Bulletin Year: 2021 - 2022 Undergraduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog. | View this department in the current bulletin.

Contact Information

Address:  2301 New Science Facility
Phone:  906-227-2834
Fax:  906-227-1658
Department Email:  bsnnurse@nmu.edu

Nursing at NMU

The School of Nursing offers programs from the certificate baccalaureate level to graduate degree. Program options include (1) a BSN degree program; (2) an LPN to BSN program (for LPNs desiring to obtain a baccalaureate degree); (3) an RN to BSN degree program (for registered nurses who desire to obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing); (4) A MSN program with a clinical specialty as family nurse practitioner, and (5) A DNP program with a clinical specialty as a family nurse practitioner.

The BSN program prepares students to function as professional nurses in a variety of hospital and community settings. Students acquire the requisite knowledge and skills to practice across a variety of settings with diverse populations within the health care system and to be independently skillful in the promotion and maintenance of health, the prevention of disease, and the management, coordination and supervision of client care.


Accreditation
Northern’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).


Student Organization

  • Student Nurses Association|
     

BSN Program Policies

Pre-Admission Policies
The department strongly recommends that prospective nursing students prepare themselves in high school by taking the following courses: English (four years), mathematics (three or four years, including two years of algebra), social studies (four years) and one unit each of biology, chemistry and physics. Students without the necessary high school preparation in algebra and chemistry may need to take additional preparatory courses in these subjects, which will lengthen their program.

Prospective transfer students from community colleges should take courses equivalent to those listed as requirements for admission to the nursing sequence.

Entering students are assigned an adviser who helps them plan an academic program of pre-nursing courses. When the prerequisites are nearly completed, students may apply for admission to the baccalaureate nursing sequence in consultation with an adviser. For more information, contact the nursing department at bsnnurse@nmu.edu.

Note: Completion of prerequisites does not guarantee admission to the nursing program.


Criminal Background Checks
Student placement in a clinical site/agency assumes that the applicant possesses good moral character and the ability to successfully pass the rigors of a background investigation, criminal history check and urine drug testing. In specific clinical sites, the State of Michigan requires a criminal background check, a criminal background check and urine drug testing is required prior to licensure. All students are required to complete a criminal background check. Students are responsible for the costs of the background check and urine drug testing. Students who do not complete a background check and urine drug testing are ineligible for placement at some clinical agencies and therefore, may result in the student’s being unable to progress in the nursing program. More information about criminal background checks and urine drug testing is provided in the BSN Student Handbook.

Professional Licensure Disclosure
BSN: The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Northern Michigan University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) to apply for licensure in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and all U.S. territories. Individual states may have additional requirements for licensure that may change without notification. Students planning to apply for initial licensure from a state or region other than Michigan need to consult with the School of Nursing or that states board of nursing to determine eligibility.

RN to BSN:  Northern Michigan University is an accredited public institution that participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA). This authorizes NMU to enroll online students from all states and territories in the United States. However, individual state licensing agencies (i.e. State Boards of Nursing) at times dictate additional requirements for students completing clinics in their territories. The School of Nursing determines compliance for meeting criteria for the state students are located in on admission to the program. Students need to be aware that regulations in any state may change without notification. In addition, applicants and students need to contact the RN to BSN Coordinator prior to relocating to a different state in order to ensure that progression in the program will not be affected.


License Information for RNs and LPNs Applying to Nursing Programs
Applicants and students holding either an LPN or RN license must report any action involving their license during the admission process as well as during the student’s progression in the nursing program. This includes licenses that are revoked, suspended, or sanctioned in any manner. The applicant or student is required to report all changes in the status of the license to the Director of the School of Nursing and to their faculty advisor. A license that is sanctioned in any way is not considered an active license to practice and therefore does not meet the program requirements for RN to BSN or LPN to BSN programs.


Admission to the Baccalaureate Nursing Sequence for Traditional and LPN to BSN Students
Before applying for admission to the nursing sequence, applicants must:

  1. Be admitted to Northern Michigan University. Have completed or be in the process of completing the following courses with a minimum grade of "C-": BI 207 Human Anatomy and Physiology I, BI 208 Human Anatomy and Physiology II, BI 203A or 203 Medical Microbiology, CH109 Chemistry, PSY100 or 101 Psychology, AH102 Human Growth and Development, AH 201 and AH 202 Nutrition for Health Professions;
     
  2. Have a 2.75 or greater cumulative NMU grade point average;
     
  3. Students admitted to the BSN program are admitted based on the admission criteria, as seen in Appendix 4 of BSN Student Handbook.

Note: Admission to the BSN program is very competitive. Meeting prerequisites and minimum GPA criteria does not ensure admission.

The School of Nursing admits a limited number of students to the baccalaureate nursing sequence each semester. Records and applications of all students are reviewed promptly, and students are notified of acceptance or rejection no later than the beginning of the pre-registration period. If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of placements available, the faculty reserves the right to select the applicants who shall be admitted. The remaining eligible applicants may apply for admission the following semester. Ordinarily, students may expect to complete the entire program in approximately five semesters after being admitted to the nursing sequence, assuming that they complete all of their courses satisfactorily and sequentially.

Admission to the Direct Admission Baccalaureate Nursing Sequence
High school student (senior status) criteria needed to apply:

  1. Admission acceptance to Northern Michigan University;
  2. Minimum high school GPA of 3.5;
  3. Documentation of completed Certified Nurses Aid course and/or completion of one year of health Occupations Students of America (HOSA);
  4. Documentation of dual enrollment classes or Advanced Placement courses;
  5. Students enrolled in high schools which do not offer dual enrollment, Advanced Placement or HOSA courses can submit a letter written by their high school principal or school counselor indicating that their high school did not offer these options. For those, their score on the admission rubric will be proportionate to the points available to them;
  6. One year each of high school level biology, chemistry, and mathematics or college credits if dual enrolled in high school and an institution of higher learning;
  7. Must have achieved a “B” in each course;
  8. One reference letter from high school science or math teacher;
  9. Completed direct admission application by November 1st.

Criteria to maintain Freshman BSN status:

  1. Final high school transcript grade showing a GPA of 3.5 or higher;
  2. Placement into Chemistry 109 (CH 109);
  3. Maintain a GPA average of 3.50;
  4. Complete all prerequisites outlined in the BSN application within five semesters.
  5. Letter of intent
    1. Due October 1 or February 1, one semester prior to when students plan/met requirements to begin nursing program. This serves as a way to let the school of nursing know when the student completed or is close to completing prerequisites and intends to start the nursing program in the following semester.
  6. Students must meet all requirements in the BSN handbook prior to starting the BSN program such as criminal background check, drug testing, and required immunizations.


Note: Admission to the Direct Admit Freshman BSN program is very competitive. Meeting prerequisites and minimum GPA criteria does not ensure admission.

Students who fail to maintain Direct Admit Freshman BSN status will no longer be guaranteed a spot upon completion of required prerequisites. They may still apply as a traditional student via the traditional route with applications due October 1 and February 1.

Admission to the Baccalaureate Nursing Sequence for RN to BSN Students
Before applying for admission to the nursing sequence, applicants must:

  1. If you would like to communicate with an adviser or have a quick review of your unofficial transcripts prior to applying to NMU, you may complete the form found at www.nmu.edu/nursing/rn-bsn-inquiry.  After completing this form, you will be contacted by a representative from the School of Nursing.
  2. Apply to NMU’s global campus at http://www.nmu.edu/online/.  Select RN to BSN as your major.
  3. Official admission to Northern Michigan University requires a review of official transcripts from all other colleges/universities attended. Credit for a maximum of 47 semester hours of selected previous nursing courses will be granted to those individuals transferring from an accredited nursing program or community college. Pre-requisite coursework will be waived with an active unencumbered RN license.
  4. Potential RN to BSN students may apply to NMU while enrolled in the final semester of their Associate Degree program.  A conditional admission will be considered if the student has a current grade point average of 2.5 or higher for the coursework completed within the Associates program. If a conditional admission is granted, proof of a completed Associates Degree and an active RN license must be submitted to NMU no less than 30 days prior to the start of the first clinical course (NU414). 
  5. Please note: the RN to BSN program is offered primarily as an online program. Students wishing to complete the RN to BSN program on campus at NMU should contact the RN to BSN coordinator (RNtoBSN@nmu.edu, 906-227-1372) or School of Nursing (bsnnurse@nmu.edu, 906-227-2834) for information on application process and deadlines.

 

Application Deadlines

Traditional and LPN to BSN students: Complete and submit the application found online at the School of Nursing website by February 1 for the succeeding fall semester, or by October 1 for the succeeding winter semester. 


RN to BSN students: This program uses a rolling admission process so students may apply at any time.

Admission of Licensed Practical Nurses to the Baccalaureate Program
Students with an LPN license who request admission to the BSN program and have graduated from an LPN program within five years of admission into the BSN program and/or have worked as an LPN within five years of admission into the BSN program, are granted, without testing, advanced placement credit for: NU 211 Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice (T) 4 credits and NU 212 Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice (C) 3 credits.

Applicants must submit a copy of their current unrestricted Michigan LPN license prior to acceptance into the BSN program. The license must be clear of current sanctions and restrictions.

Preadmission requirements are the same as delineated in Admission to the Baccalaureate Nursing Sequence.

Students must submit a copy of their current Michigan LPN license prior to acceptance into the BSN program.

Preadmission requirements are the same as delineated in “Admission to the Baccalaureate Nursing Sequence.”

Each student is responsible for reading the Northern Michigan University Undergraduate Bulletin and the Nursing Student Handbook appropriate to the program in which the student is enrolled, and seeking consultation with their academic advisor/program coordinator/Department Head and/or Dean of Students if questions or concerns arise.

Programs

Bulletin Year: 2021 - 2022 Undergraduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.