Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The School of Nursing offers three undergraduate nursing programs: Pre-Licensure BSN, RN to BSN, and Community College Nursing Partnership (CCNP).
With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Kansas School of Nursing, graduates are prepared for success in any health care setting. KU BSN graduates are ready to work in hospitals, community health agencies, industrial or long-term care facilities, as travel nurses, flight nurses, and many other diverse clinical settings.
Graduates of the KU School of Nursing baccalaureate program, begun in 1929, go on to become charge nurses and move into other leadership positions in Kansas and across the country. They are also well-prepared for continuing their education through master's and doctoral programs in nursing.
School of Nursing alumni are hired by hospitals of great renown, including Johns Hopkins and Mayo Clinic and excellent hospital systems closer to home at The University of Kansas Health System and Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics.
The KU School of Nursing's baccalaureate, master's, doctor of nursing practice (DNP), and post-graduate APRN certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791. CCNE is a nationally recognized professional accrediting body for collegiate nursing programs. The baccalaureate program, APRN certificates, and DNP APRN specialties also are approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. The Nurse Midwifery Program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, 2000 Duke Street, Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 835-4565.
Undergraduate Admission to the School of Nursing
Pre-Licensure BSN Program
RN to BSN Program
Community College Nursing Partnership Program (CCNP)
Pre-Licensure BSN Program
Students enter the Pre-Licensure BSN program after taking 58 semester credit hours of prerequisite work in an accredited college or university. Admission to the school is competitive. A minimum grade-point average of 2.75 is required to apply.
Pre-Nursing Advising
Pre-nursing advisors are available to current KU students by appointment during the fall and spring semesters through Jayhawk Academic Advising in Summerfield Hall. Advising is also available year-round on the Kansas University Medical Center campus in Kansas City or online by calling (913) 588-1619 or emailing soninfo@kumc.edu. The KUMC School of Nursing advisor provides students with information about the nursing profession, help with course selection in preparation for nursing application, and guidance in the admission process. Students are encouraged to work with an academic advisor to insure all prerequisites are met in a timely fashion.
Admission Procedure
Priority applications for the on-campus pre-licensure BSN program are accepted from July 1st to November 1st for admission the following fall semester. Students applying by the priority deadline receive first consideration for admission and are eligible for admission scholarships. Late applications are accepted until January 15th. Applications are accepted through the KU Medical Center online application site.
Admission Criteria
The School of Nursing is meeting the changing needs of society by selecting applicants who, in the judgment of the Student Admission and Progression Committee, demonstrate the academic achievement, maturity, integrity, and motivation necessary for the successful study and practice of nursing, and who will best meet the needs of the citizenry. Students are selected based on college scholastic achievement, interest in and commitment to nursing, letters of reference, extracurricular activities, personal characteristics, and health-related work and volunteer experience. The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities.
Locations
The School of Nursing has two campuses: one on the University of Kansas Medical Center campus in Kansas City, KS, about one hour east of the Lawrence Campus, and one on the University of Kansas Medical Center campus in Salina, KS, about two hours west of the Lawrence campus.
Course Requirements
Within the 58 hours required for admission to the basic BSN program, the following must be included:
Humanities and Social Sciences
Courses in English composition and literature, public speech, general sociology, general psychology, theories of child or human development, ethics, and humanities are required. Students who complete these general education requirements through the Lawrence Campus meet these requirements by taking the following courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| English | ||
| ENGL 101 | Composition | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Reading and Writing | 3 |
| or ENGL 105 | Honors Introduction to English | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| PSYC 104 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 104 | Elements of Sociology | 3 |
| or SOC 160 | Social Problems and American Values | |
| PSYC 250 | Human Development (ABSC 160, ABSC 250, or PSYC 333 also allowed) | 3 |
| Humanities | ||
| PHIL 160 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| Arts and Humanities - Must satisfy KBOR Systemwide General Education Bucket 6 | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | ||
| COMS 130 | Public Speaking | 3 |
Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Courses in general chemistry, microbiology, biology, and human anatomy are required. These courses must include laboratory experience. Courses in college algebra, statistics, physiology, and nutrition are required, but do not require a laboratory experience. Students who complete these general education requirements through the Lawrence Campus meet these requirements by taking the following courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences | ||
| BIOL 100 & BIOL 102 | Principles of Biology and Principles of Biology Laboratory (BIOL 150 & BIOL 154 also accepted) | 4 |
| BIOL 200 & BIOL 203 | Basic Microbiology and Introductory Microbiology Laboratory | 5 |
| BIOL 240 & BIOL 241 | Fundamentals of Human Anatomy and Human Anatomy Observation Laboratory | 5 |
| BIOL 246 | Principles of Human Physiology | 3 |
| CHEM 110 | Introductory Chemistry | 5 |
| or CHEM 130 | General Chemistry I | |
| HSES 330 | Principles of Nutrition and Health | 3 |
| or HSCI 320 | Principles of Nutrition | |
| Mathematics and Statistics | ||
| MATH 101 | College Algebra: _____ (or higher; exemption through ACT or SAT accepted) | 3 |
| PSYC 210 | Statistics in Psychological Research | 3 |
| or MATH 365 | Elementary Statistics | |
Electives
Electives can be chosen according to the student’s interests or needs. Examples of such elective areas of study are foreign language, philosophy, literature, creative writing, history, physics, mathematics, political science, western civilization, biological sciences, economics, etc. A maximum of 4 performance-based credit hours can be accepted in the 58 credit hours required for admission. These 4 credit hours may be in physical education courses and technique courses in art, music, and dance.
RN to BSN Program
Through the RN to BSN program, licensed registered nurses (RN) with associate degrees in nursing can complete the Bachelor of Science (BSN) degree online.
Admission Procedure
The application for the RN to BSN program always is open, with the following deadline dates: April 1st for summer semester, July 1st for fall semester, and December 1st for spring semester. Applications are accepted through the KU Medical Center online application site. Advising is available year-round by calling (913) 588-1619 or emailing soninfo@kumc.edu; applicants are encouraged to reach out with questions.
Admission Criteria
Eligible applicants must have current United States RN licensure, an associate degree in nursing from an ACEN-accredited college, and completion of 60 prerequisite credit hours with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50.
The School of Nursing is meeting the changing needs of society by selecting applicants who, in the judgment of the student admission and progression committee, demonstrate the academic achievement, maturity, integrity, and motivation necessary for the successful study and practice of nursing, and who will best meet the needs of the citizenry. Students are selected based on college scholastic achievement, interest in and commitment to nursing, letters of reference, extracurricular activities, personal characteristics, and health-related work and volunteer experience. The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities.
Course Requirements
Within the 60 prerequisite credit hours required for admission to the RN to BSN program, the following must be included:
Humanities and Social Sciences
Courses in English composition and literature, speech or interpersonal communication, general sociology, general psychology, theories of child or human development, ethics, and humanities are required. Students who complete these general education requirements through the KU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences meet these requirements by taking the following courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| English | ||
| ENGL 101 | Composition | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| ENGL 102 | Critical Reading and Writing | 3 |
| or ENGL 105 | Honors Introduction to English | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| PSYC 104 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 104 | Elements of Sociology | 3 |
| or SOC 160 | Social Problems and American Values | |
| PSYC 250 | Human Development (or ABSC 160 or ABSC 250 or PSYC 333 ) | 3 |
| Humanities | ||
| PHIL 160 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| Oral Communication | ||
| COMS 130 | Public Speaking | 3 |
Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Courses in general chemistry, microbiology, and human anatomy are required. These courses must include a laboratory experience. Courses in college algebra, statistics, physiology, and nutrition are required but do not require a laboratory experience. Students who complete these general education requirements through the Lawrence Campus meet these requirements by taking the following courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences | ||
| BIOL 200 | Basic Microbiology | 3 |
| BIOL 203 | Introductory Microbiology Laboratory | 2 |
| BIOL 240 | Fundamentals of Human Anatomy | 3 |
| BIOL 241 | Human Anatomy Observation Laboratory | 2 |
| BIOL 246 | Principles of Human Physiology | 3 |
| CHEM 110 | Introductory Chemistry | 5 |
| or CHEM 130 | General Chemistry I | |
| HSES 330 | Principles of Nutrition and Health | 3 |
| Mathematics and Statistics | ||
| MATH 101 | College Algebra: _____ (or exemption) | 3 |
| PSYC 210 | Statistics in Psychological Research | 3 |
| or MATH 365 | Elementary Statistics | |
Electives
Electives can be chosen according to the student’s interests or needs. Examples of such elective areas of study are foreign language, philosophy, literature, creative writing, history, oral communication, physics, mathematics, political science, western civilization, biological sciences, economics, etc. A maximum of 8 performance-based credit hours can be accepted in the 60 credit hours required for admission. These 8 credit hours may be in physical education courses, and technique courses in art, music, and dance.
Community College Nursing Partnership Program (CCNP)
Students first complete 59-62 credit hours of prerequisite liberal arts and science courses, and then simultaneously complete the Associate Degree in Nursing (A.D.N./A.S.N.) at a partner community college and 30 credit hours of BSN courses online through KU School of Nursing. A detailed course plan for each partnership program can be found on the School of Nursing website.
Admission Procedure
Students should apply for admission to the CCNP immediately upon notification of admission to their selected A.D.N./A.S.N. program, but no later than the following dates: July 1st for fall semester and December 1st for spring semester. Applications are accepted through the KU Medical Center online application site.
Admission Criteria
Eligible applicants must be admitted to a participating community college's Associate Degree in Nursing (A.D.N./A.S.N.) program and complete 59-62 credit hours of community college specific prerequisite credit hours with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50. The School of Nursing is meeting the changing needs of society by selecting applicants who, in the judgment of the student admission and progression committee, demonstrate the academic achievement, maturity, integrity, and motivation necessary for the successful study and practice of nursing, and who will best meet the needs of the citizenry. Students are selected on the basis of college scholastic achievement, interest in and commitment to nursing, letters of reference, extracurricular activities, personal characteristics, and health-related work and volunteer experience. The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities.
Course Requirements
Within the 59-62 hours required for admission to the CCNP program, the following must be included:
Humanities and Social Sciences
Courses in English composition and literature, speech or interpersonal communication, general sociology, general psychology, theories of child or human development, ethics, and humanities are required. Students who complete these general education requirements through the KU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences meet these requirements by taking the following courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| English | ||
| ENGL 101 | Composition | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Reading and Writing | 3 |
| or ENGL 105 | Honors Introduction to English | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| PSYC 104 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 104 | Elements of Sociology | 3 |
| or SOC 160 | Social Problems and American Values | |
| PSYC 250 | Human Development (or ABSC 160 or ABSC 250 or PSYC 333 ) | 3 |
| Humanities | ||
| PHIL 160 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| Arts and Humanities - Must satisfy KBOR Systemwide General Education Bucket 6 | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| COMS 130 | Public Speaking | 3 |
Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Courses in general chemistry, microbiology, and human anatomy are required. These courses must include a laboratory experience. Courses in college algebra, statistics, physiology, and nutrition are required but do not require a laboratory experience. Students who complete these general education requirements through the KU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences meet these requirements by taking the following courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences | ||
| BIOL 200 | Basic Microbiology | 3 |
| BIOL 203 | Introductory Microbiology Laboratory | 2 |
| BIOL 240 | Fundamentals of Human Anatomy | 3 |
| BIOL 241 | Human Anatomy Observation Laboratory | 2 |
| BIOL 246 | Principles of Human Physiology | 3 |
| CHEM 110 | Introductory Chemistry | 5 |
| or CHEM 130 | General Chemistry I | |
| HSES 330 | Principles of Nutrition and Health | 3 |
| Mathematics and Statistics | ||
| MATH 101 | College Algebra: _____ (or exemption) | 3 |
| PSYC 210 | Statistics in Psychological Research | 3 |
| or MATH 365 | Elementary Statistics | |
Electives
Electives can be chosen according to the student’s interests or needs. Examples of such elective areas of study are foreign language, philosophy, literature, creative writing, history, oral communication, physics, mathematics, political science, western civilization, biological sciences, economics, etc.
Additional Requirements
Students from certain community colleges will be required to take Nursing Assessment, Pathophysiology and/or Pharmacology as prerequisite courses. See the KU School of Nursing website for detailed requirements for each specific partnership school.
The BSN degree is granted to candidates recommended by the School of Nursing as having successfully fulfilled all prescribed requirements, including the courses listed below. A total of 120 credit hours is required for the Pre-Licensure BSN degree, and a total of 120 credit hours is required for the RN to BSN degree, with a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0. Only courses in which a grade of C or higher is earned count toward graduation. The last 30 hours completed for the degree must have been taken in residence at KU. A portion of total hours applied toward graduation may be earned through credit by examination. An applicant who receives a failing grade of D or F in the semester prior to the admission decision (e.g., Fall 2024 for Fall 2025 entry) will be removed from consideration. The professional portion of the BSN program can be completed in 2 academic years of full-time study.
Pre-Licensure BSN Program
The professional portion of the BSN program can be completed in 2 academic years of full-time study. In addition to the required courses listed below, each student must take a 2-credit hour elective.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 327 | Communicating and Managing Healthcare Information | 3 |
| NURS 328 | Professional Development I: Introduction to the Profession | 2 |
| NURS 329 | Alterations in Physiological Functioning I | 2 |
| NURS 330 | Pharmacology I | 2 |
| NURS 331 | Basic Assessment and Clinical Skills | 3 |
| NURS 332 | Health and Illness: Foundations of Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 333 | Practicum I: Foundations of Nursing | 1 |
| NURS 334 | Professional Development II: Image, Roles, and Ethics | 3 |
| NURS 335 | Quality Improvement | 2 |
| NURS 336 | Alterations in Physiological Functioning II | 3 |
| NURS 337 | Pharmacology II | 2 |
| NURS 338 | Health and Illness: Nursing Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURS 339 | Practicum II: Nursing Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURS 382 | Honors Seminar (if in Nursing Honors Program) | 1 |
| NURS 471 | Development of a Microsystem Leader | 3 |
| NURS 472 | Evidence-Based Practice: Translating Research to Practice | 2 |
| NURS 473 | Professional Development III: Transition to Practice | 2 |
| NURS 474 | Health and Illness: Nursing with Diverse Populations | 4 |
| NURS 475 | Practicum III: Nursing within Dynamic Microsystems | 3 |
| NURS 476 | Nursing in an Evolving Healthcare System | 4 |
| NURS 477 | Practicum V: Capstone | 3 |
| NURS 478 | Integration of Concepts and Clinical Competencies | 1 |
| NURS 480 | Practicum IV: Leadership in a Population Health Setting | 2 |
| NURS 481 | Honors Evidence-Based Practice: Translating Research to Practice (if in Nursing Honors Program) | 2 |
| NURS 482 | Honors Practicum I (if in Nursing Honors Program) | 2 |
| NURS 483 | Honors Practicum II (if in Nursing Honors Program) | 2 |
| NURS 485 | Population Health, From Local to Global I | 2 |
| NURS 486 | Population Health, Local to Global II | 2 |
RN to BSN Program
The RN to BSN program provides registered nurses a way to complete the baccalaureate degree in a flexible online format. The program can be completed in as little as one calendar year of full-time study or up to five years of part-time study. A total of 120 semester credit hours is required for the degree, comprised of 60 credit hours of liberal arts prerequisite courses and 60 credit hours of nursing courses and evidence of RN licensure. NURS 326 and NURS 352 are eligible for credit by portfolio or transfer from approved associate degree programs. The last 30 hours completed for the degree must be taken at KU.
KU RN to BSN Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 320 | Pathophysiology for the Practicing Nurse | 3 |
| NURS 326 | Pharmacology for the Practicing Nurse | 3 |
| NURS 352 | Client Assessment for the Practicing Nurse | 3 |
| NURS 441 | Evidence Based Practice in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 443 | Developing the Baccalaureate Nurse Role | 3 |
| NURS 444 | Using Technology to Enhance Client Safety | 3 |
| NURS 446 | Population Based Health Care for the Practicing Nurse | 3 |
| NURS 447 | Nursing Practice within the Clinical Health Care Micro System | 3 |
| NURS 448 | Scholarly Inquiry for Quality Improvement | 3 |
| NURS 449 | Nursing Practice within the Healthcare Organization | 3 |
| NURS 451 | Navigating the Influences of the Health Care Macro-Environment | 3 |
| NURS 492 | Clinical Leadership Practicum for the Practicing Nurse | 2-3 |
| Total Hours | 35-36 | |
Portfolio/Transfer Credits
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Professional Nursing | 2 | |
| Assessment/Therapeutic Interventions | 3 | |
| Foundations of Nursing | 4 | |
| Image, Roles & Ethics | 3 | |
| Nursing Across the Lifespan | 6 | |
| Nursing Diverse Populations | 7 | |
| NURS 326 and NURS 352 are eligible for credit by portfolio from approved associate degree programs. | 0-6 | |
| Total Hours | 25-31 | |
Community College Nursing Partnership Program (CCNP)
Students first complete 59-62 credit hours of community college specific prerequisite liberal arts and science courses, and then simultaneously complete the associate degree in nursing at a partner community college and 30 credit hours of BSN courses online through KU School of Nursing.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 356 | Using Technology and Informatics to Improve Patient Safety | 3 |
| NURS 357 | Introduction to the Baccalaureate Nurse Role | 3 |
| NURS 411 | Population-Based Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 412 | Nursing in Healthcare Microsystems | 3 |
| NURS 413 | Ethics, Advocacy, and Collaboration in Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 414 | Organizational Influences on Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 415 | Improving Healthcare Quality | 3 |
| NURS 416 | Evidence-Based Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 417 | Influences of the Healthcare Macro-System on Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 418 | Clinical Leadership Practicum | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Portfolio/Transfer Credits
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Professional Nursing | 2 | |
| Assessment/Therapeutic Interventions | 3 | |
| Foundations of Nursing | 4 | |
| Image, Roles & Ethics | 3 | |
| Nursing Across the Lifespan | 6 | |
| Nursing Diverse Populations | 7 | |
| Pharmacology | 3 | |
| Nursing Assessment | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 31 | |
On-Campus BSN Plan of Study
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| BIOL 100 or 150 (Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences (SGE))040*** | 3 | CHEM 110 or 130 | 5 |
| BIOL 102 or 154 (Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences (SGE))040*** | 1 | ENGL 102 (Core 34: English (SGE))010 | 3 |
| ENGL 101 (Core 34: English (SGE))010 | 3 | SOC 104 or 160 (Core 34: Social and Behavioral Sciences (SGE))050 | 3 |
| MATH 101 (Core 34: Math and Statistics (SGE))030 | 3 | PHIL 160 (Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE))060 | 3 |
| Arts and Humanities Elective (Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE))060 | 3 | ||
| PSYC 104 (Core 34: Social and Behavioral Sciences (SGE))050*** | 3 | ||
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| BIOL 240 | 3 | BIOL 200 | 3 |
| BIOL 241 | 2 | BIOL 203 | 2 |
| BIOL 246 | 3 | MATH 365 or PSYC 210 | 3 |
| PSYC 250 (or ABSC 160 or ABSC 250 or PSYC 333) | 3 | HSES 330 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | COMS 130 (Core 34: Communications (SGE))020 | 3 |
| Apply to BSN Program by Oct 1 | |||
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| NURS 327 | 3 | NURS 334 | 3 |
| NURS 328 | 2 | NURS 335 | 2 |
| NURS 329 | 2 | NURS 336 | 3 |
| NURS 330 | 2 | NURS 337 | 2 |
| NURS 331 | 3 | NURS 338 | 3 |
| NURS 332 | 3 | NURS 339 | 3 |
| NURS 333 | 1 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| NURS 471 | 3 | NURS 476 | 4 |
| NURS 472 | 2 | NURS 477 | 3 |
| NURS 473 | 2 | NURS 478 | 1 |
| NURS 474 | 4 | NURS 480 | 2 |
| NURS 475 | 3 | NURS 486 | 2 |
| NURS 485 | 2 | Nursing Elective (if not completed in an earlier semester) | 2 |
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
Sample schedules for the RN to BSN and Community College Nursing Partnership programs are available online on the School of Nursing website.
Notes:
* - This course is a Required major course and is also part of Core 34: Systemwide General Education. If this course is not taken to fulfill the Core 34:SGE requirement, it must be taken in place of elective hours.
** - This course is a Recommended Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. This specific course is not required but is recommended by the program’s faculty.
*** - This course is a Required Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. This program is approved by the Kansas Board of Regents to require this specific Core 34:Systemwide General Education course. If a student did not take this course it must be taken in addition to other degree requirements.
University Honors Program
The School of Nursing encourages all qualified on-campus BSN undergraduates to participate in the University Honors Program.
Departmental Honors Program
The School of Nursing’s Departmental Honors Program offers enhanced educational opportunities for the most academically talented, promising, and motivated baccalaureate students while providing a foundation for leadership development and articulation into graduate education.
Students in the School of Nursing Honors Program develop and complete a research or scholarly inquiry project under the guidance of a faculty research mentor. Students must make formal application and be admitted to the Honors Program to take honors courses. Once admitted to the program, students may use departmental honors courses to help meet the requirements of the University Honors Program.
Selection criteria for the Nursing Honors Program are as follows:
- Enrollment in the Pre-Licensure BSN program
- Full-time status
- Completion of Nursing Honors Program application - available during the first semester of nursing school
- Overall grade-point average of 3.25 or higher and contingent upon earning a nursing grade-point average of 3.5 or higher at the end of the fall semester (exceptions are considered on an individual basis)
Academic progression through the honors curriculum is evaluated on an individual basis. To graduate with departmental honors from the School of Nursing, the student must attain an overall grade-point average of 3.25 with a nursing grade-point average of 3.5 and satisfactory grades in all clinical practicum courses, complete all required courses in the Nursing Honors Program, and have their oral and written reports of research/scholarly inquiry findings certified.
The honors curriculum comprises the following courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 382 | Honors Seminar (spring of junior year) | 1 |
| NURS 481 | Honors Evidence-Based Practice: Translating Research to Practice (summer between junior and senior year) | 2 |
| NURS 482 | Honors Practicum I (fall of senior year) | 2 |
| NURS 483 | Honors Practicum II (spring of senior year) | 2 |
Students who successfully complete the Nursing Honors Program are recognized in the following ways:
- The notation of Departmental Honors on the official university transcript
- An official certificate indicating graduation with BSN Honors
- Listing in the School of Nursing Recognition Ceremony program
- Formal recognition at the School of Nursing Recognition Ceremony
- Listing in the University of Kansas Commencement Program
- Formal recognition at the Cording Ceremony on the Lawrence campus for students also completing the University Honors Program
For more information, contact the School of Nursing Office of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.
TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR ADMISSION
University of Kansas School of Nursing
I. Introduction
All individuals admitted to the University of Kansas School of Nursing will be asked to verify that they can meet the following Technical Standards, with or without accommodation(s). In courses or programs without clinical components, or involving no direct client care, the Technical Standards may be modified by the Student Admission and Progression Committee (SAPC). After acceptance, but before admission to the School of Nursing, students in all programs must be able to document current certification/evidence of completion of a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation for healthcare providers. This requires being able to successfully complete both the written and practical test for certification. In addition, with or without accommodation, the following abilities and expectations must be met by all students, undergraduate and graduate, admitted to the School of Nursing.
II. Standards
A. Observation/Sensory-motor: Applicants must be able to observe demonstrations and learn from experiences in the basic sciences, including but not limited to, physiology and pharmacology, microbiology and pathophysiology laboratory situations. Applicants must be able to observe and learn from experiences in the clinical nursing laboratory such as the following examples: accurately read gradients/calibrations on a syringe; measure medications accurately; accurately recognize color changes on chemical reaction strips; assess heart, breath, abdominal sounds; assess normal and abnormal color changes in the skin; observe pupil changes; and observe digital or waveform readings.
B. Communication: Communications include not only speech but also reading, writing, and computer usage, including handheld digital access. Applicants must be able to communicate accurately and effectively with patients, caregivers, physicians, other health professionals, clinical facility staff, faculty and staff, peers, and the community in general in order to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and perceive nonverbal communications.
C. Psychomotor: Applicants should have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers. Applicants should be physically able to collect specimens and perform basic tests (such as glucose finger stick, urine dipstick). Applicants should be able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Examples of emergency treatment reasonably required of nurses are cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administration of intravenous medication, application of pressure to stop bleeding, and assist in moving and lifting patients using proper body mechanics. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium and using tactile and visual senses.
D. Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative: Applicants must be able to comprehend and interpret documents written in English. Applicants should have cognitive abilities including measurements, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Critical thinking is the ability to synthesize knowledge and integrate the relevant aspects of a client’s history, physical exam findings and diagnostic studies. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of nurses, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, the applicant should be able to comprehend three dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures in order to understand normal and abnormal anatomy and physiology.
E. Behavioral and Social Attributes: Applicants must possess the emotional health required to utilize their intellectual abilities fully, exercise good judgment, complete all responsibilities attendant to the nursing diagnosis and care of patients promptly, and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients and their families. Applicants must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal communication skills, interest and motivation are all personal qualities that should be assessed during the admissions and education process. As a component of nursing education, a student must demonstrate ethical behavior including adherence to the professional nursing and student honor codes. The honor code at the KU School of Nursing is the Professional Integrity System (PROFITS). KU PROFITS is a peer-oriented integrity system to promote an environment where academic honesty is valued and expected.
III. Reasonable Accommodation
Applicants who disclose a disability are considered for admission if they are otherwise qualified so long as such accommodation does not significantly alter the essential requirements of the curriculum and the educational program, or significantly affect the safety of patient care or others. When applicants or students disclose a disability, the provision of reasonable accommodations will be considered in an attempt to assist these individuals in meeting these required technical standards. Applicants whose response indicates that they cannot meet one or more of the expectations will be reviewed further by the University’s Office for Academic Accommodations, with applicant and faculty input, to determine if any reasonable accommodations are possible to facilitate successful completion of the nursing curriculum and preparation for the national registry examination.
It is important to give persons interested in enrolling in nursing a realistic view of the vigorous demands of the School of Nursing’s theoretical and practicum curriculum while at the same time investigating reasonable accommodations. Whether or not a requested accommodation is reasonable will be determined on a case by case basis. Interested individuals may schedule an orientation visit to the nursing skills laboratory and actual sites of the University of Kansas Hospital and/or University of Kansas Medical Center. These orientation visits enable persons to assess their interest and ability to function in the actual clinical areas and in learning and demonstrating manual skills.