Progression & Degree Requirements for First-Year BSN Students

Progression Requirements

1. Completion of all required 100- and 200-level nursing (NRS) courses that are graded on a A-F basis by the end of spring semester of the sophomore year.
2. Completion of all University Core Curriculum Foundation Level Requirements by the end of summer session 1 of the sophomore year or with permission of the School of Nursing & Health Innovations.
3. Completion of all BSN Foundation Requirement courses by the end of summer session 1 of the sophomore year.
4. Students may not audit a University Core Curriculum Requirement, BSN Foundation Requirement, or required nursing (NRS) course.
5. A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above by the end of summer session 1 of the sophomore year.
6. Completion of the following BSN Foundation Requirement courses with a grade of C or better: BIO 205/BIO 005 (Foundations of Biology with workshop), BIO 305/365 and BIO 306/366 (Anatomy and Physiology I & II with labs), and BIO 359/BIO 379 (Microbiology with lab).
7. A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above in the following BSN Foundation Requirement courses by the end of summer session 1 of the sophomore year: BIO 305/365 and BIO 306/366 (Anatomy and Physiology I & II with labs) and BIO 359/BIO 379 (Microbiology with lab).
8. Any University of Portland School of Nursing & Health Innovations student wishing to transfer any BSN Foundation Requirement course from another institution first needs the permission of the School of Nursing & Health Innovation prior to registration in the course. Such permission is required to ensure that the course is suitable for transfer to the School of Nursing & Health Innovations. The student must earn a grade of C or better in any BSN Foundation Requirement course they wish to transfer. A grade of Pass/No Pass is not allowed.
9. The grade earned in courses transferred from an institution on the quarter system will be calculated against the semester credit hour equivalency. Examples include: 3 quarter credit hours equal 2 semester credit hours; 4 quarter credit hours equal 2.67 semester credit hours; and 5 quarter credit hours equal 3.33 semester credit hours.
10. A grade of C or better or Pass in all required nursing (NRS) courses.
11. All required nursing (NRS) courses that are graded on an A-F basis must be successfully completed (a grade of C or better) before progressing to the next semester. All required nursing (NRS) courses that are graded on a Pass/No Pass basis must be successfully completed to meet degree requirements.
12. A grade of C- or lower in or withdrawal from any required nursing (NRS) course that is graded on an A-F basis may result in delayed progression and delayed program completion.
13. Students who receive a grade of C- or lower in or withdraw from a required nursing (NRS) course that is graded on an A-F basis may attempt the course a second time. Students who receive a grade of C- or lower in or withdraw from their second attempt of a required nursing (NRS) course that is graded on an A-F basis may be dismissed from the BSN program.
14. A required nursing (NRS) course that is graded on a Pass/No Pass basis may be repeated only once if a grade of No Pass was received on the first attempt. Students who receive a second grade of grade of No Pass when they repeat a required nursing (NRS) course graded on a Pass/No Pass basis may be dismissed from the BSN program.
15. Satisfactory completion of all professional practice entry requirements, including a background check, drug screen, HIPAA, American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification, and all immunizations.
16. Exceptions to the above progression requirements may be granted on an individual student basis and upon approval of the School of Nursing & Health Innovations' associate dean for academic affairs.

• Students interested in studying abroad should consult with their academic advisor, their program counselor, and the UP Studies Abroad office to understand the study abroad options and their impact on the BSN program of study. Note: The UP Studies Abroad program recommends a GPA of 3.0 or higher before going abroad but will consider applications from anyone with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above.
• Student conduct issues will be taken into consideration for progression in the nursing program.
• Students who do not complete professional practice requirements as directed will have a hold placed on their student account, will not be allowed to attend professional practice experiences (lab, simulation, or clinical) and may lose their professional practice placement. Until professional practice requirements are obtained, students will not be able to participate in the professional practice course’s activities or assignments, potentially resulting in an inability to demonstrate the professional practice course outcomes necessary to pass the course. Progression in the program may be delayed.
• Students with a positive drug screen prior to entry into or during professional practice courses may be dismissed from the School of Nursing & Health Innovations.
• Students who have been suspended from the University may be dismissed from the School of Nursing & Health Innovations.
• All BSN students are responsible for adhering to the policies in the most current version of the School of Nursing & Health Innovations BSN Student Handbook.
• See the University Academic Regulations in the University Bulletin.

Degree Requirements

To qualify for the BSN degree, students enrolled as first-year students must meet the following requirements:

1. A grade of C or better or Pass in all required nursing (NRS) courses.
2. Successful completion of all nursing program requirements.
3. Completion of a minimum of 120 semester credit hours, including University Core Curriculum Requirements, BSN Foundation Requirements, and BSN Major Requirements.

Please note: The School of Nursing & Health Innovations is required to inform all BSN program applicants that the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) has limits on eligibility for Registered Nurse (RN) licensure, as defined in OAR 851-031. Ultimately, the OSBN may deny RN licensure to BSN program graduates with a criminal offense and to graduates who have a major physical or mental condition that could affect their ability to practice nursing safely.

Grounds for Dismissal

• Cumulative GPA below 3.0 at the end summer session 1 of the sophomore year.
• Cumulative science GPA below 3.0 at the end of summer session 1 of the sophomore year, based on BIO 305/BIO 365 and BIO 306/BIO 366 (Anatomy and Physiology I & II with labs) and BIO 359/BIO 379 (Microbiology with lab).
• Withdrawal from or unsuccessful completion (a grade of C- or lower) on the second attempt (repeat) of a required nursing (NRS) course that is graded on a A-F basis.
• Unsuccessful completion (a grade of No Pass) on the second attempt (repeat) of a required nursing (NRS) course that is graded on a Pass/No Pass basis.
• Inability to participate in the professional practice component of the program because of incomplete clinical agency requirements.
• A positive drug screen prior to entry into professional practice courses.
• Unsatisfactory professional practice performance.
• Unsafe professional practice performance.
• Violation of academic integrity.
• Violation of Social Media or HIPAA policies.
• Any health-related problem that prevents the student from satisfactorily meeting the course objectives consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Professional judgment of the faculty.
• Unsafe/unprofessional behavior per recommendation of Academic Professional Plan review panel.
• Student conduct issues.
• Suspension from the University.

Readmission