Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Generic Entry

Admission into the prelicensure nursing programs at National University is a two-step process: 1) Application to the University; and 2) Application to the respective nursing program.

Prospective students should follow the University application requirements listed in the “General Admission Procedures” section of the catalog.

In addition, prospective nursing students will complete a separate application for admission to a specific nursing program. These applications, with supporting documents, should be sent to the Department of Nursing, to the campus at which you plan to enroll: San Diego, Fresno, or Los Angeles. These addresses are found on the Nursing application, and online. Students taking their preparation courses at National University are held to the same standard as those who transfer preparation courses in from other schools.

Students must attend a Pre-Nursing Program Information Forum which will describe the process for applying to and acceptance into the Nursing Program. Note: Prospective Students must attend a Pre-Nursing Forum before submitting the application packet. For more information about the Pre-Nursing Program Information Forum, contact [email protected].

A prospective student should first meet with an Enrollment Advisor. The Advisors are located at each of the University campus offices. The prospective student will arrange to have transcripts from all other Colleges and Universities sent to National University. These courses will be evaluated for equivalency to National University Department of Nursing required prerequisite courses. All non-nursing courses required for the BSN degree must be completed with a passing grade prior to enrollment in the first nursing course.

A Calculation Worksheet will be used to evaluate each prospective student’s application packet by the Admissions Committee of the Department of Nursing. The prospective student will be ranked in comparison to the other applicants for that application cycle. The scoring system will be explained at the pre-nursing forum. Items considered in the scoring system may include but are not limited to:

• Grades and other indicators of mastery of the prerequisite course content,
• Testing:  Including at least the Test of Essential Academic Skills Score (TEAS), (explained below)
• Admission Interview

Please note: Students are responsible for scheduling and completing TEAS test on their own.

All prospective students must take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) to be considered for admission to the Nursing Program, following completion of all Math and Science prerequisite courses. The procedure for taking the TEAS will be explained at the Pre-Nursing Forum. The TEAS may be taken a total of 3 times (see Re-Application Process below), with no less than 60 days between tests.

A completed application must be on file prior to the deadline. Qualifying students will be contacted by the Department of Nursing to schedule an interview. Student must attend the interview to be considered for admission to the program. There is no make-up for the Admission Interview.

Following the receipt of all application items, the prospective student’s packet will be reviewed by the Admission Committee for the Department of Nursing, and a decision made regarding acceptance. Tentative acceptance will be offered to students achieving the highest rank scores, until all class positions are filled for any one cohort. 

Once accepted, student must attend the mandatory new nursing student orientation to complete the admission process.  Final admission is confirmed upon the student signing the roster during the mandatory New Nursing Student Orientation Session. All prospective students must attend Orientation before they will be admitted to the nursing program. The prospective student will receive a letter confirming admission to the nursing program after attending the orientation.

Students who are not accepted may re-apply for admission to the Nursing Program, up to a maximum of three applications. The prospective student may choose to re-take TEAS. Admission interview is not waived and will be required.

Students are not eligible for financial aid until the Nursing application, Evaluation Packet, and the formal degree evaluation is done by the Office of the Registrar.

Students requesting to take one or more NSG courses in a non-degree status are required to submit a letter of intent to the Chair of Nursing along with any BRN-issued documents related to course requirements. Students will complete a two-part interview process and may be required to demonstrate clinical competency in a nursing laboratory. Successful candidates will be enrolled in classes on a space available basis.

All accepted students will be assigned a Nursing Faculty Advisor prior to the mandatory new student orientation. Students are encouraged to periodically communicate with both the Nursing Faculty Advisor and their Academic Advisor throughout the program.

National University Department of Nursing administration will evaluate courses completed through the United States Military Services. Students will receive nursing course credits when their Joint Services Transcript (JST) equivalency criteria (time limit, credit and content) are met.  Time limit equivalency is 7 years or less. If time limit equivalency is not met, students may receive credit through challenge by course examination and skill validation and/or medication dosage examination.  Students must provide proof of coursework and clinical experience for approval to challenge nursing courses by course examination and skill validation and/or medication dosage examination. The student is required to take the NSG 328 BSN Transition if challenging NSG 245/NSG 245A or higher-level courses. According to the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), credit by examination shall be designed for the purpose of evaluating knowledge and/or clinical skills necessary to meet course objectives. U.S. military active service members or honorably discharged veterans accepted for admission to the NU nursing program may be eligible to challenge nursing course by examination(s) or be considered for equivalency. Applicants will receive course credit and advanced placement for successfully challenged courses. Co-requisite nursing courses will have to be challenged together. In order to receive credit for challenge courses, student must pass both co-requisite nursing courses.  All course challenges by examination must be completed prior to the beginning of the first term in NU nursing program. Student who successfully challenges a course will receive a revised plan of study. Student must meet NU residency requirements. 

National University Department of Nursing administration will evaluate courses completed at LVN programs. Students will receive nursing course credits when their LVN transcripts equivalency criteria (time limit, credit and content) are met. Time limit equivalency is 7 years or less. If time limit equivalency is not met, students may receive credit through challenge by course examination and skill validation and/or medication dosage examination.  Students must provide proof of coursework and clinical experience for approval to challenge nursing courses by course examination and skill validation and/or medication dosage examination. The student is required to take the NSG 328 BSN Transition if challenging NSG 245/NSG 245A or higher-level courses. According to the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), credit by examination shall be designed for the purpose of evaluating knowledge and/or clinical skills necessary to meet course objectives. LVNs accepted for admission to the NU nursing program may be eligible to challenge nursing course by examination(s) or be considered for equivalency. Applicants will receive course credit and advanced placement for successfully challenged courses. Co-requisite nursing courses will have to be challenged together. In order to receive credit for challenge courses, student must pass both co-requisite nursing courses.  All course challenges by examination must be completed prior to the beginning of the first term in NU nursing program. Student who successfully challenges a course will receive a revised plan of study. Student must meet NU residency requirements. 

Student completed nursing courses at another institution and wishes to transfer courses must apply as a transfer student. In order for credit to be given for courses taken at another institution, the following requirements must be met: 

• The Chair of the department or designee must approve the petition of course credit/s being transferred at National University.
• Official transcript from prior education must show equivalent coursework completed and must meet time limit, credits and content. 
• Nursing courses must have been taken within the last 7 years.  
• Prior course syllabus or course outline must clearly delineate course learning outcomes/objectives equivalency to NU courses.
• The course being transferred must be taken from a regionally accredited institution.
• The course being transferred must equal or exceed the number of contact hours for the equivalent course offered in National University, Department of Nursing.

Student who has not successfully progressed in another nursing program can be considered for transfer based on space availability or has the option to apply into entry-level BSN program. Transfer credit is not assured for prior nursing courses taken at another institution. All students with healthcare coursework from a foreign institution must have a foreign transcript evaluation done by an approved agency. Healthcare coursework includes, but is not limited to, courses taken in pursuit of a nursing, physician, dental, or other medical profession licensure. Please contact [email protected] for additional information.

Students who are unsuccessful in their first attempt at any of the nursing courses or who take a break from the course sequencing for any reason will be placed in subsequent cohorts on a space available basis.  

Students who are absent for a period of 12 months or more are disenrolled from the nursing program and must re-apply to the nursing program. If admitted, students will be held to all program requirements of the catalog at the time. 

For students who take a break from the Program not to exceed 12 months, a schedule change form must be submitted, which will then be evaluated by the Nursing Department. Students should contact the Nursing Department for assistance with this process.

Students must be aware that grades, schedules, clinical and other department of nursing changes can occur at any time during the program. Students will receive notice, if possible, at least 30 days in advance of changes. However, if hospitals and other clinical facilities change clinical policies, new policies may have to be implemented without notice to satisfy the requirements for clinical placements. Due to requirements of clinical agencies in which we place students for clinical courses, class and clinical schedules may be changed at any time prior to the start of a course. 

Unfortunately, the Department of Nursing does not control access to clinical agencies, and if the agency requires a last minute change, students must be prepared to make that change in order to continue in the program. For this reason, and due to the intensity of study requirements in nursing program, students are strongly encouraged to minimized extra-curricular activities while enrolling in the nursing program.

Before participating in clinical practice, students must submit proof of a health clearance that complies with the health facility’s requirements for immunizations and health screening tests. In addition, before engaging in clinical practice at health facilities, students will be required to obtain professional liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence/ $3,000,000 aggregate. Continued liability coverage as well as current health clearance, clear background check and drug screen annually, and immunity coverage is required throughout the program. *Note: failure to maintain health clearance and a clear background check during the nursing program may result in dismissal from the nursing program, and possibly refusal of the BRN to allow the student to take the RN licensure exam. 

The Department of Nursing requires that students who participate in fieldwork in healthcare facilities maintain current health insurance coverage and Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate from the American Heart Association (BLS-Basic Life Support for healthcare Providers plus AED certification). If a student is out of the program for 5 months or more, she/he must re-do the drug screen and background check. If a student’s background check changes such that he/she has a flag on the report at any time during the program, the student will be dismissed from the nursing program if a clinical placement for his/her clinical course(s) cannot be obtained. Students are responsible to meet all additional requirements established by clinical facilities.

The student is responsible for incidents occurred during the program including but not limited to emergency room visits in the event of a needle stick or other high-risk exposure, as well as prescribed medications and procedures. 

Students must provide their own transportation to class and all clinical experiences. *Note: Proof of auto insurance, a current car registration, and a valid driver’s license may be required for access to clinical facilities located on military installations.

Be advised that there are minimum mental and physical qualifications to professional nursing practice. Typically, each nursing employer sets minimal physical and mental standards for employment as a Registered Nurse. These employers are also in control of providing National University nursing students with the clinical placements necessary to complete a nursing program. Their restrictions may affect some students’ decision about whether to pursue a nursing career. At the present time, all clinical placements forbid visible tattoos and piercings (other than a single small earring in one or both ears). Any tattoos or piercings must be able to be concealed with clothing for a student to be able to pursue a nursing degree at National University. Synthetic fingernails and nail polish are prohibited.

The following are MINIMUM mental and physical qualifications for admission of applicants to a professional nursing program.  All students must demonstrate and maintain their ability to perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodations throughout their coursework and clinical placements:

• Frequently work in a standing position and do frequent walking.
• Lift and transfer patients up to 6 inches from a stooped position, then push or pull the weight up to 3 feet.
• Lift and transfer patients from a stooped to an upright position to accomplish bed-to-chair and chair-to-bed transfers.
• Physically apply up to 10 pounds of pressure to bleeding sites or during CPR.
• Respond and react immediately to auditory instructions/requests, monitor equipment/alarms, and perform auditory auscultation without auditory impediments.
• Physically perform a twelve-hour clinical laboratory experience.
• Perform close and distance visual activities (may use glasses) involving objects, persons, and paperwork, as well as discriminate depth and color perception.
• Discriminate between sharp/dull and hot/cold when using hands.
• Perform mathematical calculations for medication preparation and administration.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar, vocabulary, and wording.
• Make appropriate and timely decisions under stressful situations.

All students of the Department of Nursing are required to meet these qualifications and to abide by the rules and policies of clinical placement facilities.  Additionally, students must successfully complete other course requirements in the Nursing program. Individuals applying for admission to the Department of Nursing should consider their eligibility in light of these qualifications and restrictions and assess their ability to meet the physical and mental qualifications required in nursing.

In carrying out the nondiscrimination policy of the Department of Nursing with regard to students and applicants with disabilities, the Department of Nursing will endeavor to make reasonable modifications and otherwise reasonably accommodate students and applicants with disabilities. Students with disabilities should consider their ability to meet the above qualifications with reasonable accommodation. Any requests for accommodation will be considered through the University’s Student Accessibility Service office ([email protected] or 858-521-3967) as described in the University Catalog. Students with medical conditions, physical and/or mental, maybe asked to provide a physician note to enter or return to the Program.

To ensure that graduates of National University’s nursing programs are able to meet the legal requirements of the California Board of Registered Nursing (the Board), all newly admitted nursing students must enter into a student agreement. A copy of the student agreement is distributed at the mandatory student orientation.

The student agreement gives National University the right to suspend or terminate the student’s participation in the nursing program upon showing that the student has:

• Committed acts or engaged in conduct that could constitute grounds for denial of an RN license;
• Failed to demonstrate the requisite skills, and qualifications to satisfy the requirements for an RN license;
• Excessive absence in the theoretical and/or clinical component of a particular nursing course as per the Department of Nursing BSN Absence Policy;
• Become impossible to place in a clinical agency due to a flag on the background check, or conduct that results in the agency refusing to admit the student for a clinical course lab;
• Demonstrated other qualities or behaviors enumerated in the student agreement inconsistent with National University’s recommendation of the student for an RN license. The student agreement also authorizes National University to release to the Board of Registered Nursing all pertinent information pertaining to the qualification or fitness for an RN license.

The student agreement also authorizes National University to release to the Board of Registered Nursing all pertinent information pertaining to the qualification or fitness for an RN license.

The professional nursing program, with its intense clinical practice component, is very demanding in terms of time and energy allocation. Students are advised not to undertake a work schedule that could jeopardize successful completion of the program. Specifically, students who work more than 8 hours per week while in the nursing program are at jeopardy of failing.

National University is committed to maintaining quality standards throughout its nursing programs and to graduating competent professional nurses. As required by the Board, National University identifies and assists students who need special assistance, and retains in its programs only those students who are suited for entry into or advancement in the nursing profession. The Board is charged by the state with evaluating the moral character and fitness of all persons who wish to work as a registered nurse in California healthcare facilities. Every person who is an applicant for, or who now holds any nursing license is answerable to the Board for his or her fitness-related conduct.

LSP will be used to document students who have not achieved academic, clinical and/or professional standards through assessment/evaluation in either the classroom or clinical lab. If the student fails to meet the standard set forth in the LSP, the following may result: 1) Immediate removal from a clinical laboratory or facility site, 2) Immediate removal from a theory course, and/or 3) Recommendation of dismissal from the program of study if the situation warrants. Students will receive a copy of the LSP and an additional copy will be maintained in the student’s file in the Department of Nursing.

When a student is having an academic performance problem with the nursing program or a student is notified that she/he is not meeting the standards in either the classroom, nursing skills laboratory, or clinical facility, the student should meet first with the course lead or with the course lead and the clinical nursing faculty (if the deficit is in clinical practice). The student should seek clarification of the deficit and work with the faculty to construct a plan for improvement which may or may not include the creation of a Learning Support Plan.

Students who receive two (2) occurrences of unsatisfactory grade of C- or below (graded courses) or a U (a non-graded course) for any Nursing course will be dismiss from the nursing program. Co-requisite course failure in one course resulting in failure in the other course and is considered as one (1) occurrence. Students who fail co-requisite courses will need to repeat both courses. 

Students must meet the grounds for a grade appeal and must follow grade appeal process as noted in the Policies and Procedures section of this catalog.

Students seeking an RN license must apply to the Board of Registered Nursing for such a license. It is the student’s responsibility to keep current on the laws pertaining to the practice of registered nursing, as these laws are subject to change. Students should submit the Application for Licensure by Examination at least two to four weeks before their graduation date. All first-time applicants are required to submit fingerprints with the application process. NU Registrar will upload official transcript to BRN Breeze Cloud link directly. Students wish to take NCLEX and/or apply for RN license out of state must notify Chair of Nursing.

The BRN requires applicants to take an examination administered by computer. The number of questions may vary from a minimum of 75 to a maximum of 265. The standard testing time for such examinations is a maximum of six hours.