The School of Nursing offers three undergraduate nursing programs: On-Campus BSN, RN to BSN, and Community College Nursing Partnership (CCNP). 

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Kansas School of Nursing prepares students to practice in an evolving and dynamic healthcare environment. The program integrates nursing science with liberal arts education--preparing the graduate for a career as professional registered nurse (RN). 

Graduates of the KU School of Nursing baccalaureate program provide care to patients across the lifespan and in multiple settings; many graduates 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.

On-Campus BSN Degree Requirements

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 BSN, 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. The professional portion of the BSN program can be completed in 2 academic years of full-time study.

On-Campus BSN Sample Degree Plan

Community College Nursing Partnership Program Degree Requirements

This track is for students who are pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) at a partnering community college and who wish to earn a BSN degree through a dual enrollment option with the KU School of Nursing. This program builds on foundational clinical skills and knowledge acquired through the ADN program. The BSN courses for this track are offered online.

 Portfolio/Transfer Credits

Students first complete 60 credit hours of community college specific prerequisite liberal arts and science courses. Students will 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. Students will receive up to 30 portfolio credit (credit by examination) toward the BSN degree with the conferral of the accredited associate degree in nursing from a partner school.

Sample schedules for the RN to BSN and Community College Nursing Partnership programs are available online on the School of Nursing website. 

RN to BSN Degree Requirements

Sample schedules for the RN to BSN and Community College Nursing Partnership programs are available online on the School of Nursing website. 

End of Program Student Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate clinical judgment through safe, effective care founded on the knowledge of nursing practice, derived from theories of nursing and other disciplines.
2. Deliver person-centered care across the spheres of care.
3. Apply principles of population health and social justice to address the needs of populations across the care continuum.
4. Integrate sources of evidence that inform nursing practice.
5. Contribute to a culture of safety and quality improvement that promotes desired health outcomes.
6. Collaborate with interprofessional healthcare teams, patients, families, communities, and stakeholders to improve care and strengthen outcomes.
7. Apply knowledge of complex systems and resource management that promote equitable outcomes in an evolving continuum of care.
8. Utilize informatics processes and communication technologies to deliver safe, quality care.
9. Demonstrate a professional identity that reflects nursing’s knowledge, values, and ethical comportment.
10. Develop personal, professional, and leadership attributes and skills. 

Technical Standards for Admission

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. 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.