Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Chart your course
BECOME A NURSE
Become a Registered Nurse at Mercy College of Health Sciences! Our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) major will prepare you in as little as three years to take the NCLEX-RN® examination1. With start dates year-round and clinician rotations embedded in semester one coursework, you’ll be prepared to enter the workforce as a successful nurse in no time! Our BSN major uniquely immerses you in nursing coursework right away, allowing you to enter your clinical experience and put classroom theory into practice from day one!
Median Wage2
Clinical Hours, Starting Semester 1
NCLEX Pass Rate†
Projected Job Growth from 2020 – 20302
OUR BODY OF WORK
ABOUT OUR BSN MAJOR
Our Bachelor of Science in Nursing major is designed for students who wish to complete their BSN either full-time or part-time. This major can be completed in as little as three years.
The BSN major will prepare you to assume roles involving management and coordination of care, leadership, education, research, population-focused health, and inter-professional collaboration. We have start dates in the fall and spring with an affordable tuition rate designed to put you on your path toward becoming a nurse.
Are you an LPN? Receive four academic credits toward your BSN! See admission requirements below.
APPROVED BY THE IOWA BOARD OF NURSING (IBON)
The baccalaureate degree program is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing.
ACCREDITED BY THE COMMISSION ON COLLEGIATE NURSING EDUCATION (CCNE)
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Mercy College of Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org)
Faculty in the BSN major are highly motivated and skilled healthcare practitioners comfortable with the latest technology and evidenced-based practices in their specialty areas of healthcare. They average more than 23 years of clinical experience! In addition, our full-time liberal arts and science faculty members are PhD-prepared and adept at integrating their subject matters into a comprehensive health science curriculum. As a student, you will receive an exceptional level of personalized instruction from experienced educators dedicated to your success.
The clinical and lab experiences have given me a great introduction to what it’s actually like to be a nurse. Student activities and clubs like Student Senate have rounded out my college experience. Mercy College has shown me all the ways students like me can make a positive impact in the future of our College and our community.
Madison M., BSN Candidate, 2022
STEP ONE: COLLEGE ADMISSION
To be admitted to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) major, you must first be admitted to Mercy College of Health Sciences. Learn more about Mercy College admissions requirements. To get started, complete the FREE online Mercy College application. Once admitted to Mercy College of Health Sciences, you may enroll in Core requirements prior to your admission to any academic major. If you are transferring credits, please visit our transfer page to learn more.
STEP TWO: PROGRAM ADMISSION
To be considered for admission to the BSN major, you must meet the criteria below.
- Earn a grade of “C” or higher (not C-) and an extracted GPA of 2.7 in the following college-level courses:
- General Chemistry (with lab)
- English Composition I
- General Psychology
- College Math
- Human Anatomy (with lab)1
- Earn a minimum adjusted cumulative score of 63% on the ATI TEAS Test2
- Scores from previous attempts may be reported by the student to Mercy College via the ATI TEAS Transcript process
- If unsuccessful in achieving the desired benchmark, prospective students will have the opportunity to work with tutors in the Norkaitis Student Success Center to prepare for additional attempts
- Non-Mercy College LPN students who wish to enroll in the BSN program will take an NCLEX-PN Predictor Exam3 to determine placement in the BSN program.
- Clinical compliance
1The Human Anatomy (with lab) or equivalent course must be taken within five years of admission to Mercy College of Health Sciences to be considered transferable.
2The ATI TEAS Exam must be taken within two years of desired entry into the nursing program. In a retest is necessary to achieve the minimum score, the retest attempt must be made a minimum of 4 weeks from the previous attempt. Mercy College has a maximum limit of 3 attempts. Students are asked to purchase their ATI TEAS Exam. Students unable to purchase the exam on their own may request financial assistance through the Norkaitis Student Success Center at studentsuccess@mchs.edu.
3The cost of the predictor exam will be paid by the student. Students unable to pay for the predictor exam may request financial assistance from the Norkaitis Student Success Center at studentsuccess@mchs.edu.
The following courses are required to earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Students must also satisfy all Core requirements in addition to nursing coursework.
Semester 1
NUR 134 – Fundamentals I (6 cr)
Semester 2
NUR 207 – Introduction to Pharmacology (3 cr)
NUR 234 – Fundamentals II (6 cr)
Semester 3
NUR 264 – Concepts of Nursing I (5 cr)
NUR 287 – Application of Nursing Pharmacology (2 cr)
Semester 4
NUR 306 – Concepts of Health Promotion (2 cr)
NUR 324 – Concepts of Nursing II (4 cr)
NUR 344 – Mental Health Nursing Concepts & Practice (3 cr)
Semester 5
NUR 354 – Pediatric Nursing Concepts & Practice (3 cr)
NUR 367 – Gerontological Nursing Concepts & Practice (2 cr)
NUR 384 – Concepts of Nursing III (4 cr)
NUR 431 – Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice (3 cr)
Semester 6
NUR 394 – Population Health Nursing Concepts & Practice (3 cr)
NUR 414 – Concepts of Nursing IV (4 cr)
NUR 424 – Maternal-Newborn Nursing Concepts & Practice (3 cr)
NUR 468 – Nursing Leadership (3 cr)
Semester 7
NUR 453 – Informatics & Financial Management in Nursing (3 cr)
NUR 464 – Complex Nursing Practice (3 cr)
NUR 474 – Professional Nursing Practicum (3 cr)
NUR 478 – Capstone (2 cr)
TOTAL: 67 MAJOR CREDITS FOR BACHELOR’S DEGREE
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offers start dates in the fall and spring. View our Academic Calendar for exact semester start dates. Pre-requisites and Core requirements may be completed at Mercy College year-round.
OUTCOMES†
|
Annual Licensure Exam Pass Rate for First-Time Test Takers |
Job Placement Rate within One Year of Graduation |
Program Completion Rates Within 150% of the Expected Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
Annual Licensure Exam Pass Rate for First-Time Test Takers 86.7% |
Job Placement Rate within One Year of Graduation 100% |
Program Completion Rates Within 150% of the Expected Timeframe 69.81% |
1The nursing program is approved by the State of Iowa Board of Nursing and meets state requirements for nursing education. Mercy College of Health Sciences does not claim that the education meets all states’ BON requirements. Applicants who intend to obtain licensure outside of the state of Iowa are encouraged to seek out BON requirements in the state in which they intend to apply for licensure.
2Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses.
†Licensure exam pass rate is defined as students who passed the licensure exam on their first attempt during calendar year 2024 for this BSN track.
Job placement is based on 2024 graduates’ response to alumni survey post-graduation.
Program completion rate represents the 2023-24 academic year.
