Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)
B.S.N. Program Outcomes
The B.S.N. program provides students with a liberal arts and science foundation along with concentrated study in the professional nursing major. Students develop competency in the assessment of health needs and in health promotion, maintenance, and restoration using a holistic framework. A rich variety of settings that reflect an array of actual and potential health problems experienced by individuals, families, and communities throughout the life cycle are used to support the development of clinical judgment, clinical reasoning, critical thinking, and the role of a professional nurse.
The B.S.N. program of study prepares graduates to:
- Provide safe, high-quality nursing care to individuals.
- Deliver holistic nursing care to populations across a health care continuum.
- Contribute to the nursing profession.
- Improve health care delivery across the continuum of care.
- Create and support healthy work environments.
Admission
Admission for First-year Students
First-year applicants for admission must meet the general entrance requirements of the University as set forth in the
"Office of Admissions" section of this
Bulletin. All entering first-year students must complete a high school or college-level general chemistry course prior to enrolling in
BIO 205. All entering first-year nursing majors with a redesigned SAT reading score less than 29 or an ACT English score less than 22 will be enrolled in
ENG 107 College Writing.
Admission for Transfer Students
University of Portland non-nursing majors who wish to transfer into the nursing program must apply as a transfer student and be considered for admission with external applicants. The application process for internal transfers is very competitive and there is no guarantee of acceptance into the transfer cohort.
For transfer students, acceptance into the B.S.N. program is based on the following criteria:
- A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above in college courses at the time of admission.
- A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above in the prerequisite B.S.N. Foundation Requirement courses of Anatomy and Physiology with labs and Microbiology with lab at the time of admission.
- The grade earned in courses transferred from an institution on the quarter system will be calculated against the semester credit hour equivalency. Examples include: 3 quarter credit hours equal 2 semester credit hours; 4 quarter credit hours equal 2.67 semester credit hours; 5 quarter credit hours equal 3.33 semester credit hours.
- Completion of a high school or college-level general chemistry course.
- Completion of all prerequisite courses by the time the student begins nursing (NRS) courses at the University of Portland. Prerequisite coursework must be taken at an accredited college or university and must be graded with a C or higher. Pass/No Pass is not accepted for prerequisites. Students may not audit a required prerequisite course.
- Satisfactory completion of all professional practice entry requirements, including background check, clean drug screen, HIPAA, American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification, and all immunizations.
Prerequisite Courses
The prerequisite courses required for admission to the School of Nursing and Health Innovations for Summer 2023-entry transfer students are:
University Core Curriculum Foundation Requirements — credit hours may vary
See Core Curriculum Requirements and Core Curriculum Transfer Policy
The number of credit hours may vary depending on where these courses are completed.
Two of the three core requirements in the Scientific and Quantitative Literacy and Problem Solving Habit are satisfied by the mathematics and science requirements within the B.S.N. Foundation Requirements.
B.S.N. Foundation Requirements — credit hours may vary
- Foundations of Biology – If taken at UP, BIO 205 and BIO 005. If taken outside of UP, one or two courses (depending on the school) that include(s) molecular biology, cellular biology, and genetics. Must have been completed within five years of acceptance to the program.
- Anatomy and Physiology with labs – If taken at UP, BIO 305, BIO 365, BIO 306, and BIO 366. If taken outside of UP, one school year of coursework. Must have been completed within five years of acceptance to the program.
- Microbiology with lab – If taken at UP, BIO 359 and BIO 379. If taken outside of UP, one course and the accompanying lab. Must have been completed within five years of acceptance to the program.
- Statistics – If taken at UP, MTH 161. If taken outside of UP, one course. Must have been completed within five years of acceptance to the program.
- A high school or college level general chemistry course is also required for admission.
- Any University of Portland student who plans to apply for transfer into the School of Nursing and Health Innovations and wishes to transfer a prerequisite B.S.N. Foundation Requirement course from another institution must first obtain the permission of the School of Nursing and Health Innovations prior to registration in the course. Such permission is required to ensure that the course is suitable for transfer to the School of Nursing and Health Innovations.
Electives
Transfer students must have a minimum of 49 semester credit hours accepted in transfer to begin the B.S.N. program. Elective credit hours in writing, speech, science, foreign languages, or social sciences may be accepted to bring transfer students up to at least 49 semester credit hours, after the Foundation Level Core Curriculum and B.S.N. Foundation Requirement credits have been accepted. AP, IB, or CLEP credits may also be accepted.
Progression
Progression for First-year Students
Progression in the B.S.N. program is based on the following criteria:
- Completion of all required 100- and 200- level nursing (NRS) courses by the end of spring semester of the sophomore year.
- Completion of all Foundation Level University Core Curriculum Requirements by the end of summer session 1 of the sophomore year or with permission of the School of Nursing and Health Innovations.
- Completion of all B.S.N. Foundation Requirement courses by the end of summer session 1 of the sophomore year.
- Students may not audit a University Core Curriculum Requirement, B.S.N. Foundation Requirement, or B.S.N. Major Requirement (see “B.S.N. Degree Requirements”) course.
- A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above by the end of summer session 1 of the sophomore year.
- Completion of the B.S.N. Foundation Requirement courses BIO 205/BIO 005 (Foundations of Biology with workshop), BIO 305/BIO 365 and BIO 306/BIO 366 (Anatomy and Physiology I & II with labs), and BIO 359/BIO 379 Microbiology for Nurses with lab with a grade of C or better.
- A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above in the B.S.N. Foundation Requirement courses BIO 305/BIO 365 and BIO 306/BIO 366 (Anatomy and Physiology I & II with labs) and BIO 359/BIO 379 (Microbiology for Nurses with lab) by the end of summer session 1 of the sophomore year.
- Any University of Portland School of Nursing and Health Innovations student wishing to transfer any B.S.N. Foundation Requirement course from another institution must first obtain the permission of the School of Nursing and Health Innovations prior to registration in the course. Such permission is required to ensure that the course is suitable for transfer to the School of Nursing and Health Innovations. The student must earn a grade of C or better in any B.S.N. Foundation Requirement course they wish to transfer. A grade of Pass/No Pass is not allowed.
- The grade earned in courses transferred from an institution on the quarter system will be calculated against the semester credit hour equivalency. Examples include: 3 quarter credit hours equal 2 semester credit hours; 4 quarter credit hours equal 2.67 semester credit hours; 5 quarter credit hours equal 3.33 semester credit hours.
- A grade of C or better or Pass in all required nursing (NRS) courses.
- All required nursing (NRS) courses must be successfully completed with a grade of C or better or Pass before progressing to the next semester.
- A grade of C- or lower or No Pass in or withdrawal from any required nursing (NRS) course will result in delayed progression and delayed program completion.
- A required nursing (NRS) course may be repeated only once, regardless of whether it is repeated due to withdrawal or unsuccessful completion (a grade of C- or lower or No Pass).
- Students who receive a grade of C- or lower or No Pass in or withdraw from their second attempt (repeat) of a required nursing (NRS) course will be dismissed from the B.S.N. program.
- Satisfactory completion of all professional practice requirements, including background check, clean drug screen, HIPAA, American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification, and all immunizations.
Additional Progression Information
- Students interested in studying abroad should consult with their academic advisor, their program counselor, and the UP Studies Abroad office to understand study abroad options and their impact on the B.S.N. program of study. The UP Studies Abroad program recommends a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher before going abroad but will consider applications from anyone with a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.5 or above.
- Student conduct issues will be taken into consideration for progression in the nursing program.
- Students who do not complete professional practice requirements by the submission deadline will not be allowed to attend class or professional practice experiences, will lose their professional practice placement, and their progression in the program may be delayed.
- Students with a positive drug screen prior to entry into professional practice courses will be dismissed from the School of Nursing and Health Innovations.
- Students who have been suspended from the University may be dismissed from the School of Nursing and Health Innovations.
- All B.S.N. students are responsible for adhering to the policies in the most current version of the School of Nursing and Health Innovations B.S.N. Student Handbook.
Progression for Transfer Students
For internal and external transfer students, progression in the B.S.N. program is based on the following criteria:
- Students may not audit a University Core Curriculum or B.S.N. Major Requirement course.
- A grade of C or better or Pass in all required nursing (NRS) courses.
- All required nursing (NRS) courses must be successfully completed with a grade of C or better or Pass before progressing to the next semester.
- A grade of C- or lower or No Pass in or withdrawal from any required nursing (NRS) course will result in delayed progression and delayed program completion.
- A required nursing (NRS) course may be repeated only once, regardless of whether it is repeated due to withdrawal or unsuccessful completion (a grade of C- or lower or No Pass).
- Students who receive a grade of C- or lower or No Pass in or withdraw from their second attempt (repeat) of a required nursing (NRS) course will be dismissed from the B.S.N. program.
- Satisfactory completion of all professional practice requirements including background check, clean drug screen, HIPAA, American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification, and all immunizations.
Additional Progression Information
- Transfer students may only study abroad in the summer semester between their junior and senior year. Students interested in studying abroad should consult with their academic advisor, their program counselor, and the UP Studies Abroad office to understand study abroad options and their impact on the B.S.N. program of study. The UP Studies Abroad program recommends a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher before going abroad but will consider applications from anyone with a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.5 or above.
- Student conduct issues will be taken into consideration for progression in the nursing program.
- Students who do not complete professional practice requirements by the submission deadline will not be allowed to attend class or professional practice experiences, will lose their professional practice placement, and their progression in the program may be delayed.
- Students with a positive drug screen prior to entry into professional practice courses will be dismissed from the School of Nursing and Health Innovations.
- Students who have been suspended from the University may be dismissed from the School of Nursing and Health Innovations.
- All B.S.N. students are responsible for adhering to the policies in the most current version of the School of Nursing and Health Innovations B.S.N. Student Handbook.
B.S.N. Degree Requirements for Students Enrolled as First-Year Students
To qualify for the degree, the following requirements must be met:
- A grade of C or better or Pass in all required nursing (NRS) courses.
- Successful completion of all nursing program requirements.
- Completion of a minimum of 122 semester credit hours, including University Core Curriculum Requirements, B.S.N. Foundation Requirements, and B.S.N. Major Requirements.
University Core Curriculum Requirements — 40 credit hours
All University of Portland students progress through a set of shared course options as part of the University’s liberal arts Core Curriculum. This curriculum offers a foundation of multiple lenses to address enduring questions of human concern, integrating the liberal arts, the University mission, and the knowledge, skills, and values needed in a diverse society and in the workplace.
See Core Curriculum Requirements
Two of the three core requirements for the Scientific and Quantitative Literacy and Problem Solving Habit are satisfied by the mathematics and science requirements within the major.
One Exploration Level course is satisfied by THE 348 within the major.
NRS 104 and NRS 440 are the designated Writing in the Discipline courses for the B.S.N.
B.S.N. Foundation Requirements - 18 credit hours
B.S.N. Major Requirements - 73 credit hours
Because nursing is a dynamic field, the nursing curriculum is subject to change at the School of Nursing and Health Innovations’ discretion.
| NRS 104 | Nursing Professionalism and Practice | 3 |
| NRS 116 | Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan I | 3 |
| NRS 200 | Nursing Licensure Lab I | 1 |
| NRS 204 | Foundations in Health Assessment | 3 |
| NRS 206 | Professional Practice: Health Assessment | 1 |
| NRS 207 | Clinical Reasoning Seminar: Health Assessment | 1 |
| NRS 216 | Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan II | 3 |
| NRS 300 | Nursing Licensure Lab II | 1 |
| NRS 302 | Nursing Licensure Lab III | 1 |
| NRS 306 | Professional Practice: Population Health and Wellness | 4 |
| NRS 307 | Clinical Reasoning Seminar: Population Health and Wellness | 3 |
| NRS 308 | Professional Practice: Acute Illness Management | 4 |
| NRS 309 | Clinical Reasoning Seminar: Acute Illness Management | 3 |
| NRS 316 | Population Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NRS 317 | Acute Illness Management Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NRS 325 | Pathophysiology and Pharmacology I | 3 |
| NRS 326 | Pathophysiology and Pharmacology II | 3 |
| NRS 400 | Nursing Licensure Lab IV | 1 |
| NRS 406 | Professional Practice: Chronic Illness Management | 4 |
| NRS 407 | Clinical Reasoning Seminar: Chronic Illness Management | 3 |
| NRS 408 | Senior Synthesis | 4 |
| NRS 409 | Clinical Reasoning Seminar: Transition to Professional Practice | 3 |
| NRS 416 | Chronic Illness Management Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NRS 440 | Social Justice and Population Health | 3 |
| NRS 460 | Advancing the Culture of Health | 3 |
| NRS 480 | Life-Long Learning | 3 |
| THE 348 | Theological Dimensions of Suffering and Death | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 122
B.S.N. Degree Requirements for Transfer Students
To qualify for the B.S.N. degree, the following requirements must be met:
- A grade of C or better or Pass in all required nursing (NRS) courses.
- Successful completion of all nursing program requirements.
- Completion of a minimum of 122 semester credit hours, including all required prerequisite courses, University Core Curriculum Requirements, and B.S.N. Major Requirements.
University Core Curriculum Requirements — credit hours may vary
All University of Portland students progress through a set of shared course options as part of the University’s liberal arts Core Curriculum. This curriculum offers a foundation of multiple lenses to address enduring questions of human concern, integrating the liberal arts, the University mission, and the knowledge, skills, and values needed in a diverse society and in the workplace.
Transfer students into the B.S.N. program complete the University Core Curriculum Foundation Requirements as prerequisites for admission. The number of credit hours may vary depending on where these courses are completed.
See Core Curriculum Requirements and Core Curriculum Transfer Policy.
Two of the three core requirements for the Scientific and Quantitative Literacy and Problem Solving Habit are satisfied by the mathematics and science requirements within the B.S.N. Foundation Requirements.
One Exploration Level course is satisfied by THE 348 within the major.
NRS 104 and NRS 440 are the designated Writing in the Discipline courses for the B.S.N.
B.S.N. Foundation Requirements - credit hours may vary
Credit hours will vary depending on where the courses are completed. See the “Admission for Transfer Students” section above for information about the B.S.N. Foundation Requirements, which are prerequisites for admission.
Electives - credit hours may vary
Credit hours will vary depending on where the courses are completed. See the “Admission for Transfer Students” section above for information about the Electives requirements, which are prerequisites for admission.
B.S.N. Major Requirements - 73 credit hours
Because nursing is a dynamic field, the nursing curriculum is subject to change at the School of Nursing and Health Innovations’ discretion.
| NRS 200 | Nursing Licensure Lab I | 1 |
| NRS 204 | Foundations in Health Assessment | 3 |
| NRS 206 | Professional Practice: Health Assessment | 1 |
| NRS 207 | Clinical Reasoning Seminar: Health Assessment | 1 |
| NRS 208 | Transition into Professional Nursing | 6 |
| NRS 300 | Nursing Licensure Lab II | 1 |
| NRS 302 | Nursing Licensure Lab III | 1 |
| NRS 306 | Professional Practice: Population Health and Wellness | 4 |
| NRS 307 | Clinical Reasoning Seminar: Population Health and Wellness | 3 |
| NRS 308 | Professional Practice: Acute Illness Management | 4 |
| NRS 309 | Clinical Reasoning Seminar: Acute Illness Management | 3 |
| NRS 316 | Population Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NRS 317 | Acute Illness Management Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NRS 325 | Pathophysiology and Pharmacology I | 3 |
| NRS 326 | Pathophysiology and Pharmacology II | 3 |
| NRS 400 | Nursing Licensure Lab IV | 1 |
| NRS 406 | Professional Practice: Chronic Illness Management | 4 |
| NRS 407 | Clinical Reasoning Seminar: Chronic Illness Management | 3 |
| NRS 408 | Senior Synthesis | 4 |
| NRS 409 | Clinical Reasoning Seminar: Transition to Professional Practice | 3 |
| NRS 416 | Chronic Illness Management Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NRS 440 | Social Justice and Population Health | 3 |
| NRS 460 | Advancing the Culture of Health | 3 |
| NRS 480 | Life-Long Learning | 3 |
| THE 348 | Theological Dimensions of Suffering and Death | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 122