The UMSL College of Nursing is committed to admitting a diverse group of students who will become nurse leaders responsive to the specific needs of the communities and populations we serve. We value diversity, intellectual discourse and rigor, caring, professionalism, mutual respect and support, innovation, collaboration, and transparency. Applicants will be selected using inclusive and balanced admission criteria that demonstrate their potential in nursing practice, education, research, and scholarship. We measure our success by graduates who become lifelong learners and leaders in their communities and in the profession of nursing.
Applicants to the RN to BSN program will be holistically reviewed using criteria such as GPA, a personal statement, an essay, work/volunteer experiences, professional activities, leadership roles, honors, award recognitions, etc.
Due to higher education regulation changes, the University of Missouri–St. Louis cannot admit students from all states for online programs. Please see the Center for Teaching and Learning for additional information: http://www.umsl.edu/services/ctl/onlinelearning/state_authorization.html
Admissions Criteria
- Admission to the University by completing the UMSL Undergraduate Application
- Graduate of either an accredited diploma or associate degree program in nursing
- Evidence of current RN licensure or eligibility for RN licensure if in the final year of an associate degree program for dual admission applicants
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5 (4.0 scale) on a minimum of 30 transferable credit hours (excluding nursing course work)
- Complete the RN to BSN Nursing Supplemental Application
General Education Course Requirements
Nursing majors must complete all general education requirements of the university as outlined in this Bulletin.
As part of meeting the university's general education requirements, the prerequisite courses listed under 1) Natural science course work and 2) Behavioral and social science course work must be completed prior to beginning the clinical major. See a curriculum planning guide for specific courses and proper sequencing.
Students must be in residence for at least 24 of the last 30 hours or graded credit (exclusive of courses graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis), except under unusual circumstances, to be decided by the dean.
| 1) Natural science course work | ||
| BIOL 1131 | Human Physiology and Anatomy I | 4 |
| BIOL 1141 | Human Physiology and Anatomy II | 4 |
| BIOL 1162 | General Microbiology | 3 |
| CHEM 1052 | Chemistry for the Health Professions (MOTR CHEM 100) | 4 |
| 2) Behavioral and social science course work | ||
| PSYCH 1003 | General Psychology (MOTR PSYC 100) | 3 |
| Psychology Elective | 3 | |
Nursing Course Requirements
RN to BSN Program
| NURSE 3799 | Statistics for Population Health | 3 |
| NURSE 3900 | Role of the Baccalaureate-Prepared Nurse | 3 |
| NURSE 3910 | Nursing Theory for Population Health | 3 |
| NURSE 3920 | Health Assessment for the Professional Nurse | 3 |
| NURSE 3930 | Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice for the Professional Nurse | 3 |
| NURSE 3940 | Leadership and Management for Professional Nursing | 3 |
| NURSE 4900 | Ethics and Values in Population Health | 3 |
| NURSE 4910 | Health Policy for the Professional Nurse | 3 |
| NURSE 4911 | Community and Population Health Synthesis 1 | 6 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
| 1 | Includes a laboratory and/or clinical component |
All undergraduate nursing students must have access to transportation to their clinical practice experiences. Students must provide their own transportation to and from clinical agencies, which may be scheduled throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area, including Jefferson County and Illinois. Students who must use public transportation must inform their Program Director.
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (Pass/Fail) Grading
Undergraduate nursing majors may not take required prerequisite general education or nursing courses on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Credit by Transfer Examination
Credit may be granted for selected general studies. Please contact an advisor for information.
In accordance with the University's Latin Honors policy, candidates graduating from the College of Nursing in the 2019-2020 Academic Year must meet the following GPA qualifications:
| Summa Cum Laude | 3.973 | |
| Magna Cum Laude | 3.907 | |
| Cum Laude | 3.762 |
Learning Outcomes
- Integrate into practice theories and evidence-based concepts from nursing, the arts, sciences, and humanities to provide comprehensive nursing care in a variety of settings.
- Integrate clinical reasoning and problem solving in professional practice.
- Administer culturally competent, compassionate, holistic care to promote healthy outcomes for diverse individuals, families, communities, and populations during all life phases.
- Use evidence-based practices to promote health, manage illness, and prevent injury among individuals, families, communities, and populations.
- Utilize communication skills to enhance relationships with patients and families and collaboration among members of the health care team.
- Assume responsibility and accountability for decisions and actions based on professional intrapersonal values, ethical and legal obligations, standards of practice, social justice, and economics.
- Integrate principles of health education, management, leadership, quality care, and patient safety when organizing, coordinating, and engaging in professional practice.
- Demonstrate knowledge of health care policies and finance in a regulatory environment and their influence on health care access and quality.
- Exhibit motivation and self-direction in activities that contribute to lifelong personal, professional, and intellectual development.
- Utilize health care technology and information management systems to promote quality care and patient safety.
Sample Study Plan
This plan assumes that a student has completed all prerequisites for admission:
General Education and Prerequisites: 50 credit hours
Lower Division Nursing: 39 credit hours
| First Year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| NURSE 3799 | 3 | NURSE 3910 | 3 | NURSE 3930 | 3 |
| NURSE 3900 | 3 | NURSE 3920 | 3 | NURSE 3940 | 3 |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | |||
| Second Year | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| NURSE 4902 | 6 | NURSE 4911 | 6 | ||
| 6 | 6 | ||||
| Total Hours: 30 | |||||
PLEASE NOTE: This plan is an example of what an academic plan could look like for a typical student. Placement exam scores in math as well as the completion of coursework may change the plan. It should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor. All requirements are subject to change.