Nursing BSN, Accelerated Curriculum

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 measure 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 accelerated nursing clinical program will be holistically reviewed using criteria such as GPA, academic performance in required pre-nursing courses, a personal statement, an essay, extra-curricular activities, honors, award recognitions, leadership roles, and work/volunteer experiences.

Clinical Admission Criteria: Accelerated BSN

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing prepares students for the Professional Registered Nurse Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

To be considered for entry into the BSN program, individuals must first be accepted to UMSL as an undergraduate student. Upon that acceptance, students should work with their College of Nursing Academic Advisor to ensure successful completion of prerequisite courses.

• Admission to the University by completing the UMSL Undergraduate Application
• An earned bachelor's or graduate degree from an accredited institution recognized by the UMSL
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 
• Grade of B- or higher in the following courses:  Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II, Microbiology
• Grade of C or higher in Statistics and Human Growth and Development courses

Students must complete additional requirements prior to attending clinical rotations: pass a required criminal background check, drug screening, register with the Missouri Family Care Safety Registry (MO FCSR), and comply with vaccine and immunization regulations.

General Education Course Requirements

General Education Course Requirements for Students with a Bachelor’s Degree

Students must have a Bachelor’s Degree or a graduate degree to be admitted to the Accelerated BSN program. Students must also have completed the following courses with a grade of B- or higher within 5 years of clinical enrollment. 

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
MATH 1105	Basic Probability and Statistics (or equivalent)	3
PSYCH 2268	Lifespan Developmental Psychology (MOTR PSYC 200)	3

Nursing Course Requirements

PRE-LICENSURE: Accelerated Option

NURSE 3005	Introduction to Professional Nursing	3
NURSE 3015	Professional Nursing Concepts and Practice	6
NURSE 3035	Health Assessment and Promotion	3
NURSE 3055	Foundations of Nursing Pharmacotherapeutic Concepts	3
NURSE 3065	Professional Nursing Adult and Elder Care I	5
NURSE 3075	Professional Nursing Mental Health	5
NURSE 4015	Professional Nursing Adult & Elder Care II	5
NURSE 4035	Nursing Care of Children: Infancy to Adolescence	4
NURSE 4045	Nursing Care of the Childbearing Patient-Family System	4
NURSE 4105	Professional Nursing Leadership and Synthesis	8
NURSE 4125	Community Nursing and Public Health	5
NURSE 4135	Evidence-Based Practice: Integration of Research in Professional Nursing	2
Total Hours		53

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.

Non-Missouri Missouri Residents

Prospective students are responsible for reviewing the UMSL state authorizations page to see if this program is offered in their state throughout their program and to review the licensure or certification requirements for the state in which they reside.

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.   

Latin Honors Requirements 

In accordance with the University's Latin Honors policy, candidates graduating from the College of Nursing in the 2023-2024 Academic Year must meet the following GPA qualifications:

Summa Cum Laude	3.972
Magna Cum Laude	3.902
Cum Laude	3.766

Learning Outcomes

• Integrate theories and evidence-based concepts from nursing, the arts, sciences, and humanities to provide comprehensive nursing care in a variety of settings.
• Integrate principles of quality care, patient safety, health education, and management of care when organizing, coordinating, and engaging in professional nursing practice across the healthcare continuum.
• Use evidence-based practice to promote health and wellness, manage illness, and prevent injury among individuals, families, communities, and populations.
• Utilize health care technology and information management systems to promote quality care and patient safety.
• Apply knowledge of health care policies in a regulatory environment and their influence on health care access and quality.
• Utilize communication to enhance relationships with patients, families, and communities and collaboration among members of the healthcare team.
• Provide culturally competent, compassionate, holistic care to promote optimal health for diverse individuals, families, communities, and populations throughout the lifespan in an effort to improve health equity.
• Accept responsibility and accountability for decisions and actions based on professional intrapersonal values, ethical and legal obligations, standards of practice, social justice, and economics.
• Demonstrate motivation and self-direction in activities that contribute to lifelong personal, professional, and intellectual development.
• Synthesize clinical reasoning and problem solving in professional practice.

Sample Plan of Study

This plan assumes that a student has completed all prerequisites for admission.

First Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
Eight Week One		Eight Week One		NURSE 4105	8
NURSE 3005	3	NURSE 3075	5	NURSE 4125	5
NURSE 3015	6	NURSE 4015	5	NURSE 4135	2
NURSE 3035	3	Eight Week Two
Eight Week Two		NURSE 4035	4
NURSE 3055	3	NURSE 4045	4
NURSE 3065	5
	20		18		15
Total Hours: 53

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.