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Nursing Degree (Traditional BSN)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree Program

Embrace opportunities to care for the vulnerable, advocate for patients, and serve your community with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Mount Union. Here, you’ll master nursing skills through hands-on learning in state-of-the-art nursing facilities, high fidelity simulators, and clinical practicums. Supported by the diverse ideas of a liberal arts education, our rigorous nursing program will prepare you to become a well-rounded, patient-focused leader in the nursing profession.

The BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN).

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How Long Does It Take to Get a BSN Degree?

The University of Mount Union’s competitive four-year BSN program uses a direct-entry model, meaning you can be admitted directly into the BSN program as a first-year student—we won’t put you on a waiting list. From your first days on campus, you’ll engage with nursing coursework and collaborate with your peers. You’ll have time to explore different areas of nursing in our newly built, state-of-the-art nursing facilities, including a simulation intensive care unit. Our liberal arts integrative core also sets Mount Union apart from other nursing programs: during your four years of study, you’ll gain experience in a variety of disciplines beyond nursing—experience that will equip you to be a more thoughtful, creative, and holistic health care provider.





BSN Clinical Placements

Classroom learning is essential, and you’ll learn even more when you put that knowledge into practice. At Mount Union, you’ll complete over 1,000 clinical simulation and laboratory practicum training hours and rotate in six to eight different areas of nursing and clinical settings (such as hospitals, city health departments, schools, nursing homes, rehab units and outpatient clinics). Here, you’ll complete around 10% more training hours than the clinical placements offered by comparable schools in our region. In your final year, you’ll also complete a clinical preceptorship, in which you’ll work alongside a professional nurse. Learn more about experiential learning at Mount Union.

 

BSN Completion and NCLEX-RN Passage Rates

Mount Union’s BSN students consistently perform above Ohio and national averages for BSN completion rates. We also boast an outstanding 98% first-time passage rate of the NCLEX-RN, meaning Mount Union graduates are prepared to meet patients’ needs as competent and caring nurses.

 

Mount Union Nursing Program Adds Pediatric Simulator


One of few institutions in Northeast Ohio to have a SimBaby available to its students, Mount Union’s is the same simulator used at Akron Children’s Hospital, where several Mount Union nursing alumni are currently employed. 
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Nursing Careers with a BSN Degree

Earning a BSN degree opens up a multitude of job opportunities. Nurses are in high demand, with 438,100 more nursing jobs expected by 2026—nursing is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country (Bureau for Labor Statistics). The BSN degree benefits from being a top qualification for a nursing career: the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) recommends that the BSN become the entry-level degree for professional nurses.

As a nurse, you can pursue roles in hospitals and family doctor’s offices, private home care and rehab facilities, urgent care departments and schools, public health outreach and nursing homes, and so much more.

 

Accelerated Second-Degree BSN Option

Take your career in a new direction with a second-degree BSN through our accelerated bachelor’s in nursing (ABSN) program. If you hold a bachelor’s degree in any area of the sciences or arts, you can apply for Mount Union’s rigorous 15-month accelerated BSN program. This career-oriented degree is designed for adult learners who are eager to dive into fast-paced learning and high-impact clinical experiences. Learn more about the accelerated BSN.

 

Learn more about the BSN program at Mount Union

With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Mount Union, you’ll stand apart from other nursing graduates: we equip you with comprehensive knowledge, experience using leading-edge technology, and more than 1,000 hours of hands-on clinical practice. In the four-year direct-entry program or 15-month accelerated BSN, you’ll prepare to enter a highly sought-after career field and demonstrate your commitment to caring and service in all that you do.

  • BSN Accreditation

    Baccalaureate Nursing Program Accreditation

    The baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ( http://www.ccneaccrediation.org). The program’s last site visit was November 2020. CCNE granted accreditation to the BSN program at the University of Mount Union for ten years. The next site visit will be Fall 2030.

    The baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) program at the University of Mount Union is fully approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN) in accordance with Rule 4723.06 (A)(5), of the Ohio Revised Code for a period of five years effective May 25, 2022. The next site visit will be in the spring of 2027. Ohio Board of Nursing, 17 South High St., Suite 400, Columbus, OH 43215-7410, (614) 466-3947. http://www.nursing.ohio.gov/

  • BSN Admission Requirements

    Bachelor of Science in Nursing Admission Criteria

    Traditional BSN: Priority consideration for direct entry admission to the traditional nursing program is based on the following criteria: 

    1. Admission to the University of Mount Union.
    2. A cumulative high school grade point average of 3.3 on a scale of 4.0.
    3. An ACT composite score of 23 (SAT 1130-1150).
    4. A subscore of 24 or higher on the Science Reasoning Portion of the ACT or grades of “B” or higher in high school lab-based biology and chemistry coursework.

    Students who do not meet one or more of the direct entry criteria and are admitted to the University of Mount Union will be provisionally admitted to the nursing program. All transfer students and students who change their major to nursing while at the University of Mount Union will be provisionally admitted to the nursing program.

    Nursing Degree Admission Requirements:

    1. Apply to the University and indicate nursing as the first academic interest.
    2. Include a personal statement (500 words minimum) describing why you want to be a nurse.

    Clinical courses begin in the Sophomore year. Students are required to submit documentation of the following before starting clinical experiences:

    1. Ability to meet the Technical Standards.
    2. Health Data and Clinical requirements.
    3. Annual Criminal Background Check.

    *More detailed information is available in the Nursing Student Handbook.

    ESL Requirements

    1. 6.5 on IELTS/ 80 on TOEFL/105 on Duolingo: Direct Entry Admission with no required English as a Second Language courses required.  Highly recommend a two-credit medical terminology course during the first semester  
    2. 6.0 on IELTS (IELTS scores are in .5 increments, so the next level up is 6.5; no range needed here)/ 70 – 78 on TOEFL/ 95-100 on Duolingo (Duolingo scores are in 5 point increments, so the next level up is 105): Provisional nursing student and required to complete two English as a Second Language (ESL) courses and a two-credit medical terminology course. No nursing courses or prerequisite science courses can be taken until both ESL courses or the medical terminology are/is completed with a grade of C or higher.
    3. 5.5 on IELTS/ 61 – 69 on TOEFL/ 85-90 on Duolingo (minimum university requirements): Provisional nursing student and required to complete two English as a Second Language (ESL) courses and a two-credit medical terminology course. No nursing courses or prerequisite science courses can be taken until both ESL courses and the medical terminology are completed with a grade of C or higher.
  • BSN Curriculum and Learning Outcomes

    Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree Program Curriculum and Learning Objectives

    The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) curriculum, consisting of 124 credit hours, is designed to be completed in four (4) academic years.

    HANS order: Humanities, Arts, Natural Science, Social Science. 

    The curriculum is designed to achieve the Department of Nursing goal: educating nurses who show up strong to serve as leaders in a rapidly changing, diverse healthcare environment.

    Students are supported throughout the BSN degree curriculum with small class sizes and individual attention from highly qualified faculty in both the classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings.

    Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree Program Learning Outcomes:

    As a BSN graduate, you will:

    1. Integrate knowledge from nursing, the sciences, and liberal arts to make nursing judgements based on evidence.
    2. Prioritize quality, safe, and holistic care for diverse patient populations using clinical judgement.
    3. Collaborate and communicate effectively to deliver holistic patient-centered care.
    4. Manage population health for the improvement of equitable health outcomes.
    5. Analyze organizational and system leadership factors impacting the nursing profession and practice.
    6. Integrate professional and ethical standards into practice.
  • BSN Direct-Entry Information

    The traditional BSN program is designed for students who completed high school and are interested in earning a degree to pursue licensure as registered nurse.

    Direct-Entry

    Students admitted to the University of Mount Union with an interest in nursing and meeting the nursing admission requirements can be admitted directly (i.e., direct admit) as a nursing major. This helps assure space in required first-year biology, chemistry, and nursing courses. If all first-year curriculum requirements are satisfactorily met, students are assured placement in the clinical nursing sequence in year two (i.e., sophomore sequence).   

    If you don’t meet all the direct admission criteria, we believe in you and have resources available.

    Provisional Admission

    Students admitted to the University of Mount Union with an interest in nursing, but do not all meet criteria for direct admission will be provisionally admitted to the nursing major. Students who do not submit an ACT or SAT score will be provisionally admitted. Upon successful completion of the first-year nursing major requirements, students will be rank-ordered by aggregate GPA CHE110, CHE115, BIO210, BIO211, NUR130, and NUR190 for matriculation into the NUR 200 level courses. This will occur based on seat availability. 

    We rise by lifting others at the University of Mount Union! We are committed to helping students achieve their goals by meeting them where they are and providing strong support.