BSN Conventional

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

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Contact Information

Office of Student & Academic Affairs
CON-OSAA@arizona.edu
520-626-3808

GILBERT BUILDING
LOCATION

92 W Vaughn Ave.
Gilbert, AZ 85233

Program Description

Located on the Health Sciences Campus in Tucson, Arizona our Conventional Pathway has an established reputation and is one of the most competitive programs in the country.

Nurses are there for people at the best and worst times of their lives. Learn everything you need to know to be the support that someone can rely on. The nationally renowned and highly ranked Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Plus, the College of Nursing is approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and is affiliated with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Western Institute of Nursing. This means that students in this rigorous program graduate prepared for a diverse range of jobs. The conventional pathway in Tucson offers a community-oriented and technologically advanced course of study.

This program is offered in Tucson, AZ and is delivered in-person. If you are interested in obtaining a BSN and reside in the Phoenix metropolitan area, consider applying to our BSN-IH program in Gilbert, AZ.

  • Synthesize knowledge from liberal education, professional nursing, and life experiences as a basis for professional nursing practice.
  • Apply leadership, quality improvement, and patient safety skills to improve patient care outcomes.
  • Integrate information management and patient care technology to deliver, manage, and evaluate quality patient care.
  • Incorporate knowledge about healthcare policy, finance, and regulations into professional nursing practice.
  • Demonstrate effective professional communication and collaboration behaviors.
  • Implement health promotion, disease prevention, and health restoration strategies to improve individual and population health.
  • Model professional values and personal wellness behaviors.
  • Implement culturally sensitive, evidence-based, integrative care for patients across the lifespan and across healthcare environments.

Program Facts

2
Years

Program Length

124
Credit
Hours

1000+
Clinical &
Simulation
Hours

In-Person
Program
Delivery

16
Weeks

Course Length

64
Cohort Size

Fall
&
Spring

Program Start

Admissions

Prerequisite Coursework

  • First Year Composition Sequence
  • Chemistry
    • One year General Chemistry (2 lectures and 1 lab)
      • OR
    • One semester of Allied Health Chemistry (1 lecture and 1 lab; please contact an advisor regarding this option)
  • One year Human Anatomy & Physiology
  • One semester Introductory Biology
  • One semester Microbiology
  • One semester Statistics
  • One semester Lifespan Development
  • One semester Nutrition

Admissions Criteria

  • Applicants are evaluated on all the below criteria:
    • Prerequisite GPA 3.0
    • Cumulative GPA 3.0
    • HESI or TEAS Admission Assessment
    • Holistic Experiences (Volunteer, Leadership, Service, Healthcare)

Admitted Student Data (Last 3 years)

  • Cumulative GPA
    • Average: 3.90
    • Lowest: 3.57
  • Prerequisite GPA
    • Average: 3.93
    • Lowest: 3.65
  • Overall HESI
    • Average: 93%

View Full Admission Requirements

Connie Tran, Class of 2018

Connie Tran was drawn to the nursing field at a young age. After interning at a hospital during high school, she was impressed by the hard work and dedication she saw nurses exhibit on the job. “I wanted to become one of those people who support patients through the best and worst times of their lives,” she says.

Read Student Story

BSN Curriculum

Students admitted to the BSN professional program must complete a rigorous curriculum consisting of 59 credit hours of upper division Nursing coursework as well as meet the general education requirements of the University. It is highly recommended that applicants complete the University's general education requirements prior to enrolling in upper division Nursing courses. 

View Full BSN Plan of Study

Levels 1 & 2

Level 1 BSN Course – 3 Units

This introductory course examines the pathophysiologic mechanisms that contribute to altered health states in humans using a conceptual and integrative approach.

Level 1 BSN Course – 7 Units

This course focuses on health promotion across the lifespan with clinical emphasis on physical assessment and fundamental technical skill development.  Content includes: core competencies in professional role, therapeutic professional communication, nursing process and evidence-based practice.  Clinical experience includes skills in the SILC, health promotion in the community, and experience in an inpatient setting.  (This course is approved for Honors credit.)

Level 1 BSN Course – 2 Units

This course is an overview of nursing knowledge development as a systematic yet innovative process linking research to professional nursing practice. The main goal is to help students learn about the research process and other important patterns of knowing that together comprise the larger picture of the scientific process and scholarly inquiry in nursing. Students will acquire knowledge and experiences to help them achieve the following: Integrate evidence-based knowledge into practice; critically read reports of research for their own practice; and develop beginning attributes of a nurse seeking knowledge through scientific and clinical inquiry.

Level 1 BSN Course – 3 Units

Pharmacodynamics, pharmacology, and adverse effects of commonly used drugs, with emphasis on clinical applications. Not available for elective credit in the College of Pharmacy or graduate credit in pharmacology-toxicology graduate programs. Enrollment in a nursing program, a health-related professions program, or a prior full-year course in medical terminology is strongly recommended.

Level 2 BSN Course – 10 Units

This course provides a comprehensive overview of nursing management of individuals with common acute and chronic illnesses across the lifespan (including pediatric & geriatric populations). Focus will be on application of nursing knowledge and skills to diverse populations which require interdisciplinary interventions for health restoration.

Level 2 BSN Course – 5 Units

Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family includes theoretical concepts, principles, and techniques for providing care to the childbearing family.  Clinical practice focuses on the application of theory and the provision of nursing care to women (gynecological, antepartal, intrapartal, and postpartal), newborns, and their families.

Levels 3 & 4

Level 3 BSN Course – 10 Units

This course provides a comprehensive overview of nursing management of individuals requiring high acuity care across the lifespan. Focus will be on application of nursing knowledge and skills to diverse populations which require interdisciplinary interventions for health restoration.

Level 3 BSN Course – 5 Units

This course provides a comprehensive overview of therapeutic nursing management of individuals with common psychiatric disorders in a variety of mental health settings utilizing interpersonal relationship theory, mental health concepts, and biopsychosocial dynamics.

Level 4 BSN Course – 5 Units

This course prepares baccalaureate nursing students as population focused nurse generalists. Through synthesis of nursing and public health sciences, students develop population-focused skills to promote and protect population health.

Level 4 BSN Course – 4 Units

This course introduces core systems management and leadership content, including leadership roles and their application to a variety of health care settings.

Level 4 BSN Course – 5 Units

This course applies core management and leadership content, including leadership roles and their application to a variety of health care settings. Clinical practice provides a Clinical Preceptorship opportunity to perform in the roles of the professional nurse in various settings, to gain experience with critical thinking, and to apply theory to nursing practice with diverse client populations across the life span and in various stages of health.

More About the BSN Program

Honors Program

As a member of the Honors College, you’ll be part of a small cohort of the best and brightest minds from across the country and around the world, all within a large university setting that offers matchless opportunities. If you’re looking to engage hands-on, grow personally and academically, and make your place in the world, the Honors College is the place for you.

Steele Innovative Learning Center

At the beginning of your journey to your BSN degree, you will be working in simulation-based learning spaces to practice the skills necessary to be a nurse. You will utilize these facilities during classroom learning, but they are also open and available for students to come in on off hours and practice. The College of Nursing has facilities in Tucson, Phoenix, and Gilbert for students enrolled in our programs.

Learn More

Student Organizations

The University of Arizona College of Nursing sponsors two student organizations for Pre-Nursing and Nursing Majors. Students are strongly encouraged to participate and maintain involvement in one of the following student organizations to build leadership skills, network, serve their community and experience professional development activities.

Connect With Us

We have a number of ways you can connect with someone to learn more about the BSN program. Arrange a tour, attend a virtual information session, or join an application academy to get your questions answered. Our goal is to make the information-gathering and admission process as simple and straight-forward as possible.

Information Sessions

Information sessions are intended for students who are exploring Nursing options and have not yet completed prerequisite coursework.

Register for an Information Session

Application Academies

Application Academies are  ideal for students who are ready to apply and want more details on the application process.

Register for an Application Academy

Tours

Tours are a great way to learn more about the program by visiting the College and getting a preview of the classrooms, simulation facilities, and learning spaces available to BSN students.

Register for a Tour

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See the full admissions requirements and application process on the BSN Admissions page.

BSN Admissions

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at The University of Arizona College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

The University of Arizona College of Nursing is approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing, and affiliated with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Western Institute of Nursing. 

Contact Information

Office of Student & Academic Affairs
Location: College of Nursing, Room 112
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm
Phone: 520-626-3808 or 1-800-288-6158
Email: CON-OSAA@arizona.edu

BSN Program Director

Melissa Goldsmith, PhD, RNC
Clinical Associate Professor and BSN Program Director

 

Disclosure Statement: DOE 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v)

In accordance with regulation 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v) by the Department of Education, The University of Arizona College of Nursing discloses that the curricula of the BSN, BSN-IH, and MS-MEPN programs meet licensure requirements of all states and territories except the following, which have not yet been determined: California, Vermont, American Samoa, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Although The University of Arizona has sought information from other jurisdictions regarding licensure requirements, these requirements are subject to change. If you intend to seek professional licensure or certification outside of Arizona, you should contact the appropriate state licensing agency to obtain the most up-to-date information regarding licensure or certification requirements in your desired state of practice prior to accepting admission offers. For further information, please visit the Eligibility & State Authorization webpage.

**Please note: Before applying for RN licensure, the state of California requires applicants successfully complete a microbiology lab. This is not a requirement of the UA BSN or MS-MEPN programs. Students anticipating applying for an RN license in California are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to take a microbiology lab before applying for RN licensure in California.**