The School of Nursing educates students in theoretically based nursing care with emphases on practicum competence, leadership skills, and critical evaluation. The program prepares students to be skilled clinicians who think critically and analytically as they encounter patient needs and health care issues. The school's membership in the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center allows opportunities for interprofessional experiences, research and study.
The program includes a year of foundational courses (completed as a first year or prior to transfer) followed by a sequence of nursing courses spanning six semesters. Coursework covers concepts of nursing, health, family, ethics, leadership, informatics, teaching, learning, transcultural care, global health, and research. Students develop skills during experiential learning activities that include laboratory practice and simulation, and they apply knowledge and skill from coursework to patient, family, and population-based care in practicum settings.
Coursework covers physical assessment, interpersonal communication, professional and leadership issues, research methods, and health care delivery systems. The school has contracts with a variety of agencies for use of their facilities for student practicum experiences in settings such as acute care hospitals, public health agencies, residence and long-term care facilities, clinics, child care centers, and schools. All students must complete a practicum immersion in the senior year. These practicum experiences are planned and supervised by faculty members.
To complete the BSN degree, students must complete at least 120 total credits in addition to satisfying all of the BSN major requirements and U of M liberal education requirements.
The University of Minnesota cannot guarantee that the BSN curriculum will meet requirements for licensure in all states. We are aware of additional requirements needed for the states of California, Louisiana, and New York. It is the student's responsibility to check curricular requirements for the states in which they plan to seek licensure. Advisors are available to help students locate this information and plan additional courses as needed.
Compliance
As a School of Nursing and Health Sciences student at the University of Minnesota, you are required complete all the necessary compliance requirements. There are a variety of items that students must keep up to date throughout their enrollment in the School of Nursing.
Documentation of the following items must be submitted prior to their expiration date to remain compliant:
CPR Certification
Vaccines
Background Study
HIPAA Online Training
Blood Borne Pathogen Online Training
Physical Exam and Technical Standards
For more information, refer to the Compliance Requirements website and the policy document below.
Immunization Requirements
The University of Minnesota requires all enrolled students to meet vaccination requirements, which now includes the COVID-19 vaccine. Complete COVID-19 vaccination information is available here. Additional vaccinations are also required, and those additional vaccination requirements for students in the health sciences are described here.
School of Nursing students who are required to complete clinical practicums as part of their degree requirements must also be compliant with the immunization requirements of our practicum sites. As of February 1, 2022, our practicum sites require COVID-19 vaccination and the other vaccines required by the University of Minnesota for students enrolled in health science programs. We do not anticipate changes to the current immunization requirements for the upcoming academic year. Most practicum sites are not granting exemptions to their immunization requirements even in cases where the University has granted an exemption. Degree completion may not be possible for students without all of the required vaccinations.
Nursing Education Expenses
Current undergraduate tuition rates and fees can be found on the University's website. There is also information on the cost of attendance available through One Stop which includes estimates of room and board, books and supplies. An outline of Nursing specific educational costs are below.
Nursing Fees
BSN students pay two School of Nursing specific fees: the Nursing Program Fee and the Nursing Collegiate Fee. The program fee covers the costs associated with practicum and skills lab, while the collegiate fee covers a number of things from student services (like advising and career coaching) to events (like College Day and Commencement). If you decide to transfer out of the BSN program, you may eligible for a program fee waiver, contact your Academic Advisor for more information.
Nursing Supplies
Essential nursing supplies include uniforms, a photo ID badge, a watch with a second hand or a digital watch that can track seconds, and a stethoscope. Students should wait to purchase a stethoscope until after attending the first session of their lab course. Purchase of additional equipment may be recommended as practicum experiences and placements warrant.
Textbooks
Books (print and e-version), online resources, and other resources for the nursing major are higher than described in the general University website. Students are responsible for obtaining required books, online resources and materials in a timely manner and should retain them for the duration of the program. Note that a majority of Nursing textbooks will be purchased as a package prior to Sophomore year and used for the duration of the program.
Insurance
Hospitalization insurance is mandatory for students carrying more than 6 credits. For students who do not have a Boynton-approved private carrier, student insurance is required.
Long-term disability insurance is also mandatory for all Academic Health Center students. If, for example, a student develops a condition preventing the student from continuing their education, long term disability insurance will offset the future income lost due to the student’s inability to practice in their chosen field.
Computer Requirements
Many courses you will take as a nursing student have an online component or other requirements that necessitate the use of a computer. A high-speed internet connection is highly recommended. Please consult with the Information Technology Services if you have questions about recommendations regarding computer purchases.
Progression
The BSN major is a structured, highly sequenced program; coursework is scaffolded in a way that courses must be taken in order and at specific times, with few exceptions. Students need a documented progression plan to take courses out of sequence and should speak with their Advisor if that is something they are interested in exploring.
For more information about progression, visit the Policies and Procedures page of the BSN Handbook.
Curriculum Guides
The BSN Curriculum Guides outline the sequencing of coursework in the BSN program. Copies of the most recent guides can be found at the link.
Academic Honors
Academic Honors
Dean's List
Those students who have achieved a term GPA of 3.666 or higher on at least 12 A-F graded credits in a semester will be put on the Dean’s List. This achievement is noted on students' transcripts and the School of Nursing Dean’s List webpage.
University Honors Program and Graduation with Latin Honors
Students in UHP have educational experiences both within and outside their major, including opportunities to study abroad, as well as co-curricular leadership, service and enrichment experiences. In disciplinary courses nursing honors students learn about the research process so that they are prepared to complete an honors thesis under the advisement and mentorship of a nursing faculty member. Current U of M students who are not already enrollment in the honors program can apply for admission after freshman year, there is more information on the honors website.
After completing the curricular and honors requirements, UHP students graduate with Latin honors, the level of which is determined by GPA. The minimum grade point average in upper division (i.e., after the completion of 60 semester credits) required for achievement of:
"Cum Laude" is 3.5,
"Magna Cum Laude" is 3.66.
"Summa Cum Laude" is 3.75.
Graduation with Distinction
Students who complete at least 60 credits at the U of M are eligible to graduate with distinction. The minimum cumulative grad point average required for achievement of:
"Distinction" is 3.75
"High Distinction" is 3.9
Curriculum Redesign
In 2021, AACN released a new version of the Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education, you can read more on the AACN website. The School of Nursing will be updating the BSN curriculum over the next several years for alignment with these new Essentials. Undergraduate students at the University are held to degree requirements reflecting the curriculum in place at the time of enrollment.
Appearance and Dress
The School of Nursing supports individuality and self-expression within its student body. However, students enter practicum sites as guests of that institution and are viewed as representative of the University of Minnesota. Therefore, you are asked to abide by the rules governing professional dress and appearance as explained at each institution. Instructors will review dress code during the orientation to each practicum setting. If the student does not follow the dress code the faculty will ask the student to leave the practicum site.
Overview
The official school uniform for hospital experiences is maroon scrubs with the official University of Minnesota School of Nursing emblem embroidered on the left in gold stitching. Scrubs must be ordered through the University of Minnesota bookstore. The full length lab coat with the official school emblem is optional for practicum preparation, but must also be ordered through U of MN Bookstore. You also have the option of wearing a matching maroon scrub jacket (without logo) with the maroon scrubs.
For outpatient practicum experiences you may wear their photo ID badge and business casual dress (khaki pants or slacks, no jeans, no shorts, no capri pants; professionally appropriate shirts/tops, no t-shirts, no bare midriff shirts, no low cut tops; no flip-flops—many institutions prohibit open-toe shoes). Practicum faculty will review site specific dress requirements.
Photo identification tags clearly identifying you as a University of Minnesota School of Nursing student must be worn during all practicum coursework.
You should always consider the client/patient perception of their physical presentation with respect to the individual client’s social, cultural and economic situation. Remember that when engaged in practicum site course requirements outside the University classroom, you will be seen as a guest of the practicum agency, an ambassador of the School of Nursing and a professional-in-training.
Shoes: For safety purposes, the shoes should not be sandals or have open toes or heels. It is good practice to wear shoes in the practicum area exclusively in practicum, due to the potential exchange of bacteria/viruses between environments. Shoes worn with scrubs should be primarily white shoes with no advertisement (inconspicuous logos are acceptable such as the Nike swoosh), with white socks. Clogs, sandals, crocs with holes, open-toed or open-heeled shoes or canvas tennis shoes are not appropriate.
Scrubs or Business Casual: Avoid tight-fitting, torn or low-cut clothes, as they may be interpreted by patients as unprofessional. Examples include low necklines (below the collar bone), sleeveless shirts, shorts or short skirts, low rise pants, exposure of the abdomen, too tight or too loose fit, or wearing hats or caps, etc.
Jewelry: Only small post earrings are allowed in practicum areas. Dangling or hoop earrings and bracelets are prohibited, as they may pose a safety issue. Visible body jewelry (nose, brow, tongue rings) should be removed in patient care environments. Either a watch with a second hand or a digital watch that can track seconds is required.
Personal Hygiene: No fragrant lotions (ie: perfume, aftershave, etc.) are to be used in practicum sites. Avoid potential allergens (smoke, pet hair, etc.). Patients may experience nausea and sensitivity to odors. In addition, follow practicum site polices.
Hair: Hair should be clean and worn above the collar or tied back securely with a clip or band. Avoid large hair adornments. Beards and mustaches should be trim.
Fingernails: Fingernails should be clean and trimmed to moderate length with no polish. Acrylic nails and other enhancements are prohibited because of documented outbreaks of infection due to gram negative bacteria associated with artificial nails and nail polish.
Attention to personal hygiene and grooming is expected.
Clean, wrinkle free clothing and clean shoes are expected for each practicum day.
Adaptations to the Uniform
You may wear a white cotton t-shirt, turtle neck or pull-over under the maroon scrub top. A maroon scrub jacket that matches the official uniform may be worn during practicum in addition to or instead of a white pull-over.
During pregnancy, the course faculty should be consulted regarding acceptable dress.
Students who may need adaptations to the uniform for cultural and/or religious reasons can contact their academic advisor for more information about options.