Nursing, Traditional Program, B.S.

Program Requirements

The baccalaureate nursing program requires completion of a minimum of 120 credits of study and culminates in a baccalaureate degree (B.S.). Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Students must fulfill the USM general education requirements by completing any one of the following pathways: the USM Core Curriculum, the Russell Scholars Program, or the University Honors Program. Beginning coursework in the baccalaureate curriculum includes English composition, quantitative decision making, natural and behavioral sciences, arts, and humanities.

Nursing content at the upper division is organized to facilitate integration of nursing knowledge and skills and to draw on a foundation of learning from other disciplines. The nursing curriculum provides opportunities for students to develop skills in partnering with various community stakeholders to identify community strengths, resources, and needs. Students have experiences that involve assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care for individuals of all ages: in families, groups of clients, and communities across the health continuum. Inpatient and outpatient settings, community health agencies, public health settings, long-term care facilities, schools, and industries are used for clinical experiences.

Students follow a specific sequence of didactic and clinical courses with a student cohort group. Deviation from the sequence requires permission from the School of Nursing.

• Minimum number of credits (exclusive of the University’s Core Curriculum) required for the Nursing, Traditional Program major: 105. 

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

• Minimum GPA requirement for major courses listed below: 2.75.

Recommended Course Sequence

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  & BIO 112 

• Socio-cultural Analysis: SOC 100  & HRD 200 

• Ethical Inquiry, Social Responsibility, and Citizenship: NUR 270 , NUR 306 , NUR 321 , NUR 325 , NUR 331 , NUR 356 , NUR 422 , NUR 425 , NUR 428 , & NUR 470       

• Culture, Power, and Equity: NUR 270  & NUR 356  

• International: NUR 270  & NUR 356  

• Engaged Learning: NUR 325 , NUR 331 , NUR 422 , NUR 425 , NUR 428 , & NUR 480 

• Capstone: NUR 480  

   

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.