts (A) | 3 |
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 125 | |||
Pre-Licensure Spring Start Professional Program
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 110 | 4 | ENGL 120 | 3 |
| CHEM 117 | 3 | COMM 110 | 3 |
| CHEM 117L | 1 | MICR 202 | 2 |
| SOC 110 or ANTH 111 | 3 | MICR 202L | 1 |
| NURS 189 | 1 | PSYC 111 | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | BIOC 260 | 4 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIOL 220 | 3 | NURS 210 | 2 |
| BIOL 220L | 1 | NURS 250 | 2 |
| PSYC 250 or HDFS 230 | 3 | BIOL 221 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | BIOL 221L | 1 |
| Cultural Diversity (D) | 3 | HNES 250 | 3 |
| Humanities & Fine Arts (A) | 3 | ||
| 13 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| NURS 251 | 2 | ENGL 325 | 3 |
| NURS 252 | 2 | NURS 341 | 3 |
| NURS 360 | 4 | NURS 342 | 5 |
| Humanities & Fine Arts (A) | 3 | NURS 300 | 3 |
| Global Perspective (G) | 3 | ||
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| NURS 352 | 5 | NURS 402 | 4 |
| NURS 362 | 4 | NURS 403 | 5 |
| NURS 460 | 3 | NURS 410 | 2 |
| CHP 400 | 3 | ||
| 12 | 14 | ||
| Fifth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | ||
| NURS 404 | 4 | ||
| NURS 406 | 4 | ||
| NURS 450 | 4 | ||
| 12 | |||
| Total Credits: 124 | |||
Major Requirements
Major: Nursing - LPN to BSN Track
Degree Type: B.S.N.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 122
General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degree
- A list of approved general education courses is available here .
- General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review the major, minor, and program emphases requirements for minimum grade restrictions, should they apply.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Communication (C) | 12 | |
| College Composition I | ||
| College Composition II | ||
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | ||
Upper Division Writing † | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning (R) † | 3 | |
| Science and Technology (S) † | 10 | |
| Humanities and Fine Arts (A) † | 6 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (B) † | 6 | |
| Wellness (W) † | 2 | |
| Cultural Diversity (D) *† | ||
| Global Perspectives (G) *† | ||
| Total Credits | 39 | |
| * | May be satisfied by completing courses in another General Education category. |
| † | May be satisfied with courses required in the major. Review major requirements to determine if a specific upper division writing course is required. |
Major Requirements
All students must complete all major requirements with a grade of ‘C’ or better including ENGL 120 and COMM 110.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Major Requirements | ||
| BIOC 260 | Elements of Biochemistry | 4 |
| BIOL 220 & 220L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory (May satisfy a general education category S) * | 4 |
| BIOL 221 & 221L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory * | 4 |
| CHEM 117 & 117L | Chemical Concepts and Applications and Chem Concepts and Applications Lab (May satisfy a general education category S) * | 4 |
| HNES 250 | Nutrition Science (May satisfy a general education category W) | 3 |
| MICR 202 & 202L | Introductory Microbiology and Introductory Microbiology Lab (May satisfy a general education category S) * | 3 |
| NURS 210 | Orientation to Research and Evidence-Based Practice | 2 |
| NURS 251 | Skills and Concepts for Nursing | 2 |
| NURS 252 | Gerontologic Nursing | 2 |
| NURS 300 | Pharmacology for Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 289 | Transition from Associate LPN to BSN | 2 |
| NURS 341 | Foundations of Clinical Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 342 | Adult Health Nursing I | 5 |
| NURS 352 | Family Nursing I (validation) | 5 |
| NURS 360 | Health Assessment | 4 |
| NURS 362 | Family Nursing II (validation) | 4 |
| NURS 372 | Integrated Family Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 402 | Mental Health Nursing (validation) | 4 |
| NURS 403 | Adult Health Nursing II (validation) | 5 |
| NURS 405 | Psychsocial Nursing | 2 |
| NURS 406 | Community & Public Health Nursing | 4 |
| NURS 407 | Adult Health: Complex Problems | 3 |
| NURS 407L | Adult Health: Complex Problems Clinical | 2 |
| NURS 410 | Research and Redesign | 2 |
| NURS 450 | Nursing Synthesis/Practicum | 4 |
| NURS 460 | Management, Leadership and Career Development | 3 |
| CHP 400 | Interprofessional Health Care Practice | 3 |
| PSYC 111 | Introduction to Psychology (May satisfy a general education category B) * | 3 |
| PSYC 250 | Developmental Psychology * | 3 |
| or HDFS 230 | Life Span Development | |
| SOC 110 | Introduction to Sociology (May satisfy a general education category B) * | 3 |
| or ANTH 111 | Introduction to Anthropology | |
| Select one of the following: (May satisfy general education category C) | 3 | |
| Business and Professional Writing | ||
| Writing in the Technical Professions | ||
| Writing and the Creative Process | ||
| Creative Writing | ||
| Writing in the Sciences | ||
| Writing in the Health Professions | ||
| Writing in the Humanities and Social Sciences | ||
| Researching and Writing Grants and Proposal | ||
| Total Credits | 101 | |
| * | Will be used in the selective GPA calculation for admission to the Professional Nursing program. |
Degree Requirements and Notes
- Students must maintain a semester GPA of 2.0 or above for each semester in the College of Health Professions (CoHP). A student who fails to meet this standard for two successive or three non-successive semesters may be terminated from enrollment in the CoHP.
- Would also accept the following course sequence in place of CHEM 117 Chemical Concepts and Applications/CHEM 117L Chem Concepts and Applications Lab: CHEM 121 General Chemistry I/CHEM 121L General Chemistry I Laboratory, CHEM 122 General Chemistry II/CHEM 122L General Chemistry II Laboratory or CHEM 121 General Chemistry I/CHEM 121L General Chemistry I Laboratory and CHEM 140 Organic Chemical Concepts and Applications.
Plan of Study: LPN to BSN Program
- PN Program Transfer Credits = 40-60 credits
- Nursing Validation (18 credits): NURS 362 Family Nursing II, NURS 352 Family Nursing I, NURS 402 Mental Health Nursing, NURS 403 Adult Health Nursing II
| Third Year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| CHEM 117 | 3 | NURS 289 | 2 | NURS 406 | 4 |
| CHEM 117L | 1 | NURS 360 | 4 | ENGL 325 | 3 |
| BIOC 260 | 4 | NURS 420 | 3 | ||
| 4 | 10 | 10 | |||
| Fourth Year | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| NURS 372 | 3 | NURS 407 | 3 | NURS 407L | 2 |
| NURS 405 | 2 | NURS 460 | 3 | CHP 400 | 3 |
| PSYC 111 | 3 | Global Perspective (G) | |||
| 8 | 6 | 5 | |||
| Fifth Year | |||||
| Fall | Credits | ||||
| NURS 450 | 4 | ||||
| 4 | |||||
| Total Credits: 47 | |||||
Major Requirements
Major: Nursing - RN to BSN Track
Degree Type: B.S.N.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 122
General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degree
- A list of approved general education courses is available here .
- General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review the major, minor, and program emphases requirements for minimum grade restrictions, should they apply.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Communication (C) | 12 | |
| College Composition I | ||
| College Composition II | ||
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | ||
Upper Division Writing † | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning (R) † | 3 | |
| Science and Technology (S) † | 10 | |
| Humanities and Fine Arts (A) † | 6 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (B) † | 6 | |
| Wellness (W) † | 2 | |
| Cultural Diversity (D) *† | ||
| Global Perspectives (G) *† | ||
| Total Credits | 39 | |
| * | May be satisfied by completing courses in another General Education category. |
| † | May be satisfied with courses required in the major. Review major requirements to determine if a specific upper division writing course is required. |
Major Requirements
All students must complete all major requirements with a grade of ‘C’ or better including ENGL 120 and COMM 110.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Demonstrated Competency Credit | 15 | |
| Nursing Major Requirements | ||
| CHP 400 | Interprofessional Health Care Practice | 3 |
| NURS 326 | Immersion I | 1 |
| NURS 336 | Transcultural Nursing Care | 3 |
| NURS 346 | NDSU RN to BSN Immersion II | 1 |
| NURS 356 | The Essence of Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 366 | Quality and Safety in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 386 | Chronicity Throughout the Lifespan I | 3 |
| NURS 388 | Chronicity Throughout the Lifespan II | 3 |
| NURS 420 | Evidence-Based Practice and Research in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 426 | NDSU RN to BSN Immersion III | 1 |
| NURS 446 & 446L | Population Focused Nursing Care and Population Focused Nursing Care - Clinical | 5 |
| NURS 456 | RN to BSN Immersion IV | 1 |
| NURS 462 & 462L | Nurses as Leaders and Nursing Leadership Practicum | 4 |
| NURS 478 | BSN Capstone | 2 |
| Select one fo the following: (May satisfy general education category C) | 3 | |
| Business and Professional Writing | ||
| Writing in the Technical Professions | ||
| Writing and the Creative Process | ||
| Creative Writing | ||
| Writing in the Sciences | ||
| Writing in the Health Professions | ||
| Writing in the Humanities and Social Sciences | ||
| Researching and Writing Grants and Proposal | ||
| Total Credits | 54 | |
Degree Notes:
- Courses will be offered in 8 week blocks
- 60 credits toward degree must be earned from a four-year degree granting institution
- 36 credits must be earned at in residence at NDSU
- 15 demonstrated competency credits will be awarded upon admission
- Students who have earned an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science degree consisting of a minimum of 36 semester credits at a regionally accredited institution is considered to have completed lower general education requirements.
- Students must maintain a semester GPA of 2.0 or above for each semester in the College of Health Professions (CoHP). A student who fails to meet this standard for two successive or three non-successive semesters may be terminated from enrollment in the CoHP.
