Undergraduate Program

Degree Offered

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)

Nursing is a growing, vital field that provides exciting opportunities for employment in a wide variety of healthcare settings, with the added benefit of flexible working hours. Nurses work in the U.S. and internationally, with people of all ages and cultural backgrounds. Nursing education at the University of New Mexico is based on our conviction that learning is an individual and lifelong process. The goals of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) program are to prepare graduates to meet the complex healthcare needs of New Mexicans in an evolving healthcare environment and to prepare graduates for advanced nursing education.

Completion options for the B.S.N. program include:

Pre-Licensure B.S.N. option: Traditional Entry.
Pre-Licensure B.S.N. option: Freshman Direct-Entry.
NMNEC ADN/B.S.N. Co-Enrolled Program option (with partnering community colleges and branch campuses).
RN to B.S.N. Degree Completion option.

Program Objectives

Engage in professional nursing practice that is patient-centered and culturally appropriate for individuals, families, and communities.
Integrate principles of quality improvement and safety into nursing practice within healthcare organizations and systems.
Deliver nursing care that is evidence-based.
Demonstrate leadership behaviors through the application of policies that apply to healthcare delivery.
Engage in effective interprofessional collaboration in the delivery of healthcare for quality patient outcomes.
Utilize technologies for the management of information and in the delivery of patient care.

Admission Information

Requirements

All students seeking acceptance to the College of Nursing must meet requirements for admission to the University. See the Admissions section of this Catalog for information on University admission requirements.

Applications are only accepted through an online application process. Check the College of Nursing website 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.

It is the goal of the College to admit a diverse student body who will serve the healthcare needs of New Mexico. Criteria for acceptance into the College of Nursing includes:

Pre-Licensure B.S.N. Option: Traditional Entry

Achieve at least 2.75 GPA on a scale of 4.0 in all prerequisite courses.
Successful completion of all prerequisite coursework by the beginning of Nursing Level 1.
Completion of the HESI A2 exam, scoring a minimum of 75% on each subtest in Basic Math Skills, Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Biology, Chemistry, Vocabulary, and General Knowledge.
Completion of the NursingCAS application.
Submission of official college transcripts from all institutions the applicant attended directly to NursingCAS.

New Mexico residents will be given preference.

Pre-Licensure B.S.N. Option: Freshman Direct-Entry

Fall semester admission only.
Minimum high school GPA of 3.5.
SAT score of 1320 or higher or composite ACT score of 28 or higher.
Completion of the NursingCAS application.
Successful completion of all prerequisite coursework by the beginning of Nursing Level 1 in the Fall term following admission.
Maintenance of a 3.2 cumulative GPA on a scale of 4.0 in all prerequisite courses.

Credit hours earned prior to entering the Freshman Direct-Entry option may or may not count toward the Pre-Licensure B.S.N. option requirements and completion. College of Nursing academic advisors will evaluate specific course needs and options upon admission to this program. Deviations from this plan may result in extra courses and semesters of study to complete the Pre-Licensure B.S.N. option.

Selections from qualified applicants are based on required entrance exam, required course GPA, and other factors.

NMNEC ADN/B.S.N. Co-Enrolled Program Option

Achieve at least a 2.75 GPA on a scale of 4.0 in all prerequisite courses.
Successful completion of all prerequisite coursework by the beginning of Nursing Level 1.
Complete the NursingCAS application.
Complete your community college's or branch campus's application.
Complete standardized nursing entrance exam as per NMNEC partnership agreement.
Send official college transcripts from all institutions you attended directly to NursingCAS.

Consult the College of Nursing's website to see a complete list of participating NMNEC schools and find links to their respective NMNEC ADN/B.S.N. Co-Enrolled option criteria.

RN to B.S.N. Degree Completion Option

The University of New Mexico's online RN to B.S.N. Degree Completion option has specific requirements that applicants must meet to enroll. Please read the admission guidelines to ensure you qualify.

NOTE: UNM's online RN to B.S.N. Degree Completion option is not available to residents in some states. Please check to make sure the program is available to residents in your state before applying for admission. To see a link to a map showing where UNM has approval from State Boards of Nursing and a complete list of admission requirements, please visit the College of Nursing website.

Achieve at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on all college-level coursework.
Completion of ENGL 1120 (or its equivalent).
Have at least 26 hours of transferable coursework.
Have a valid RN license or be eligible for an RN license in any U.S. state.
Obtain RN license with 14 weeks of starting first term.
An official transcript evaluation will be conducted only after a complete application, including transcripts, has been submitted and processed by the UNM Admissions Office.

All transcripts should be mailed to:

The University of New Mexico
Office of Admissions
PO Box 4895
Albuquerque, NM 87196-4895

Official electronic transcripts can be sent to the following email address: apply@unm.edu

Application Deadlines

Consult the College of Nursing website for application dates and starting terms.

Academic Regulations

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

Academic Progression

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.

For Pre-Licensure B.S.N. option students: Because of constraints in clinical facilities, a student must notify the College of Nursing in writing of their intent to return, even if an absence in enrollment has been for one term. Notice must be received by March 15 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 and the University of New Mexico. 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 performed. The student must receive academic advisement prior to registration and progression is not guaranteed.

For Pre-Licensure B.S.N. option students: Because clinical spaces are limited, all students are expected to pre-register 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.

Undergraduate Grade Requirements

The passing grade for all core and prerequisite courses is "C" or 73% (not "C-"). The passing grade for all NMNEC College of Nursing courses is "C" or 77%. Students who do not earn a grade of "C" (77%) or better in any required nursing course, or who withdraw from a course, are not allowed to progress. Academic progress is monitored by the advisors. A committee will determine a progression plan. Students who do not earn a grade of "C" (77%) or better in any required nursing course on the second attempt or on any two required nursing courses or who withdraw from any two nursing courses are disenrolled from the College of Nursing. There is a mandatory waiting period before they may reapply; the length of time is determined by NMNEC and is currently 2 years. Please refer to the College of Nursing Student Handbook for further grade and progression policies, as well as the petition process. Students are unable to register in Nursing classes during the petition process.

NOTE: Students must achieve a passing HESI Exit Exam score to progress to NMNC 4545.

RN to B.S.N. Degree Completion option students who do not earn a grade of "C" (77%) or better in any two required upper-division nursing courses, including repeating a course in which a grade of below "C" (77%) was previously earned, are disenrolled from the College of Nursing and may reapply after 2 years.

Prior to repeating a nursing course, the student’s record is reviewed by the academic advisor, and progress is monitored by the advisor. Students receiving a grade of "C-" or below in any two required upper-division nursing courses are not allowed to continue in the College of Nursing but are entitled to file an exception to the policy. However, students are not allowed to enroll in any nursing classes until the exception process is final.

Students who have failed a course may only re-enroll in the course AFTER the failing grade is officially recorded on the student's record. This process may NOT be started prior to the posting of the grade. Likewise, students who have received an Incomplete in a course may only re-enroll in the course AFTER the Incomplete grade is officially recorded on the student's record. This process may NOT be started prior to the posting of the grade. Any failure of a required course in Nursing Level 1 requires the student to withdraw and re-apply.

Probation and Suspension

An undergraduate student is 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

There is a waiting period before students may reapply to the College of Nursing; current policies are provided in the College of Nursing Student Handbook. An evaluation of the student’s application is performed. Should the student gain readmission, they are subject to the regulations of the Catalog at the time of readmission. The student must must meet with a faculty member to devise a progression plan prior to registration. If a student is readmitted, they are required to start at the beginning of the program unless previous permission is granted.

Requirements for Graduation

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is granted to students upon fulfillment of the following:

Pre-Licensure B.S.N. Option: Traditional Entry
Pre-Licensure B.S.N. Option: Freshman Direct-Entry
NMNEC ADN/B.S.N. Co-Enrolled Program Option

Completion of 122 credit hours of coursework of the prescribed curriculum.
Completion of the University of New Mexico General Education Curriculum.
Completion of at least 65 credit hours of upper-division nursing coursework. 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.
Successful completion of all UNM College of Nursing grade and graduation requirements as set forth under the "Undergraduate Grade Requirements" section of this page.

RN to B.S.N. Degree Completion Option

Completion of 120 credit hours of coursework of the prescribed curriculum.
Completion of the University of New Mexico General Education Curriculum.
Completion of at least 30 credit hours of upper-division coursework in which 24 credit hours must be nursing. 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.

Pre-Licensure B.S.N. Option

The Pre-Licensure B.S.N. option is designed for individuals seeking to become a registered nurse. Students take their nursing courses at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center campus, at the UNM Health Sciences Rio Rancho campus, or at a partnering community college or branch campus. This option prepares students to take the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) licensing exam with the New Mexico State Board of Nursing upon completion of all program requirements.

Traditional Entry

For Traditional Entry students, all specified prerequisite courses (as delineated in the current College of Nursing curriculum worksheet) must be completed with grades of "C" or better before application to the program. All freshman and sophomore Semester 1 courses must be completed prior to the start of Nursing Level 1.

Requirements

3 semesters of prerequisite coursework.
5 consecutive terms, including summers, upon admission to the College of Nursing.
Coursework at the UNM College of Nursing Albuquerque campus, or the UNM Health Sciences Rio Rancho campus.
Experiential clinical courses in community, inpatient/outpatient, hospital, and laboratory/simulated settings.

Freshman Direct-Entry

The Pre-Licensure B.S.N. option: Freshman Direct-Entry is a unique opportunity for academically-motivated students with a goal to complete both undergraduate and graduate studies in nursing. Selected freshman students will be admitted to the College of Nursing, taking courses at the UNM Albuquerque campus. During their undergraduate studies, students will develop their areas of interest for future progression to advanced studies in nursing, including the Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and Ph.D. degree programs.

All freshman and sophomore Semester 1 courses must be successfully completed prior to the start of Nursing Level 1.

Requirements

3 consecutive terms of College of Nursing prerequisites.
Maintenance of cumulative 3.2 GPA during the freshman terms.
5 consecutive terms of College of Nursing courses (Nursing Levels 1-5).
Coursework at the UNM College of Nursing Albuquerque campus.
Experiential clinical courses in hospital, clinical, or virtual/simulated settings.

NMNEC ADN/B.S.N. Co-Enrolled Program Option

The UNM College of Nursing is a member of the New Mexico Nursing Education Consortium (NMNEC). NMNEC is a consortium of New Mexico education programs, organizations, and individuals with a deep commitment to excellence in nursing that results in high-quality healthcare for all New Mexicans.

New Mexico Education Consortium (NMNEC) ADN/B.S.N. Co-Enrolled Program option students are defined as nursing students based at a community college or branch campuses who are co-enrolled at both the community college and the partnering university to earn their B.S.N. degree. This option also prepares students to take the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) licensing exam with the New Mexico State Board of Nursing.

Requirements:

3 semesters of prerequisites.
5 terms upon admission.
Coursework delivered at the community college campus/branch campus.
Experiential clinical courses in a hospital or clinical setting arranged by your local community college.

Program of Study

Refer to the Undergraduate Program section of this Catalog for information on courses that meet General Education curriculum and U.S. and Global Diversity and Inclusion requirements.

The Pre-Licensure B.S.N.: Traditional Entry option is scheduled in 5 terms and students are required to attend year-round, completing the program in 20 months. The Pre-Licensure B.S.N.: Freshman Direct-Entry option is scheduled in 8 terms and students are required to attend year-round, completing the program in 32 months (including the prerequisites).

Students in the NMNEC ADN/B.S.N. Co-Enrolled Program option follow their respective community college academic calendars.

There are five levels in the nursing curriculum, with one level completed each term. Grades of "C" or better are required in all courses.

		Credit Hours
YEAR 1	Semester 1
BIOL 1140 -and- BIOL 1140L	Biology for Health Sciences Biology for Health Sciences Laboratory	4
ENGL 1110 -or- ENGL 1110Y -or- ENGL 1110Z	Composition I (3) Composition I: Stretch II (3) Enhanced Composition (4)	3-4
MATH 1215X -and- MATH 1215Y -and- MATH 1215Z	Intermediate Algebra IA Intermediate Algebra IB Intermediate Algebra IC	3
PSYC 1110	Introduction to Psychology	3
	General Education Curriculum	3
	Subtotal	16
	Semester 2
NURS 224	Application of Growth and Development to Health Care	3
CHEM 1120C	Introduction to Chemistry for Non-Majors Lecture and Laboratory	4
ENGL 1120	Composition II	3
MATH 1350	Introduction to Statistics	3
NUTR 2110	Human Nutrition	3
	Subtotal	16
YEAR 2	Semester 1
NURS 239	Pathophysiology I	3
BIOL 2210	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	3
BIOL 2305	Microbiology for Health Sciences	4
	General Education Curriculum	3
	General Education Curriculum	3
	Subtotal	16
	Admission/Progression to Nursing Program
	Nursing Level 1
NMNC 3110	Introduction to Nursing Concepts	3
NMNC 3120	Evidence-Based Practice	3
NMNC 3135	Principles of Nursing Practice	4
NURS 240	Pathophysiology II	3
BIOL 2225	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	3
	Subtotal	16
	Nursing Level 2
NMNC 3210	Health and Illness Concepts I	3
NMNC 3220	Health Care Participant	3
NMNC 3230	Nursing Pharmacology	3
NMNC 3235	Assessment and Health Promotion	4
	Subtotal	13
	Nursing Level 3
NMNC 4310	Health and Illness Concepts II	3
NMNC 4320	Professional Nursing Concepts I	3
NMNC 4335	Care of Patients with Chronic Conditions	4
	General Education Curriculum	3
	Nursing Elective⁽¹⁾	3
	Subtotal	16
	Nursing Level 4
NMNC 4410	Health and Illness Concepts III	4
NMNC 4435	Clinical Intensive I	4
NMNC 4445	Clinical Intensive II	4
	Nursing Elective ⁽¹⁾	3
	Subtotal	15
	Nursing Level 5
NMNC 4510	Concept Synthesis	3
NMNC 4520	Professional Nursing Concepts II	3
NMNC 4535	Clinical Intensive III	4
NMNC 4545	BSN Capstone	4
	Subtotal	14
	Total	122-124

Contact the College of Nursing Advisement Office for curriculum planning.

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

See the University of New Mexico Schedule of Classes for further information prior to registration. It is the student’s responsibility to meet all departmental requirements.

RN to B.S.N. Degree Completion Option

The RN to B.S.N. Degree Completion option is available for registered nurses (RNs) primarily through online courses, with the exception of a final synthesis course. Individual arrangements are made for synthesis hours. See College of Nursing website for advisement details.

All RNs seeking entrance into the College of Nursing must meet requirements for admission to the University and to the College of Nursing, specifically: a valid RN license or be eligible for an RN license in any U.S. state (which must be kept current throughout enrollment), a 2.5 cumulative GPA, and at least 26 credit hours of college coursework applicable to the B.S.N. degree. Recent graduates must obtain an RN license within 14 weeks of starting their first term.

A requirement of the College of Nursing is that all students complete ENGL 1120 prior to enrolling in any upper-division nursing courses.

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 a national accrediting agency. Such credit may be applied toward meeting the graduation requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. See Transfer of Credit.

A Plan of Studies (POS) for each student is determined at the time of enrollment into the RN to B.S.N. Degree Completion option program. Students are expected to follow the POS throughout the program and should work with an academic advisor for any changes. Each RN student must demonstrate achievement of the outcomes expected of all College of Nursing baccalaureate students. All upper-division nursing courses, with the exception of NURS 301 and NURS 302, are 3 credit hours and are offered in 8-week blocks. Students are expected to take two courses consecutively (8 weeks each, back-to-back) every term.

Each RN student is counseled individually to help clarify career goals and to plan an educational program that is of greatest benefit in meeting those goals.

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

Program of Study

Refer to the Undergraduate Program section of this Catalog for information on courses that meet General Education curriculum and U.S. and Global Diversity and Inclusion requirements.

		Credit Hours
	General Education Curriculum
	Refer to the Undergraduate Program section of this Catalog.
	All students in the RN to B.S.N. Degree Completion option must complete ENGL 1120, which applies towards the fulfillment of Area 1: Communication.
	All students in the RN to B.S.N. Degree Completion option must complete MATH 1350, which will fulfill Area 2: Mathematics and Statistics.
	Subtotal	31
	Additional Required Course
NURS 241	Pathophysiology for Nursing Professionals	4
	Subtotal	4
	RN to B.S.N. Degree Completion Option Track
NURS 301	Professional Communication for Nurses	1
NURS 302	Advancement of Professional Nursing	2
NURS 404	Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice	3
NURS 405	Genetic Literacy Across the Lifespan	3
NURS 406	Nursing in the Community	3
NURS 407	Nursing Care of Vulnerable Populations	3
NURS 408	Professional Leadership and Management Roles in Nursing	3
NURS 409	Health Policy, Economics and Systems	3
NURS 410	Foundations of Leading Change and Advancing Health	3
	Subtotal	24
	Lower-Division Electives (ADN and previous transferable coursework not utilized in General Education)	55
	Upper-Division Electives ⁽¹⁾	6
	Total	120

⁽¹⁾Upper-division courses may be taken in any sequence determined by the student’s Plan of Studies and course availability, with three exceptions: NURS 301 and NURS 302 must be taken concurrently at the beginning of the program and must be passed in order to progress, and NURS 410 is taken in the final term of the RN to B.S.N. nursing courses. A total of 30 credits must be earned from the University of New Mexico.

Departmental Honors Program

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

Requirements