Briar Cliff University - The Catholic Franciscan Learning Place

The potential ability to give safe nursing care is a prerequisite for admission to the nursing major.  Previously earned academic credits may be applied to the B.S.N., and validation of prior learning occurs through the Iowa Articulation Plan for Nursing Education.

Prior to enrollment, the upper division nursing courses, the student must:

• Present content from previous college course work or credits from previous examinations
• Meet with the chairperson of the department of nursing to evaluate your prior academic record.
• Apply to Admissions for the Nursing Program.

Prior to enrolling in the upper division nursing courses, the RN-BSN student must complete the following courses or their equivalents: WRTG 109; PSYC 110 and  280; SOCY 124; BIOL 221, 222, 239 and 240; CHEM 109; MATH 200; and PHIL 210, 212 or THEO 204.

The RN-BSN student must complete electives & general education courses to meet the graduation requirement of 124 credits.

A grade C or better must be attained in both theory and clinical components of all nursing courses, and a cumulative GPA or 2.75 must be maintained for admission and progression in the program.

Documentation of physical health status obtained upon admission to the nursing major must also be on file in the Student Health Office. Immunizations must include hepatitis B vaccination (or signed waiver on file), an annual Mantoux test, a second MMR if born after 1957, and proof of Varicella immunity if born after 1965 (either a positive titre or proof of a series of two immunizations). Students also must maintain basic CPR certification throughout the program. In addition, upon admission to the nursing major, students must have a criminal background check completed through the vendor selected by the Department of Nursing.