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UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER
COLLEGE OF NURSING
Undergraduate Admission Requirements Subsection: 5.2.3
Section 5.0 - Student Policies Originating Date: May 1973
Responsible Reviewing Agency:
Undergraduate Admission, Progression, Graduation and Scholarship/Grant Committee
Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (for prerequisite non-nursing courses)

Approving Agency:
General Faculty Organization

Revised: April 2000
Revised: March 2005
Revised: May 2008
Revised: February 2009
Revised: December 2009
Revised: March 2010
Revised: May 2011
Revised: November 2011
Revised: May 2012
Revised: November 2012
Revised: January 2014
Revised: October 2014
Revised: September 2015
Revised: February 2016
Revised: December 2016
Revised: September 2017
Revised: March 2018
Revised: May 2019
Revised: May 2020
Revised: January 2021
Revised: January 2022
Revised: October 2023
Related documents:
UNMC Immunization Policy
5.2.5 English as a Second Language - Undergraduate Students
5.2.31 Requirements for Undergraduate Graduation

Purpose

Establishes criteria for admission into the undergraduate program.

Scope

This policy applies to undergraduate applicants.

Policy

The faculty of the College of Nursing develop admission criteria to be utilized in screening selected applicants.

Admission Requirements:

  1. To be admitted into the nursing program/major, a student must:
    1. Be at least 19 years of age
    2. Submit the following information:
      • completed application form in the College Application System (CAS)
      • official transcripts of all university/college course work
      • two letters of recommendation
      • campus preference
      • disclosure statement
      • letter of status from any prior nursing program where a degree was not awarded
      • proof of active CNA certification or if LPN license (NCLEX)
      • Provisional RN licensure or RN licensure for RN-BSN (due to Covid 19 licensure changes)
      • Unencumbered RN licensure when approved by Nebraska State Board of Nursing
    3. Choose a plan of study for the BSN: Options include: the traditional BSN plan of study, the accelerated plan of study and the RN-BSN plan of study.
      • The options for traditional BSN plan of study are:
      • Four (4) semester Program of Study: please see attachment A
      • Six (6) semester Program of Study: please see attachment B
      • The accelerated BSN plan of study: please see attachment C
      • The RN-BSN plan of study: please see attachment D.
  2. To be admitted into the traditional or accelerated nursing programs, the following criteria must also be met in addition to criteria on Attachment A, B, or C:
    • Have college cumulative prerequisite grade point average of 3.0 or higher
    • Have a grade no lower than a C+ (or satisfactory AP, CLEP, Dantes, P/NP, International Baccalaureate) (IB) in any individual prerequisite course. A maximum of 12 credit hours can be non-graded (e.g.: AP, CLEP, Dantes, P/NP, International Baccalaureate) (IB).
    • Complete a preadmission interview if requested.
  3. To be admitted into the RN-BSN nursing program, the following criteria must also be met in addition to criteria on Attachment D:
    • Have college cumulative prerequisite grade point average of 2.0 or higher
    • Have no lower than a C (or satisfactory AP, CLEP, Dantes, P/NP, International Baccalaureate) in any individual prerequisite course. A maximum of 12 credit hours can be non-graded (e.g.: AP, CLEP, Dantes, P/NP, International Baccalaureate).
    • Complete a preadmission interview if requested.
  4. Acceptance into the nursing program is a competitive and selective process. Priority admittance into the nursing program is given based on the following criteria:
    • Student's chosen plan of study preference: four or six semesters (for traditional)
    • Student’s prioritized campus preference(s) (for traditional and accelerated).
    • Prerequisite grade point average of 3.3 or above or 2.0 or above for RN-BSN.
    • Two satisfactory recommendations.
  5. Final acceptance is dependent upon the successful completion of all admission requirements and upon receipt of the following:
    • signed document with the choice of plan of study
    • Completed medical health forms
    • Proof of immunization or immunity as defined by UNMC Policy.
    • In addition to the UNMC Immunization Policy:
      • FLU IMMUNIZATION All students are required to have an annual flu immunization.
        Immunization must occur between September 1 and December 31.
      • MENINGOCOCCAL The College of Nursing recommends the meningococcal immunization.
      • Submit Technical Standards worksheet.
      • Verification of current certification valid for the academic year in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for health professionals. This is defined as American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for infant, child and adult one man/two man and AED training. Verification of current CPR must be documented annually through graduation and depending on the length of the program of study, may need renewal prior to graduation.
        • American Heart Association is the preferred certifying agency; further, many clinical agencies require American Heart Association CPR certification.
        • Exception for RN-BSN applicants: Any nationally accredited healthcare provider BLS may be accepted. Certification must include infant, children, adults, and AED training. However, certain clinical facilities may still require AHA.
  6. Students will not be allowed to attend clinical nursing courses without meeting immunization and BLS requirements.
  7. The complete mandatory UNMC background check is required prior to the first day of class.
  8. Drug screening tests and other institution specific obligations may be required prior to clinical placement at the discretion of the clinical agencies; any costs are the responsibility of the student.
  9. International professional nurses seeking admission into the RN to BSN Program will be evaluated on an individual basis including Policy 5.2.5, English as a Second Language-Undergraduate Students.

ATTACHMENT A: THE TRADITIONAL BSN PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR Four (4) SEMESTER

For the program of study for four (4) semesters, the student is required to:

  •    Complete the following prerequisite college courses at any time prior to beginning Semester one (1) nursing courses: *
    •    English Composition I
    •    English Composition II
    •    Introduction to Psychology
    •    Introduction to Sociology
    •    Ethics
    •    Culture, Race, Ethnicity, Gender
    •    Humanities
    •    Political Science/Social Organization
    •    Family & Human Behavior
    * NOTE: Free electives must be completed prior to graduation to total 120 credit hours necessary for completion of the nursing program prior to graduation (See Policy 5.2.31).
  •    Complete the following prerequisite college courses within seven (7) years PRIOR TO beginning Semester one (1) nursing courses *
    •    College Algebra or higher
    •    Human Anatomy
    •    Human Physiology
    •    Human Growth & Development
    •    Chemistry
    •    Statistics
    •    Microbiology
    •    Nutrition
  •    The following courses require a letter grade assignment:
    •    Human Anatomy
    •    Human Physiology
    •    Chemistry
    •    Statistics
    •    Microbiology
    •    Nutrition
    •    College Algebra or higher
  •    The following courses require a lab:
    •    Human Anatomy
    •    Human Physiology
    •    Chemistry
    •    Microbiology

ATTACHMENT B: THE TRADITIONAL BSN PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR SIX (6) SEMESTER:

For the program of study for six (6) semesters, the student is required to:

  •    Complete the nine (9) following prerequisite college courses and at least one additional course from the list below and at any time prior to beginning Semester 1 of the 6 semester program:
    •    College Algebra or higher
    •    Human Anatomy
    •    Human Physiology
    •    Human Growth & Development
    •    Chemistry
    •    Statistics
    •    Microbiology
    •    English Composition I
    •    English Composition II
  •    Complete the following prerequisite college courses PRIOR TO Semester three (3) of the 6 semester program to total 120 credit hours necessary for completion of the nursing program. (See Policy 5.2.31)
    •    Introduction to Psychology
    •    Introduction to Sociology
    •    Ethics
    •    Culture, Race, Ethnicity, Gender
    •    Humanities
    •    Political Science/Social Organization
    •    Family & Human Behavior
    •    Nutrition
    •    NOTE: Free electives must be completed prior to graduation to total 120 credit hours necessary for completion of the nursing program prior to graduation and meet pre requisite grade requirements of 3.0 (See Policy 5.2.31) .
  •    In consideration of any of the prerequisites, complete the following prerequisite college courses within seven (7) years the following courses require a letter grade assignment:
    •    Human Anatomy
    •    Human Physiology before
    •    Chemistry
    •    Statistics
    •    Microbiology
    •    Nutrition
    •    College Algebra or higher
  •    In consideration of any of the prerequisites, the following courses require a lab:
    •    Human Anatomy
    •    Human Physiology
    •    Chemistry
    •    Microbiology

ATTACHMENT C: THE ACCELERATED BSN PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR ONE YEAR: 

For the program of study for the accelerated BSN program, the student is required to

  • Have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university/college. International students must have their course work evaluated and have the equivalency of a baccalaureate degree prior to matriculation.
  •    CNA Certification
  •    Complete the following prerequisite college courses at any time prior to beginning Semester one (1) nursing courses: *
    •    English Composition I
    •    English Composition II
    •    Introduction to Psychology
    •    Introduction to Sociology
    •    Ethics
    •    Culture, Race, Ethnicity, Gender
    •    Humanities
    •    Political Science/Social Organization
    •    Family & Human Behavior
  •    Complete the following prerequisite college courses within 7 years PRIOR TO beginning Semester 1 nursing courses *
    •    College Algebra or higher
    •    Human Anatomy
    •    Human Physiology
    •    Human Growth & Development
    •    Chemistry
    •    Statistics
    •    Microbiology
    •    Nutrition
  •    In consideration of any of the prerequisites, the following courses require a letter grade assignment:
    •    Human Anatomy
    •    Human Physiology
    •    Chemistry
    •    Statistics
    •    Microbiology
    •    Nutrition
    •    Intermediate College Algebra or higher
  •    In consideration of any of the prerequisites, the following courses require a lab:
    •    Human Anatomy
    •    Human Physiology
    •    Chemistry
    •    Microbiology
  • NOTE: Free electives must be completed prior to graduation to total 120 credit hours necessary for completion of the nursing program prior to graduation and meet pre requisite grade requirements of 3.0 (See Policy 5.2.31).

ATTACHMENT D: THE RN-BSN PROGRAM OF STUDY: 

To be admitted into the RN-BSN Nursing Program/major, the student must:

  • Document provisional RN licensure or current RN licensure allowing practice in the state where clinicals will be conducted.
    • Guidelines relating to Provisional RN licensure will be followed according to Nebraska State Board of Nursing rules (i.e.: time allowed with provisional license)
    • Complete and file an official course projection with the Student Services office.
  • Complete the following prerequisite college courses within 7 years prior to beginning Semester 1 nursing courses *
    • College Algebra or higher
    • Human Anatomy
    • Human Physiology
    • Human Growth & Development
    • Chemistry
    • Statistics
    • Microbiology
    • Nutrition
    • English Composition I
    • English Composition II
    • *NOTE: An exception to the seven (7)-year rule is made for students entering the RN-BSN program. For RNs who have been working in nursing or enrolled in a nursing program for the previous year, the seven (7)-year rule is waived.
  • Complete the following prerequisite college courses at any time prior to graduation to total 120 credit hours necessary for completion of the nursing program prior to graduation (See Policy 5.2.31)
    • Introduction to Psychology
    • Introduction to Sociology
    • Ethics
    • Culture, Race, Ethnicity, Gender
    • Humanities
    • Political Science/Social Organization
    • Family & Human Behavior
    • NOTE: Free electives must be completed prior to graduation to total 120 credit hours necessary for completion of the nursing program prior to graduation and meet pre requisite grade requirements of 3.0 (See Policy 5.2.31) .
  • The following courses require a letter grade assignment:
    • Human Anatomy
    • Human Physiology before
    • Chemistry
    • Statistics
    • Microbiology
    • Nutrition
    • College Algebra or higher
  • The following courses require a lab:
    • Human Anatomy
    • Human Physiology
    • Chemistry
    • Microbiology