Undergraduate Program

The goals of the baccalaureate program are to prepare graduates who:

Engage in life-long learning to maximize high-quality nursing care through increased understanding of human responses to health and illness.
Apply evidence-based practice in providing nursing care.
Provide culturally appropriate, patient-centered nursing care to individuals, families, and communities.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to improve the quality of health care.
Apply leadership principles in varied professional nursing practice roles.
Apply critical thinking in the development, implementation, and evaluation of standards for professional nursing practice.
Incorporate appropriate technologic advances into high quality nursing care.

Admission Requirements

All students seeking acceptance to the College of Nursing must meet requirements for admission to the University. See the section in this catalog on the Undergraduate Program for information on University admission requirements.

Applications are only accepted through an online application process. Check the College of Nursing website at http://hsc.unm.edu/consg/ for application information. This application is in addition to the application for admission to the University as an undergraduate.

Screening for admission to the College is conducted at periodic intervals. All applications, fees and official transcripts must be received by the deadline. Students should submit applications early to allow for adequate advisement and processing of applications.

Requirements for Admission. It is the goal of the College to admit a diverse student body who will serve the health care needs of New Mexico. To be considered for acceptance into the College of Nursing the student must have:

Submitted application and required academic records by deadline dates;Successfully completed all prerequisite classes, with a "C" or better, by the date specified in the current application packet for each option.
For entry into the basic entry or second degree options, maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 based on all college work and at least 3.0 in science courses. For entry to the R.N.-B.S.N. option, maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 based on all college work.
Competency in basic computer skills including: general computer knowledge, word processing, data inquiry (databases and search engines), communication (e-mail), and searching the World Wide Web using the Internet.
Additional information may be utilized to rank applicants; examples may include grade point average, goal statements and life experiences.

NOTE: Preference is given to New Mexico residents.

The College of Nursing reserves the right to request the student to supply any additional information as necessary. Students are expected to be fluent in the English language.

Application Deadlines

(Basic Entry and 2nd Degree Entry)
Fall term	February 15
Spring term	September 15
Summer term	February 15 and September 15 (basic entry and 2nd degree options, as space available)

Note: Applicants should consult the College of Nursing Web site immediately prior to an application deadline to check for any deadline extensions. RN to BSN degree completion applications are reviewed on a “rolling basis” through June 1 for fall admission, November 1 for spring admission, and April 16 for summer admission. Early application is recommended, however, as enrollment in courses may be limited.

Basic Entry Option

The basic entry option is an accelerated program of studies in which students are admitted to the College of Nursing to complete the upper-division nursing courses in 16 months. Sixteen credit hours of science courses (graded “C” or better), as delineated in the current College of Nursing curriculum worksheet, must be completed before submitting application. All freshman and sophomore classes must be completed prior to the start of Level 1.

Second Undergraduate Degree (2nd Degree) Option

The 2nd degree option is a program with the same upper division curriculum as the basic entry option. The 2nd degree option allows persons holding prior baccalaureate degrees to be admitted to the College of Nursing under a reduced number of prerequisite science courses. Six credits of anatomy and physiology are strongly recommended. The undergraduate degree and nine credits of the required or recommended sciences must be completed before submitting application. The science courses must have been taken within the ten years preceding the term of admission.

R.N. to B.S.N. Degree Completion Option for Registered Nurse (R.N.) Students

The R.N. to B.S.N. Degree Completion Option is available primarily through online courses. Individual arrangements are made for clinical hours. See College of Nursing for advisement details.

All registered nurses seeking entrance into the College of Nursing must meet requirements for admission to the University and to the College of Nursing. Also needed are: a valid R.N. license (which must be kept current throughout enrollment) and at least 26 hours of college course work applicable to the B.S.N. degree.

A requirement of the College of Nursing is that all students complete ENGL 102, Composition II: Analysis and Argument prior to enrolling in any upper-division nursing courses. The Acceleration Challenge Exam (ACE) II must be taken within two terms of enrollment in upper-division nursing course work.

College credit earned in associate degree nursing programs or in hospital-based diploma schools of nursing is transferable to the University, provided the original program was offered in a regionally accredited institution and the nursing program was accredited by the National League for Nursing. Such credit may be applied toward meeting the graduation requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. See Transfer of Credit.

R.N. students are allowed to progress through the upper-division major according to individual capacity based upon a credit by examination process and enrollment in required nursing courses. Each R.N. student must demonstrate achievement of the outcomes expected of all College of Nursing baccalaureate students.

Each registered nurse student is counseled individually to help clarify career goals and to plan an educational program which will be of greatest benefit in meeting those goals.

Prospective registered nurse students are urged to contact the College of Nursing Student Advisement Office prior to registration. The College of Nursing supports career mobility for nurses.

M.S.N. Course Substitution Mechanism for Registered Nurse Students and Second Undergraduate Degree Students

This program allows academically qualified R.N. to B.S.N. students and 2nd degree students to take substitution courses in the Master’s program while completing the B.S.N., on a space available basis. The program is intended for the student whose career goals extend beyond the B.S.N. and whose professional experiences and capabilities indicate a potential for success in advanced study. Other courses are then selected to complete the M.S.N. degree.

A qualified student may be able to substitute NURS 503 and NURS 505 for other courses. Students who complete the substitution courses for graduate credit with grades of B or better will have these courses waived (but not the credits) as part of their program of studies for the Master’s degree. Graduation from the B.S.N. program occurs upon completion of all requirements with the substitution courses listed above. Graduation from the M.S.N. program occurs upon completion of all requirements for the degree and concentration. Students apply in writing for permission to enroll in substitution courses. A grade point average of at least 3.00 and senior standing is required for permission to take the substitution courses. The courses are waived if the M.S.N. is completed within 7 years from the date of enrollment in the first substitution course.

Departmental Honors Program

The purposes of the Departmental Honors Program are: 1) to utilize knowledge in nursing and related fields in the study process; and 2) to provide the honors student a full opportunity for participating in scholarly activities in small-group discussion and written and oral expression.

Requirements for Departmental Honors are as follows: 1) a University of New Mexico grade point average of at least a 3.50 prior to enrollment in the required course; 2) 6 hours in honor study (N498 and N499); 3) at least 60 hours earned at the University; and 4) application for honors with approval of the faculty.

Dean’s List. At the end of each term the names of students who have outstanding academic records are put on the Dean’s List, which is made available to University and outside news media. To qualify for the Dean’s List in the College of Nursing, a student must have carried at least 12 academic hours and made a grade point average of 3.50 or better for that term.

Academic Regulations for Baccalaureate Degree

Students in the nursing program are subject to the general regulations of the University and, in addition, to the specific regulations in the College of Nursing.

Students in the College of Nursing must be enrolled in nursing courses and/or progressing toward the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Students failing to meet this requirement are subject to administrative enrollment cancellation.

Because of constraints in clinical facilities, a student must notify the College of Nursing in writing of his or her intent to return, even if an absence in enrollment has been for one term. Notice must be received by March 1 for return in the Summer or Fall term and by November 1 for the Spring term. College of Nursing students who do not enroll in the University for three terms or more must reapply for admission to the College of Nursing. Because a returning student is subject to the regulations of the catalog in effect at the time of readmission, a
re-evaluation of the student’s academic standing is done. The student must receive academic advisement prior to registration.

Prior to entering Level 1, students are required to document and verify competency in basic nursing skills. These skills may be obtained through work experience or completion of basic nursing skills course(s).

Because clinical spaces are limited, all students are expected to preregister for clinical courses prior to the end of the current term. Priority for clinical space is given to full-time students who are progressing satisfactorily, then to part-time progressing students with a pre-approved plan of studies, and last to students who are repeating or returning after an absence from the program.

The passing grade for all core, prerequisite, and nursing courses is “C” (not C-). Students who do not earn a grade of “C” or better in any upper-division Nursing course on the second attempt are not allowed to progress. Students receiving a grade less than a “C” in any two upper-division required nursing courses are also not allowed to progress in the College of Nursing. Prior to repeating a nursing course the student’s record is reviewed by the academic advisor; progress will be monitored by the advisor.

Probation and Suspension

An undergraduate student will be placed on academic probation when the overall grade point average drops below 2.00. The student is subject to suspension if the cumulative grade point average does not rise during the first probationary period or if the cumulative grade point average is less than 2.00 at the end of the second term of the probationary period. Students who do not earn a grade of “C” or better must have an approved learning plan for progression.

Failure and Readmission Policy

Students may reapply to the College of Nursing after three calendar years. An evaluation of the student’s application is done. Should the student gain readmission, the student will be subject to the regulations of the catalog at the time of readmission. The student must receive academic advisement prior to registration. If a student is readmitted, they will be required to start at the beginning of the program.

Requirements for Graduation

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is granted to students admitted to the basic entry option upon fulfillment of the following:

Completion of 128 semester hours of course work of the prescribed curriculum (130 credits with NURS 223).
Completion of The University of New Mexico Core Curriculum.
Completion of at least 63 semester hours of upper-division course work. Such courses are numbered 300 or above.
Compliance with the minimum residence requirements, as stated in the General Academic Regulations section of this catalog.
Maintenance of an overall grade point average of 2.00 minimum.
Unanimous recommendation for the degree by the faculty of the College of Nursing.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is granted to 2nd degree students upon fulfillment of the following requirements:

Completion of 58 semester hours of upper-division course work in the prescribed curriculum. Such courses are numbered 300 or above.
Compliance with the minimum residence requirements, as stated in the General Academic Regulations section of this catalog.
Maintenance of an overall grade point average of 2.00 minimum.4. Unanimous recommendation for the degree by the faculty of the College of Nursing.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is granted to R.N. to B.S.N. degree completion students upon fulfillment of the following requirements:

Completion of 128-131 semester hours of course work of the prescribed curriculum.
Completion of The University of New Mexico Core Curriculum.
Completion of 64-66 semester hours of upper-division course work. Such courses are numbered 300 or above.
Compliance with the minimum residence requirements, as stated in the General Academic Regulations section of this catalog.
Maintenance of an overall grade point average of 2.00 minimum.
Unanimous recommendation for the degree by the faculty of the College of Nursing.

Curriculum for Basic Entry and Second Degree Options

“First Year” and “Second Year” course work, which applies only to basic entry students, should be completed before beginning Level 1. It is strongly recommended that students take Sociology, Anthropology, or Psychology to meet the Social/Behavioral Sciences core requirement.

Students admitted under the 2nd degree option follow the same upper-division curriculum (Levels 1, 2, 3, 4) as basic entry option students, except upper-division electives or honors are not required for second degree entry students.

First Year
ENGL 101	Composition I: Exposition	3
ENGL 102	Composition II: Analysis and Argument	3
Soc/Behav Sci	(Core Area 4)	6
Humanities	(Core Area 5)	6
CHEM 111L	Elements of General Chemistry	4
BIOL 123/124L	Biology for Health Related Sciences and Non-Majors/Lab	4
MATH 120	CR/NC; (prerequisite for STAT 145) may be waived by Math department	3
STAT 145	Introduction to Statistics	3
Fine Arts	(Core Area 7)	3
		32(35)
Second Year
BIOL 237	Human Anatomy and Physiology I for the Health Sciences	3
BIOL 238	Human Anatomy and Physiology II for the Health Sciences	3
BIOL 239L	Microbiology for Health Sciences	4
Foreign Language	(Core Area 6)	3
Writing/Speaking	(Core Area 1)	3
NURS 224	Application of Concepts of Human Growth and Development to Health Care Delivery	3
NURS 239	Pathophysiology I	3
NURS 240	Pathophysiology II	3
NURS 238	Pharmacology in Nursing and the Health Professions	3
NUTR 244	Human Nutrition	3
	Electives	2
		33

The four levels of the upper-division nursing curriculum are delivered on a schedule that includes three equal length sessions per year. One level is completed each term, with the four levels completed in 16 months. The curriculum for the upper-division nursing major follows:

Pre-level 1: 1) validation of electronic literacy skills and 2) basic nursing skills competencies or completion of NURS 223 Introduction to Nursing Skills and Concepts.

Level 1
NURS 311L	Nursing Skills and Assessment	5
NURS 312L	Nursing Practicum I	4
NURS 313L	Nursing Practicum II	1
NURS 351	Health & Illness Concepts I	3
NURS 390	Professional Nursing Concepts I	3
		16
Level 2
NURS 314L	Nursing Practicum III	4
NURS 315L	Nursing Practicum IV	3
NURS 331L	Principles and Application, Community Assessment	2
NURS 332	Introduction to Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice	3
NURS 352	Health & Illness Concepts II	3
		15
Level 3
NURS 411L-416L	Clinical Intensive I w/seminar	4
NURS 411L-416L	Clinical Intensive II w/seminar	4
NURS 453	Health & Illness Concepts II	3
NURS 491	Professional Nursing Concepts I	3
	Elective	3
-or-
NURS 498	Honors Study in Nursing I (if eligible and seek departmental honors)	3
		17
Level 4
NURS 411L-416L	Clinical Intensive III w/seminar	4
NURS 419L	Capstone Clinical	3
NURS 454L	Nursing Synthesis	3
NURS 492	Professional Nursing Concepts III	3
	Elective	2

-or-
NURS 499	Honors Study in Nursing II (if eligible and seek departmental honors)	3
		15(16)

The grade of C or better is required in all courses.

Contact the College of Nursing Academic Advisement Office for curricular planning.

Students who participate in the University Honors Program may apply General Studies seminars to satisfy appropriate requirements upon approval by the Dean, College of Nursing.

Students who wish to make substitutions or exceptions to the program may present their request to the Executive Dean.

See The University of New Mexico online Schedule of Classes, http://www.unm.edu/~unmreg/ for further information prior to registration.

It is the student’s responsibility to meet all departmental requirements.

R.N. to B.S.N. Degree Completion Option

**Curriculum for R.N. to B.S.N. Degree Completion Option**
	UNM Core Curriculum Areas and Required Credits (37 credits)
ENGL 101	Composition I: Exposition	3
ENGL 102	Composition II: Analysis and Argument	3
	Writing course	3
STAT 145	(has MATH 120 as prerequisite)	3
	Physical/Natural Sciences	7
	Social/Behavioral Sciences	6
	Humanities	6
	Foreign Language	3
	Fine Arts	3
	Lower-Division Electives	21-23
NURS 239	Pathophysiology I	3
NURS 240	Pathophysiology II	3
	Upper-Division credits from A.C.E. II exam	34
	Upper-Division Nursing Required Courses:
NURS 340	Advancement of Professional Nursing	3
NURS 332	Introduction to Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice	3
NURS 431L	Community Assessment	3
NURS 441	Evidence-Based Application of Health Assessment Skills	4
NURS 442	Nursing Leadership in Health Policy and Health Care Systems	3
NURS 447L	Family and Community Health Practicum	4
NURS 448	Application of Health and Illness Concepts	4
	Upper-Division Elective in Nursing (when available; otherwise, unrestricted)	3
	Upper-Division Elective (unrestricted)	3
	Total required for the B.S.N. degree:	128