Nursing Program Bachelor of Science in Nursing
(185 credits)
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program 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.
Four-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program Admission Requirements
Admission into the 4-Year BSN Program is based on the student’s high school GPA, other college and university transfer grades, Native American preference, Veteran’s Priority of Service status, applicant’s references, interview, and essay.
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.
Veteran 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 Priority of Service Policy is available at the Nursing Department upon request.
BSN Program Admission Process
Prospective students must complete applications for both Salish Kootenai College and the Nursing Program by March 31,2025 to be considered for the Fall 2025 cohort. Students are encouraged to apply online at SKC Admissions (for the SKC college application) and nursing.skc.edu (for the Nursing Program application). Please check the SKC college website (SKC Admissions) for required documents that need to accompany your SKC application.
The following documents must be included in the nursing program application.
- BSN application form
- Essay responses—please refer to nursing.skc.edu for essay questions and requirements
- Copies of unofficial transcripts verifying all college coursework completed to date
- NEX exam- please refer to nursing.skc.edu for NEX exam instructions
Upon receipt of the student’s essay, transcripts, application, and NEX exam score, the admissions committee will schedule an interview with each candidate. Upon completion of the interview process, the admissions committee will meet and determine the successful candidates for admission. Students will be notified of the admission committee’s decision by May 14, 2025. Students must submit an ‘acceptance consent’ form by July 14, 2025 in order to secure their place in the Fall Admission cohort. Failure to submit the ‘acceptance consent’ form by July 14, 2025 will result in forfeiture of the admission and someone from the wait list being moved up to take the open space.
Additional requirements of a background check, drug test, immunization record, certification in CPR, and other required documentation will be given to the students upon completion of the interview process. A due date of July 31, 2025 has been established for these documents.
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. Additional information about transferring courses to SKC is available on the website of the Office of the Academic Transfer Specialist.
End of Program Outcomes
The 4-Year BSN Program has three end of program outcomes which are measured annually:
1. NCLEX passing rate: Goal - 85% or higher first-time attempt passing rate.
2. Graduation rate: Goal - 80% or higher cohort graduation rate within 5 years of starting the BSN Program
3. Job placement rate: Goal - 90% or higher of the cohort will start working as a RN within 6 months of graduation.
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)
| BIOS158 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| BIOS159 | Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 1 |
| ENGL203 | Technical Writing for STEM Majors | 3 |
| MATH100 | College Algebra | 5 |
| NASD101 | History of Indians in the United States | 3 |
| 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)
Winter (Year 2)
Spring (Year 2)
| NURS270 | Gerontology | 3 |
| NURS276 | Pharmacology II | 5 |
| NUTR270 | Nutrition for the Health Professional | 2 |
| PSYC230 | Developmental Psychology | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Fall (Year 3)
| MATH241 | Statistics | 5 |
| NURS305 | Nursing Theory | 3 |
| NURS331 | Medical Surgical Nursing I | 7 |
| ELECTIVE | Native American Studies General Education Open | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Winter (Year 3)
Spring (Year 3)
| NURS371 | Medical Surgical Nursing III | 7 |
| NURS379 | Mental Health Nursing II | 3 |
| NURS383 | Pediatrics Nursing | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Fall (Year 4)
NURS 430 is designated as a course that emphasizes information literacy.
Winter (Year 4)
| ENGL306 | Writing Research Papers | 3 |
| NURS441 | Global Health | 3 |
| NURS445 | Population Health Promotion | 4 |
| NURS450 | Genetics and Genomics for Nurses | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Spring (Year 4)
| NURS391 | Culture and Caring | 3 |
| NURS485 | NCLEX preparation | 3 |
| NURS495 | Senior Practicum | 4 |
| NSGD | Nursing Upper Division Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Nursing Electives
Nursing electives are offered on a rotating basis. Please see the course schedule for each quarter's offerings.
Total Credit Hours: 185