Nursing, B.S.N. (Pre-licensure)

Admission into the Nursing Major (BSN, Pre-licensure)

The Wilson School of Nursing Undergraduate Program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, the cornerstone of professional nursing practice. BSN graduates will provide care in a variety of settings with an emphasis on providing safe, evidence-based care to promote health and health maintenance across the life span. The preparation of nurses is rigorous and admission to the undergraduate program is highly competitive. The following are the admission requirements and process:

1. Students must have, or be qualified for, full admission to Midwestern State University.  Complete information regarding application deadlines and requirements can be found at: http://msutexas.edu/admissions.  This does not guarantee admission to the BSN program.
    
2. Submit the BSN application and all required documentation.  Access to the application can be found at: http://www.msutexas.edu/academics/hs2/nursing/bsn-application-portal-live.
    
3. Applications are available during the following dates:
   Fall Admission:  Application Open - February 15     Application Deadline - March 31
   Spring Admission:  Application Open - July 1     Application Deadline - August 15
    
4. The HESI A2 test may be taken at any testing site including the MSU testing facility.  Contact information for the MSU Testing Center: (940) 397-4676.
   • The HESI A2 assessment is required.  Minimum scores for consideration are:
     • 80% or higher on Math Score.
     • 80% or higher on English Language Composition Score, which must include the following areas: Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, and General Knowledge.

5. If a student chooses to take general education courses at another college, and is seeking admission and potentially transferring earned credits to the Wilson School of Nursing BSN pre-licensure program he/she should seek guidance from the Gunn College of Health Sciences and Human Services Academic Advisor before enrolling in courses to assure equivalency with university requirements. Taking courses at another college does not guarantee admission to the Wilson School of Nursing.

6. A minimum grade of ‘C’ is required in the following science courses: Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 1134 ); Anatomy & Physiology II (BIOL 1234 ); Pathophysiologic Process* (NURS 3203 ) (*only applies to the Accelerated Program); Microbiology (BIOL 2144 ); and chemistry (CHEM 1303 - General-Organic-Biological Chemistry ). A grade lower than ‘C’ precludes admission/progression.

7. Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 1134 ); Anatomy and Physiology II (BIOL 1234 ); or corresponding transfer courses must be successfully completed not more than five years prior to admission to the program.

8. Students may not enroll more than twice in any one science course (including F’s or W’s) for the student to be admitted to nursing; no more than two science courses may be repeated (whether or not the courses are applicable to the BSN degree plan).

9. Nursing prerequisites and electives may be repeated only once following either a grade of less than ‘C’ or withdrawal.

10. A student may not repeat for credit a course in which a grade of C/C- or better was awarded.

11. Students should take a full academic load of at least twelve semester hours of coursework including when repeating a course.

12. MSU students who are progressing satisfactorily will be given priority for all classes. Transfer students will be considered on an “as available” basis.

13. Students must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and a grade of ‘C’ or higher in all core and prerequisite courses listed on the degree plan demonstrating a pattern of academic success prior to admission.

14. All freshman and sophomore year courses must be completed by the end of sophomore year summer in order to enter the junior year courses.

15. Complete the following courses prior to beginning nursing program: (May apply to program while enrolled in prerequisite courses).  The student must successfully complete the courses in order to progress through the application process. If one or more core and/or prerequisite courses are in progress during the application process the student may be offered a conditional admission. Admission is contingent on satisfactorily completing the course(s) prior to enrolling in nursing courses.

BIOL 1134 - Anatomy and Physiology I  
BIOL 1234 - Anatomy and Physiology II  
BIOL 2144 - Fundamental Clinical Microbiology 
SOCL 1133 - Introductory Sociology 
CHEM 1303 - General-Organic-Biological Chemistry  
Communication  core component
PSYC 1103 - General Psychology 
PSYC 3233 - Developmental Psychology 
Mathematics  core component
Language, Philosophy, and Culture  core component
Government and Political Science  core component
Creative Arts  core component
American History  core component
Cultural and Global Understanding  core component
Undergraduate Inquiry and Creativity  core component

16. Students must demonstrate compliance with all clinical requirements as specified in the Wilson School of Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook.

• Student must complete the specified requirements prior to enrolling in courses with a clinical/lab component.
• Student must submit all required documentation prior to courses with a clinical/lab component (prior to the start of the 2nd semester in program).
• The requirements will be discussed further with the student at a mandatory orientation once the student has been accepted into the program:
• Failure to comply with the policies may result in dismissal from the Wilson School of Nursing.

NOTE: Admission to NURS 3212 - Family Health Assessment  constitutes formal admission to the Wilson School of Nursing Program.  BSN pre-licensure students must complete all clinical nursing courses within 4-5 years (9 long semesters) beginning with initial enrollment in NURS 3211 /NURS 3212 .

Admission Process

Since the number of applicants usually exceeds the number of students allowed for admission, all applicants will be awarded points for ranking purposes. The Wilson School of Nursing Admissions Committee will evaluate all applications and rank them according to the criteria point values listed below. Applicants will be accepted into the program as ranked for admission and according to the number of clinical positions available. For applicants with a tie score, the higher science GPA will receive the higher ranking position.

General

(See General Requirements for all Bachelor’s Degrees )

Academic Foundations and Core Curriculum - 42 semester hours

(See Academic Foundations and Core Curriculum - 42 semester hours )

Nursing Classes Required for the BSN Degree (Pre-licensure)

• NURS 3103 - Theories and Concepts: Introduction to Nursing 3 * (Fall/Spring)
• NURS 3203 - Pathophysiologic Process 3 * (Fall/Spring)
• NURS 3211 - Family Health Assessment Clinical 1 (Fall/Spring)
• NURS 3212 - Family Health Assessment 2 (Fall/Spring)
• NURS 3253 - Basic Nursing Clinical 3 (Fall/Spring)
• NURS 3243 - Basic Nursing Care 3 (Fall/Spring)
• NURS 3313 - Theories and Concepts: Pharmacology in Nursing Practice 3 (Fall/Spring)
• NURS 3412 - Mental Health Nursing Clinical 2 (Fall/Spring)
• NURS 3413 - Mental Health Nursing 3 (Fall/Spring)
• NURS 3422 - Family Health Nursing Care I Clinical 2 (Fall/Spring)
• NURS 3423 - Family Health Nursing Care I 3 (Fall/Spring)
• NURS 3503 - Theories and Concepts: Nursing Research 3 (Spring/Fall)
• NURS 4002 - Nursing of the Childbearing Family Clinical 2 (Fall/Spring)
• NURS 4013 - Nursing of the Childbearing Family 3 (Fall/Spring)
• NURS 4022 - Family Health Nursing Care II Clinical 2 (Fall/Spring)
• NURS 4023 - Family Health Nursing Care II 3 (Fall/Spring)
• NURS 4042 - Pediatric Nursing Care Clinical 2 (Fall/Spring)
• NURS 4053 - Pediatric Nursing Care 3 (Fall/Spring)
• NURS 4152 - Community Health Nursing Care Clinical 2 (Fall/Spring)
• NURS 4153 - Community Health Nursing Care 3 (Fall/Spring)
• NURS 4304 - Leadership in Nursing 4 (Fall/Spring)
• NURS 4612 - Clinical Decision Making Clinical 2 (Fall/Spring)
• NURS 4613 - Clinical Decision Making 3 (Fall/Spring)

Non-Nursing Course/Requirements for the BSN Degree (Pre-licensure)

• BIOL 1134 - Anatomy and Physiology I 4 *
• BIOL 1234 - Anatomy and Physiology II 4 *
• BIOL 2144 - Fundamental Clinical Microbiology 4 *
• ENGL 1143 - Introduction to Critical Reading and Academic Writing 3 *
• 3 additional hours from the Communication Core  *
• PSYC 1103 - General Psychology 3 *
• SOCL 1133 - Introductory Sociology 3 *
• PSYC 3233 - Developmental Psychology 3
• POLS 1333 - American and Texas Government I 3 **
• POLS 1433 - American and Texas Government II 3 **
• HIST 1133 - Survey of American History to 1865 3 **
• HIST 1233 - Survey of American History since 1865 3 **

Writing Proficiency Requirement

All students seeking a Bachelor’s degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they have 1) completed 6 hours of Communication Core and 2) earned 60 hours.  Students may meet this requirement by passing the Writing Proficiency Exam, two Writing Intensive Courses (at least one must be outside of the general education core), or ENGL 2113 .  If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website or call (940) 397-4131.