Why Nursing?
Nursing’s contribution to the well being of society is crucial, and the demand for nurses is growing worldwide. Nurses prepared to help others achieve good health outcomes are in constant demand. Nursing plays an ever-increasing role as changes occur in care delivery, and offers the well-educated individual opportunities for a rewarding professional career. Nursing provides professional mobility, as well as a wide choice of work environments and types of service.
Professional nursing is both science and art, requiring intellectual discipline, psychomotor skills, personal integrity, accountability and emotional maturity. As a science, nursing emphasizes the ability to define and address problems through evidence-based practice and critical inquiry. As an art, nursing is a care-giving process based in scientific knowledge and technology, developments in health care delivery systems, and the values, needs and lifestyles of the people it serves. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepares the individual to sit for registered nurse licensure for generalist professional roles, and enables the successful graduate to enter graduate study for specialization.
Why PLU?
The School of Nursing at Pacific Lutheran University is a professional school that combines nursing science with a strong foundation in the natural sciences and liberal arts. This selective program prepares undergraduate students as skilled generalists so they may later seek advanced practice in specific specialties. The program provides an excellent foundation for clinical practice, as well as for preparing qualified graduates to enter the best graduate programs in nursing.
The school exemplifies the university’s mission of “educating for lives of thoughtful inquiry, service, leadership and care” in an environment that encourages lifelong learning, diversity and spirituality as vital elements in the human quest for wholeness. The school recognizes that the spiritual, physical, mental and social health of people is of universal concern. Its educational programs employ dynamic learning opportunities, including a nurse-managed Wellness Center that delivers health care services to the surrounding community. The program also responds to the educational and technological learning needs of practicing nurses seeking continuing education — the BSN or the MSN — to remain current, competent practitioners and/or to revise their practice focus.
The nursing faculty and administration are committed to teaching excellence, and employ innovative strategies for student learning in clinical, laboratory and classroom settings. They hold advanced degrees and many faculty members hold certification for advanced practice, including Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwifery, and in specialty areas such as family and community nursing, community health nursing, and gerontology. Some faculty members are certified in multiple areas. As a whole, the nursing faculty represents over 700 years of successful professional nursing and academic experience.
The School of Nursing is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission, and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)* through the year 2013.
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-887-6971, Fax: 202-887-8476
Features of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Program
The BSN for the Basic Student
The Basic program is designed for students with no previous preparation in nursing and requires a total of four academic years, one in the completion of prerequisite courses and three in nursing courses. The school collaborates with more than 100 health agencies to provide optimal clinical learning experiences for its students, under the supervision of its faculty members. Part-time, full-time, and transfer options are available. Graduates are awarded the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX - RN for licensure as registered nurses. They are prepared for first-level staff nursing positions in hospitals, clinics, the military, long-term care facilities and community health agencies, with potential for rapid advancement and assumption of leadership roles. They also have the foundation for graduate study in nursing.
The BSN for the Licensed Practical Nurse
The LPN to BSN course of study is designed to provide career mobility for the licensed practical nurse desiring the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The program allows students the opportunity to validate prior knowledge and clinical competence, enabling progression through the BSN curriculum within five semesters, following completion of prerequisite courses, when enrolled full-time.
The BSN for the Registered Nurse
The RN to BSN study sequence is for registered nurses who hold an unrestricted RN license to practice in the state of Washington and who have been actively engaged in registered nursing practice for one or more years. A full-time student may be able to complete the RN to BSN sequence of study in one year. Successful graduates are encouraged to continue in the MSN program.
Admission to the School of Nursing
Undergraduate students seeking admission to the nursing major must submit separate applications to the university and to the School of Nursing. The application to the major should be requested directly from the School of Nursing.
Students may typically begin the sequence of required nursing courses in the fall or spring semester each year, or in the summer or January term when offered.
The School’s Recruitment, Admission and Progression Committee reviews all application materials. The requirements listed below are minimum standards; therefore, fulfillment of these standards does not imply nor guarantee admission to any PLU nursing program at any time.
Minimum criteria to be considered for admission to the undergraduate program (BSN) include:
- Formal admission to Pacific Lutheran University;
- Completion, or pending completion, of specified prerequisite coursework;
- Completion, or pending completion, of at least 30 semester credits (45 quarter credits) at the college level;
- Minimum cumulative college grade point average of 3.00 or higher on a 4.0 scale;
- A minimum grade of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale in each nursing prerequisite course;
- Minimum cumulative GPA in prerequisites of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale;
- No more than one repeat of any prerequisite or co-requisite course;
- Completion of the university math entrance requirement, with a grade of “C” or higher (2.0 or higher, on a 4.0 scale);
- Physical health and emotional stability sufficient to meet the demands of nursing and provide timely, safe patient care for all generalist nursing roles;
- Fluency in speaking, reading and writing college-level English;
- Civil, administrative and criminal history clearance in all states, as well as other applicable territories and countries;
- Submission of all documents to the School of Nursing by the designated deadlines.
Minimum criteria to be considered for admission to the RN(ADN) to BSN program include:
- Complete undergraduate application form with official transcripts;
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on 4.0 in all college coursework;
- Achievement of junior class status;
- Completion of each prerequisite course with minimum grade point of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale;
- Minimum cumulative grade point average in all prerequisite and co-requisite courses of 2.75 or higher on 4.0 scale;
- Have or be eligible for unrestricted Washington State RN licensure;
- Pre-admission interview:
- Minimum of one year direct care RN experience;
- Completion of a course in basic descriptive and inferential statistics.
Course Requirements
For a list of course offerings check-out the catalog »
Applications and Assistance
Students should submit separate applications for admission to the university and to the School of Nursing by March 1, 2007. Late applications will be considered on a space available basis. Please note that the listed criteria are minimal and do not guarantee admission.
Visit www.plu.edu/~nurs for more information about the School of Nursing faculty, scholarships, programs and alumni.
