Nursing, B.S.

University Core (Total Listed 42-44)

For full list of courses see University Core (Bachelor’s) .

Major Requirements

Electives to bring total to: 124* Minimum Required Hours

*Total hours required for this major may exceed the minimum 124 credit hour institutional requirement and will vary according to course selection. It is recommended students complete two years of a second language in high school.

Minimum Grade Requirements

1. Average in (a) all college course work, and (b) course work at UCO: 2.00
2. A minimum grade of “C” must be earned in all CHEM, BIO, and NURS prefix courses.

Admission to Nursing Program

Students planning to become candidates for the Bachelor of Science with a major in Nursing are required to make formal application to the Chairperson of the Department of Nursing for admission into the Professional Nursing program. Applications must be submitted to the Department of Nursing as indicated on the nursing department website.

Admission is competitive as applications exceed the number of positions available. Formal approval by the admissions committee is required for admission. Preference is given to University of Central Oklahoma students. The student will be notified eight to ten weeks after the filing date as to the disposition of the application.

The following must be submitted to the Department of Nursing as part of the admission process and are used by the faculty in selection of candidates:

1. Transcript(s) reflecting a minimum retentive grade point average of 2.50 in all course work completed at the time of the application.
2. A minimum grade of “C” in chemistry, all biological sciences, NURS 1221  and NURS 2113  is required. Two of the five required science courses must be successfully completed prior to the application deadline. Human Anatomy must be successfully completed before starting NURS 2207  Foundations of Nursing. Students may enroll a maximum of two times in any nursing course.
3. Score on the Standardized Admission Assessment Exam. This test may only be taken one time per application period.
4. Submit a criminal background check (OSBI).
5. Meet “Performance Standards for Admission and Progression in the Department of Nursing” (available in application packet).
6. International students (i.e. students for whom English is a second language regardless of resident status) must have a minimum TOEFL score of 83 on the internet version or equivalent on the written examination (560) or 6.5 on the IELTS.

Fast Track - BS

A fast track BS is offered to qualified applicants with a prior Baccalaureate degree in any field. Applicant must meet traditional program requirements and must have completed all science requirements before starting the track. Crossovers between tracks for nursing are not permitted. A separate application is required for each track.

Career Ladder Students RN to BS

Registered nurses who have graduated from an ACEN accredited associate degree program may be eligible for matriculation into the program on an advanced standing basis. For information regarding criteria and application, go to http://www.uco.edu/cms/nursing/index.asp, or contact the Department of Nursing.

Accelerated RN-MS

A tailored, accelerated RN-MS option is offered to qualifying RN-BS students. Students who are accepted to the RN to BS degree option may take three specified 5000-level NURS courses (9 credit hours) during the senior year of the BS program. These courses will count towards both the BS and MS degrees. Formal application and department permission is required. Specifics of the requirements are located in the UCO Graduate Catalog under Nursing: Master of Science (M.S.).

Transfer Students

Students transferring to the University of Central Oklahoma from other institutions are expected to fulfill all requirements specified for regularly enrolled students. The three lower division nursing courses (NURS 1221  - Introduction to Nursing, NURS 2207  - Foundations of Nursing, and NURS 2113  - Individual and Family Development Through the Lifespan must be completed at UCO before entering the junior year of nursing. Call the Department of Nursing for detailed information.

Progression in the Program

1. To continue in the Nursing Program, candidates must show evidence of satisfactory progress toward graduation and comply with all requirements as indicated in the UCO Undergraduate Catalog, UCO Student Handbook, and the Department of Nursing Student Handbook.
2. Nursing courses (after admission to the program) will begin with NURS 2207 . NURS NURS 1221  and NURS 2113  may be taken prior to, or concurrently with NURS 2207 . All university core and pre-professional courses must be successfully completed prior to beginning Upper Division (3000 level) nursing courses.

A minimum grade of “C” must be obtained in all professional courses.

Other Requirements

1. Transportation to the clinical area and to other special assignments is the responsibility of each student;
2. Professional liability insurance is required of all students for the duration of the program. Information is available from the Department of Nursing;
3. Additional expenses for the nursing major include such items as uniforms, equipment, and fees for achievement tests;
4. Documentation of immunizations: see UCO Department of Nursing Student Handbook for required immunizations;
5. Current CPR Certification as an American Heart Association Health Care Provider.
6. A criminal background check (Federal).
7. Drug screening.