BSN Program Options
The BSN degree is available to students in one of three options: a traditional BSN entry-level track; an accelerate BSN track;and, an RN-to-BSN track. This latter option is available through distance education for students who are already licensed as Registered Nurses.

Graduation Requirements:

1. Completion of minimum of 120 semester hours of credit.
2. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
3. Completion of General Education Requirements (see Index under "General Education Requirements").
4. Completion of the Prerequisites for the Nursing Major.
5. Completion of the nursing major:Basic BSN Track, Accelerated BSN Track, or RN to BSN Track.

Assessment Techniques
In the last semester of the curriculum, students will be required to take a nationally normed comprehensive examination and to achieve a satisfactory score as outlined in the course syllabus prior to taking the licensing examination. Students are responsible for all costs incurred with such testing. Assessment techniques are achieved through various tools including; clinical self evaluations, teaching/learning projects, final exam scores, and Health Education System Inc. (HESI), the National League for Nursing (NLN), and Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) specialty exams.

Traditional BSN Track
The Traditional BSN track is for students who transition from high school to college; or with some credit earned from other academic institutions; or as non-traditional students who bring with them academic credit and/or life experience. Ordinarily, this option takes four (4) years to complete. Although courses may be taken in the summer, no summer classes are required to complete the program requirements.

Admission Guidelines
The applicant should have completed the college preparatory curriculum during high school. Applicants who have not completed this track may be evaluated on an individual basis. The applicant is expected to have:

1. Graduated from an approved high school or equivalent
2. Completed each of the following courses with a minimum grade of C, preferably in the college preparation track:
   • Sciences: Two years
     Biology w/lab
     Chemistry (with lab)
     Anatomy and Physiology
   • Mathematics: Two years
     Algebra I
     Algebra II and/or Geometry
   • English: Four years
   • Social Sciences: Two years
   • Foreign Language: Recommended
3. Achieved a probable combined score of 900 on the SAT or composite score of 19 on the ACT examination. Students who have tested after Fall 2005 must meet a combined score of 1350 on the SAT. SAT scores are recommended, but not required.
4. Submitted one letter of recommendation from a math teacher, science teacher, or a support letter demonstrating community service.

Students who do not meet the criteria listed in the catalog are considered on an individual basis and an interview with an academic advisor may be required. Students admitted conditionally may enroll in a maximum of 4 courses.

Transfer Students
Students wishing to transfer to the nursing program from other colleges must meet general university admission requirements. A “C” grade or better must be demonstrated for any transfer credit to be acceptable for transfer to the nursing major. In addition, achievement of a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA is also required. Clinical nursing courses from other nursing programs are nontransferable; however, transcripts and/or course syllabi can be reviewed upon individual requests.

Additionally, students’ admission application to UMFK must be accompanied by a letter from a previous faculty member, preferably a nursing faculty, and addressed to the Division of Nursing. The letter must indicate the student left the institution(s) in good academic standing, and in that faculty member’s best estimation, the student is capable of completing the nursing major within a four year period.

Depending on the course credits being transferred, prospective transfer students may be required to demonstrate satisfactory validation of nursing knowledge and skills. Acceptance into the nursing program as a transfer student is contingent upon the student meeting all entrance requirements as well as on availability of class and clinical space.

Program Requirements
The following prerequisite courses must be completed prior to entrance to the nursing clinical. Completion of UMFK’s General Education Requirements is also required. NOTE: A course may satisfy requirements in both the General Education Requirements and prerequisite areas. Grades of “C-“ and below are not acceptable in the prerequisite courses or in general education courses. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 is required in the prerequisite courses to be eligible to progress to the nursing clinical courses.

*Nursing Challenge exam available to RN’s.
**CLEP option for all students.
***DANTES option for all students

Traditional Nursing Major - Course Sequencing
Courses in the nursing major are taken in a sequential manner, as outlined below, and any deviation must be individually assessed and approved by the student's academic advisor. Each clinical nursing core course is taken concurrently with a didactic and a laboratory nursing course. To progress from one course to the next, all components of the course, didactic, clinical, and/or laboratory must be successfully completed; failure in one component will result in course failure. The clinical course portions may be situated in the community, acute, and long term care settings. The course number, course title, and number of credit hours are listed below: