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Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN) Degree

BSN Degree Overview

Healthcare isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. At Nebraska Methodist College, we’ve been at the forefront of teaching and preparing individuals for a fulfilling career in nursing. Our traditional BSN degree program embodies our ethos and heritage, reflecting over a century of commitment. Our nursing curriculum and nursing practice are designed to develop clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills.

When you pursue your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Nebraska Methodist College, you’re not just obtaining a degree. You’re embracing a legacy, a community of healthcare mavens who bring together compassionate care, innovative thought, and top-tier practical training. Established in 1891, our college, in collaboration with the Nebraska Methodist Health System, has consistently propagated The Meaning of CareSM.

Our Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Nebraska Methodist College is CCNE-accredited and spans four years, providing an on-campus experience. Our professional nursing program prepares students to become a registered nurse. It’s structured with three semesters of foundational courses and five semesters dedicated to nursing techniques and hands-on clinical sessions. The nursing courses include essential science courses such as chemistry, anatomy, and microbiology. Whether you’re fresh out of high school or looking to transfer college credits, our traditional BSN degree program accommodates both paths. All required prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the beginning of the program. The nursing program requires prerequisite courses to be completed at a regionally accredited college. The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) must also be completed prior to applying for admission.

If you’re contemplating the difference between an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and a Bachelor’s, understanding the unique benefits of becoming a BSN-prepared nurse can offer valuable insights for your career trajectory. Moreover, for a deeper dive into our institution’s legacy, mission, and other academic offerings, explore more about Nebraska Methodist College here.

As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing is a domain on the rise. A projected growth of 6% is anticipated from 2022 to 2032, with the median compensation for nurses standing at $81,220 annually ($39.05 hourly).

BSN Degree Program Perks

  • Our track record shines with 95% of BSN graduates passing the NCLEX in 2024.
  • Embrace population-centric training that exposes students to varied healthcare environments: hospitals, clinics, community outreach, hospice, pediatric wings, and beyond.
  • The Nursing Arts Center, our state-of-the-art simulation facility, fosters confidence and proficiency in future nurses, ensuring they’re clinical-ready.
  • Senior cohorts undergo a nursing preceptorship, mentored by seasoned RNs.
  • Gain foundational knowledge and competencies essential for professional nursing practice.
  • Clinical training spans across prominent locations in Omaha Metro Area: Methodist Hospital, Methodist Women’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, and the Omaha VA Medical Center.
  • No prerequisites or CNA program prerequisites for candidates. Admission decisions are based on the number of required prerequisite courses completed.
  • Within half a year of graduating, 96% of our BSN alumni find employment.
  • Our BSN track prepares students for success in nursing programs nationwide.
  • Interested in minoring in Spanish? Find out more
CCNE

Accreditation & Licensure

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing/master's degree program in nursing/Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Nebraska Methodist College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Graduates must pass NCLEX exam, and apply for licensure in state of practice.

Admissions Information

Criteria

In order to be eligible for admission into our traditional BSN program, you must meet all of the following criteria. 

  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Ability to meet the technical standards of nursing practice.
  • Success in previous math and science courses—specifically, in algebra, biology, chemistry or anatomy and physiology.

Requirements

To apply, the following items must be submitted to the Admissions Office:

Deadlines

Prospective students may apply anytime and are accepted from deadlines throughout the year. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt, and students will be notified of their acceptance by postal mail, email or phone.

Starting Term - Summer 2025

Standard Deadline - 4/25/2025

Starting Term - Spring 2025

Standard Deadline - 12/6/2024

Starting Term - Fall 2025

Priority Deadline - 2/1/2025

Standard Deadline - 7/11/2025

Costs & Financial Aid

NMC is committed to helping you find every avenue to finance your education. View the Tuition by Program & Degree page for a comprehensive list of all fees.

Cost Per Credit Hour

$623

NMC Scholarships

NMC Scholarships consist of funds generously provided by the Methodist Hospital Foundation to assist our students.

Student Grants or Loans

Visit our Financial Aid page to learn more about what's available and how to apply.

Employee Education Benefits

Employees of Methodist Health System can find details on the MHS Intranet.

External Scholarships

Visit our Scholarships page to learn more.

Calculate Your Net Price

Nebraska Methodist College Net Price Calculator.

BSN Degree Curriculum

To receive a bachelor’s degree in nursing, students must earn a minimum of 127 total credit hours. All students are required to complete specific coursework. This list is a curriculum guide only. Course listings and required curriculum are subject to change. 

Included within this list is the Educated Citizen Core Curriculum. All students seeking to complete an undergraduate degree at Nebraska Methodist College must complete this set of Arts & Sciences requirements. As an educated citizen, NMC graduates are competent practitioners and respond productively to the complex dynamics of the world, utilizing a diversity of disciplines and perspectives.

Math Competency

Following acceptance to the College, all BSN Traditional students’ math competency will be assessed via an exam.

First year - First Semester

BIO 225
HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I
DETAILS
This course will provide foundational concepts for further study and understanding of the human body as it relates to healthcare related disciplines. Terminology that is specific to the medical field is introduced. Basic principles of chemistry, physics, embryology, developmental biology, and histology are reviewed/introduced. Students are introduced to the eleven body systems. This course focuses on articulations and the integumentary, nervous, skeletal, and muscular systems. Laboratory experience will include a multi-modal approach and will include cadaveric study. 

CHE 101
INTRODUCTION TO CHEMISTRY
DETAILS
This course is an overview of general, organic and biological chemistry with an emphasis on applications to health sciences. This course will introduce students to the basic knowledge of the properties of the matter, its reactions, and classifications. The course will discuss the main organic compounds and their properties as well as include some basic biochemistry principles. The course is accompanied by laboratory exercises which follows the material discussed.

Prerequisites: MAT 110

COR 101
EDUCATED CITIZEN 101
DETAILS

MAT 110
INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA
DETAILS
This survey level course is designed to build basic algebra skills. It covers topics including positive and negative real numbers, solving linear equations and their applications, integer exponents, operations with polynomials, factoring, rational expressions, logarithms, graphing and equations of lines.

PSY 101
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
DETAILS
This course offers students an engaging introduction to the essential topics in the field of psychology. Throughout this scientific study of human behavior and the mind, students will survey and gain insight into the history of the field of psychology, as well as explore current theories and issues in areas such as wellness, emotion, cognition, motivation, perception, consciousness, social and personality, and memory.

First year - Second Semester

BIO 226
HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY II
DETAILS
This course will continue to apply foundational concepts of the human body as they relate to healthcare related disciplines. The structure and function of the special senses, along with the endocrine, circulatory, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems are explored in this course. Laboratory experience will include a multi-modal approach and will include cadaveric study.

Prerequisite: BIO 225 
Prerequisite or Corequisite: CHE 101

BIO 281
MICROBIOLOGY
DETAILS
This course is designed to study the microbiology principles with a human perspective. The course will provide a basic understanding of microbial structure, function and their role in infectious diseases. There will also be an emphasis on the application of microorganisms and their relationship to various disease processes. Upon completion of the course, the students will be able to demonstrate the working knowledge of the microorganisms and their impact on infectious diseases.

Prerequisites: CHE 101, BIO 225 or SCI 200 or college level introductory biology course
Pre or Co-requisites: MA 110
Co-requisites: BIO 226

COM 101
ENGLISH COMPOSITION
DETAILS
This course provides instruction and practice in writing, with emphasis on the recursive processes of generating, drafting, revising and editing. Students develop skills in producing and evaluating written communications in private and public contexts.

COM 255 or 262
Beginning Healthcare Spanish or American Sign Language Basic Skills
DETAILS

Beginning Healthcare Spanish

This course will provide basic knowledge of the Spanish language and Latino culture, and emphasize the importance of this knowledge as it relates to healthcare in the United States. The student will demonstrate an ability to express ideas and thoughts in Spanish using both verbal and nonverbal communication skills in a culturally competent manner. In addition, the student will develop strategies to continue acquiring proficiency with the Spanish language beyond this course.

OR

American Sign Language Basic Skills

This course presents practical communication skills needed for health professionals working with deaf clients. Everyday communication is the centerpiece of every lesson. Topics revolve around sharing information which is vital in the healthcare industry. Grammar is introduced in context, with an emphasis on developing question and answering skills that would occur between healthcare professional and patient. Students will learn conversational strategies to help maintain a conversation with deaf patients. Students will appreciate the diversity of deaf people and their culture. Interaction activities will allow students to rehearse what they’ve learned.

PSY 215
LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT
DETAILS
The Lifespan perspective involves several basic contentions: development is life-long, multidimensional, multi-directional, plastic, historically embedded, multi-disciplinary and contextual. Three imperative developmental issues are explored: maturation and experience, continuity and discontinuity and stability and change. Students study how humans develop and how they become who they are.

Prerequisites:As determined by program

Second year - First Semester

BIO 240
PRINCIPLES OF NUTRITION
DETAILS
This course in nutrition is designed for students to gain knowledge of the basic elements of nutrition, the nutrient needs in all age groups, and client teaching.Consideration of the cultural and psychological influences of nutrition emphasizes the psychosocial components of humans and adequate nutrition maintenance for health.Students will have the opportunity to learn the role of good nutrition and how it applies to self, family, client, and the community.It provides students with basic knowledge enabling them to gain an understanding of the integral role that nutrition plays in the health and well-being of others.

Prerequisites:CHE 100

BIO 315
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
DETAILS
The course begins with a major focus on cellular functions and pathology, including inflammation, infection, immune response, metabolism, and fluid disequilibrium. These concepts serve as the foundation for the course as alterations in various bodily functions are examined. Alterations in body fluid and electrolyte homeostasis, fluid acid-base balance, gastrointestinal, urinary, respiratory, cardiac, endocrine, neurological, mobility and sensory-perceptual functions are emphasized by using a holistic perspective.

Prerequisites: BIO 226, BIO 281, CHE 101

COR 101
EDUCATED CITIZEN 101
DETAILS

HUM 210 or 213
Introduction to Ethics or Principles and Practice of Ethics
DETAILS
Students must choose to take either: HUM 210INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS:Introduction to Ethics introduces students to theories and practices of individual, communal and societal obligations.Moral inquiry in the course proceeds from a philosophical basis.HUM 213PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF ETHICS:This course introduces students to theories and practices of individual, communal and societal obligations. Moral inquiry in the course proceeds from a philosophical basis, with an emphasis on varied professional codes of ethics in healthcare disciplines. Students will explore codes of ethics and how they relate to traditional Western philosophies.

SCI 320
INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACOLOGY
DETAILS

This course is designed to introduce students to pharmacological principles. The various drug classifications and general characteristics of drugs within a class is examined. The course also focuses on complete analysis of pharmacotherapeutics and drug interactions.

Prerequisites: CHE 100, BIO 225, BIO 226Pre/Corequisite:BIO 315

Second year - Second Semester

HUM 220-229 or 270-279
Humanities Elective: The Arts or Human Connection
DETAILS

NRS 102
POPULATION BASED HEALTH I
DETAILS

This introductory course provides a foundation for population health nursing along the continuum of wellbeing emphasizing healthy individuals. Students will be introduced to population health focused on improving health outcomes across systems at the local, state, and national level. Students will examine the fundamental concepts of safety, health promotion, health disparities, pain, caring, development, nutrition, determinants of health, and evidence.

Prerequisites & Corequisites: View here

NRS 102C
POPULATION BASED HEALTH CLINICAL I
DETAILS

The clinical practicum offers students opportunities to practice clinical judgement while providing nursing care focused on primary and secondary interventions. Students will demonstrate fundamental nursing skills while providing compassionate and culturally respectful nursing care. Students will identify components of research

Prerequisite: Pre-requisites are all first, second, and third semester arts and science courses or by permission of BSN Director.

Corequisites: Co-requisite courses are enrollment in NRS 105 Professionalism in Nursing and NRS 110/110L Health Assessment Across the Lifespan.

NRS 105
PROFESSIONALISM IN NURSING
DETAILS
In this professionalism in nursing course, students are introduced to the NMC Core Values and standards expected of a nursing professional including the nursing code of ethics. Personal behaviors required of the profession such as appearance, etiquette, language and communication are also introduced. This non-clinical course introduces the concepts of Professional Identity, and Culture.

Prerequisites & Corequisites: View here

NRS 110/110L
HEALTH ASSESSMENT ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
DETAILS
This health assessment course familiarizes the student with normal and abnormal health assessments of clients across the lifespan. The student will identify and utilize the principles of diagnosis, reasoning, and critical thinking to practice the application of health assessment findings to nursing practice. During this non-clinical lab, the student will analyze data collected during a complete health assessment. The health assessment data collected consists of a complete health history and physical assessment including laboratory values, level of wellness, environment, health practices and goals, psychosocial, mental, nutritional and transcultural considerations.

Prerequisites & Corequisites: View here

Third year - First Semester

COR 301
EDUCATED CITIZEN 301
DETAILS

Prerequisites: COM 101 and HUM 150 or HUM 152

MAT 260
INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS
DETAILS
This course is designed to introduce students to the methods used in organizing, summarizing, analyzing and interpreting quantitative information. Emphasis is placed on application of statistical methods and on the interpretation of statistically significant data.

NRS 200
POPULATION BASED HEALTH II
DETAILS
This course expands on population health focusing on nursing care addressing low risk and/or chronic conditions. Students will integrate concepts and skills used in the delivery of care with an emphasis on primary, secondary and tertiary interventions, to mitigate health disparities and improve access to health care. Concepts introduced in this course include perfusion, gas exchange and cognition while expanding on concepts previously introduced. The clinical practicum offers students opportunities to implement caring and communication with individuals, families, and aggregates. Students will apply evidence based practice and research findings in planning and evaluating care.

Prerequisites & Corequisites: View here

NRS 200C
POPULATION BASED HEALTH II CLINICAL
DETAILS
This course expands on population health focusing on nursing care addressing low risk and/or chronic conditions. Students will integrate concepts and skills used in the delivery of care with an emphasis on primary, secondary and tertiary interventions, to mitigate health disparities and improve access to health care. Concepts introduced in this course include perfusion, gas exchange and cognition while expanding on concepts previously introduced. The clinical practicum offers students opportunities to implement caring and communication with individuals, families, and aggregates. Students will apply evidence based practice and research findings in planning and evaluating care.

Prerequisite: Pre-requisites are all first, second, third semester arts and science courses, and NRS 102/102C, NRS 110/110L, and NRS 105 or by permission of BSN Director.

Corequisites: Co-requisite course is enrollment in NRS 201 Public Health Nursing

NRS 201
PUBLIC HEALTH SCIENCE
DETAILS
Description pending final approval.

Prerequisites & Corequisites: View here

Third year - Second Semester

HUM 220-279
HUMANITIES ELECTIVE
DETAILS

NRS 300
POPULATION BASED HEALTH III
DETAILS
This course builds on population health nursing concepts focusing on care management for the moderate risk individual with multiple chronic health conditions. Students will demonstrate professional role development, clinical judgement, and the use of humanistic/scientific principles and research as the basis of compassionate and culturally respectful nursing care. Students learn to manage disease care, conduct interdisciplinary practice, and provide patient education and advocacy through secondary and tertiary care interventions for individuals, families, and aggregates. The clinical practicum offers opportunities to practice health promotion and restorative nursing care. Experiences promote integration of the nursing process, including prioritization, professional communication, delegations, advocacy, and leadership. Students will analyze research and evidence-based practice.

Prerequisites & Corequisites: View here

NRS 300C
POPULATION BASED HEALTH III CLINICAL
DETAILS
This course builds on population health nursing concepts focusing on care management for the moderate risk individual with multiple chronic health conditions. Students will demonstrate professional role development, clinical judgement, and the use of humanistic/scientific principles and research as the basis of compassionate and culturally respectful nursing care. Students learn to manage disease care, conduct interdisciplinary practice, and provide patient education and advocacy through secondary and tertiary care interventions for individuals, families, and aggregates. The clinical practicum offers opportunities to practice health promotion and restorative nursing care. Experiences promote integration of the nursing process, including prioritization, professional communication, delegations, advocacy, and leadership. Students will analyze research and evidence-based practice.

Prerequisites & Corequisites: View here

NRS 301
HEALTHCARE POLICY
DETAILS
In this online course, the focus is on legislation of healthcare. Professional activism is introduced. Students learn about the nurse’s role in health care advocacy and policy development both individually and through professional organizations. Based on the social determinants of health at the local, state, and national level, students select an area of interest to develop health-care policy to implement change.

Prerequisites & Corequisites: View here

SSC 370
RESEARCH METHODS
DETAILS
This course is designed to assist the student in developing an understanding of the research process in qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods designs. The student learns to selectively apply the steps of research and to critically analyze research studies culminating in formal, oral and written projects.

Prerequisites:Determined by major

Fourth year - First Semester

HUM 250-259
THE WORLD OF IDEAS: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
DETAILS
Students critically analyze the impact of history on contemporary society.Historical methods of inquiry inform students' perspectives on societal and institutional development. Most undergraduate students must take one course from this group. HUM 255HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES HUM 256THE HISTORY OF WESTERN MEDICINE HUM 257U.S. HISTORY: PAST, PRESENT, AND PROMISE: A SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH BY CHALLENGING THE PRESENT & DEMANDING A NEW FUTURE HUM 258WORLD HISTORY TO 1800 HUM 259HISTORY OF SCIENCE: THE CREATION OF A BIOMEDICAL WORLD

NRS 400
POPULATION BASED HEALTH IV
DETAILS
This advanced population health-nursing course focuses on caring for individuals requiring close monitoring and timely interventions. Students will expand on the role of the professional caregiver through nursing theory, knowledge, and concepts. The clinical practicum offers students varied experiences with high-risk populations across the lifespan with a focus on secondary and tertiary interventions. Progressive clinical judgment will promote ongoing synthesis of complex concepts in nursing care management across the continuum. Experience fosters prioritization, leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Evaluation of evidence based practice and research findings will be applied to high acuity populations.

Prerequisites & Corequisites: View here

NRS 400C
POPULATION BASED HEALTH IV CLINICAL
DETAILS
This advanced population health-nursing course focuses on caring for individuals requiring close monitoring and timely interventions. Students will expand on the role of the professional caregiver through nursing theory, knowledge, and concepts. The clinical practicum offers students varied experiences with high-risk populations across the lifespan with a focus on secondary and tertiary interventions. Progressive clinical judgment will promote ongoing synthesis of complex concepts in nursing care management across the continuum. Experience fosters prioritization, leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Evaluation of evidence based practice and research findings will be applied to high acuity populations.

Prerequisites & Corequisites: View here

NRS 405
HEALTHCARE COLLABORATION & LEADERSHIP/GLOBAL HEALTH
DETAILS
This non-clinical course focuses on critical examination of healthcare issues that impact a changing global community. The course examines populations affected by topics such as global epidemics, international disasters, international nursing practice, finances, and ecology. Students will analyze, evaluate, and create possible solutions to global healthcare issues within a framework of leadership and management theories. The concepts of change, power, collaboration, gender dynamics, advocacy, and conflict resolution in healthcare will add to the students’ repertoire of tools for making global changes.

NRS ___
Non-Clinical Nursing Elective
DETAILS

Fourth year - Second Semester

COR 401
EDUCATED CITIZEN 401
DETAILS

COR 402
EDUCATED CITIZEN 402: SEMINAR
DETAILS

NRS 402
TRANSITION TO PRACTICE
DETAILS

During this non-clinical course, students prepare to transition to the profession of nursing. Using the framework of the nursing code of ethics, students synthesize the concepts of quality, healthcare finance, leadership, professionalism, safety, informatics, and performance improvement.

Prerequisites & Corequisites: View here

NRS 410
NURSING CARE OF SPECIALIZED POPULATIONS
DETAILS
This course focuses on synthesis of population health in the continuum of care for individuals, families, and aggregates in a variety of settings. Students will personalize their professional nurse role through nursing theory, knowledge, and concepts. Students will integrate clinical judgement to create holistic health solutions and optimal outcomes. Students will examine professional roles in accordance with regulatory and accrediting processes. The extended clinical practicum offers students diverse experiences with varied populations across the lifespan while building on skills of advocacy, prioritization, leadership, autonomy and inter-professional collaboration. Students will analyze evidence based practice and research findings to improve population health outcomes.

Prerequisites & Corequisites: View here

NRS 410C
NURSING CARE OF SPECIALIZED POPULATIONS CLINICAL
DETAILS
This course focuses on synthesis of population health in the continuum of care for individuals, families, and aggregates in a variety of settings. Students will personalize their professional nurse role through nursing theory, knowledge, and concepts. Students will integrate clinical judgement to create holistic health solutions and optimal outcomes. Students will examine professional roles in accordance with regulatory and accrediting processes. The extended clinical practicum offers students diverse experiences with varied populations across the lifespan while building on skills of advocacy, prioritization, leadership, autonomy and inter-professional collaboration. Students will analyze evidence based practice and research findings to improve population health outcomes.

Prerequisites & Corequisites: View here

NRS 471
SENIOR SYNTHESIS
DETAILS
Students INTEGRATE concepts of the professional role into a personal philosophy of nursing. Students will use Population Health Concepts and Evidence Based Practice to critically evaluate and refine decision-making skills, in the care and management of clients across all populations. Population health, clinical judgement, leadership/management and legal/ethical principles provide a framework for classroom activities. Students experience the role of the practicing nurse in an applied learning environment. Students are assigned an RN preceptor to promote the development of confidence and competence in applying the skills and knowledge expected from a novice. Through the synthesis of prior knowledge, students apply management and communication skills to foster interdisciplinary collaboration. Students demonstrate responsibility and legal/ethical accountability in their professional role as caregiver, teacher, and manager of care to individuals, families and aggregates.

Prerequisites & Corequisites: View here

NRS 471P
SENIOR PRECEPTOR PRACTICUM
DETAILS
Students INTEGRATE concepts of the professional role into a personal philosophy of nursing. Students will use Population Health Concepts and Evidence Based Practice to critically evaluate and refine decision-making skills, in the care and management of clients across all populations. Population health, clinical judgement, leadership/management and legal/ethical principles provide a framework for classroom activities. Students experience the role of the practicing nurse in an applied learning environment. Students are assigned an RN preceptor to promote the development of confidence and competence in applying the skills and knowledge expected from a novice. Through the synthesis of prior knowledge, students apply management and communication skills to foster interdisciplinary collaboration. Students demonstrate responsibility and legal/ethical accountability in their professional role as caregiver, teacher, and manager of care to individuals, families and aggregates.

Prerequisites & Corequisites: View here

Meet the Faculty

Our nursing faculty are highly experienced and credentialed in their own fields, giving you constant real-world insight you can use. While any instructor can recite from a textbook, ours go a step further and draw from vast personal and professional experiences. Instructors here care as deeply about their students as they do the subject matter and it shows.

Meet the Faculty

Additional information

Nursing Program Mission

The philosophy of the Baccalaureate Program of the Division of Nursing is reflective of the beliefs from which the NMC Mission and Core Values were formulated.

Human Being

The nursing faculty believe that human beings are holistic and diverse. Each human being has dignity and lives within a cultural context of values, religious/spiritual beliefs and social support systems. Human beings interact with the environment in which they reside through language, lifestyle and individual responsibilities. Human beings function in independent, interdependent, and/or dependent roles and may seek or receive nursing care related to disease prevention, illness care, health promotion and/or maintenance through the continuum of life.

Environment

Environment is viewed as the place where people live, grow, work, play, and experience optimal wellness of self and personal wholeness. The caring environment encompasses an obligation to both the local and global communities. The focus of the environment is also the cultivation of healing relationships, diversity, social justice, financial awareness and stewardship of resources for an ecologically healthy planet.

Health

Health is a human right and nurses promote equitable health care to maximize positive health outcomes and minimize health disparities. Overall well-being of individuals encompasses the mind, body, and spirit. Health enables human beings to live in and interface with global communities.  

Nursing

Nursing is a learned and specialized profession built on applied knowledge that reflects both art and science and the culture of health. Nursing is a creative, collaborative, and interactive process steeped in the art and science of caring that require sound judgement and skills based on principles of biological, physical, behavioral, and social sciences while respecting individual views, philosophies, and spirituality. The focus of nursing is to perform preventative, supportive, and restorative actions while helping individuals, families, and communities achieve health and wellbeing. Nursing respects inherent dignity, worth and unique attributes of all people. The profession of nursing integrates knowledge gained from assessments, uses critical thinking to provide care and continually evaluates the effectiveness of nursing practice, seeking optimal outcomes.

Nurses advocate for the well-being, comfort, dignity, and humanity of all individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations. Nurses minister to human beings’ universal needs and intentional care of the spirit, by providing preventative healthcare, educating for self-care, facilitating adaptation or recovery from illness, or creating an environment supportive of a dignified death. Nurses deliver holistic individualized care throughout the lifespan and across the health illness continuum within the human’s environmental context. Nurses use interdisciplinary collaboration, technology, and scientific evidence to advance the field of nursing. Nurses advocate for social justice through creating equitable health care policies that protect human rights, promote health diplomacy, and reduce health disparities. Nurses have an ethical and social responsibility to sustain human caring where it is threatened and to be the guardians of human compassion, respect, dignity, and advocacy for the marginalized and vulnerable.

Education

The educational process is an active, collaborative partnership promoting teamwork among learners, educators, health care systems, and the broader community. The nursing faculty serve as role models in mentoring students in the role of professionalism and ethical practice. Students develop attributes of the Educated Citizen and the NMC Core Values through focused and meaningfully applied learning experiences.

Nursing Education

The nursing faculty view teaching as an interactive process empowering students to see human needs manifested in diverse beliefs, values, resources, and environments. The nursing faculty believe nursing education should nurture the students’ ability to think critically and creatively. As the world of nursing is continually evolving and rapidly changing, it is important to the nursing faculty that students learn to transfer knowledge from theory into clinical practice from one situation to another while making decisions based on critical thinking and sound clinical judgement specific to each human being.

The nursing faculty believe the curriculum is inclusive in developing students who are culturally respectful and competent practitioners able to address the health care needs of a diverse world through civic engagement. The nursing faculty emphasize excellence in integrity, accountability, courage, respect, and professional communication. As accomplished practitioners, educators, learners, researchers, and specialized professionals, nursing faculty serve as role models of self- reflection and life-long learning. The curricular framework incorporates a population-based approach that prepares students to build connections between knowledge and action in an increasingly interdependent world.

BSN Degree Program Outcomes

Graduates of the BSN program will:

  1. Integrate culturally respectful and compassionate professional nursing care with human beings while incorporating mindful practice to promote autonomy, altruism, human dignity, integrity, and social justice (BSN Essential VIII).
  2. Analyze holistic care solutions based on scientific and humanistic rationale for diverse situations encountered in professional nursing practice (BSN Essential III).
  3. Employ effective and professional communication in interactions with individuals, families and community members (BSN Essential VI, IX).
  4. Synthesize scientific evidence and technological information derived from theory and research to improve health outcomes and advance professional nursing practice. (BSN Essential III, IV).
  5. Evaluate evidence based practice for patient centered care using clinical judgment and the nursing process to meet the diverse health needs of human beings (BSN Essential III, VII, IX).
  6. Collaborate with human beings and community partners as an agent of change to facilitate a culture of quality, safety, and inclusiveness within a population based health care environment (BSN Essential I, II, VI, VII, IX).
  7. Advocate for socially just health care policies, including financial awareness which protect human rights and promote health diplomacy to eliminate health inequities and disparities (BSN Essential I, V).
  8. Implement leadership concepts and skills grounded in accountability within ethical and professional standards (BSN Essential II, V, VIII, IX).
  9. Commit to self-reflection for life-long learning to enhance personal and professional growth (BSN Essential I, VIII).

Philosophy and New Program Outcomes Incorporate:

  • NMC Educated Citizen and NMC Core Values (2018)
  • Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (2008)
  • NE State Board of Nursing Regulations (2011)
  • CCNE Standards for Accreditation (2013) 
  • ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses (2015)
  • Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice (2015)
  • QSEN Competencies (2018)

Transfer Student Information

Learn more about Transfer Student Admissions

Program Handbook

Nursing Technical Standards

In preparation for professional nursing roles nursing students are expected to demonstrate the ability to meet the demands of a professional nursing career. Certain functional abilities are essential for the delivery of safe, effective nursing care. An applicant to the Bachelors of Science in Nursing program must meet the following technical standards and maintain satisfactory demonstration of these standards for progression throughout the program. Students unable to meet these technical standards will not be able to complete the program. Students shall notify faculty of any change in their ability to meet technical standards. The technical standards include but are not necessarily limited to the following:

General Ability

The student is expected to possess functional use of the senses of vision, touch, hearing, and smell so that data received by the senses is integrated, analyzed and synthesized in a consistent and accurate manner. The student is expected to possess the ability to perceive pain, pressure, temperature, position, vibration, and movement in order to effectively evaluate patients. A student must be able to respond promptly to urgent situations.

Observational Ability

The student must have the ability to make accurate visual observations and interpret them in the context of clinical/laboratory activities and patient care experiences. The student must be able to document these observations accurately.

Communication Ability

The student must communicate effectively verbally and non-verbally to obtain information and explain that information to others. Each student must have the ability to read, write, comprehend and speak the English language to facilitate communication with patients, family members, and other members of the healthcare team. The student must be able to document and maintain accurate records, present information in a professional manner and provide patient instruction to effectively care for patients and their families.

Motor Ability

The student must be able to perform gross and fine motor movements with sufficient coordination needed to provide complete physical assessments and provide safe effective care for patients. The student is expected to have psychomotor skills necessary to perform or assist with procedures, treatments, administration of medications, and emergency interventions including CPR if necessary. The student must have sufficient levels of neuromuscular control and eye-to-hand coordination as well as possess the physical and mental stamina to meet the demands associated with extended periods of sitting, standing, moving, and physical exertion required for safe patient care. Students must be able to bend, squat, reach, kneel or balance. Clinical settings may require that students have the ability to carry and lift loads from the floor, from 12 inches from the floor, to shoulder height and overhead. The student must be able to occasionally lift 50 pounds, frequently lift 25 pounds, and constantly lift 10 pounds. The student is expected to be able to maintain consciousness and equilibrium and have the physical strength and stamina to perform satisfactorily in clinical settings.

Intellectual—Conceptual Ability

The student must have the ability to develop problem-solving skills essential to professional nursing practice. Problem solving skills include the ability to measure, calculate reason, analyze, and synthesize objective and subjective data, and to make decisions, in a timely manner that reflect thoughtful deliberation and sound clinical judgment. The student must demonstrate application of these skills and possess the ability to incorporate new information from peers, instructors, and the nursing and healthcare literature to formulate sound judgment to establish care plans and priorities in patient care activities.

Behavioral and Social Attributes

The student is expected to have the emotional stability required to exercise sound judgment, and complete assessment and intervention activities. Compassion, integrity, motivation, and concern for others are personal attributes required of those in the nursing program. The student must fully utilize intellectual capacities that facilitate prompt completion of all responsibilities in the classroom and clinical settings; the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients and other members of the healthcare team. The ability to establish rapport and maintain interpersonal relationships with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds is critical for practice as a nurse. Each student must be able to adapt to changing environments; display flexibility; accept and integrate constructive criticism given in the classroom and clinical settings; and effectively collaborate in the clinical setting with other members of the healthcare team.

Ability to Manage Stressful Situations

The student must be able to adapt to and function effectively in relation to stressful situations encountered in both the classroom and clinical settings, including emergency situations. Students will encounter multiple stressors while in the nursing program. These stressors may be (but are not limited to) personal, patient care/family, faculty/peer, and or program related.

Background Check/Drug Screening

Clinical facilities require that Nebraska Methodist College perform drug testing and background checks on all students before they are allowed to participate in clinical experiences. Therefore, students will be required to have a background check performed and submit to drug screening before being allowed into clinical practice.