University of Michigan-Flint/Hurley Medical Center
Basic Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program

For students who don't already have an RN license

Why a BSN?
Opportunities in the field of Nursing are evolving in new, challenging directions as health care settings expand and diversify.  A generation ago, nurses were primarily prepared for work in hospitals.  Today, a myriad of challenging opportunities are available.  Through the study of theory, research and practice the Bachelor of Science in Nursing  (BSN) student prepares to provide health care to people across the lifespan with awareness and consideration for gender, cultural, and ethnic differences.  Theoretical and clinical learning experiences prepare the student to provide care for the acutely and chronically ill and also to instruct clients in health promotion, and disease and injury prevention.  BSN students also develop administrative skills necessary to manage the health care needs of clients in a variety of settings.  For today's professional nurse, a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is essential.

Where do I start?
The Department of Nursing recommends that you prepare to enter the UM-Flint Basic BSN Program by completing high school college preparatory courses including biology, chemistry, English, and mathematics.  Students who wish to join the BSN program first apply to the University for admission. Then, they enroll in the University of Michigan-Flint College of Arts and Sciences Pre-Nursing program.   Pre-Nursing students need to complete nine prerequisite courses to prepare for entrance into the BSN Program.   Completion of four prerequisite courses (at least two must be science courses) is required before applying to the BSN program, and completion of the remaining five is required before the student begins the first semester of nursing core curriculum.  Each course must be completed with a grade of C+ or better. Students are required to take the Nurse Entrance Test (NET).  Contact the Department to schedule a time to test. Pre-Nursing students may contact the Academic Advising Center at 810-762-3085 or 1-800-942-5636 to set up an appointment with an advisor.  Walk-ins are also welcome.  The University of Michigan-Flint has a revolving admission policy, and you may be admitted in fall, winter, spring or summer.

How many credits can I transfer to UM-Flint?
The Admissions Office will evaluate your transcript to determine your number of transferable credits.

What coursework is required in the Basic BSN Program?
The Department of Nursing recommends that you prepare to enter the UM-Flint/HMC Basic BSN Program by completing high school college preparatory courses including biology, chemistry, English, and mathematics.  Students who wish to join the BSN program first apply to the University for admission. Then, they enroll in the University of Michigan-Flint School of Health Professions and Studies Pre-Nursing program.   Pre-Nursing students may contact the Academic Advising Center at 810-762-3085 or 1-800-942-5636 to set up an appointment with an advisor.  Walk-ins are also welcome.  The University of Michigan-Flint has a revolving admission policy, and you may be admitted in fall, winter, spring or summer.
Pre-Nursing students need to complete nine prerequisite courses to prepare for entrance into the BSN Program.   Completion of four prerequisite courses (at least two must be science courses) is required before applying to the BSN program, and completion of the remaining five is required before the student begins the first semester of nursing core curriculum.  Students are required to take the Nurse Entrance Test (NET).  Contact the Department to schedule a time to test. 

What are the Prerequisite Courses for the Basic BSN Program?
Four (4) of the below listed prerequisites (at least two must be science courses) are required before applying to the Nursing Core  Curriculum; all are required before beginning:

SPECIAL NOTES:
BIO 167 and BIO 168 must both be taken at the same institution.
SWK 320 may also be accepted in place of PSY 237.
Science  credits must be no more than seven years old. (BIO 167, 168, 135; CHM 150)
Students with previous CHM courses:  If the CHM department deems you eligible to take CHM 252, you are not required to take CHM 150-1.
Each prerequisite course taken fall 2005 or later must be completed with a grade of C+ or better. A C-  grade is acceptable if the course was completed prior to fall 05.

What about General Education Requirements?
A minimum of 50 general education credits is required.  School of Health Professions and Studies requirements may be found in the “"Progression Checklist."  http://www.umflint.edu/nursing/documents/bsn_checklist.pdf

How do I apply to enter the Nursing Program?
Admission into the Pre-Nursing program does not insure acceptance into the Basic BSN Program.  To be admitted into the Basic BSN Program, you must complete an admission packet, available from the Department of Nursing, due January 20 for fall admission and September 1 for winter admission.  Late applications may be accepted if space becomes available.  Admission to the BSN Program is competitive.  Forty students are selected from the applicant pool each fall and winter semester. To learn details of the application and selection processes, prospective applicants are encouraged to attend Department of Nursing Information Meetings.  These are held throughout the school year.  (Contact the Department for scheduled times.)

What is the Nursing Core Curriculum?

*These courses must be taken on campus--they may not be taken online.
**Or HCR 304 or PHL 162.

ALSO REQUIRED:
Two nursing electives (4 credits total) from NUR 350-399; 499 (1-2 credits each) are also required.
Cultural Selective (3 credits total) Choose from:  ANT 100, 330, 378; HCR 362; NUR 369; SOC 270, SOC/ANT 325; COM 381.

This curriculum is subject to change without notice.

Basic BSN students are required to take nationally developed tests throughout the curriculum.  In the last semester of the curriculum, students are required to take a comprehensive nationally normed exam.  Students must achieve a satisfactory score (as determined by the Nursing Department) on this comprehensive exam prior to graduation. 

Are there any nursing courses I may take before I am accepted into the Nursing Core Curriculum?
The following courses are a part of the Basic BSN Program Nursing Core Curriculum, but may be taken before entry into the program:  NSC 168 Bioethics (or HCR 304 or PHL 162); CHM 252 Biochemistry; NSC 207 Pathophysiology, NSC 209 Nutrition, NSC 233 Pharmacology; also NUR 308 Research in Nursing.  A few nursing electives and the cultural selective requirement may also be taken before beginning the program. A grade of C+ or better is required in each of these classes if taken fall of 2005 or later.

Criminal Background Checks
In seeking to provide a safe learning environment and comply with standards set forth by clinical agencies, all undergraduate nursing students will be required to complete a criminal background check.  Nursing students re-entering their program of study after a leave of greater than one semester must also undergo a criminal background check.  Clinical agencies may require further screenings and checks as well. The criminal background check must be performed by the vendor designated by the Department of Nursing or by a vendor designated by a clinical agency.  Data obtained through the criminal background check is reviewed by the Department of Nursing in consultation with legal counsel to ensure compliance with requirements set by the Department of Nursing and clinical agencies. During the course of enrollment in the undergraduate nursing program, students must report any felony or misdemeanor convictions to the Director of the Department of Nursing.  Each student is responsible for costs incurred for their criminal background check(s).

Can I order textbooks over the phone?
Students are able to order their textbooks over the phone, pay for them with a credit card, and have them shipped to their homes by calling 810-762-3030.  You will need to know your course number and section number. The updated course schedule is available through the Internet at http://www.umflint.edu

Is the UM-Flint Basic BSN Program accredited?
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the accrediting body of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, granted ten-year accreditation to the Baccalaureate Program in Nursing in April, 2006. 

The University of Michigan-Flint is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution

Please consult the onlineCatalog at http://www.umflint.edu/nursing/documents/catalog.pdf for the most updated information.