Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) Majors Information

Overview of Baccalaureate Nursing Program

The undergraduate nursing programs carry on Alverno College’s tradition in the professional liberal arts, with particular focus on integrative, experiential, and reflective approaches to learning. The BSN degree curriculum supports students’ development of knowledge and competence in the abilities that frame the undergraduate curriculum at Alverno College: Communication, Analysis, Problem Solving, Valuing in Decision Making, Social Interaction, Developing a Global Perspective, Effective Citizenship, and Aesthetic Engagement. Didactic courses and practicum experiences are designed to support the learner in applying selected abilities as they work with individuals, families, and groups across the developmental lifespan and in diverse health care settings. Additionally, the following concepts, with outcomes established for beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels, are threaded throughout the BSN curriculum: Communication, Culture, Ethics, Leadership, Mental Health, Nursing Process, Nutrition, Professionalism, QSEN, and Research/ Evidence Based Practice. Two pre-licensure BSN degree programs are offered:

  • Nursing BSN Degree (Weekday College [WDC]; N.D.BSN)
  • 2+2 Nursing BSN Degree (NRS.S.BSN)
BSN Program Admission Requirements
  • Pre-Nursing BSN Degree (WDC; PRN.D.BSN)
    • Meet Alverno College admissions criteria for undergraduate WDC students
    • Meet JMSNHP Technical Standards in Nursing
  • Pre-Nursing 2+2 BSN Degree (PNRS.D.BA)
    • Cumulative GPA 2.5 minimum (in previous college-level coursework)
    • Meet JMSNHP Technical Standards in Nursing
  • Nursing BSN Degree (WDC; N.D.BSN)
    • Meet Alverno College admissions criteria for undergraduate WDC students
    • Meet JMSNHP Technical Standards in Nursing
    • Meet all JMSNHP clinical participation requirements, including the successful completion of a caregiver background check with no bars to clinical placement, a clear urine drug screen, and all other clinical requirements completed through CastleBranch in N-205 (bloodborne pathogen training, current AHA CPR certification, health requirements including immunizations, HIPAA training, etc.)
    • ​Successful completion of all required Pre-Nursing WDC (PRN.D.BSN) courses, including N-205.
  • 2+2 BSN Degree (NRS.S.BSN)
    • Cumulative GPA 2.5 minimum (in previous college-level coursework)
    • Meet JMSNHP Technical Standards in Nursing
    • ​Meet all JMSNHP clinical participation requirements, including the successful completion of a caregiver background check with no bars to clinical placement, a clear urine drug screen, and all other clinical requirements completed through CastleBranch (bloodborne pathogen training, current AHA CPR certification, health requirements including immunizations, HIPAA training, etc.)
    • Prior successful completion of 60 credits of college-level general education coursework that include but are not limited to, Anatomy & Physiology I with lab, Anatomy & Physiology II, Chemistry with lab, Organic or Biochemistry, Microbiology with lab, Developmental Psychology, College-level Speech, Composition/Writing, English or other literature, Probability & Statistics, humanities, fine arts, Algebra, Ethics/Philosophy (or Sociology, Anthropology, History, Religion, Political Science, Criminal Justice, Economics, Business Management/Leadership, Marketing, or other like course)
    • Cumulative ATI TEAS score of 70 (two attempts maximum)

Conditional Admission (BSN): The JMSNHP may offer the opportunity for conditional admission to an applicant who meets certain benchmarks but does not meet all of the criteria for admission to the WDC or 2+2 BSN degree program. The decision to extend an opportunity for conditional admission may be made by the Dean of the JMSNHP, Chair of Undergraduate Nursing Programs, or Undergraduate Nursing Admissions and Advancement Committee (UGNAA). Typically, a conditional admission involves stipulations that the student must meet during their first semester of enrollment in a BSN program to continue in that program. Except under very extraordinary circumstances, as determined by UGNAA, if the student does not meet the conditions of their admission, they are dismissed from the program. If the student is successful in meeting the conditions, they progress in the program.

Foundations of BSN Curriculum

Three American Nurses Association (ANA) documents espouse the basis for all nursing practice, and Alverno nursing faculty use these documents to underpin the curriculum and structure its content and learning experiences:

  • Code of Ethics for Nurses (ANA, 2025)
  • Guide to Nursing’s Social Policy Statement: Understanding the Profession from Social Contract to Social Covenant (Fowler, 2015)
  • Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice (ANA, 2021)

In addition, the following documents espouse standards, competencies, and criteria that specifically serve to ground the BSN curriculum:

  • QSEN Competencies. Competencies | QSEN
  • Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education [CCNE], 2024
  • IPEC Core Competencies for Interprofessional Education (Interprofessional Education Collaborative, 2023)
  • The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education. (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 2024)
BSN Program Learning Outcomes

The BSN degree program graduate:

  1. Applies leadership concepts and skills grounded in professional standards to support innovation and adaptation in evolving healthcare systems.
  2. Integrates theories and evidence-based practice using multiple ways of thinking to promote, restore, and maintain optimum health of diverse individuals, families, communities, systems, and global populations.
  3. Integrates a global perspective with an understanding of self and others within the shared environment to promote health and well-being.
  4. Promotes a culture of quality, safety, and inclusiveness through mindful practice of continuous quality improvement.
  5. Communicates and collaborates effectively and professionally using a variety of modes.

PRE 2+2 Nursing (PNRS.D.BA) Requirements  25-26 Catalog

  1. Earn a minimum GPA of 2.5
  2. Complete TEAS Entrance Exam with a minimum score of 70% 
  3. Meet JMSNHP Technical Standards in Nursing.
  4. Meet the JMSNHP Clinical Participation Requirements
  5. Successful completion of 60 credits of coursework including but not limited to: anatomy and physiology (including lab), chemistry (including lab), organic and/or biochemistry, microbiology, introductory psychology, developmental psychology, probability and statistics, English/college level composition, English/literature, fine arts, college level algebra, interpersonal communication or speech, humanities, and ethics/philosophy.

2+2 Nursing BSN (NRS.S.BSN) Degree Requirements 25-26 Catalog

AC-151Initial Social Interaction Assessment0
AC-440Professional Program Assessment0
BI-338Pathophysiology4
ILA-200Introduction to the Liberal Arts @ Alverno0
N-101Think Like A Nurse1
N-120Introduction to the Nursing Profession2
N-125Concepts of Health and Wellness2
N-220Pharmacology: Nursing Connections3
N-225Health Assessment and Clinical Skills (theory and clinical practicum)4
N-301Communication (IPE)0
N-302Values and Ethics (IPE)0
N-303Interprofessional Roles & Responsibilities (IPE)0
N-320Theories of Holistic Nursing Management A2
N-321Theories of Holistic Nursing Management B2
N-330Theories of Holistic Nursing Management C2
N-325Clinical Nursing Practice I4
N-335Nursing Management of Aging Adults2
N-340Nursing Management: Women & Children3
N-345Clinical Nursing Practice II4
N-400Nursing Management: Complex Clients3
N-420Nursing in Complex Communities3
N-425Advanced Nursing Science Application I4
N-435Advanced Nursing Science Application II5
N-440Transition to Professional Nursing Roles3
N-445Advanced Nursing Leadership & Policy3
N-499Preparation for Internship Event0
PSY-250Abnormal Psychology4
Total Credits60

2+2 Nursing Map (Fall Start) 25-26 Catalog

Term 1CreditsTerm 2CreditsTerm 3CreditsTerm 4Credits
AC-1510N-3020N-3030AC-4400
BI-3384N-3202N-3212N-4355
ILA-2000N-3352N-3302N-4003
N-1011N-3254N-3454N-4403
N-1202N-3403N-4203N-4453
N-1252PSY-2504N-4254 
N-2203 N-4990 
N-2254   
N-3010   
 16 15 15 14
Total Credits 60

Pre-Nursing (PRN.D.BSN) Requirements  25-26 Catalog

AC-151Initial Social Interaction Assessment (General Education)0
BI-233
& 233L		Human Anatomy & Physiology 1
and Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 Lab		4
BI-333Human Anatomy & Physiology II3
BI-251
& 251L		Microbiology
and Microbiology Lab		4
CH-213
& 213L		Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules
and Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules Lab		4
CM-120Communication Seminar 1 (General Education)4
CM-125Communication Seminar 2 (General Education)3
FSS-125First Semester Seminar (General Education)2
ILA-100Introduction to the Liberal Arts @ Alverno0
or ILA-200 Introduction to the Liberal Arts @ Alverno
N-101Think Like A Nurse1
N-120Introduction to the Nursing Profession2
N-125Concepts of Health and Wellness2
N-205Admission to the Nursing Major0
QL-156Mathematical Connections (General Education )3
QL-122Quantitative Literacy in Modern World (General Education)3-4
or BU-151 Personal Finance
SC-119
& 119L		Foundations of Chemistry
and Foundations of Chemistry Lab (General Educatiion)		4
SC-120
& 120L		Foundations of Biology
and Foundations of Biology Lab		4
PSY-110Life Span Development (General Education)4
Total Credits47-48

Pre-Nursing (PRN.D.BSN) Map1 25-26 Catalog

Term 1CreditsTerm 2CreditsTerm 3Credits
AC-1510BI-233
& 233L		4BI-251
& 251L		4
FSS-1252CH-213
& 213L		4BI-3333
ILA-100 or 2000CM-1204CM-1253
N-1011N-1202N-2050
QL-122 or BU 1514-3QL-1563N-1252
SC-119
& 119L		4 PSY-1104
SC-120
& 120L		4  
 15-14 17 16
Total Credits 48-47
1

The map presented is an example of a program plan for a student who enters the program in the fall.

Nursing (N.D.BSN) Requirements  25-26 Catalog

GENERAL EDUCATION
AC-151Initial Social Interaction Assessment0
ADV-299Intermediate Level Event0
BSC-257Statistics for Health Professionals4
CM-120Communication Seminar 14
CM-125Communication Seminar 23
FA-110Intro to the Arts4
FSS-125First Semester Seminar2
HFA-210Humanities & Fine Arts Elective2
HFA-310Humanities & Fine Arts Elective2
HUM-150Express/Interpretn Human Experience4
ILA-100Introduction to the Liberal Arts @ Alverno0
or ILA-200 Introduction to the Liberal Arts @ Alverno
Global Effective Citizen; Choose One Course: GEC-302, AHS-409/GEC-307, GEC-312, GEC-314, GEC-315, GEC-317, GEC-320, GEC-324, GEC-328, GEC-333, GEC-398 3
PSY-110Life Span Development4
SC-120
& 120L		Foundations of Biology
and Foundations of Biology Lab		4
QL-122Quantitative Literacy in Modern World3-4
or BU-151 Personal Finance
QL-156Mathematical Connections3
AC-440Professional Program Assessment0
NURSING COURSES
BI-233
& 233L		Human Anatomy & Physiology 1
and Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 Lab		4
BI-251
& 251L		Microbiology
and Microbiology Lab		4
BI-333Human Anatomy & Physiology II3
BI-338Pathophysiology4
CH-213
& 213L		Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules
and Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules Lab		4
N-205Admission to the Nursing Major0
N-101Think Like A Nurse1
N-120Introduction to the Nursing Profession2
N-125Concepts of Health and Wellness2
N-220Pharmacology: Nursing Connections3
N-225Health Assessment and Clinical Skills (theory and clinical practicum)4
N-301Communication (IPE)0
N-302Values and Ethics (IPE)0
N-303Interprofessional Roles & Responsibilities (IPE)0
N-320Theories of Holistic Nursing Management A2
N-321Theories of Holistic Nursing Management B2
N-325Clinical Nursing Practice I4
N-330Theories of Holistic Nursing Management C2
N-335Nursing Management of Aging Adults2
N-340Nursing Management: Women & Children3
N-345Clinical Nursing Practice II4
N-400Nursing Management: Complex Clients3
N-420Nursing in Complex Communities3
N-425Advanced Nursing Science Application I4
N-435Advanced Nursing Science Application II5
N-440Transition to Professional Nursing Roles3
N-445Advanced Nursing Leadership & Policy3
N-499Preparation for Internship Event0
PSY-250Abnormal Psychology4
SC-119
& 119L		Foundations of Chemistry
and Foundations of Chemistry Lab		4
Total Credits121-122

Nursing (N.D.BSN) Map1  25-26 Catalog

Term 1CreditsTerm 2CreditsTerm 3CreditsTerm 4CreditsTerm 5Credits
AC-1510BI-233
& 233L		4BI-251
& 251L		4ADV-2990HUM-1504
FSS-1252CH-213
& 213L		4BI-3333BI-3384N-3010
ILA-100 or 2000CM-1204CM-1253FA-1104N-3212
N-1011N-1202N-1252N-2203N-3254
QL-122 or BU 1513-4QL-1563N-2050N-2254N-3302
SC-119
& 119L		4 PSY-1104N-3020PSY-2504
SC-120
& 120L		4    
 14-15 17 16 15 16
Total Credits 78-79
Term 6CreditsTerm 7CreditsTerm 8Credits
BSC-2574HFA-2102AC-4400
N-3202Choose One Global Effective Course:HFA-3102
N-3352GEC-302, AHS 409, GEC 312, GEC 314, GEC 315, GEC 317, GEC 320, GEC 324, GEC 328, GEC 333, or GEC 3983N-4355
N-3403N-3030N-4403
N-3454N-4003N-4453
 N-4203 
 N-4254 
 15 15 13
Total Credits 43
1

The map presented is an example of a program plan for a student who enters the program in the fall.