Nursing Program
Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing
Central 211
541-552-6226
Saundra Theis, Associate Dean
Carol Christlieb, Director of Academic Programs
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Introduction
Nursing programs at SOU are offered by Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Nursing.
OHSU offers the baccalaureate nursing program to undergraduate students with no previous nursing education. A distance-learning baccalaureate completion program is available to registered nurses.
OHSU also offers master’s and doctoral programs in Portland, Oregon. Selected master’s and doctoral specialties are available on the Ashland campus.
Computer Access and Competency Requirements
Students in all nursing programs are expected to possess basic computer skills in word processing, data analysis, and electronic communication. They are also required to have access to a computer independent of the School of Nursing and University resources, with predetermined minimum capabilities.
Degrees
BS in Nursing
Basic Baccalaureate Program for Non-NursesRN/BS Program for Registered Nurses completing a Baccalaureate Degree
Family Nurse Practitioner Specialty
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Basic Baccalaureate Program
The baccalaureate in nursing program provides an essential foundation for professional nursing licensure and practice. The professional nursing major is four years in length (two years of prerequisites and two years of upper division nursing). Nursing courses build on and complement the liberal arts and sciences foundation required for professional practice. The graduate of the BS in nursing program is eligible to complete the registered nursing licensure examination and is prepared to assume responsibility for providing professional nursing care.
Prerequisites
Candidates for admission to OHSU’s basic baccalaureate program in nursing must have completed 91 credits of non-nursing coursework with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better (see Non-Nursing Course Requirements below). Non-nursing coursework may be taken at Southern Oregon University, a community college, or other accredited institutions of higher learning.
Advising
Upon entering SOU, pre-nursing students are encouraged to contact the department for advice on choosing a nursing course of study.
Admission to OHSU
Students must file an OHSU School of Nursing Application during the winter prior to the summer in which they wish to enter. Application forms are available after October 1 in the School of Nursing Office. Transcripts of completed coursework, a one-page goal statement, and a filing fee of $60 must be submitted along with the completed application form by the January 15 application deadline.
Transfer Credits
There is no time limit on previous transferable coursework. Transcript evaluations are available through the School of Nursing.
Non-Nursing Course Requirements
(91 credits)
Natural Sciences
(minimum 37 credits)
| Human Anatomy and Physiology (with lab)1 | 12 |
| Microbiology (with lab)1 | 4 |
| Chemistry (with lab; inorganic, organic, and biochemistry)1 | 12 |
| College Algebra1 | 3 |
| Statistics (descriptive and inferential)1 | 3 |
| Nutrition1 | 3 |
Arts and Letters
(minimum 30 credits)
| Literature | 3 |
| Written English/English Composition | 9 |
| Interpersonal and Small Group Communication1 | 6 |
| Arts and letters electives (philosophy, foreign language, and intercultural communication recommended) | 12 |
Social Sciences
(minimum 15 credits)
| General Psychology1 | 3 |
| General Sociology1 | 3 |
| Human Development (Lifespan)1 | 3 |
| Cultural Anthropology1 | 3 |
| Social science electives (political science, economics, and business sciences recommended) | 3 |
| 1 | Lower division requirements for those who have a baccalaureate degree in another field. |
Electives
(minimum 9 credits)
Baccalaureate Completion Program for Registered Nurses
Registered nurses who would like to return to school to finish their baccalaureate degree in nursing must complete OHSU nursing and non-nursing course requirements. Nursing courses are delivered by computer conferencing, CD-ROM, and the Internet, making it possible for a working RN to complete the program in about two years as a part-time distance-learning student. Portfolio and test-out options are available if a student can substantiate having met the objectives of the course through prior learning experiences. RNs receive 29 of the 60 required upper division nursing course credits by articulation (for graduates of any NLN-accredited ADN or diploma program) or by examination (for all other ADN and diploma school graduates).
Prerequisites
With two exceptions (Statistics and English— see RN/BS Non-Nursing Course Requirements on this page), the non-nursing courses required for the BSN degree are not considered prerequisites for enrolling in nursing courses as a part-time student. Full-time students intending to complete the program in one year, however, must complete all of their non-nursing course requirements before they enroll.
Advising
Prior to applying for admission, interested RNs are encouraged to fax or mail transcripts of their prior college-level work to the RN/BS Office, along with a request for an unofficial evaluation to determine what prior coursework would count toward the BSN requirement. Prospective students may fax the office at 541-552-6055 or write to:
OHSU School of Nursing
Distance-Learning Office, RN/BS
1250 Siskiyou Boulevard
Ashland, OR 97520
Admission to OHSU
Admission to the RN/BS Program is available year-round. For specific information and an application, contact the OHSU School of Nursing Distance-Learning Office, RN/BS Program at 541-552-8421 or nursing@sou.edu. Prospective students may also visit the office in Britt Hall, Room 122. Applicants must submit official transcripts of completed coursework, a one-page goal statement, and a filing fee of $60 along with the completed application form.
Prior to application or admission to the program, RNs may enroll as nonadmitted students in theory courses for personal or professional development.
Transfer Credits
There is no time limit on previous transferable coursework.
RN/BS Non-Nursing Course Requirements
| General Chemistry (with labs) | 12 |
| College Algebra | 3 |
| Statistics (prerequisite to Nur 470) | 3 |
| General Psychology | 3 |
| Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| General Sociology | 3 |
| Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| English Composition (prerequisite to Nur 470) | 9 |
| Humanities (Choose from art appreciation or history, music appreciation or history, theatre arts or speech, literature, philosophy, women’s studies, foreign language, and intercultural communication.) | 9 |
| Anatomy and Physiology1 | |
| Microbiology1 | |
| Nutrition1 |
| 1 | Most ADN and Diploma nursing programs require these courses or integrate them into the nursing curriculum. Each student’s transcript is individually evaluated. |
RN/BS Nursing Course Requirements
For specific information about the RN programs, contact the OHSU School of Nursing at the Ashland Distance Learning Office. The RN program administrative assistant is available at 541-552-8421 or in Britt Hall, Room 122.
Graduate Nursing Education
OHSU offers master’s and doctoral programs in Portland, Oregon, with some options on the Ashland campus via distance-learning technologies. Master’s specialties usually require two years of full-time study. Family nurse practitioner and community health care full- and part-time specialties are regularly available on the Ashland campus. Post-master’s certificate programs and a doctoral program with specialties in family and gerontological nursing are available based on demand and funding.
Prerequisites
Graduate applicants must have completed a baccalaureate degree in nursing with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better. A combined verbal and quantitative score of 1000 or above on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is also required for admission, as is successful completion of a statistics course within three years of admission.
Advising
A faculty advisor is available on the Ashland campus for RNs interested in graduate level education. Contact the graduate program administrative assistant on the SOU campus.
Admission
Students must file an OHSU School of Nursing graduate application during the winter prior to the summer in which they wish to enter. Application forms are available in the School of Nursing office after October 1. Transcripts of completed coursework, GRE scores, a one-page goal statement, three letters of reference, and a filing fee of $60 must be submitted along with the completed application form by the application deadline of January 15.
Transfer Credits
Acceptance of transfer credits from CCNE- or OSBN-accredited nursing programs is subject to review by School of Nursing faculty, who evaluate comparability and determine the number of credits that may be granted.
Accreditation
Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN)
Collegic Commission on Nursing Education (CCNE)