BS Nursing at University of Utah

Entry requirements

Programme admission (University of Utah, undergraduate): Bachelor of Science in Nursing Overview The University of Utah College of Nursing offers two distinct emphases to earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Nursing, designed to meet the needs of students at different stages of their nursing education and careers: A Prelicensure Emphasis and an RN-BS Emphasis. Both emphases reflect the College of Nursing’s commitment to preparing compassionate, competent, and innovative nurses ready to lead in complex healthcare environments. Each emphasis is aligned with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials and includes opportunities for research, service, and interprofessional collaboration. Prelicensure Emphasis This emphasis is designed for students who do not yet have a nursing license. It prepares students to sit for the NCLEX-RN® exam and become licensed registered nurses (RNs). Students typically complete general education and prerequisite coursework during their first two years (either at the University of Utah or another accredited institution), then apply for admission to the nursing program. Once admitted, the Prelicensure Emphasis can be completed in as few as four consecutive semesters of full-time study. Clinical experiences, simulation training, leadership development, and community engagement are integral to the curriculum. Description The University of Utah College of Nursing offers a Prelicensure Emphasis, featuring a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program designed for students without an RN license. Students begin as pre-nursing majors, completing general education requirements and nine required nursing prerequisites at the University of Utah or another accredited institution. Most students finish prerequisites in roughly two years. Declaration of pre-nursing does not guarantee admission to the prelicensure emphasis program, as students must still apply to be accepted. The nursing curriculum emphasizes health promotion, acute and primary care, population and global health, social determinants of health, healthcare policy and systems, and equity. Students engage in approximately 12–24 hours per week of supervised clinical learning and simulation experiences in diverse healthcare settings. Admissions Requirements Eligibility Completion of all general education requirements before starting the nursing emphasis (current U of U students can verify via Degree Audit in CIS) Completion of at least 63 credits once admitted to the Prelicensure Emphasis Minimum 3.0 GPA (scale 4.0) overall, in all prerequisites, and specifically in the five required prerequisite courses Up to two prerequisite courses may be retaken Applicants must be admitted as degree-seeking students in good standing at the University of Utah. Those not yet admitted must apply concurrently to the main campus Meeting these minimums does not guarantee admission, and the admissions process is competitive Prerequisite Coursework Applicants must complete nine nursing prerequisite courses with a letter grade of C or higher (C‑ not accepted). Anatomy and physiology have a seven-year completion limit before the application deadline. All nine must be complete before starting the Prelicensure Emphasis. The five required prerequisites must be fully completed and graded before application submission, or the application will not be considered: Five Required at Application (must be finished by deadline): General Biology (with lab if not taken at the University of Utah) Human Anatomy* (with lab if not taken at the University of Utah) Human Physiology* (with lab if not taken at the University of Utah) Elementary Chemistry (with lab; U of U recommends CHEM 1130: Integrated Chemistry for Health Sciences) Statistics (3–4 credits) Additional Prerequisites (must be completed before the start of the Prelicensure Emphasis) Nutrition Intervention (e.g. U of U’s NURS 3010) Human Growth & Development: Lifespan (e.g. NURS 2100) Medical Microbiology (with lab if not taken at the University of Utah) Pathophysiology (with lab if not taken at the University of Utah) *Human Anatomy and Physiology courses must have been completed within seven years of application Application Process Applicants must submit a complete application with all required materials. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all documents are received and processed, as incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Official transcripts must be submitted to the appropriate admissions office, if applicable, and must reflect completion of all required prerequisite coursework. All prerequisite courses must be completed and graded before review, and applicants must meet the established minimum GPA requirements. As part of the evaluation process, applicants are assessed on written responses addressing topics such as service to others, responsibility, leadership, and organizational skills. Only those who meet the minimum eligibility requirements will be considered for further review. Applicants who are not admitted may reapply in a future cycle; previous application materials are not retained. RN to BS Emphasis The online RN to BS emphasis (RN-BS) at the University of Utah are designed for licensed registered nurses who are working professionals desiring career mobility, professional development, and bachelor-level nursing competencies. The RN-BS emphasis can be completed in two, three, or four consecutive semesters. Students in the RN-BS emphasis have the option of beginning the program in the spring, summer, or fall semester. This program is offered fully online. Eligibility Completion of an associate degree (AS or AAS) from a regionally accredited institution in nursing from a nursing program recognized by the University of Utah. Completion of all university general education requirements (may be demonstrated through possession of a prior bachelor’s degree, Associate of Science, Associate of Arts, or Certificate of Completion in General Education). Current, unencumbered license as an RN or successful completion of NCLEX within two months of starting RN-BS emphasis Completion of ALL 8 nursing prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher; C- grades are not accepted and must be repeated Minimum 2.7 grade point average (GPA) on a scale of 4.0 for all prerequisite courses Minimum 2.7 AS or AAS nursing program grade point average on a 4.0 scale Nurses with two or more years of full-time RN experience (or the equivalent) and an active RN license may apply with a prerequisite GPA of 2.5–2.69. Please note that meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission to the RN-BS emphasis. Prerequisite Courses BIOL 2325 - Human Anatomy BIOL 2420 - Human Physiology CHEM 1130 - Integrated Chemistry for Health Sciences MATH 1070 - Introduction to Statistical Inference NURS 3010 - Nutrition Intervention in Treatment and Prevention of Chronic Disease NURS 2100 - Human Development: A Lifespan Approach to Health NURS 2270 - Pathophysiology PATH 3100 - Introduction to Medical Microbiology Requirements Applications into the RN-BS emphasis are accepted for spring, summer, and fall admission. Applications to the RN-BS emphasis are accepted through our convenient online application system. You will be able to create an account with a username and password so that you can return to work on your application over several sessions. Instructions for each component are provided within the online application. The following is an overview of the application materials: Personal information, educational and employment history Experience section (professional, volunteer and other relevant experience) Current copies of official transcripts Students are responsible for the completion of their application file. Incomplete files will not be reviewed. Applicants are carefully reviewed on the basis of academic qualifications as well as promise for success in the program and potential for contributions to the profession. The College of Nursing adheres to the University of Utah’s policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity in admission decisions. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the resources of the college, students are accepted on the basis of the recommendations of the Baccalaureate Admissions and Advancement Committee and the dean of the college. Final acceptance is contingent upon receipt of official transcripts and the successful completion of application requirements. If the applicant does not enroll as a student and participate in College of Nursing courses the first week of classes for the semester admitted, the position in the entering class will be forfeited. All applicants will receive notification about the status of their application by email. Students who are denied admission are responsible for completing and submitting a new application each admission cycle. Applications are not automatically forwarded. * Major requirements for Nursing must be completed in the pattern described below. The requirements detailed in this section do not include General Education and Bachelor Degree requirements. Direct Entry/Pre-Nursing Students Direct Entry admission provides a clear pathway for high-achieving high school students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BS) at the University of Utah. Admissions Requirements Eligibility High school seniors who have demonstrated academic excellence are eligible to apply. Competitive applicants will: Have a cumulative, unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher (calculated on grades earned in all coursework) Submit a personal statement describing their interest in nursing and engagement with the profession (Please note that meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission. An offer of Direct Entry is contingent upon admission to the University of Utah.) Maintaining Eligibility Direct Entry Pre-Nursing students must: Follow the approved program of study; variation in program of study may delay graduation or result in loss of Direct Entry status. Meet with your academic advisor as directed Maintain the following GPA requirements in the program (evaluated annually): 1. Overall GPA : Minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA on a scale of 4.0 2. Mandatory Prerequisite GPA : Minimum 3.2 GPA across these prerequisites: Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry and Statistics. 3. All required prerequisites GPA : Must be also 3.2 GPA across all nine required prerequisites: Nutrition, Human Growth and Development, Microbiology and/or Pathophysiology. Additional requirements include: Meeting all on-track pre-nursing progression standards, including a limit of no more than two repeated courses. Adhering to the University of Utah and the College of Nursing standards of academic and personal integrity. Completing, prior to the start of clinical nursing coursework, a physical examination; documentation of current immunization (including hepatitis B vaccine series and second MMR booster), TB test and proof of cardiopulmonary resuscitation/basic life support (CPR/BLS) certification. Successfully passing a criminal background check and drug screen. Students are encouraged (but not required) to apply to or participate in one or more of the following academic enhancement opportunities: Honors College - students interested in the Honors degree should submit the University of Utah application with Honors essays by the deadline of December 1st Bennion Community Engagement Certificate Program Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR * Participation in these programs is competitive and requires separate application and admission. Academic advisors can provide guidance, but students are responsible for completing all application steps and program requirements. Academic Standing and Status Changes Students whose academic performance no longer meets Direct Entry standards may be placed on academic probation and/or dismissed from Direct Entry status. Dismissal from Direct Entry does not affect a student’s overall standing at the University of Utah. Students who discontinue with Direct Entry status, for any reason, remain eligible to apply to the nursing program through the Prerequisite Pathway and will not be penalized in that process. While Direct Entry assurances will no longer apply, these students are welcome to apply through the regular admissions process and should consult a nursing advisor regarding timelines and requirements. Application Process Deadlines & Timeline Fall admission: Applications open November 1 and close February 1 at 5:00 PM MT.