University of Kansas School of Nursing
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program

Purpose of the BSN Program

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is designed to prepare graduates for professional nursing practice wherever health care may be needed. KU alumni work in hospitals, at community health agencies, as traveling nurses, in industrial health care settings, as flight nurses and in other critical care settings, and as geriatric care specialists. Graduates of our program quickly move into charge nurse and other leadership positions.

In addition to finding excellent starting positions at our own KU Hospital in Kansas City, recent KU School of Nursing graduates have been hired by well known hospitals such as Children’s Mercy in Kansas City, Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland, and The Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.  The key word describing our purpose is professional. Our graduates are well prepared to continue their education through master’s and doctoral programs in nursing which offer broad opportunities for fulfilling careers in future health care fields.

Stipulations for Graduation

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is granted by the University of Kansas to candidates who are recommended for graduation as having successfully fulfilled all prescribed requirements. A degree shall be granted to any student who has maintained the cumulative average of at least a “C” grade in all courses and a “C” grade in each course in the nursing major, and who has completed at least 30 hours of credit in residence at the university. No more than one-fourth of the total number of semester hours applied toward graduation may be earned through a combination of challenge for credit, extension, or correspondence courses. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing requires successful completion of 124 semester credit hours.

Criteria for Application

A primary responsibility of the University of Kansas School of Nursing is to offer an educational program of study leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The school endeavors to fulfill its responsibilities to 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. In addition, the committee looks for applicants who will contribute academic, non-academic and socioeconomic diversity to the class. The Committee is interested in evidence of capacity for mature and independent scholarship. One of the essential functions of a university is to help all individuals realize their potential. In an effort to foster this activity the School of Nursing subscribes to the following University of Kansas Policy as a part of the admission process.

University of Kansas Policy on Diversity of the Student Body

The University of Kansas values diversity in its student body and believes that the intentional creation of a diverse learning environment is essential to achieving the University’s educational mission.  The University fosters a multicultural environment in which the dignity and rights of the individual are respected. To build a diverse community, the University considers, in addition to academic credentials, the following criteria for student admission decisions, scholarship recognition, and program participation.  While each factor is significant, no one factor will be considered determinative in the decision process:

Bilingual or multilingual abilities Cultural background Ethnicity Evidence of commitment to diversity Evidence of leadership skills First generation college student Geographic diversity Financial, social, family, physical or educational hardships

Previous career before pursuing higher education Race Service to community Socio-economic status Urban/rural background Other unique contributions

The Committee will consider the quality of work of each applicant in all areas, the breadth of education, achievement on advanced projects, or work experience that demonstrates the applicant’s responsibility, initiative and ability to successfully complete the curriculum.  Each qualified application receives a holistic and individualized review.  This admission process is reviewed and updated as necessary.

The Student Admission and Progression Committee consider all available information regarding each applicant. While college scholastic achievement (GPA) is given the most consideration the other areas listed below are also considered.  Information is gathered from written sources as well as all personal contacts with the applicant. The following areas are considered:

1. college scholastic achievement,
2. interest in and commitment to nursing,
3. references,
4. extra-curricular activities,
5. personal characteristics,
6. health-related work/volunteer experiences, and
7. TOEFL scores, if English is not your native language.

Each applicant will be notified of the decision of the committee in March.

Licensure

There are a number of reasons that the Kansas State Board of Nursing may deny, revoke, limit or suspend a nursing license.  These include:  fraud or deceit in practicing nursing or in procuring a license; holding a felony conviction; being incompetent; being unable to practice due to abuse of drugs or alcohol; being judged in need of a guardian; exhibiting unprofessional conduct; having violated the provisions of the Kansas Nurse Practice Act; and having action taken against your nursing license in another state.  In 1997, the Kansas Nurse Practice Act added a new provision in the felony section:  No person who has been convicted of a felony against persons (as specified in article 34 of chapter 21 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated and amendments) shall be granted a license to practice nursing in the state of Kansas.  In other felony or misdemeanor instances, the Board of Nursing will conduct an investigation and make an individual decision.  As always, admission to the University of Kansas School of Nursing does not guarantee eligibility to test for a nursing license in Kansas or any other state if a person’s past record includes any of the situations listed above. 

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION

FALL 2010

Process

1. A student applying to the School of Nursing must have completed (or plan to complete by the end of the Fall semester in which the application is submitted) approximately 45 semester credits of college or university course work in which the overall grade point average (GPA) is 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. In cases where the overall 2.5 GPA is reached with the grades earned in the Fall semester of application, that application will remain active. Courses in which a “D” or “F” is earned do not count toward graduation.
   
   Applications meeting any one of these conditions will be automatically removed from consideration:
   
   A cumulative GPA below  2.5
   
   –OR–
   
   a “D” or “F” grade in any specific prerequisite course in the last term attended
   
   –OR–
   
   a last term GPA below 2.0 (no matter what the overall GPA)
   
   These conditions also apply to courses taken in Spring and Summer 2010 (prior to enrollment at the KU School of Nursing).
2. By October 15, 2009, submit official transcripts from all colleges attended through Summer, 2009. By January 15, 2010, send a copy of your fall grade report and the Spring/Summer enrollment form. The grade point average is computed using a 4.0 scale. All courses attempted are included in the GPA. In the case of repeated courses, all grades earned are counted in computing the average.  Note: Current KU students may submit an ARTS form.
3. Three references are required. Enter reference information into Part 2 of the online application. We suggest you request references from a college teacher, an employer and a person who has worked with you on a project or in an organization. References from relatives or personal friends are not acceptable.  Waiving your right to review is not a requirement of admission.
4. If English is your second language, TOEFL scores are required. See the University of Kansas Medical Center International webpage for details: http://www.kumc.edu/international/esl_req.html.
5. A non-refundable application fee is required from all students. Payment is made through the online application at the end of Part 1 using a credit card or an e-check.

Last updated: 06/09