Nursing, RN to Bachelor of Science Degree, B.S.

Program Requirements

Advice regarding prerequisites, course planning, and course sequencing for RNs may be obtained by contacting the School of Nursing.

All RNs must fulfill the University’s 30 credit residency requirement (6 credits earned at another UMS campus may be applied toward residency).

The School of Nursing recognizes a maximum of 30 nursing credits (RN credit options) transferred from an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) program as basic nursing credits required in the baccalaureate program. Nursing credits earned in the ADN program beyond the basic 30 credits may be used as undergraduate elective credit. RNs graduating from a diploma program will be awarded the basic nursing credits (30 credits) upon successful completion of NUR 308 - Concepts of Professional Nursing Practice . Additional information may be obtained through the Office for Prior Learning Assessment.

Unless approved by the School of Nursing through the prior approval process, students must take all required NUR courses at USM.

• Minimum number of credits (exclusive of the University’s Core Curriculum) required for the Nursing, RN to Bachelor of Science major: 23. 

• Minimum grade requirement for major courses listed below: C+.

• Minimum GPA requirement for major courses listed below: 2.5.

Recommended Course Sequence

The following courses must be completed successfully, or may be available for credit by examination, prior to entry into upper-division nursing courses:

• College Writing
• Introduction to Psychology
• Introduction to Sociology
• Multicultural Human Development
• Ethical Inquiry, Social Responsibility, and Citizenship course
• Introduction to Statistics (prior to NUR 321 - Health-Related Research )
• Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II**
• Microbiology for Health Sciences (note that BIO 281  at USM has a prerequisite of CHY 107 - Chemistry for Health Sciences )
• Pathophysiology

**Anatomy and Physiology requirements are waived with the successful completion (minimum grade of C) of Pathophysiology.

University requirements in the general education (Core) curriculum must meet the progression standards of that curriculum.

Matriculation in the USM School of Nursing is required prior to enrollment in upper-level nursing courses. NUR 321 - Health-Related Research  may be taken prior to matriculation. NUR 308 - Concepts of Professional Nursing Practice , NUR 309 - Health Assessment for RNs , and NUR 310 - Health Assessment Lab for RNs  may be taken prior to matriculation provided the student has passed the NCLEX-RN. Clinical courses may not be taken unless RN credit options have been completed and posted.

Upper-division nursing courses, in the required sequence for RNs, include:

Major Courses that Satisfy Core Requirements

Students are encouraged to explore Core courses that also count towards their major or minor. Courses listed below are part of this major and also satisfy University Core Curriculum requirements. Course lists that satisfy each requirement can be found on the Core Curriculum webpage.

• Writing, Reading, and Inquiry 3: NUR 321  

• Quantitative Reasoning: MAT 120  

• Creative Expression: 

• Cultural Interpretation: 

• Science Exploration: BIO 111  and BIO 112  (must be completed prior to entering the program)

• Socio-cultural Analysis: SOC 100  or HRD 200  (must be completed prior to matriculation in the major)

• Ethical Inquiry, Social Responsibility, and Citizenship: a course in this area must be completed prior to matriculation in the major

• Culture, Power, and Equity: 

• International: 

• Engaged Learning: NUR 419  

• Capstone: NUR 370  

USM Core Requirements

Students must complete all Core and degree requirements as part of the Graduation Requirements. For more information, see Academic Policies.

The USM Core Curriculum provides a coherent, integrative, and rigorous liberal arts education that fulfills general education requirements. It is designed to help students become globally aware, purposeful, and lifelong learners.

Please Note: Core requirements may be part of your major and/or minor, and Core may have been fulfilled with transfer credit. Please consult your MaineStreet Degree Progress Report (DPR) and review your degree progress with your Advisor.  For additional information, access the USM Core webpage.