Program Overview

Introduction to the Nursing Program

The pre-licensure BSN program at Gonzaga University prepares students to practice as registered nurses in various settings. The program is grounded in Jesuit and Nursing values, focusing on promoting health, caring for patients with acute and chronic illnesses, and supporting patients and their families at the end of life.

Program Overview

Students are admitted to the pre-licensure BSN program as freshmen. The program builds on the curricular themes of servant leadership, social justice, community, and reflective practice, with the concept of Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) serving as the organizing framework for the curriculum. Students initially care for individuals with more predictable healthcare needs and progress to caring for individuals, families, and populations with increasingly complex healthcare needs in highly complex organizational settings.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the pre-licensure BSN program is competitive and selective. The decision to admit a student is based on consideration of the student's overall portfolio, including:

• Cumulative GPA and grade trends
• Four years of math and science courses
• SAT/ACT scores
• Work or volunteer experience in healthcare
• One academic letter of recommendation
• Written essay and responses to short answer questions on the application

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program requires the completion of 126 credits. The plan of study includes:

First Year

• Fall: BIOL 105, ENGL 101, MATH 121, NURS 193, PHIL 101
• Spring: CHEM 101, CHEM 101L, COMM 100, PSYC 101, Core Broadening Requirement (Literature), Core Broadening Requirement (History)

Second Year

• Fall: HPHY 241, HPHY 241L, NURS 210, RELI Christianity and Catholic Traditions, Core Fine Art
• Spring: BIOL 170, BIOL 170L, HPHY 242, HPHY 242L, NURS 220, NURS 230, PHIL 201

Third Year

• Fall: HPHY 244, NURS 310, NURS 330, NURS 331, NURS 331L, PHIL 301
• Spring: NURS 340, NURS 341, NURS 341L, NURS 342, NURS 360, NURS 361, RELI World or Comparative Religion

Fourth Year

• Fall: NURS 430, NURS 431, NURS 431L, NURS 440, NURS 441, NURS 450, NURS 451, PHIL 455
• Spring: NURS 480, NURS 481, NURS 490, NURS 494, NURS 495, NURS 498

Courses

The program includes a range of courses, such as:

• NURS 100: Nursing Perspectives
• NURS 193: FYS
• NURS 210: Growth and Development
• NURS 220: Social Determinants of Health
• NURS 230: Medical Terminology
• NURS 310: Prof Practice 1: Prof & Thera
• NURS 314: Assessing and Promoting Wellness
• NURS 315: Practicum I: Assessment and Promotion of Wellness
• NURS 316: Pathophysiology and Pharmacology I
• NURS 320: Stats for Health Professions
• NURS 330: Fnds of Practice 1: Theory
• NURS 331: Fnds of Practice 1: Clinical
• NURS 331L: Fnds of Practice 1: Lab
• NURS 340: Fnds of Practice 2: Theory
• NURS 341: Fnds of Practice 2: Clinical
• NURS 341L: Fnds of Practice 2: Lab
• NURS 342: Prof Practice 2: Res & Evid
• NURS 351: Care of the Individual and Family
• NURS 352: Practicum II: Care of the Individual and Family
• NURS 356: Pathophysiology and Pharmacology II
• NURS 360: Spec Pop 1: Psyc/Ment Theory
• NURS 361: Spec Pop 1: Psyc/Ment Clinical
• NURS 402: Care of Individuals and Families
• NURS 403: Practicum III: Acute and Chronic Alternate Health
• NURS 404: Research and Information Management
• NURS 406: Nursing Research
• NURS 430: Finds of Practice 3: Theory
• NURS 431: Fnds of Practice 3: Clinical
• NURS 431L: Fnds of Practice 3: Lab
• NURS 440: Spec Pop 2:OB Theory
• NURS 441: Spec Pop 2: OB Clinical
• NURS 450: Spec Pop 2: Peds Theory
• NURS 451: Spec Pop 2: Peds Clinical
• NURS 463: Community Health
• NURS 464: Community Health Practicum
• NURS 465: Professional Nursing Practice in Complex Adaptive Systems
• NURS 466: Population Focused Health
• NURS 467: Practicum IV: Partner Population Health Practicum
• NURS 468: Practicum V: Member of Nursing Profession
• NURS 469: Nursing Leadership and Management
• NURS 480: Spec Pop 3: Pop Hlth Theory
• NURS 481: Spec Pop 3: Pop Hlth Clinical
• NURS 490: Clinical Internship
• NURS 491: Directed Study
• NURS 492: Clinical Update Level I-III
• NURS 494: Prof Practice 4: Qual & Safety
• NURS 495: Prof Practice 5: Final Pract
• NURS 496: Independent Practicum
• NURS 497: Internship
• NURS 498: Special Topics
• NURS 499: Special Topics

Conclusion

The pre-licensure BSN program at Gonzaga University is designed to prepare students for a career in nursing, with a focus on promoting health, caring for patients, and supporting patients and their families. The program includes a range of courses and clinical experiences, and is grounded in Jesuit and Nursing values.