Courses | B.S. in Nursing

Prerequisites to the Program

Prior to admission into the clinical nursing program, pre-clinical nursing students must complete:

Curriculum Requirements

Acceptance into the clinical nursing program is required prior to taking the program courses below.

¹

NURS 367 (Critical Care Nursing - Theory) is available to be taken as elective with the option of having a Critical Care Clinical placement (based on space availability and faculty selection) in NURS 452.

²

MATH 210 or MATH 318 must be taken prior to Semester 4 of clinical nursing program and NURS 441.

³

See Department for approved options.

⁴

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Clinical Nursing Program Admission Guidelines

Admission to Biola University, as a pre-clinical nursing major or otherwise, does not guarantee admission into the clinical nursing program. Admission into the clinical nursing program is competitive. There is a separate application process for designated pre-clinical nursing students to apply for acceptance into the clinical program. Guidelines for student selection are subject to change and are available through the Department of Nursing.

1. All applicants for acceptance into the clinical nursing program must:
   1. Be a student in good standing at Biola University with no history of academic dishonesty and/or behavioral or other disciplinary problems.
   2. Submit a complete application and supporting documents by the designated deadline, including satisfactory personal references and a well-written biographical sketch as described on the application form.
   3. Demonstrate adequate English language and grammar writing skills, critical reasoning and effective communication during an interview with the nursing faculty.
   4. Receive a grade of “B” (3.0) or higher in NURS 112.
   5. Not apply to the clinical nursing program more than two times.
   6. Understand that a gap semester is allowable for some students who have completed their prerequisites and general education courses, but the Nursing Department does not recommend taking a gap year.
2. Minimum requirements considered for spring letter of acceptance include:
   1. Perform at or above 70 on the comprehensive TEAS nursing pre-admission test. Preparation for the exam is highly encouraged.
   2. Have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher from all colleges attended.
   3. Have a total science GPA of 2.5 or higher on all required prerequisite sciences.
   4. Have completed 3 of the required sciences by the time of application review.
3. Have earned a minimum grade of "C" (2.0) in all required prerequisite courses.​  Special circumstances: If applicant has to repeat any one required prerequisite course for a grade of C- or lower, and then successfully repeats the required course at Biola with a grade of B or higher by the time of application review, the failure grade will not be calculated in the cumulative GPA.
4. Factors which are considered in the selection process which may enhance an applicant's potential for admission include, but are not limited to, the following:
   1. Work experience of any kind. Employment in health care settings preferred.
   2. Volunteer experiences. Volunteer experiences in health care settings preferred
   3. Leadership activities at church, high school, or college.
   4. Missions or other cross-cultural experiences.
   5. Biola student extra-curricular activities.

Contact the Department of Nursing for additional information regarding admission into the clinical nursing program. 

After Being Accepted into Biola's Clinical Nursing Program

At their own expense, students accepted into the clinical nursing program are required to complete the following. Late fees will be assessed. Students will not be permitted to the clinical agency without these. There may be additional requirements not stated below due to changes in agency standards and policies.

• Pass a criminal background check. It is highly recommended that you meet with the Department of Nursing Director or Associate Director to disclose any criminal history (including traffic tickets of $1000.00 or more) prior to applying for the clinical program.
• Submit documentation of a clear drug screen by stated deadline and on demand
• Submit documentation of a physical examination, including required laboratory tests by the stated deadline and annually thereafter
• Submit documentation of having received all required immunizations and titer results by stated deadline
• Have a current American Heart Association CPR/AED certification for the Health Care Professional Rescuer, valid driver's license, and proof of personal car insurance turned in by the stated required submission date. A current passport is recommended.
• Have required personal technology information equipment as required by faculty

Additionally, each student is assessed for liability insurance through the University when participating in clinical courses. The University and cooperating agencies assume no responsibility for illness or accidents occurring during the school program. Students must arrange for their own transportation to clinical agencies as the University does not provide transportation. Students must have access to a vehicle throughout the clinical nursing program. Parking fees are the responsibility of the student.

Courses with a theory and clinical component must be taken as corequisites (in the same semester). One credit of theory equals one clock hour, and one credit of clinical equals three clock hours. Because of their importance, it is mandatory to attend course and clinical orientations to proceed in nursing courses. A student must earn a minimum grade of "C" (2.00) in all nursing curriculum required courses and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 in order to progress in nursing. Students should meet with their academic advisor to confirm applicable courses.

Students will be permitted to repeat nursing courses one time only. Students withdrawing more than once at a failing level ("C-" or below) or failing two courses may be dropped from the nursing program.

Unsafe clinical nursing practice, regardless of GPA, is grounds for dismissal from the nursing program. Students who withdraw from nursing in good standing will be readmitted on a space-available basis.

Mandatory achievement exams will be taken throughout and at the completion of the nursing program.

Transfer/Challenge Policy

For transfer nursing students, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses and other applicants with health profession backgrounds including Military Veterans into the Biola Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

General Policies

1. Transfer Student Application Process
   Applicants must first be accepted into Biola University. It is recommended that the applicant meet with a nursing advisor at the time of university application. When the student has met the prerequisite requirements, a separate application and application fee must be made to the Department of Nursing. If the applicant is a RN or LVN, it is recommended that this be done concurrently with the application to the University. Contact the Department of Nursing for the program application. Priority consideration for placement in the clinical nursing program is given to current Biola students. To be considered for acceptance into the clinical nursing program, all applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

2. Challenge Planning
   Applicants planning to challenge nursing courses must first be accepted by and fulfill all matriculation requirements of Biola University. All required non-nursing prerequisites as outline in the Standard Curriculum Chart for the nursing major should be completed before entering clinical nursing courses. Contact the Department of Nursing for the current curriculum chart. Transfer credit for non-nursing courses will be granted by the Registrar's Office as indicated in the University catalog.
   RNs desiring to challenge must submit a portfolio and review fee of $350. LVNs desiring to challenge must submit a portfolio and review fee of $350. Veterans desiring to challenge must submit a portfolio and review fee of $350. Placement of students and nursing course credit for prior education experience is based upon individual portfolio evaluation which will include the following:

   1. Current RN or LVN license in the USA (and in California prior to start of nursing clinicals).
   2. Nursing course content outlines/syllabi/course descriptions
   3. Official transcript documenting graduation from a regionally-accredited nursing program.
   4. Two references:
      1. If the ADN or LVN program was completed in the last 5 years, one reference is required from a faculty member from the last year of nursing courses.
      2. If the applicant has been employed as an RN or LVN, a work recommendation from an immediate supervisor who has worked with the applicant for at least 6 months is required.

   5. Educational and work resume.
      Nursing Courses for which the RN may receive credit include the following (approved courses are subject to change):

      Nursing B.S.

      Theory	Clinical
      NURS 209/NURS 216/NURS 358	NURS 212/NURS 213/NURS 218/NURS 219/NURS 359
      NURS 204
      NURS 341	NURS 345
      NURS 347/NURS 355	NURS 349/NURS 357
      NURS 351	NURS 353

      Nursing course for which the LVN may receive credit include NURS 209, and NURS 212 and NURS 213.

3. Minimum Degree Requirements
   All candidates will take a minimum of seven upper-division nursing courses. This will include NURS 300 (for 3 credits) in which the writing competency requirement will be met and which is designed to facilitate socialization into baccalaureate professional nursing. The credits of NURS 300 will be started during the first year following acceptance into the nursing program. The content and credits will vary with individual needs, depending upon prior education experiences and the number of credits transferred in. These initial credits must be successfully completed prior to enrollment in any other clinical nursing course.
   The minimum required courses will include: