Applying to the School of Nursing

Degree Programs

BSN (Generic) Program
Students Seeking Second Bachelor’s Degree
RN-BSN Degree Completion Program
MSN Program
Transfer Students

BSN (Generic) Program

All students who plan a program of study leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science of Nursing must make formal application to the nursing program. Applicants must be accepted to the Nursing program prior to the semester when the nursing courses will be taken. Application must be made by March 1 for fall admission and October 1 for the spring admission.  Students who plan to follow the Alternate Pathway should apply directly to the School of Extended Studies.

Applicants for admission to the nursing program must first have been accepted for admission to the University and have completed any required academic skills testing. Applicants must then complete the application to the program in collaboration with the BSN Coordinator or an assigned advisor and are required to submit:

1. A completed program application form.
2. Official transcripts from all colleges attended.
3. Consent for a criminal background screen.

In addition, a candidate may be required to submit letters of recommendation or to attend an interview. The Alternate Pathway applicant must also submit evidence of current licensure to practice professional nursing in Texas. Military personnel may submit evidence of current licensure in the United States.

Admission to the nursing program may be limited, based on the availability of faculty and clinical practice sites. The student's overall academic record is considered for admission including the following criteria:

• Completion of all prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C. 
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.00 scale in all course work to date.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.00 scale in all science course work to date (Biology, Chemistry, and Nutrition).

Students intending to transfer from an Alamo Community College District program should review the Transfer Equivalency Guidelines published by the UIW Office of the Registrar.

Fulfillment of these requirements does not guarantee admission.  From applicants who meet minimum requirements, those who appear to be best qualified will be admitted. More favorable consideration will be given to applicants with a higher GPA.

How to apply to the Nursing Program

If you are currently enrolled at UIW:

1. Inform the School of Nursing & Health Professions office that you intend to apply and leave your name, address, and phone number. (210-283-5093)
2. Request copies of transcripts of ALL OF YOUR COLLEGE WORK. Have them sent directly to the School of Nursing and Health Professions, Chair, BSN Program. Please note we cannot accept an application without copies of all your transcripts.
3. Update your degree plan with your advisor.
4. Make an appointment at the main office to complete the application.

If you are not currently enrolled at UIW:

1. Follow the procedures for applying to the University.
2. Order TWO copies of transcripts of ALL YOUR COLLEGE WORK. Send one set to the University. Send second set of transcripts to the School of Nursing, Attn: Chair, BSN Program, 4301 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209. Please note we cannot accept an application without copies of all your transcripts.
3. Leave your name and phone number with the secretary (210-283-5093).
4. After receipt of transcripts at the School of Nursing make an appointment to complete the application.

Click on the following links for specific information about the BSN program:

University General Education Curriculum Requirements for Nursing Students
Nursing Curriculum
Promotion and Retention Requirements
Health Requirements
Other Requirements

For more information, contact:

Dr. Caroline Spana
Chair, BSN Program
cspan@uiwtx.edu
210-829-3987

General Education Core Requirements (includes prerequisites)

* Courses must be completed before enrollment in the Nursing Program

*English Composition I 3 hours
*English Composition II 3 hours
World Literature 3 hours
*Public Speaking 3 hours
Fine Art 3 hours
Religious Studies 3 hours
Introduction to Philosophy 3 hours
Ethics (Religion or Philosophy) 3 hours
* Dimensions of Wellness 2 hours
Physical Education (Activity course) 1 hour
Second Language (must be the same language) 6 hours
History 3 hours
*Introduction to Psychology 3 hours
*Adult Development& Aging 3 hours
*Child and Adolescent Development 3 hours
Mathematics-Probability and Statistics 3 hours
*Human Anatomy & Physiology with lab 8 hours
*Biological Chemistry with Lab 6 hours
*Microbiology with Lab 4 hours
*Introduction to Nutrition 3 hours
*Computer Literacy (By exam or course)
Community Service 45 hours, no credit

Nursing Curriculum

Semester 1 (13 hours)

NURS 2310 Integrated Health Science I
NURS 2520 Nursing Technologies
NURS 2213 Basic Health Assessment
NURS 2312 Nursing & Health

Semester 2 (12 hours)

NURS 3310 Integrated Health Science II
NURS 3341 Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
NURS 3630 Nursing of Children and Adults I

Semester 3 (12 hours)

NURS 3215 Integrated Health Science III
NURS 3530 Nursing of Children & Adults II
NURS 4541 Nursing the Childbearing Family

Semester 4 (12 hours)

NURS 4551 Nursing in Complex Situations
NURS 4431 Mental Health Nursing
NURS 4322 Research & Issues in Nursing

Semester 5 (14 hours)

NURS 4388 Nursing Internship
NURS 4562 Community Health Nursing
NURS 4532 Leadership/Management
NURS 4182 Senior Seminar

Promotion and Retention Requirements

Students must maintain satisfactory standards to progress in the nursing program and must be recommended by nursing faculty for promotion. Requirements include:

• A minimum grade of C (75) in all nursing courses.
• Satisfactory completion of all nursing courses in one semester before enrolling in the subsequent semester.
• Students who withdraw or receive a final grade of D or F in a nursing course for the first time will be allowed to repeat the course after formal review by the Student Affairs Committee. The committee will consider academic performance in other courses, recommendations of faculty, and space availability in the course.
• Students who receive two grades of D or F or two withdrawals in nursing courses or a combination of D or F and a withdrawal will not be eligible to continue in the program, even if the student has already repeated one of the courses and received a grade of C or above. See the BSN Student Handbook for more details.
• As part of the preparation for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), nursing students in their final semester of study in the generic BSN program are required to achieve a satisfactory score on a comprehensive diagnostic examination in order to receive approval for graduation.

Health Requirements

Good physical and mental health is required for study and practice of nursing. Health requirements include:

• Proof of completed health history questionnaire
• Current health insurance
• Current American Heart Association Health Care Provider Certification (CPR certification)

Immunizations:

• Hepatitis B (#1, #2, #3)
• MMR (#1, #2)
• Varicella (#1, #2, or History of Chickenpox)
• Tetanus/Diphtheria
• TB skin test or chest x-ray (required annually)
• Influenza (required annually)

For more information on Health Requirements, please reference the Student Handbook.

Other Requirements

• Insurance: Nursing students must have liability and health insurance. The liability insurance fee is included in nursing course fees. The University offers limited health insurance coverage.
• Criminal background and drug screening: Criminal background screening is completed on all students accepted into the nursing program; a fee will be assessed for the background check.

The School will designate a company to do the background screening and will not accept results from any company other than the one designated by the School. Students pay expenses related to all screening. An applicant with a significant criminal background or a current conviction may not be allowed to register for nursing courses until the Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas (BNE) issues a declaratory order stating that the individual is eligible for initial licensure or license renewal or determines that the individual is eligible to return to practice. The criminal background screen (FBI screen) will be repeated in the senior year when the student applies for the licensing exam.

— Declaratory Order applications can be obtained from the Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas (BNE) website.

— Drug screening may be required by some clinical agencies. A student who has a positive drug screen will be suspended for one calendar year and will be required to provide documentation of successful treatment prior to being readmitted.

— Refer to the BSN Student Handbook for more information.