Program Overview

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Nursing BSN Program

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the University of MissouriSt. Louis prepares students for the Professional Registered Nurse Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The program integrates theories and evidence-based concepts from nursing, arts, sciences, and humanities to provide comprehensive nursing care in various settings.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for entry into the BSN program, individuals must first be accepted to UMSL as an undergraduate student. Upon acceptance, students should work with their College of Nursing Academic Advisor to ensure successful completion of prerequisite courses.

Pre-Nursing Admission Criteria

• Admission to the University by completing the UMSL Undergraduate Application
• For first-time freshman applicants, a minimum high school GPA of 2.75
• For transfer applicants, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
• Students who have been dismissed from another nursing program will need to meet the admission requirements and provide a letter of good standing from the Dean of the previous nursing program

Nursing Clinical Admission Criteria: Traditional BSN

• Admission to the University by completing the UMSL Undergraduate Application
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
• Satisfactory completion of all general education course requirements
• Grade of B- or higher within 5 years of enrollment in the clinical major for the following courses: Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II, Microbiology
• Grade of C+ or higher in all courses except in the case of the above-listed science courses

General Education Course Requirements

Nursing majors must complete all general education requirements of the university. The prerequisite courses listed under natural science coursework, mathematics, behavioral and social science coursework, information literacy, and humanities must be completed prior to beginning the clinical track.

1. Natural Science Courses

• BIOL 1131: Human Physiology and Anatomy I (4 hours)
• BIOL 1141: Human Physiology and Anatomy II (4 hours)
• BIOL 1162: General Microbiology (3 hours)
• CHEM 1052: Chemistry for the Health Professions (MOTR CHEM 100) (or equivalent) (4 hours)

2. Mathematics

• MATH 1030: College Algebra (MOTR MATH 130) (3 hours)

3. Behavioral and Social Science Courses

• ECON 1000: Economics in Everyday Life (MOTR ECON 100) (or equivalent) (3 hours)
• PSYCH 1003: General Psychology (MOTR PSYC 100) (3 hours)
• PSYCH 2268: Lifespan Developmental Psychology (MOTR PSYC 200) (3 hours)

4. Information Literacy

• MATH 1105: Basic Probability and Statistics (or equivalent) (3 hours)

5. Humanities

• PHIL 2256: Bioethics (3 hours)

Nursing Pre-Major Courses

• NURSE 1000: Cultural Diversity in a Global Society (3 hours)
• NURSE 1050: Communication for the Healthcare Professional (3 hours)
• NURSE 2050: Pathophysiology (3 hours)
• NURSE 2000: Nutrition in Health (3 hours) Total Hours: 12

Nursing Major Courses

• ENGL 3100: Junior-Level Writing (3 hours)
• NURSE 3000: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Concepts Across the Lifespan (2 hours)
• NURSE 3020: Fundamental Concepts of Professional Nursing Practice (6 hours)
• NURSE 3030: Health Assessment Concepts (4 hours)
• NURSE 3050: Concepts of Pharmacology (3 hours)
• NURSE 3025: Community-Based Clinical Education I (1 hour)
• NURSE 3040: Concepts of Evidence-Based Practice (3 hours)
• NURSE 3060: Behavioral Health Concepts (4 hours)
• NURSE 3070: Concepts of Caring for Adults I (5 hours)
• NURSE 3090: Community-Based Clinical Education II (1 hour)
• NURSE 4010: Concepts of Caring for Adults II (5 hours)
• NURSE 4020: Concepts of Caring for Women and the Childbearing Family (4 hours)
• NURSE 4030: Concepts of Caring for Children and Families (4 hours)
• NURSE 4040: Community-Based Clinical Education III (1 hour)
• NURSE 4050: Concepts of Community Focused Care (4 hours)
• NURSE 4060: Synthesis of Concepts in Professional Nursing (4 hours)
• NURSE 4065: Synthesis of Professional Practice Immersion Clinical (4 hours)
• NURSE elective (2 hours)
• NURSE 3080: Academic Lab for Nursing (0 hours) Total Hours: 60

Learning Outcomes

• Integrate into practice theories and evidence-based concepts from nursing, the arts, sciences, and humanities to provide comprehensive nursing care in a variety of settings.
• Integrate principles of quality care, patient safety, health education, and management of care when organizing, coordinating, and engaging in professional nursing practice across the healthcare continuum.
• Use evidence-based practice to promote health and wellness, manage illness, and prevent injury among individuals, families, communities, and populations.
• Utilize healthcare technology and information management systems to promote quality care and patient safety.
• Apply knowledge of healthcare policies in a regulatory environment and their influence on healthcare access and quality.
• Utilize communication to enhance relationships with patients, families, and communities and collaboration among members of the healthcare team.
• Provide culturally competent, compassionate, holistic care to promote optimal health for diverse individuals, families, communities, and populations throughout the lifespan in an effort to improve health equity.
• Accept responsibility and accountability for decisions and actions based on professional intrapersonal values, ethical and legal obligations, standards of practice, social justice, and economics.
• Demonstrate motivation and self-direction in activities that contribute to lifelong personal, professional, and intellectual development.
• Synthesize clinical reasoning and problem-solving in professional practice.

Sample Four-Year Plan

The sample four-year plan outlines the typical coursework for each semester. It is essential for students to meet with their advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

First Year

• Fall: ENGL 1100, MATH 1030, BIOL 1102, PSYCH 1003, NURSE 1000
• Spring: BIOL 1131, CHEM 1052, ECON 1000, NURSE 1050

Second Year

• Fall: BIOL 1141, BIOL 1162, PSYCH 2268, NURSE 2000, EXPLORE: Humanities & Fine Arts
• Spring: NURSE 2050, MATH 1105, PHIL 2256, CORE: US History & Government, EXPLORE: Humanities & Fine Arts

Third Year

• Fall: NURSE 3000, NURSE 3020, NURSE 3030, NURSE 3050, NURSE 3025, NURSE 3080
• Spring: NURSE 3040, NURSE 3060, NURSE 3070, NURSE 3090, ENGL 3100, NURSE 3080

Fourth Year

• Fall: NURSE 4010, NURSE 4020, NURSE 4030, NURSE 4040, NURSE 3080
• Spring: NURSE 4050, NURSE 4060, NURSE 4065, NURSE Elective, NURSE 3080

Total Hours: 120

Please note that this plan is an example, and actual coursework may vary based on placement exam scores, completion of coursework, and advisor recommendations. Regular academic advising appointments are crucial to ensure students are on track to graduate.