Bemidji State University
Department of Nursing
Application Criteria : 4-year Track
Admission to BSU
Students must be admitted to Bemidji State University prior to
applying for admission to the nursing major. Official transcripts of credits
transferred from other post secondary schools must be available in the B.S.U.
Admissions Office by September 15 to be considered for admittance
to the nursing major.
Application to Nursing Major
Admission to the nursing major is a separate process from admission to
Bemidji State University. Admission to the nursing major is required in
order to enroll in selected spring semester sophomore and all upper division
nursing courses. Students wishing to apply for admission to the
nursing major should obtain an application from the Department of Nursing
office or (LINK TO NURSING APPLICATION). A Nursing representative
is available (either by phone or in person) to answer questions related
to the application process by contacting the Department of Nursing. The
completed application must be submitted to the Department of Nursing office no
later than September 15th to be considered for acceptance into the nursing
major for spring semester. A recent transcript must be attached to the
completed application. If all credits completed for the program eligibility
are from Bemidji State University, the transcript may be unofficial and
is obtained from the Records Office or online (link to records). All other
transcripts must be official.
For Admission consideration, applicants must have completed at least 30 semester credits from an accredited College or University including the designated required non-nursing courses listed below
- BIOL 1110 Human Biology - 4 credits
- PSY 1100 Introduction to Psychology - 4 credits
- PSY 2237 Lifespan Psychology - 4 credits
- SOC 1104, SOC1105, or SOC 2210 - 3 credits
- ENGL 1101 and 1102 College Writing I and II
- MATH 1100 Algebra/Mathematical Reasoning
The above listed courses must have been completed within the last 5 years or will need to be retaken for a grade. A grade of C or higher is required in the designated pre-requisite courses for admission to the nursing major. If a grade of C or above is not earned the first time the course is taken, a grade of C or above must be earned the second time the course is taken. A pre-nursing student may repeat a pre-requisite class for admission to the nursing major once and only once for the purpose of improving a C or lower grade. All pre-requisite and support courses must be taken for a letter grade: Pass/No Pass is not acceptable.
A cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher (on a 4.00 scale) and satisfactory completion of all designated required courses are required to apply to the major, but does not guarantee admission to the major.
Two references from teachers, counselors, or employers are required. At least one of the two references must be from an individual who can directly speak to the student’s academic ability. The other may be from an employer or person who can provide data on the student’s personal characteristics. Family members are not appropriate references. The two reference forms must each be in a sealed envelope, signed by the individual completing the reference with his/her signature across the seal. Reference forms must be submitted with the application. http:www…….. (click to print form or send link to evaluator)
The Department of Nursing requires students have the CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) certificate (Licensed Practical Nurse license waives the CNA requirement), and CPR certification when applying for admittance into the program. Students must submit a photocopy of their certificate or license with the application.
Admission to Major
Admission to the nursing major is competitive and limited. Admission
is dependent on the number of applications and evidence of meeting the
following requirements:
- GPA is an important factor but not the only factor considered for admission into the program; a standardized entrance exam (TEAS), personal interview, and references will be included in the admission criteria. Additional consideration will be given to B.S.U. students:
- A rank ordering of qualified candidates will be completed as follows and included in the selection process:
- Students who enter Bemidji State University as first-semester freshmen (first-year freshmen) and identify nursing as their major on entrance to BSU (and meet all of the admission requirements) are given priority in the admission process. Students who transfer to BSU as nursing majors after the first semester of their freshman year or BSU students who change their major to nursing after the first semester of course study will be rank ordered after the first-semester freshmen as identified above. Rank ordering will be based on a combination of two factors:
a.) number of credits taken at Bemidji State University and
b.) cumulative grade point average.
- Students who transfer to Bemidji State University for the nursing major will be considered only if available positions are not filled with first year freshmen, BSU students who switch to the nursing major and transfer students (pre-major) as identified above.
Acceptance Process
The Department of Nursing will begin reviewing the applications immediately
after the September 15 deadline. After the September 15 application
deadline, additional requirements including the written essay and interview
with faculty will be arranged. The Admissions Committee will notify
students of their status after all qualified applicants have completed
the admissions process. Both the entrance test and the Admissions
interview will be facilitated by the department; however, students are
responsible for the completion of the requirements and the cost of the
testing. Students must make arrangements to become available should
the need arise. Extenuating circumstances may be considered.
