Program Overview
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, BSN
The College of Nursing offers two paths to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): a prelicensure program for students who do not hold a nursing license and a program for registered nurses (RN). The BSN programs prepare students for careers caring for patients in hospitals and in community agencies such as public health services, schools, homes, and industries. They also provide a base for graduate study in nursing.
Program Overview
In addition to combining general education with specialized career preparation, the University of Iowa programs in nursing offer the advantage of full participation in the social, cultural, and recreational activities of a highly diverse campus community. A university education enables students to prepare for a career as well as a life of thought and action informed by knowledge, introspection, and contemplation.
The BSN programs provide a basis for nurses' roles in wellness and health promotion, in acute care, and in long-term care for chronic illness. The professional nurse may provide care to individuals, families, groups, and communities along a continuum of health, illness, and disability in any sector of the health care system.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) will be able to:
- ensure delivery of safe, quality nursing care to diverse individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations throughout the lifespan and across systems of care;
- integrate theoretical and scientific knowledge gained from natural and social sciences, and culture, society, and the liberal arts into nursing;
- demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills across systems of care to promote quality health outcomes;
- use the best evidence from multiple ways of knowing to inform practice to make clinical judgments, solve problems, and address system improvements;
- demonstrate a basic understanding of how health care policy, regulation, resource stewardship, technology, and economics impact nursing practice and quality health outcomes;
- use effective interprofessional communication and collaboration strategies to promote quality health outcomes;
- apply health promotion and disease prevention strategies to diverse individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations to promote quality health outcomes; and
- demonstrate professional values fundamental to the discipline of nursing.
Expenses and Insurance
Students pay University of Iowa student fees throughout the BSN program. They must purchase uniforms, shoes, a stethoscope, and a watch with a full-sweep second hand, and they must pay the cost of computer testing, supplies, and materials for required nursing courses. All nursing students arrange and pay for their own health screening requirements, health insurance, and transportation once they are enrolled in clinical nursing courses. They also pay fees that cover the cost of criminal background checks, laboratory equipment, professional liability insurance, and simulation.
Mandatory Health Insurance
Upon admission to the College of Nursing and each August after, BSN prelicensure students must provide verification that they have obtained and currently hold health insurance that satisfies the following minimal standards of coverage (or an equivalent alternative health care plan):
- $250,000 lifetime benefit;
- coverage for hospitalization, including coverage for room and board, physician visits, surgeon services, X-ray, and lab services;
- inpatient deductible under an individual policy not exceeding $500 per admission and a 20% copayment/coinsurance requirement; and
- coverage for medically necessary care, including physician services, X-ray, and lab services for the treatment of emergencies, illness, accident, and injury.
Professional Liability Insurance
All students in the College of Nursing are required to carry professional liability insurance throughout the duration of their program. Agencies that provide clinical practicums for College of Nursing programs require that students have insurance coverage. BSN prelicensure students and nursing–RN students are covered by a group policy supported by student fees.
Program Requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prelicensure program of study requires a minimum of 128 s.h., including 64 s.h. in the nursing major and 64 s.h. in supporting coursework that is a prerequisite to the nursing major. The program is intended for students beginning their education in nursing. All students must earn a grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.00 to earn the degree.
BSN students may complete their entire program at Iowa, enrolling in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to complete courses that are prerequisites to the nursing major, or they may transfer from an institution that offers comparable prerequisite courses that are approved by the University of Iowa and the College of Nursing.
Prerequisite Courses
All of the following prerequisites must be completed prior to enrolling in the nursing major courses. Any high school deficiencies must be completed or satisfied with collegiate coursework. Students work with their academic advisor to ensure these requirements are complete.
General Education Prerequisites
- RHET:1030: Rhetoric: Writing and Communication (4 hours)
- International and Global Issues course (3 hours)
- Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts course (3 hours)
- Values and Society or Understanding Cultural Perspectives course (3 hours)
Natural Science Prerequisites
- ACB:3110: Principles of Human Anatomy (3 hours)
- BIOL:1141: Human Biology: Health Professions (4 hours)
- CHEM:1070: General Chemistry I (3 hours)
- CHEM:1080: General Chemistry II (3 hours)
- HHP:2310: Nutrition and Health (3 hours)
- HHP:2400: Fundamentals of Human Physiology (3 hours)
- MICR:3164: Microbiology and Human Health (4 hours)
Social Science Prerequisites
- NURS:1030: Human Development and Behavior (3 hours)
- PSY:1001: Elementary Psychology (3 hours)
- SOC:1010: Introduction to Sociology (3-4 hours) or SOC:1030: Contemporary Social Problems (3-4 hours)
Other Prerequisites
- NURS:3111: Caring for Vulnerable Populations (3 hours)
- STAT:1020/PSQF:1020: Elementary Statistics and Inference (3 hours)
- Electives (13 hours)
Courses Required for the Major
Direct and standard admission students complete the following courses for the major in nursing.
- NURS:3128: Health Assessment and Communication Across the Lifespan (3 hours)
- NURS:3138: Nursing and Pharmacological Interventions I (5 hours)
- NURS:3151: Introduction to Clinical Concepts for Nursing (2 hours)
- NURS:3160: Professional Role I: Professionalism and Patient Safety (3 hours)
- NURS:3438: Nursing and Pharmacological Interventions II (5 hours)
- NURS:3451: Basic Clinical Concepts for Nursing (1 hour)
- NURS:3460: Professional Role II: Research (3 hours)
- NURS:3518: Pathology (3 hours)
- NURS:3615: Adult Medical/Surgical Nursing Practicum (3 hours)
- NURS:3620: Gerontological Nursing (3 hours)
- NURS:3625: Gerontological Nursing Practicum (2 hours)
- NURS:3631: Nursing Care of Children and Families (2 hours)
- NURS:3632: Nursing Care of Childbearing Families (2 hours)
- NURS:3635: Parent Child Nursing Practicum (2 hours)
- NURS:3640: Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing (3 hours)
- NURS:3645: Mental Health Nursing Practicum (2 hours)
- NURS:3650: Community and Public Health Nursing (3 hours)
- NURS:3651: Advanced Clinical Concepts for Nursing (1 hour)
- NURS:3655: Community and Public Health Nursing Practicum (2 hours)
- NURS:3660: Professional Role III: Improving Health Systems (3 hours)
- NURS:4155: Nursing Internship (5 hours)
- NURS:4160: Professional Role IV: Leadership and Professional Engagement (3 hours)
- Electives (3 hours)
Honors in Nursing
The College of Nursing Honors Program provides seminars and independent study experience for qualified students. In order to pursue honors studies in nursing, students must maintain a University of Iowa GPA and a nursing major GPA of at least 3.50.
The honors program in nursing enables students to explore subject matter based on individual interests, needs, and goals. It provides opportunities for self-initiative, research experience, scholarly writing, and intellectual and personal development, and it challenges students to grow and excel. Students who fulfill the requirements of the program graduate with honors in nursing.
Nursing–RN Program
The nursing–RN program of study requires 32 s.h. of credit. Students must hold a valid nursing license (RN) and an Associate Degree in Nursing or Diploma in Nursing. They must maintain a grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.00 to earn the BSN.
The program is designed to offer registered nurses the opportunity to build on their nursing knowledge and experience by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Students take courses that focus on professionalism and patient safety, research, improvement of health systems, leadership, professional engagement, and community and public health.
Courses Required for the Major (Nursing–RN)
- NURS:3111: Caring for Vulnerable Populations (3 hours)
- NURS:3160: Professional Role I: Professionalism and Patient Safety (3 hours)
- NURS:3460: Professional Role II: Research (3 hours)
- NURS:3518: Pathology (3 hours)
- NURS:3650: Community and Public Health Nursing (3 hours)
- NURS:3655: Community and Public Health Nursing Practicum (2 hours)
- NURS:3660: Professional Role III: Improving Health Systems (3 hours)
- NURS:3734: Introduction to Human Genetics (3 hours)
- NURS:4160: Professional Role IV: Leadership and Professional Engagement (5 hours)
- NURS:4170: Baccalaureate Seminar (1 hour)
- Nursing electives (3 hours)
Admission to the BSN Prelicensure Program
All applicants to the BSN prelicensure program (direct and standard admission applicants) must have satisfied the following minimum high school course requirements:
- English: four years
- Mathematics: three years, including algebra I, algebra II, and geometry
- Science: one full year of biology, chemistry, and physics in each subject
- Social science: three years
- World languages: four years (fourth-level proficiency) of the same world language; or two years (second-level proficiency) in two different world languages; or two years of the same world language plus one 3 s.h. course from the GE CLAS Core International and Global Issues, Values and Society, Understanding Cultural Perspectives, or World Languages and Cultural Exploration
BSN Direct Admission
A select group of highly qualified students is admitted to the College of Nursing directly from high school through the BSN Direct Admission Program. To be considered for direct admission, students must meet the following requirements:
- a grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.80, and
- completion of all the minimum high school course requirements listed under "Admission to the BSN Prelicensure Program."
BSN Standard Admission
In order to apply for standard admission to the College of Nursing, students must:
- have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.00;
- have a minimum of 48 s.h. of college credit at the end of application semester;
- have completed the minimum high school course requirements listed under "Admission to the BSN Prelicensure Program," with any deficiencies satisfied through college coursework; and
- have a grade of C or higher on all prerequisite coursework.
Admission to the Nursing–RN Program
Applicants to the program must hold an RN license and an Associate Degree in Nursing or Diploma in Nursing. They must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00. Admission is highly competitive, with emphasis on the natural sciences (anatomy, biology, chemistry, microbiology, physiology), writing (composition I and II), and mathematics (statistics). World language is not an admission requirement.
Technical Standards
Applicants to the College of Nursing are expected to be capable of completing the entire nursing curriculum and earning a BSN degree. Nursing is a practice discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective, and psychomotor performance requirements. The college's technical standards provide an objective measure on which to base informed decisions about whether individual students will be able to participate in the nursing program. Technical standards also help students determine whether they will need accommodations or modifications in order to participate.
Selection
The college's admission committee recommends to the dean the applicants who appear to be best qualified. Fulfillment of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the College of Nursing. The committee may require personal interviews. A physical examination report and specific health screening requirements must be on file at University of Iowa Student Health 10 days before the class opens for the first clinical nursing course.
Application Deadlines
- BSN prelicensure direct admission
- BSN prelicensure standard admission
- Nursing–RN (RN to BSN) program (admission occurs fall and spring)
Financial Support
In addition to general assistance available to university students, there are assistance programs specifically for nursing students. Information about financial aid is available from the university's Office of Student Financial Aid.
Career Advancement
The University of Iowa’s BSN program provides broad preparation in clinical, scientific, community health, and patient education skills, and promises outstanding career options. With a BSN degree, students are eligible to work as a staff nurse; flight nurse; a nurse on medical, oncology, surgical, pediatric, emergency, or intensive care units; a nurse in outpatient or neighborhood clinics; or a home health care nurse.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for registered nurses to be among the top occupations in terms of job growth through 2033.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Nursing, BSN
Plan of Study Grid (Manual) Academic Career
Any Semester| Hours
Meeting the minimum requirements for admission does not guarantee admission. Direct Admission is available only for high school students who meet the published criteria. All other students pursue Standard Admission. a |
All courses (except electives) must be completed with a grade of C or higher. b |
| Hours| 0
First Year
Fall
RHET:1030 | Rhetoric: Writing and Communication | 4
CHEM:1070 | General Chemistry I | 3
PSY:1001 | Elementary Psychology | 3
STAT:1020 | Elementary Statistics and Inference | 3
NURS:1020 | First-Year Seminar | 1
Elective course | 2
CSI:1600 | Success at Iowa | 1
| Hours| 17
Spring
CHEM:1080 | General Chemistry II | 3
BIOL:1141 | Human Biology: Health Professions | 4
NURS:1030 | Human Development and Behavior c | 3
SOC:1030
or SOC:1010 | Contemporary Social Problems
or Introduction to Sociology | 3
GE: International and Global Issues d | 3
Elective course | 1
3.0 minimum cumulative GPA required |
| Hours| 17
Second Year
Fall
ACB:3110 | Principles of Human Anatomy | 3
HHP:2310 | Nutrition and Health | 3
GE: Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts d | 3
GE: Values and Society or Understanding Cultural Perspectives d, e | 3
Elective course | 3
Elective course | 1
3.0 minimum cumulative GPA required |
| Hours| 16
Spring
NURS:3111 | Caring for Vulnerable Populations c, f | 3
MICR:3164 | Microbiology and Human Health c | 4
HHP:2400 | Fundamentals of Human Physiology | 3
Major: elective course (preferred upper level statistics) g | 3
Elective course | 3
Elective course | 1
3.0 minimum cumulative GPA required |
Minimum 64 s.h. credit earned toward degree at end of second year (67 s.h. preferred) with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. |
| Hours| 17
Third Year
Fall
NURS:3138 | Nursing and Pharmacological Interventions I | 5
NURS:3128 | Health Assessment and Communication Across the Lifespan | 3
NURS:3518 | Pathology f | 3
NURS:3160 | Professional Role I: Professionalism and Patient Safety f | 3
NURS:3151 | Introduction to Clinical Concepts for Nursing | 2
| Hours| 16
Spring
NURS:3438 | Nursing and Pharmacological Interventions II | 5
NURS:3615 | Adult Medical/Surgical Nursing Practicum | 3
NURS:3620 | Gerontological Nursing | 3
NURS:3625 | Gerontological Nursing Practicum | 2
NURS:3460 | Professional Role II: Research f | 3
NURS:3451 | Basic Clinical Concepts for Nursing | 1
| Hours| 17
Fourth Year
Fall
NURS:3631 | Nursing Care of Children and Families | 2
NURS:3632 | Nursing Care of Childbearing Families | 2
NURS:3635 | Parent Child Nursing Practicum | 2
NURS:3640 | Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing | 3
NURS:3645 | Mental Health Nursing Practicum | 2
NURS:3660 | Professional Role III: Improving Health Systems f | 3
NURS:3651 | Advanced Clinical Concepts for Nursing | 1
| Hours| 15
Spring
NURS:3650 | Community and Public Health Nursing f | 3
NURS:3655 | Community and Public Health Nursing Practicum f | 2
NURS:4155 | Nursing Internship | 5
NURS:4160 | Professional Role IV: Leadership and Professional Engagement f | 3
Degree Application: apply on MyUI before deadline (typically in February for spring, September for fall) h |
Exam: NCLEX (upon completion of the program students are eligible to sit for this board exam) |
| Hours| 13
| Total Hours| 128
a. See the College of Nursing website for further details and application instructions. b. A grade of C or higher is required. A grade of C-minus is not considered a passing grade for the College of Nursing. c. Typically this course is offered in spring semesters only. Check MyUI for course availability since offerings are subject to change. d. GE courses may be completed in any order unless used as a prerequisite for another course. Students should consult with an advisor about the best sequencing of courses. e. Choose either a course that fulfills the Understanding Cultural Perspectives GE or a course that fulfills the Values and Society GE. f. Register for on-campus section. g. Recommended. If considering graduate studies please contact your desired school to learn about the statistics requirements. h. Please see Academic Calendar, on Office of the Registrar website, for current degree application deadlines. Students should apply for a degree for the session in which all requirements will be met. For any questions on appropriate timing, contact your academic advisor or Degree Services.