2022-2023

Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Nursing

College of Health and Human Services

This popular four-year program is offered on four campuses around the state of Arizona. After a very competitive admission process, nursing courses are taken in sequence over five semesters. Graduates are eligible to take the national licensing exam for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN).

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Northern Arizona University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. 

This program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • At least 47 units of preprofessional requirements
  • At least 73 units of major requirements

  • Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Highest Mathematics Required STA 270
Additional Admission Requirements Required
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Required
University Honors Program Optional
Some online/blended coursework Required
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A Recommended
Progression Plan Link View Progression Plan
Licensure

This program may lead to licensure.

Purpose Statement

The philosophy of the School of Nursing at Northern Arizona University is based on an ethic of caring that embraces students, faculty and staff, and the university community and the global community within which we live and work. We also believe that caring is a conscious, intentional discipline that is part of nursing’s unique body of knowledge and is practiced in interdisciplinary contexts. Caring includes the creation and nurturing of an environment that recognizes that students, staff and faculty have unique ways of viewing the world. This philosophy promotes excellence for nursing education and practice in an environment of constant change and emerging healthcare trends.

The faculty believes the transition to the role of competent professional nurse is a major developmental achievement. We believe that nursing is an art and science that is an integral component of health care. Applying the discipline of nursing to practice depends on a foundation of natural and human sciences, humanities and arts, the application of research, and the diverse backgrounds of learners. Societal influences in the evolving healthcare system challenge all involved in nursing education.

Education is a dynamic, life-long collaborative process by which an individual pursues life goals, broadens human potential, develops thinking and clarifies values. The faculty believes that learning is the intentional acquisition, application, and integration of knowledge, skills and attitudes. Learning is shaped by the environment and developmental level of the learner, and is ultimately the responsibility of the learner. Faculty plan, guide, and facilitate learning while supporting the learning needs of a diverse community of students. We believe that learning-centered experiences with rigorous expectations and actively-engaged students result in higher-level thinkers and graduates prepared for real world practice. We value incorporating rural and global healthcare into a variety of educational experiences. Thus education not only expands the thinking of the learner, but increases opportunities for application.

The faculty has developed a philosophy that values diverse persons, environment, health, and nursing, and their inter-relatedness. The following meta-paradigm concepts guide the implementation of the organizing framework for the curriculum.

NAU's Bachelors of Science in Nursing program is a four and a half year program will teach student to provide care for individuals, families, and communities in a variety of urban, rural, and culturally diverse settings. During the BSN Program you will learn the tools to be in a successful nursing career, along with a hands on curriculum and many different programs that are available within NAU's Nursing Department. Graduates of the Program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), and begin their rewarding career in healthcare.

Student Learning Outcomes

Outcomes align with Standards from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

  • Clinical Practice and Prevention: Integrates theory, evidence, professional perspectives, and patient preferences into clinical judgment to provide holistic patient-centered care across the lifespan and healthcare continuum, and in healthcare environments.
  • Communication: Incorporates effective communication into professional nursing practice.
  • Critical reasoning:
    • Synthesizes evidence and nursing knowledge to evaluate and modify clinical nursing practice, in order to provide holistic, safe, comprehensive, patient-centered care.
    • Integrates reliable evidence from multiple ways of knowing to inform practice and make clinical judgments.
  • Leadership: Integrates knowledge and skills in leadership, quality improvement, health care policy and patient safety into practice to provide high quality care.
  • Professionalism and Professional Values
    • Integrates professional values and their associated behaviors into the practice of nursing.
    • Incorporates ethical and legal principles and professional standards into nursing practice.
    • Integrates caring’s affective characteristics into patient-centered care and with other healthcare professionals.
  • Global Health
    • Global Engagement: Promotes safety and quality of health care outcomes for diverse populations incorporating principles of advocacy, leadership and collaboration.
    • Diversity Education: Advocates for health equity and social justice for vulnerable populations and the elimination of health disparities both locally and globally.
    • Environmental Sustainability: Participates in collaborative efforts to improve aspects of the environment that negatively impacts health both locally and globally.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

Major Requirements
General Electives

  • Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

    You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.

    We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.