Bachelor of Science in Nursing

School of Nursing Undergraduate Requirements

Admission

Admission for Freshmen

Freshman 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 freshmen must complete a high school or college-level general chemistry course prior to enrolling in BIO 205. All entering freshmen with a recentered verbal SAT score is 0 to 530, or whose ACT score is 0 to 22, must enroll in ENG 107.

For students admitted to the B.S.N. program as freshmen, progression into upper division nursing courses is dependent upon:

  1. A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above by the end of sophomore year.
  2. A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above in the required science courses that are taken at the University of Portland by end of sophomore year. Any 4-year student wishing to transfer a science class from another institution first needs the permission of the associate dean for baccalaureate education and must earn a grade of B or better in the course. Grades of C- or lower in any required science course or pass/no pass are not allowed.
  3. A grade of C or better in NRS 101, NRS 202 and NRS 203.
  4. Completion of all the prerequisite course work. Students may only repeat one lower division course on time, and only if they receive a C- or lower in the course per University of Portland academic regulations (see University Bulletin)
  5. Students may only repeat one upper division science course one time, and only if they receive a grade of C- or lower, per University of Portland academic regulations, or with permission of the associate dean for baccalaureate education. See the University Bulletin.
  6. Satisfactory completion of all clinical entry requirements including required drug screen and immunizations.

Additional Progression Information

  • Admitted freshmen students who have transfer credits will be considered for early placement into upper division nursing courses at the discretion of the School of Nursing.
  • Student conduct issues will be taken into account for progression into upper division.
  • Students who have been suspended from the University risk dismissal from the School of Nursing.

Admission for Transfer Students (Internal and External)

For transfer students, acceptance into the upper division of the B.S.N. program is dependent upon:

  1. A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above.
  2. A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above in the required science courses. Any 4-year University of Portland student requesting an internal transfer to Nursing and wishing to transfer a science class from another institution first needs the permission of the associate dean for baccalaureate education and must earn a grade of B or better in the course. For any transfer student, internal and external, grades of C- or lower in any required science course or pass/no pass are not allowed.
  3. Completion of a high school or college-level general chemistry course.
  4. Completion of all prerequisite courses. Lower division credit may be taken at any accredited college or university.
  5. All prerequisite courses must be graded with a C or higher. Pass/No Pass is not accepted for prerequisites. Prerequisite courses may be taken at any accredited college or university recognized by University of Portland.
  6. Satisfactory completion of all clinical entry requirements, including required drug screen and immunizations.
  7. Computer experience/literacy (ability to use a computer for word processing, e-mail, and access to the Internet) is required.
See University Core Requirements

Degree Requirements

To qualify for the degree, the following requirements must be met:

  1. Completion of all the prerequisite course work. Lower division credits taken prior to matriculation at University of Portland that meet the requirements of the University of Portland may be taken at any accredited college or university.
  2. A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above in all lower division courses.
  3. A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above in each of the required science courses.
  4. A grade of C or better or pass in all nursing courses.
  5. A grade of Pass (P) in NRS 498.
  6. Successful completion of all nursing courses and program requirements.
  7. Completion of a minimum of 121 semester hours, including University Core Requirements.

Foundation Requirements

BIO 205Foundations of Biology

3

BIO 305Human Anatomy and Physiology 1

3

BIO 365Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab 1

1

BIO 306Human Anatomy and Physiology 2

3

BIO 366Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab 2

1

BIO 359Microbiology for Nurses

3

BIO 379Microbiology Lab for Nurses

1

MTH 161Elementary Statistics

3

THE 348Theological Dimensions of Suffering and Death

3

Electives

6-10

Major Requirements

NRS 101Introduction to Nursing and Healthcare

3

NRS 202Nutrition

3

NRS 203Life Processes Across the Lifespan

3

NRS 301Nursing Theory and Knowing: Concepts and Issues

2

NRS 310Multicultural Population Health Promotion

2

NRS 311Communication in Nursing

2

NRS 312Introduction to Professional Nursing Practice

5

NRS 313Pathophysiology

3

NRS 315Pharmacotherapeutics

3

NRS 321Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

4

NRS 322Adult and Elder Health I

6

NRS 414Evidence-based Nursing

3

NRS 418Nursing of Families

2

NRS 421Adult and Elder Health II

6

NRS 422Maternal-Child Nursing

6

NRS 424Applied Population Health Nursing in a Multicultural Context

5

NRS 429Leadership in Professional Nursing

3

NRS 436Preparation for Professional Practice

1

NRS 498Capstone Clinical Immersion

5

Total Credit Hours:0-121

The following nursing courses include the following clinical hours: on-campus clinical hours: NRS 312 - 45; off-campus clinical hours: NRS 321 - 90, NRS 322 - 135, NRS 421 - 135, NRS 422 - 90, NRS 424 - 90, and NRS 498 - 180.

  • Because nursing is a dynamic field, the nursing curriculum is subject to change at the School of Nursing’s discretion. 
  • Freshmen entering in Fall 2017 will continue with the current 9-semester nursing curriculum (5 semesters in upper division). However, the current curriculum will be enhanced and modified in the junior and senior years (2019-21) to reflect the most current nursing knowledge and pedagogy. For more information, visit the SON website.
  • The School of Nursing will implement an updated curriculum beginning Fall 2018. The updated curriculum will be an 8-semester program. Please go to the SON website for additional information.

Total Credit Hours: 121

Total credit hours includes 765 total on and off-campus clinical hours.