Nursing Program Four Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The 4-Year BSN is designed to provide the industry standard BSN degree. Upon graduation, the student is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and practice as a Registered Nurse.
4-Year BSN Program Admission Requirements
Admission into the 4-Year BSN Program is based on the Pre-Admission Exam score, the student’s high school GPA, other college and university transfer grades, Native American preference, Veteran’s Priority of Service status, applicant’s references, and applicant’s essay.
Nursing School Admission Test Requirements
The National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Exam (PAX) assesses the requisite knowledge and academic skills in reading, vocabulary, science, and math to succeed in the BSN Nursing Program. A thorough review of these topics prior to taking the test is highly recommended. Study materials and practice exams are offered on line at student’s expense.
The PAX exam is offered on campus or via remote with a proctor at student’s expense in February 2021. A threshold score of 102 must be obtained in order to be considered for admission.
Transfer Grade Requirements
In the event a prospective BSN student has already taken general education college courses at another college or university, the student must provide an official transcript to the SKC Enrollment Department in order for the transfer specialist to assess transferability. Students must have earned a B or better in 30 weeks of Anatomy and Physiology and a C or better in all other general education transfer courses. If a student has not earned a B or better in Anatomy and Physiology or a C or better in any other general education course, the student will be required to take these courses at SKC.
Native American Preference Policy
SKC does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual identification, gender, age, or disability except as allowed by the Indian Preference provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. Consistent with this provision and the mission of the college, the Nursing Program gives preference to enrolled tribal members and descendants traceable to the second generation during the admissions process.
Veterans Priority of Service Policy
The requirement to provide priority of service to veterans applies to all programs that receive funding from the United States Department of Labor. "Veteran" is defined as a person who served at least one day in the active military, naval, or air service,and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. The Veteran's Priority of Service Policy is available at the Nursing Department upon request.
BSN Program Admission Process
Students need to apply to Salish Kootenai College AND the Nursing Program by December 15, 2020 for consideration for the admittance date of Fall 2021. Students are encouraged to apply online at www.skc.edu (for the SKC college application) and nursing.skc.edu (for the Nursing Program application). Please check the SKC college website (www.skc.edu) for required documents that need to accompany your SKC application.
The following documents must be included in the nursing program application.
- BSN application form
- Copies of unofficial transcripts verifying all college coursework completed to date
- Tribal membership verification (if applicable)
- Veteran verification (if applicable)
The National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Exam (PAX) is required for admission into the BSN program. A score of 102 must be achieved in order to be considered for admission. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain the online study materials and practice tests for the PAX. The PAX is taken in February 2021. Please see nursing.skc.edu for links to the practice materials and test registration.
Upon receiving the 102 score on the PAX, students must then go to Verified Credentials to obtain a background check. Please see nursing.skc.edu for links to Verified Credentials.
Additionally, an essay is required to be submitted to the SKC Nursing Department by March 1, 2021. Please see nursing.skc.edu for essay requirements.
Upon receipt of the student’s background check, essay, and PAX exam score, the admissions committee will meet and determine the successful candidates for admission. Students will be notified of the admission committee’s decision by April 15, 2021.
By the end of the first year of the BSN program, in Spring Quarter, students will be required to complete a background check in preparation for clinical rotations your second year. Individuals who have been convicted of a felony will not be permitted to continue on in the nursing program as that individual would not have a reasonable probability of being accepted by any of the clinical sites the college uses for student nurse educational experiences. Other components that you will need to fulfill during this Spring Quarter of your first year in the BSN program are your completed immunization records and evidence of completing a healthcare provider CPR class. Students will also be required to comply with random drug screening during the Fall Quarter of the second year and subsequent fall quarters which is a clinical site mandated requirement. Information on required immunizations can be found on nursing.skc.edu.
Clinical Laboratories
Nursing coursework includes interactive learning activities in the classroom, independent study, campus practice lab, and clinical practice in a variety of institutional and community based health care settings. One lab credit hour represents three contact hours. Clinical facilities are located in Ronan, Polson, Plains, Kalispell, Missoula, and other western Montana communities. Overnight stays in various communities may be necessary throughout the program. Clinical labs may be scheduled on days, evenings, nights, or on weekends. During the last quarter of the program, students participate in preceptorships, following the work schedules of RN preceptors. Students are responsible for housing and transportation to and from clinical facilities.
Nursing Department Policies
Due to the unique nature of the nursing profession, the Nursing Department maintains policies in addition to those of the college. The policies are available in the BSN Student Handbook. Examples include admission, progression, professional behavior, and grading policies.
Additional Requirements for Licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN)
Completion of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing is not the sole criteria for obtaining a license to practice as a registered nurse. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (ncsbn.org) publishes requirements by state. The Montana Nurse Practice Act authorizes the State Board of Nursing (http://mt.gov/dli/nur/) to set requirements for RN Licensure in Montana. Requirements for licensure include:
- Graduation from an approved school of nursing.
- A passing score on the NCLEX-RN, the national licensing exam.
- The capacity to maintain the professional code of nursing practice.
Licensure may be denied to graduates/nurses who demonstrate:
- Fraudulent information or misrepresentation in the licensing application or exam.
- Active history of substance abuse/chemical dependency
- Failure to maintain the professional conduct of nurses.
- Conviction of a crime that relates adversely to the practice of nursing.
BSN Degree Requirements
Fall (Year 1)
| IDST101 | SKC Seminar | 3 |
| ENGL101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| BIOS108 | Biology of Living Systems | 4 |
| BIOS109 | Biology of Living Systems Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOS138 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIOS139 | Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Winter (Year 1)
| ENGL203 | Technical Writing for STEM Majors | 3 |
| NASD101 | History of Indians in the United States | 3 |
| MATH100 | College Algebra | 5 |
| BIOS158 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| BIOS159 | Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring (Year 1)
| BIOS130 | Introduction to Microbiology | 4 |
| BIOS131 | Introduction to Microbiology Lab | 1 |
| CHEM124 | Introduction to General & Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry | 4 |
| CHEM125 | Introduction to General & Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry lab | 1 |
| BIOS178 | Anatomy and Physiology III | 4 |
| BIOS179 | Anatomy and Physiology III Lab | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Fall (Year 2)
ELECTIVE
| NASD OPEN | 3 |
| NURS201 | Introduction to Nursing | 2 |
| NURS235 | Pathophysiology I | 3 |
| NURS205 | Health Assessment | 3 |
| PSYC110 | Introduction to Psychology | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Winter (Year 2)
Spring (Year 2)
| NURS270 | Gerontology | 3 |
| NURS275 | Pharmacology II | 3 |
| PSYC230 | Developmental Psychology | 5 |
| | |
| PHIL100 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| OR | |
| HMNT101 | Introduction to Humanities | 3 |
| | |
| NUTR270 | Nutrition for the Health Professional | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Fall (Year 3)
Winter (Year 3)
Spring (Year 3)
Fall (Year 4)
NURS 430 is designated as a course that emphasizes information literacy.
Winter (Year 4)
| NSGD | Nursing Upper Division Elective | 3 |
| NURS441 | Global Health | 3 |
| NURS444 | Health Promotion, Health Protection, and Disease Prevention | 3 |
| NURS450 | Genetics and Genomics for Nurses | 3 |
| NURS469 | Senior Capstone I | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring (Year 4)
Total Credit Hours: 185