Nursing (BSN)
The Benedictine College Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (BSN) is based on a framework of the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The professional nurse who graduates from Benedictine College is educated through a four-year degree with a major in nursing. This educational process includes preparation in the liberal arts; behavioral, biological, and natural sciences; communication; and higher-level thinking abilities. The program prepares the graduate at the entry level into professional nursing practice and facilitates the acquisition of competencies as clinician, advocate, educator, leader, manager, and colleague.
The candidate for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree must complete all the general education degree requirements of the College.
Accreditation
- The baccalaureate degree program in Nursing at Benedictine College is accredited by
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
655 K Street NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001
202-887-6791
- The Pre-Licensure Baccalaureate of Nursing Program is approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN).
Admission Information
- The Benedictine College Bachelor of Nursing Program is committed to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity in its admission process.
- Upon attainment of sophomore status (or the academic year prior to entering the nursing program), written application by the student is to be submitted no later than January 15 (or the first school day after January 15) prior to the anticipated fall semester. Applications submitted after this date will be considered on a space available basis.
- Written notification of acceptance of admission to the nursing program will be sent to students from the School of Nursing.
- Prior to the beginning of and continuing throughout nursing clinical courses, first-year (junior) clinical students must have on file in the School of Nursing a current physical examination and health assessment completed by a healthcare provider, evidence of current immunizations, current certification in American Heart Association BLS CPR and AED for Healthcare Professionals, results of annual TB skin tests, evidence of their own health insurance coverage, a completed criminal background check and drug screen, VIRTUS “Protecting God’s Children for Adults” training program, and any other clinical agency requirements.
Criteria for Admission Consideration
- Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 with a minimum of 64 hours at the start of nursing courses and the ability to complete all academic requirements for graduation in two years. Applicants must have completed all prerequisites to the major, all the Core requirements, and have no more than nine remaining hours to complete in the Foundations and/or Skills and Perspectives requirements when starting the nursing program. A written plan for completing any missing Foundations and/or Skills and Perspective requirements must be submitted with the application;
- Obtain a grade of ‘C’ or above and earn a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all prerequisite courses. Up to two (2) different prerequisite courses may be repeated one (1) time each;
- Complete the Benedictine College SoN admission application;
- The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all applicants to the School of Nursing whose first language is not English. The minimum TOEFL scores for admission consideration are listed below. The test must be completed within one year of application to the SoN.
Minimum TOEFL Admission Scores
Paper-Based: 577
Computer-Based: 233
Internet-Based: 90
Writing: 20
Speaking: 25
Reading: 20
Listening: 25
Additional consideration given to the following:
- Overall GPA and GPA on prerequisite courses;
- Number of full-time semesters completed at Benedictine College;
- Short personal essay or video;
- Academic history with patterns and trends indicating potential for academic success (e.g., successful completion of a full-time semester);
- Pre-admission test;
- Eligibility for licensure. Refer to the Nurse Practice Act in the state in which you anticipate licensure. In Kansas refer to KSA 65–1120 of the Nurse Practice Act at www.ksbn.org. Graduation does not ensure licensure eligibility.
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Admission preference is given to current Benedictine College students. Admission preference will be given to students who have completed three full-time semesters at an institution of higher learning after high school graduation.
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Transfer students will be considered on a space-available basis.
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Transfer students who are accepted into the nursing program must complete a minimum of 60% of the required courses at Benedictine College.
General Biology Policy
Students are strongly encouraged to take BIOL-1121 General Biology I at Benedictine College. The nursing department MAY allow General Biology I (with a laboratory and genetics component) from another accredited college in place of Benedictine College’s BIOL-1121 General Biology I. Note that AP Biology or BIOL-1107 Principles of Biology will NOT be accepted for this requirement. General Biology taken as a dual enrollment class in high school will NOT be accepted for this requirement.
Additional information on policies may be found in the current Benedictine College Student Nursing Handbook.
Prerequisites for Nursing
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL-1121 | General Biology I (with lab) | 5 |
| BIOL-2242 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab) | 4 |
| BIOL-2243 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II (with lab) | 4 |
| BIOL-2260 | Principles of Microbiology | 4 |
| CHEM-1200 & CHEM-1201 | General Chemistry I Lecture and General Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| EXSC-3303 | Basic Nutrition | 3 |
| MATH-1220 | Introductory Statistics | 4 |
| NURS-1100 | Introduction to Professional Nursing | 1 |
| PSYC-1000 | General Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC-2503 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
All prerequisite courses must have been completed within 10 years.
In addition, students are required to have the following Core general education requirements completed before starting the nursing program:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL-1010 | English Composition | 3 |
| EXSC Fitness Course 1 | 1 | |
| Foreign Language requirement (both semesters) | 8 | |
| PHIL-1750 | Principles of Nature | 3 |
| THEO-1100 | Introduction to Theology | 3 |
- 1
Students do not need to take EXSC-1115 Wellness for Life (NURS-3200 Foundations of Nursing will fulfill this requirement)
(Students transferring into Benedictine College their junior year may have slightly different core general education requirements. Review the Benedictine College Catalog for further information.)
When students are accepted into the Nursing program, they are assigned to the College Catalog for the following year with the latest Nursing program. Students may elect to keep the general education requirements of the Catalog they started with when they matriculated to Benedictine College. If they wish to keep their original general education requirements, they must let the Registrar’s Office know as soon as possible so their degree audit will be corrected in Self Service > My Progress.
Essential Functions of Student Nurses
Reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities, either temporary or permanent, will be considered on a case-by-case basis and in consultation with Benedictine College’s Disability Services and the clinical agencies as appropriate. To enter and complete the nursing program, student nurses must be able to meet specific emotional, cognitive, and physical requirements. These requirements are outlined in the Benedictine College School of Nursing Student Handbook under “Essential Functions of Nursing Student” and can be provided to applicants upon request.
Progression Policies
1. Students will successfully complete a course in the nursing program if they meet all the following requirements:
a. Meet the minimum exam average of 78% in each didactic course where examinations are administered.
b. Earn a minimum grade of “B–“ in each nursing course.
c. Complete externally prepared standardized exams and remedial activities as assigned.
d. Maintain required clinical documentation (including immunizations, Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR, and AED
training for health care professionals, proof of health insurance, background check and drug screen).
2. If a student does not successfully complete a nursing course, he or she may repeat the course per the Benedictine College School of Nursing Handbook.
Leave of Absence
- A student who is maintaining a grade of at least a ‘B–’ in all nursing courses and has a minimum grade point average of 2.70 at the time of the leave may be granted a leave of absence from the nursing program for personal health or family health-related reasons. This leave is not to exceed one calendar year.
Note that a student who has been absent from Benedictine College must apply to the Associate Dean for readmission (refer to section in the Benedictine College Course Catalog on “Readmission”). - Students may be granted readmission into the nursing program provided space is available. If changes in the curriculum have occurred, students must complete the curriculum effective at the time of readmission.
- Students may request a leave of absence one time.
- Students readmitted will be required to complete a new criminal background check and drug screen.
Dismissal From the Nursing Program
The following criteria is used to dismiss a student from the Nursing program:
- If the student has earned less than the required grades in two required courses as defined in the General Progression Requirements.
- If the student has less than 2.70 cumulative grade point average for two (2) semesters.
- If a student engages in activities that are considered incompetent, unethical or illegal.
- If the student engages in egregious behavior or fails to meet expectations of the plan identified in the Benedictine College School of Nursing Student Professional Misconduct or Behavioral Report.
Readmission to the Nursing Program
A student who is withdrawn from the nursing program may apply for readmission to the nursing program by the specified due date. The student seeking readmission must meet the criteria for admission and graduation that are in effect at the time of readmission to the nursing program. The Nursing faculty must approve the readmission and space must be available in the nursing program. A student who has been denied readmission may not apply to the program again for five years at which time, if accepted to the program, all nursing coursework must be repeated. All prerequisite courses must have been completed within 10 years. Subsequent failure to progress in any nursing course will result in dismissal from the nursing program without consideration for readmission.