Nursing (Bachelor of Science in Nursing, B.S.N.)

The School of Science and Health Professions offers a baccalaureate degree in Nursing that provides a foundation of knowledge and skills necessary to be eligible to apply to write the National Council Licensure Examination. Upon satisfactory completion of this examination, the candidate is licensed as a registered professional nurse (RN). The program is designed with a strong clinical emphasis, based upon the relationship among the concepts of nursing, person, health-illness, environment, nursing education, nursing research, and ethical concepts applied to nursing. Students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in healthcare agencies to prepare them to respond to the challenge of providing quality nursing care to individuals and groups. Some clinical agencies may require criminal background checks and may refuse to allow a student to gain experience in a clinical agency in accordance with provisions of Missouri State Law. A minimum grade of C in each course in the major is required for progression in and completion of the nursing program. The program is fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

The School of Nursing and Health Professions allows individuals who have been admitted to the B.S.N. program, who have a current, unencumbered Missouri license to practice as a licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.), to apply for advanced placement through tested experience. LPNs who have completed the Army’s practical nurse program or airmen who have completed the Air Force 4N Training Program may apply for advanced placement. Other military medical service (e.g.Navy, Marine Corp, Coast Guard) personnel with equivalent training as the Army’s practical nurse program or the Air Force 4N Training Program may request review of credentials. Tested experience is established through verification of LPN license, standardized testing, and skills validation of select competencies.  Please contact the School of Nursing and Health Professions for specific information on testing procedures and scheduling.

Progression Requirements

Students must achieve a grade of "C" or higher in all required nursing courses in order to continue progression in the Nursing Program. Any student who receives a final course grade of C in two or more nursing courses in a single semester during the Nursing Program will be placed on nursing academic probation. Students placed on Nursing Academic Probation will be required to enroll in NUR 300 Strategies for Success in Nursing in order to progress in the nursing curriculum. Specific Nursing progression, probation, and dismissal policies are available in the School of Nursing and Health Professions.

Eligibility for Nursing Licensure

Completion of the BSN program does not guarantee eligibility to write the licensure examination. Completion of the program guarantees eligibility to apply to the State Board of Nursing to write the national licensure examination (NCLEX-RN). A criminal background check is conducted by the Missouri State Board of Nursing before a decision is made regarding certificate of registration or authority; permit or license pursuant to section 335.011 to 335.066 for any one or any combination of causes stated in 335.066 subsection 2 of the State of Missouri Nursing Practice Act. Specific information may be obtained by contacting the Missouri State Board of Nursing.

Admission Requirements

Freshmen desiring to enter the 4-year BSN program should declare a pre-major in Nursing at the time of enrollment. Application to the Nursing Program should be made one full semester prior to the anticipated beginning of nursing courses. A selection committee reviews all applicants and determines those who will be admitted. General admission to the College does not admit a student to the baccalaureate degree program in nursing. Admission is competitive. Applications must meet the following minimum requirements:

• The applicant must apply and be admitted to MWSU.
• The applicant must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.7.
• Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) test score of 58.7% (academic preparedness category of proficiency) or above is required.
• The applicant must have completed or be currently enrolled in all general studies and nursing support courses (and earn a grade of C or higher in each support class, as well as MAT 110/110E, MAT 112 or MAT 116).
• High school seniors and MWSU freshman with outstanding academic records should contact the Department of Nursing for information about early acceptance in the nursing program.

All required general studies and support courses for the nursing major must be completed prior to beginning nursing courses. Students should work closely with their academic advisors to select appropriate courses. Taking and passing prerequisite courses does not assure acceptance into the BSN program. A completed application and current transcripts must be submitted to the Nursing Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS) by January 15 for a candidate to be considered for admission for fall and by August 15 for consideration for spring. Instructions for the TEAS test and NursingCAS can be found on Department of Nursing webpage.

Program Graduation Requirements

1. Earn a grade of C or higher in all major coursework.
2. Earn an overall GPA of at least 2.0 and a major GPA of at least 2.0.

University Graduation Requirements 

1. Earn a minimum of 120 credit hours (100 level and higher, maximum of 6 CED credit hours applicable).
2. Earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in upper-division courses.  Lower-division transfer courses accepted as meeting upper-division departmental course requirements cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
3. Earn 30 of the last 45 credit hours at MWSU in institutional coursework (exclusive of credit by examination).
4. Participate in required departmental and campus wide assessments. 
5. Fulfill the Missouri Constitution requirement.
6. Successfully pass the Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement exam.