School of Professional Studies
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program Requirements
Northwestern offers a Bachelor of Science Degree (BSN) in Nursing. Since the inception of the Charles Morton Share Trust Division of Nursing in 1982, three tracks have been offered for obtaining a baccalaureate in nursing. A BSN provides the foundation of study that can serve as a basis for pursuing advanced education in nursing.
First, the four-year Generic or Traditional Track provides the educational opportunities essential for the preparation of a professional nurse. Upon completion of all program requirements, the Generic Graduate and the LPN -to-BSN track Graduate is eligible to write the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX-RN) to become a registered nurse (RN).
Second, the Charles Morton Share Trust Division of Nursing offers educational mobility to LPN’s who desire a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The Nursing program, in conjunction with the OK Board of Regents and the “Oklahoma Articulation Agreement” and articulation plans in place with Autry Technology Center, High Plains Technology Center, Northwest Technology Center, and Pioneer Technology Center, may grant college credit to those individuals who qualify for extra-institutional learning.
Third, the Charles Morton Share Trust Division of Nursing offers educational mobility to RNs prepared with a diploma or Associate's Degree in Nursing. The Nursing program, in conjunction with the Oklahoma Board of Regents and the "Oklahoma Articulation Agreement" may grant college credit to those individuals who qualify for extra-institutional learning. See the Online RN-to-BSN program link for details.
Selection of students is based on the potential for success in completing the program. Acceptance into the nursing program is contingent upon meeting the following criteria and available enrollment space in desired courses. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the faculty as a group.
The annual application cycle is October 1 through February 1.
Generic Track
Minimum criteria for generic or traditional 4-year curriculum applicants, seeking admission to the junior nursing courses are:
- Meet the NWOSU Admission requirements. Must provide a copy of official transcript(s) from all colleges/universities attended to the Northwestern Registrar's office. Transcripts may be submitted by the student in person or by mail. The Registrar’s office also will accept transcripts sent electronically as official if they are sent via email to Sheri Lahr or Teri Warren directly from the issuing institution or the institution’s third party company (E-Script, Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, etc.). These transcripts must be on file in the Northwestern Registry Office on the Alva campus.
- Completion of all courses listed as prerequisites to the nursing major with a minimum of “C” before entering the junior nursing courses, maintaining the RGPA requirement of 2.50. Applicants completing prerequisite coursework during summer session may be admitted conditionally pending attainment of the specified RGPA, and a minimum grade of “C” in the following prerequisite courses prior to beginning the junior nursing courses in the Fall.
- CHEM 1105 Chemistry for Non-Majors OR CHEM 1115 General Chemistry I
- BIOL 3115 Introduction to Microbiology
- BIOL 3184 Human Anatomy
- BIOL 3194 Human Physiology
- NURS 3033 Pathophysiology for Nurses OR BIOL 4503 Pathophysiology
- ENG 1113 Comp I
- ENG 1213 Comp II
- HED 1820 Nutrition (3 hours)
- MATH 1513 College Algebra
- MATH 2013 Statistics OR PSYC 4213 Statistics
- PSYC 1113 General Psychology
- PSYC 3123 Human Life-Span Development
- SOC 1113 Introductory Sociology
- SCOM 1113 Intro to Speech Communication
- Must have a Science GPA of 2.5. Applicants cannot repeat a science course more than one time. A withdrawal counts as a repeat.
- Complete and submit the following Charles Morton Share Trust Division of Nursing BSN Program Application components online:
- University Application
- BSN Program Application (Includes college and/or technology center transcript submission)
- BSN Applicant Reference Form (List three references from teachers or employers)
- Online submissions from the three references listed on Applicant Reference Form
- Background Check
- Successful completion of a federal background check through Certified Background. For more information visit the Nursing Background Check web page.
- All students who have decided to enter the Nursing Program must complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), at a required level to be admitted into the program. For more information, visit the NWOSU TEAS Information web page.
Effective January 1, 2022, the NWOSU Charles Morton Share Trust Division of Nursing will no longer require the Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA) certification as an entry requirement into the BSN Nursing Program. While the Division acknowledges the importance of the CNA role and will continue to recommend it to students, the cost of the course is an issue for many. We will be including pertinent content in our nursing courses and increasing skills time for students to ensure their knowledge and respect for this role. If you have any questions about this change, please contact your Academic Advisor or Mrs. Pam Hess.
Completed applications (including references and transcripts) are submitted to the Charles Morton Share Trust Division of Nursing and are reviewed by the Admissions Committee to be presented to the faculty in February. Upon acceptance into the program, students will be required to submit the following:
- Complete History and Physical
- Immunization Records/Current TB Test
- Health Insurance
- Transcripts to courses completed during the Spring and Summer semesters following acceptance
LPN to BSN Program Track
LPN students may receive credit for the Introduction to Nursing Concepts and may receive additional credit based upon any articulation agreements that may exist with the Career Tech programs. (Consult a faculty advisor for further information).
LPN students will enter the nursing program during fall semester of the junior year and be able to complete required nursing courses in four semesters, if attending as full-time students. Students will take the Role Transition Course* (3 hrs online) the summer prior to starting the nursing program.
The LPN to BSN Program track application process and requirements are the same as the Traditional (Generic) student process/requirements listed above.
RN to BSN Program Track
RN students may complete their BSN degrees through the Online RN-to-BSN Program at NWOSU. Please see the link on the Nursing homepage for the program.
Degree Planning Resources
BSN Student Learning Outcomes
The BSN graduates of NWOSU Charles Morton Share Trust Division of Nursing are able to:
- Integrate transpersonal human caring into own clinical practice. (Caring)
- Use the nursing process as a foundation for safe nursing practice. (Safety)
- Assess the effects of clinical practice through reflection. (Reflection)
- Integrate the principles of holistic nursing into own clinical practice. (Holistic Care)
- Systematically utilize the approach to nursing research with evidence based practice principles to provide multi-dimensional, high quality, and cost-effective care in the provision of nursing care in a changing environment. (Evidence Based Practice)
- Incorporate an awareness of the dignity, worth and uniqueness of each person into nursing practice by developing skills, knowledge, and attitudes to provide culturally competent health care. (Cultural Competence)
- Utilize effective communication skills to engage in therapeutic nurse/client relationships. (Communication)
- Synthesize theories and principles from nursing, the natural and behavioral sciences, and the liberal arts into nursing practice based on sound clinical reasoning. (Clinical Reasoning)
- Collaborate with consumers, health team members, and communities to restore, evaluate, promote, and maintain optimal health. (Leadership)
- Integrate principles of teaching-learning to develop, coordinate, implement, and evaluate teaching plans designated to promote, restore, and maintain optimal outcomes. (Leadership)
- Facilitate problem solving to resolve ethical, moral, and legal dilemmas using sound clinical reasoning and the standards of nursing practice. (Clinical Reasoning)
- Effectively implement the use of informatics as a means of communication for the delivey of health care. (Technology)
Computer Requirements for Success in Program
All Charles Morton Share Trust Division of Nursing students must have access to a computer for assignments and testing. Students in the traditional BSN program must have access to a laptop computer for classroom testing.
Minimum Technology Requirements:
Broadband Internet Access- Hard-wired access preferred
- 4 GB RAM (minimum)
- 2.9 GHz Processor (minimum) or faster with two or more cores
- 64 GB hard drive (minimum)
- Windows 10 or higher
- Web Browser (Firefox or Chrome Stable Channel Release)
- Microsoft Office 2019 Suite or higher
- Adobe Reader 9 or higher
- Graphics Card: Compatible with DirectX12 or later
- Display: 1280 x 768 screen resolution, 9" or greater monitor
- Internet Connection: Internet connectivity is necessary
Additional program-specific applications may be required.
BSN Student Handbook