Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – Pre-Licensure | NSU

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – Pre-Licensure Program

“Seeking a Better Way”

At Northeastern State University (NSU), we are Seeking a Better Way to educate the next generation of nurses. Our 120-hour Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program prepares future registered nurses with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to provide exceptional, compassionate, and evidence-based care. The Pre-Licensure BSN program will be based on the NSU Tahlequah campus and admits a new cohort each fall term.

This innovative hybrid program combines the flexibility of online learning with valuable in-person experiences in the classroom, simulation lab, and clinical settings—ensuring graduates are well-prepared for professional nursing practice in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.

Accreditation Status

The NSU Pre-Licensure BSN program is pursuing provisional approval from the Oklahoma Board of Nursing (OBN) and will seek CCNE accreditation. Our goal is to meet the highest standards in nursing education and ensure our graduates are fully prepared for professional practice.

A Program Built for Aspiring Nurses

NSU’s Pre-Licensure BSN program is designed for students who are ready to begin their nursing journey and earn eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination upon graduation. The program provides a strong foundation in:

• Clinical excellence and critical thinking
• Leadership and teamwork in healthcare settings
• Health promotion, disease prevention, and population health
• Cultural competence and community engagement
• Evidence-based nursing practice and research application

Graduates of NSU’s BSN program are prepared to deliver high-quality care and to lead with integrity and compassion across a variety of healthcare environments.

Hybrid Learning for Real-World Readiness

Our Pre-Licensure BSN program uses a hybrid format, blending the best aspects of in-person and online education:

• Face-to-Face Instruction: Interactive classroom learning led by expert nursing faculty.
• Online Coursework: Flexible modules that fit into your schedule while reinforcing essential nursing concepts.
• Onsite Clinicals and Simulation: Supervised clinical experiences in hospitals, community agencies, and state-of-the-art simulation labs to build hands-on competence and confidence.

This approach allows students to develop both the intellectual and practical skills required to succeed as professional nurses.

Accreditation

The pre-licensure BSN program has submitted phase 1 request to the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. On October

Admission Overview

Admission to the Pre-Licensure BSN program is competitive and based on academic achievement, prerequisite completion, and commitment to the nursing profession. Applicants must complete general education and prerequisite courses before applying for program admission.

Only applicants with a completed application packet will be considered for admission. A completed application packet will include:

• Transcripts of all completed and in-progress coursework
• Report of TEAS test score (will accept test scores up to 6 months old)
  TEAS test available from ATI Testing
• Background check and urine drug test
  Register at CASTLEBRANCH
  Create your account
  Place Order using Package Code NB03bgdt
• Completed Nursing Program Application
• Verification of Open House attendance
  2026 Open House Dates: January 15, February 5, March 12, April 2
  Location and time to be announced
• If applicable, verification of healthcare employment or volunteer hours (letter or pay stub)
• Names, address, email, and phone number for three references (employer, teacher, and/or clergy only)
• Personal Statement/Essay addressing question prompts
• Application deadline is April 15.

Background Check and Licensure Eligibility

All students admitted in NSU’s Pre-Licensure BSN program must meet Oklahoma Board of Nursing (OBN) requirements for licensure. The OBN requires a fingerprint-based criminal background check before you can apply for RN licensure. Certain felony convictions or offenses may disqualify you from licensure. Applicants should disclose all arrests, including offenses committed as a juvenile—even if the records are closed—and any incidents that have been expunged.

Important: Admission to the program does not guarantee eligibility for licensure. Students with a criminal history are encouraged to review the OBN guidelines and, if needed, submit a Petition for Determination of Eligibility before applying.

For more information, visit the Oklahoma Board of Nursing Criminal History page.

Pre-Licensure BSN Curriculum

Our 120-hour Pre-Licensure BSN program is designed to provide a strong foundation in nursing knowledge, clinical skills, and professional practice. The curriculum combines online coursework, face-to-face instruction, and onsite clinical experiences to prepare students for the dynamic world of healthcare and for eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.

Program Structure

The curriculum is carefully sequenced to build knowledge and competency in a progressive manner:

• Foundational Sciences & General Education – Courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, and psychology prepare students for nursing-specific learning.
• Core Nursing Courses – Focused on patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, leadership, and professional ethics. Students learn to provide safe, culturally competent care across the lifespan.
• Clinical Practice & Simulation – Hands-on experience in hospitals, community agencies, and simulation labs gives students the opportunity to apply theory to real-world patient care under the guidance of experienced faculty.
• Capstone & Integration – The final courses integrate knowledge, clinical reasoning, and professional skills to prepare students for transition into practice as a registered nurse.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Knowledge for Nursing Practice
   Demonstrate integration, translation, and application of established and evolving disciplinary nursing knowledge and ways of knowing, as well as knowledge from other disciplines, including a foundation in liberal arts and natural and social sciences.
2. Person-Centered Care
   Deliver compassionate, culturally competent, and evidence-based care to diverse patient populations by integrating the nursing process while respecting their values, preferences, and needs.
3. Population Health
   Manage global health challenges and population health issues, considering the broader context of social determinants of health, health disparities, and health promotion.
4. Scholarship for the Nursing Discipline
   Integrate evidence-based practices into patient care, applying research findings to improve health outcomes and support clinical decisions.
5. Quality Improvement and Safety
   Engage in quality improvement initiatives and demonstrate knowledge of patient safety principles to minimize risks and improve outcomes in nursing practice.
6. Interprofessional Partnerships
   Communicate with patients, families, and members of the healthcare team, promoting patient engagement, shared decision-making, and collaborative care.
7. Systems-Based Practice
   Apply systems knowledge to deliver effective care across the continuum, integrating cost-conscious strategies while optimizing outcomes through innovation and evidence-based practice.
8. Informatics and Healthcare Technology
   Use healthcare technologies and informatics systems to manage patient care information, enhance communication, and support evidence-based practices in nursing.
9. Professionalism
   Form and cultivate a sustainable professional identity in nursing, demonstrating accountability, a broadened perspective, collaborative disposition, and professional comportment that align with the core characteristics and values of the nursing profession.
10. Personal, Professional, and Leadership Development
    Engage in self-reflection and professional development activities that promote personal health, resilience, and well-being while fostering lifelong learning, enhancing nursing expertise, and cultivating leadership skills.

Required Courses

Plan of Study

Following completion of all general education and prerequisites, the BSN Pre-Licensure Program is 4-Semesters. Students are admitted on full-time status.

Semester 1 & Semester 2

Semester 3 & Semester 4

Retention Standards

To remain in good standing within the undergraduate pre-licensure BSN program, students must achieve a minimum score of 78% in all nursing coursework. This standard reflects the level of academic excellence and clinical competency required for safe and effective nursing practice.

Any student who does not earn a 78% or higher in a nursing course must repeat that course. Each nursing course may be attempted only twice. Failure to successfully complete a course with a 78% or higher after two attempts will result in dismissal from the nursing program.

These retention standards ensure that all students progressing through the program meet the rigorous expectations of professional nursing practice and are well-prepared to provide high-quality, evidence-based care.

Apply Now | Admission Criteria | Nursing Home

Pathways

There are currently no Advanced Degree Completion (ADP) pathways associated with the Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.

There are no formal transfer agreements or articulated pathways with partner institutions at this time.

Minors

There are no minors associated with the Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.

Certificates

There are no undergraduate certificates associated with the Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.