Pre-RN Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)
The baccalaureate nursing program is based upon the belief that preparation for professional nursing encompasses a broad liberal, general, and professional education. The mission of the School of Nursing is to educate nurses at the Associate, Baccalaureate, Masters and Doctorate levels who work in inter-professional environments to promote health and well-being across the Commonwealth, country and world.
BSN Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the baccalaureate nursing program the BSN graduate will:
1. Graduates will apply integrated nursing knowledge, clinical judgment, and evidence‑based practice to provide safe, quality care across the lifespan.
2. Graduates will provide evidence based, person-centered care to support shared decision making and optimize health outcomes across the lifespan.
3. Graduates will apply population health principles to promote health, prevent disease, and improve outcomes.
4. Graduates will engage in scholarly inquiry and integrate best evidence into nursing practice.
5. Graduates will apply quality improvement principles and safety standards to enhance care processes, minimize risk, and improve client outcomes.
6. Graduates will collaborate with interprofessional teams to enhance client and population health, emphasizing communication, teamwork, and systems-based practice to deliver quality care across the continuum.
7. Graduates will evaluate systems-based principles to coordinate resources and support safe, quality care within healthcare environments.
8. Graduates will utilize informatics and healthcare technologies to support clinical decision making, enhance communication, and improve client care.
9. Graduates will demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and ethical responsibility, upholding legal, regulatory, and professional standards to ensure person-centered care.
10. Graduates will appraise their personal and professional development to foster self-care and lifelong learning.
Admission and Progression Requirements
Admission and Progression Requirements
CIM Program Additional Admission Requirements
All students who are accepted by EKU’s Admissions Office and declare their major as baccalaureate nursing (four-year nursing) are admitted to the University as pre-baccalaureate nursing majors. However, admission to the freshman year does not guarantee admission to the laboratory nursing courses. Students seeking to enter NSC 232 Fundamentals of Nursing, NSC 242 Communication in Nursing, and NSC 252 Intro to Professional Nursing in the third semester of the curriculum must meet minimum program GPA requirements of 2.5 and have School of Nursing chair approval. Spaces in these courses are limited and are reserved for students whose academic record indicates they are more likely to be eligible to be considered for and admitted to the clinical nursing courses.
To be eligible to be considered for admission to the clinical nursing courses, students must have completed the first three semesters of college work as outlined in the curriculum plan and have submitted a complete department application. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C”/2.0 or better, and a minimum institutional GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale must be obtained. For the prelicensure nursing program, [Nursing Pre-RN (B.S.N.)], some prerequisite courses (BIO 208 Human Anatomy and Physiology I , BIO 273 Clinical Microbiology/MLS 209 Microbiology for Health Sciences, BIO 308 Human Anatomy and Physiology II, CHE 105 Chemistry for the Health Sciences,and NFA 201 Essentials of Nutrition) must have been taken within five years prior to the time application is made for admission to the clinical nursing courses unless an exception has been approved by the department.
For the prelicensure Nursing (B.S.N.) Second Degree Concentration, the courses in BIO 208 Human Anatomy and Physiology I , BIO 273 Clinical Microbiology/MLS 209 Microbiology for Health Sciences, BIO 308 Human Anatomy and Physiology II, and NFA 201 Essentials of Nutrition must have been taken within five years prior to the time application is made for admission to the concentration unless an exception has been approved by the department. Completion of eligibility criteria does not guarantee admission to the clinical nursing courses. Admission to the clinical courses is competitive and based on review of the applicants’ academic history. Spaces are limited and the most qualified applicants will be selected for admission.
In addition to the academic criteria required for admission, the student must meet the standards written into the Commonwealth of Kentucky Nurse Practice Act. Specifically, the Nurse Practice Act requires that each student be of good moral and ethical character, good mental and physical health, and be academically qualified to fulfill the role and responsibilities of a person licensed to practice as a professional nurse. Students must meet all clinical agency placement requirements.
For progression, students must earn a grade of “C”/2.0 or better in all nursing and supporting courses. Students who fail to meet the requirements for progression must apply for readmission through the Baccalaureate Admission/Readmission Committee. Readmission to a nursing course is not guaranteed to any student. Please refer to the Baccalaureate Nursing Student Handbook for specific information on readmission procedures. The program reserves the right to alter the suggested plan as necessary to enhance a quality educational program.
For additional admission information please refer to the Selection Criteria at https://nursing.eku.edu/baccalaureate-programs
Transfers from Other Colleges and Universities
Academic credits earned at other accredited colleges or universities are transferable upon approval of the appropriate department at Eastern Kentucky University. Official transcripts are to be submitted by the student to the Office of the Registrar. Credits more than eight years old must be approved.
Transfer students must submit copies of all transcripts along with their application to the program. These transcripts will be considered a part of the application process and are necessary to determine admission and placement.
Students wishing to transfer nursing courses from another accredited institution must have a grade equivalent of “C”/2.0 or better in any nursing course to be transferred. In addition, the applicant must submit complete course outlines and/or syllabi. This material should be submitted well in advance of expected matriculation to provide time for necessary evaluation.
Clinical Requirements:
Transportation to all clinical experiences is the responsibility of the student. Students are expected to adhere to all program and clinical agency policies and must meet all clinical agency placement requirements. To be compliant with Joint Commission regulations, clinical agency contractual agreements, and ensure a safe clinical environment the following items are required before a student can progress to a clinical experience:
1. Proof of professional liability insurance purchased through the University.
2. Proof of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for the Health Care Professional.
3. Proof of Rubella, Measles (Rubeola), and Mumps immunity.
4. Proof of Hepatitis B immunity.
5. Proof of negative Tuberculosis screening.
6. Proof of Varicella immunity.
7. Documentation of adult TDaP vaccine (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis).
8. Documentation of annual Influenza vaccine.
9. Documentation of the CHS-approved Criminal Background Check.
10. Documentation of the CHS-approved Drug Screening.
11. Proof of Personal Health Insurance.
12. Other documentation as required by specific clinical facilities.
Specific Degree Requirements for Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree
In addition to the general requirements for the baccalaureate degree, students must earn a grade of “C”/2.0 or better in all nursing and supporting courses.
Program Requirements
CIP Code: 51.3801
Major
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Graduation Requirements | ||
| Essential Education | 30 | |
| Student Success Seminar | ||
| GSD 101 | Foundations of Learning | 3 |
| Upper division courses (hours are distributed throughout Major/Supporting/Gen Ed/Free Electives categories) | 39 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| NSC 232 | Fundamentals of Nursing | 2 |
| NSC 232L | Fundamentals of Nursing Lab | 1 |
| NSC 242 | Communication in Nursing | 3 |
| NSC 252 | Intro to Professional Nursing | 3 |
| NSC 330 | Clinical Drug Therapy | 3 |
| NSC 332 | Health Assessment and Promotion | 1 |
| NSC 332L | Health Assessment and Promotion Lab | 1 |
| NSC 350 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NSC 380 | Adult Health Nursing I | 2 |
| NSC 380C | Adult Health Nursing I Clinical | 2 |
| NSC 386 | Adult Health Nursing II | 7 |
| NSC 386C | Adult Health Nursing II Clinical | 2.5 |
| NSC 390 | Research for EBNP | 2 |
| NSC 392 | Mental Health Nursing | 3 |
| NSC 392C | Mental Health Nursing Clinical | 2 |
| NSC 396 | Family Health Nursing | 5 |
| NSC 396C | Family Health Nursing Clinical | 2 |
| NSC 480 | Health Care Leadership | 3 |
| NSC 484 | Adult Health Nursing III | 2.5 |
| NSC 484C | Adult Health III Clinical | 2.5 |
| NSC 487 | Population Health Nursing | 2.5 |
| NSC 487C | Population Health Nursing Clinical | 2.5 |
| NSC 492 | Complex Client Health Care | 2.5 |
| NSC 492C | Complex Client Health Care Clinical | 3 |
| NSC 495 | Professional Role Transition | 2 |
| NSC 496 | Clinical Judgement and EBNP | 2 |
| Supporting Course Requirements | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I (Element 2B) E | ||
| BIO 208L | Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab | 1 |
| BIO 308 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| BIO 308L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 1 |
| BIO 273 | Clinical Microbiology | 3 |
| or MLS 209 | Microbiology for Health Sciences | |
| Chemistry for the Health Sciences (Element 2B) E | ||
| CHE 105L | Health Science Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| MAT 105 | Mathematics with Applications (or higher) (Element 2A) E,1 | 0-4 |
| NFA 201 | Essentials of Nutrition | 3 |
| Introduction to Psychology (Element 4B) E | ||
| Choose from one of the following: | 0-4 | |
| Social Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Reasoning (Element 2A) E | ||
| Applied Statistics (Element 2A) E | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| Choose from 0-8 hours of Free Electives | 0-8 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- E
Course also satisfies an Essential Education element. 3 hours are included within the Essential Education requirement above.
- 1
Not all MAT courses count towards Essential Education. Please see Essential Education for a list of applicable courses.
Specific Degree Requirements for Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree
In addition to the general requirements for the baccalaureate degree, students must earn a grade of “C”/2.0 or better in all Nursing core and supporting courses.
Key:
- E
Course satisfies an Essential Education element.
- *
Course must be taken in semester indicated.
Upper division courses: All students are required to have a minimum of 39 hrs. upper division (300-level or above) courses distributed throughout Major/Supporting/Essential Ed/Free Electives categories.
Pre-RN Nursing B.S.N.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| GSD 101 | Foundations of Learning | 3 |
| BIO 208 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| Element 2B E | ||
| BIO 208L | Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab | 1 |
| ENG 101 | Reading, Writing, and Rhetoric | 3 |
| ELEMENT 1A E | ||
| PSY 200 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| ELEMENT 4B E | ||
| MAT 105 | Mathematics with Applications | 3 |
| ELEMENT 2A E | ||
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIO 308 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| BIO 308L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 1 |
| CHE 105 | Chemistry for the Health Sciences | 3 |
| CHE 105L | Health Science Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| ENG 102 | Research, Writing, and Rhetoric | 3 |
| ELEMENT 1B E | ||
| CMS 100 or CMS 210 |
Introduction to Human Communication or Public Speaking |
3 |
| ELEMENT 1C E | ||
| 3A - ARTS E | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| BIO 273 or MLS 209 |
Clinical Microbiology or Microbiology for Health Sciences |
3-4 |
| NSC 232 | Fundamentals of Nursing | 2 |
| NSC 232L | Fundamentals of Nursing Lab | 1 |
| NSC 242 | Communication in Nursing | 3 |
| NSC 252 | Intro to Professional Nursing | 3 |
| NFA 201 | Essentials of Nutrition | 3 |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| STA 215 | Introduction to Statistical Reasoning | 3 |
| NSC 332 | Health Assessment and Promotion | 1 |
| NSC 332L | Health Assessment and Promotion Lab | 1 |
| NSC 350 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NSC 380 | Adult Health Nursing I | 2 |
| NSC 380C | Adult Health Nursing I Clinical | 2 |
| 3B - HUMANITIES E | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| NSC 330 | Clinical Drug Therapy | 3 |
| NSC 386 | Adult Health Nursing II | 7 |
| NSC 386C | Adult Health Nursing II Clinical | 2.5 |
| FLEX E | 3 | |
| Hours | 15.5 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| NSC 390 | Research for EBNP | 2 |
| NSC 392 | Mental Health Nursing | 3 |
| NSC 392C | Mental Health Nursing Clinical | 2 |
| NSC 396 | Family Health Nursing | 5 |
| NSC 396C | Family Health Nursing Clinical | 2 |
| 4A - HISTORICAL & GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES E | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| NSC 480 | Health Care Leadership | 3 |
| NSC 484 | Adult Health Nursing III | 2.5 |
| NSC 484C | Adult Health III Clinical | 2.5 |
| NSC 487 | Population Health Nursing | 2.5 |
| NSC 487C | Population Health Nursing Clinical | 2.5 |
| NSC 378 Short Topics in Clinical Nursing (2 hrs) must be taken if mid-curricular HESI < 900 | ||
| Hours | 13 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| NSC 492 | Complex Client Health Care | 2.5 |
| NSC 492C | Complex Client Health Care Clinical | 3 |
| NSC 495 | Professional Role Transition | 2 |
| NSC 496 | Clinical Judgement and EBNP | 2 |
| FREE ELECTIVE | 3 | |
| Hours | 12.5 | |
| Total Hours | 121-122 | |