Nursing, BS

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The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is designed for the Day nursing major who wishes to achieve a baccalaureate in nursing. Courses teach basic medical surgical nursing as well as various specialties and community care. Complex clinical reasoning, decision-making and collaborative skills are developed that contribute to patient safety and quality processes while providing a framework for evidence-based practice. This degree program prepares the nursing student to assume roles in professional nursing from basic care to advanced roles in nursing management, client care and education. This degree will also prepare the student for higher degrees in nursing.

A total of 120 credits are required to complete the BSN degree. At the completion of the program, the student will be eligible to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).¹

Selection criteria for the Nursing Course Sequence:

Minimum of an overall GPA of 3.0 in the prerequisite courses listed below, and be in good academic standing within Columbia College. A minimum grade of “C” is required for all prerequisite courses. All prerequisite courses need to have been taken within seven years of the start of the cohort being applied to.
Possess the necessary functional abilities to provide safe and effective patient care.²
Minimum score of 67% on the Kaplan admission test. The test can only be taken two times.
Additional requirements for those selected for the Nursing Program:
- Urine drug test
- Physical forms, including documentation of immunizations/titers
- Current CPR certification by the American Heart Association, Health Care Providers course, or the American Red Cross
- Criminal background check

Program Learning Outcomes:

Liberal Arts Foundation & Critical Thinking - Integrate knowledge from liberal arts, sciences, and nursing to develop a foundation for professional nursing practice, demonstrating critical thinking and creative problem-solving in diverse healthcare contexts.
2. Patient Assessment & Evidence-Based Practice - Systematically assess, analyze, and prioritize patient care across the lifespan, utilizing evidence-based practices to ensure safe and high-quality nursing outcomes.
Patient-Centered Care - Provide holistic, patient-centered care, incorporating cultural sensitivity, health literacy, and social determinants of health to promote equity and improve patient outcomes.
Public Health & Health Policy - Implement public health principles, healthcare system knowledge, safety initiatives, and health policy awareness to optimize population health, reduce disparities, advocate for regulatory improvements, and enhance healthcare delivery while considering financial implications and resource allocation.
Leadership & Interprofessional Collaboration - Collaborate effectively with interprofessional teams, demonstrating leadership, delegation, and teamwork to improve patient care and healthcare system efficiency, while applying principles of healthcare economics and organizational structure to influence positive changes in healthcare delivery systems.
Healthcare Informatics & Technology - Integrate information technology and healthcare informatics to enhance clinical decision-making, improve documentation, ensure patient safety, and optimize healthcare delivery processes.
Clinical Reasoning & Quality Improvement - Apply clinical reasoning, ethical decision-making, and risk assessment based on current evidence to ensure safe, high-quality nursing care, actively participating in continuous quality improvement initiatives and advocating for policy changes that enhance healthcare delivery at individual and systems levels.
Evidence-Based Practice & Research - Synthesize and apply evidence from nursing research and best practices to inform clinical decisions, evaluate outcomes, and contribute to nursing’s professional knowledge base.
Professional Development & Advocacy - Demonstrate professional integrity, accountability, and a commitment to lifelong learning, adapting to evolving healthcare challenges through continuous education, leadership development, and engagement with healthcare policy and advocacy initiatives that shape the future of nursing practice.

Program CIP: 51.3801 - Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.

Program SOC: 29-1141 - Registered Nurses

General Education Requirements (39-42 sem. hrs)

For a complete list of general education courses click here . For additional information on general education requirements click here .

Ethics Course Requirement (3 sem. hrs)

Core Requirements (85 sem. hrs.)

All courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher; courses in the major cannot be taken as Pass/Fail. 15 hrs of Upper Level core coursework must be completed in residency.

Program Prerequisite Courses (29 sem. hrs)

Nursing Course Sequence (56 sem. hrs)

All courses require a minimum score of 80% (B) in Tier 1 and 80% (B) in the class.

Total: 120 (sem. hrs)

The total reflects the minimum number of hours to obtain a bachelor’s degree. Some courses listed above may fulfill more than one requirement block. Please speak to your academic advisor to plan your specific degree path.

Note

¹ Successful completion of the program does not guarantee eligibility to take the licensure examination. According to the Nursing Practice Act, licensure may be withheld or revoked. More information is available on the Missouri Practice Act on the Missouri Board of Nursing website: https://pr.mo.gov/nursing-rules-statutes.asp

² Functional abilities to meet the role of the nurse include: behavioral/emotional abilities, cognitive abilities, communication abilities, professional conduct, psychomotor skills, and sensory/perceptual abilities. These functional abilities are described in the Nursing Student Handbook.