University Of Southern Nevada

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• 01. Is there an admission test requirement?

  No. Not at this time.

• 02. Are letters of recommendation required?

  No. Letters of recommendation are not required and are not accepted.

• 03. Do you give preference to candidates who have nursing experience or are currently working in the health field?

  No, the College does not require applicants to have nursing experience, nor do we award credit for prior work experience.

• 04. What is the minimum GPA required for admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at USN?

  The minimum cumulative grade point average is 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. GPA calculation is based on the BSN program requirements. All prerequisite coursework must be completed with a “C” or better grade to be accepted for transfer.

• 05. Does the program base admission entirely on GPA?

  Admission is based on the candidate’s academic achievement score and, if granted, the average interview score. The academic achievement score consists of the overall grade point average, science prerequisite grade point average, general education prerequisite grade point average, and a writing score. Admission offers are extended to candidates with the highest combined academic achievement and interview scores.

• 06. Must I have all the prerequisite courses completed before I apply?

  No, but you must have a plan in place which allows you to complete all requirements prior to entering the program. An applicant may not be scheduled for an interview until at least 4 out of 6 science requirements are met and/or the student has completed at least 13 out of the 17 prerequisites at the time of application. All prerequisites, except the U.S. and Nevada Constitution requirement must be completed and documented by an official transcript by July 31st.

• 07. How do I know if the prerequisites offered at my college will satisfy USN’s requirements?

  If you have any questions whether a course you have taken or are planning to take meets the prerequisite requirements, please e-mail the College of Nursing Admissions & Enrollment Office with the course name, number of semester/quarter credits and catalog description.

  You may also contact the College of Nursing Admissions & Enrollment Office at 702-968-2075 to schedule an advising appointment to determine whether or not your courses will meet the BSN prerequisite requirements.

• 08. I took a biology class with lab, but it was only 3 semester credits, do I need to take another class to satisfy the 4-credit requirement?

  Yes, the number of semester credits earned must meet or exceed the nursing prerequisite requirements.

• 09. I finished my prerequisites over seven years ago. Will they be accepted?

  Yes, however we recommend that you complete your prerequisites in the past 6 years. Regardless of when the course was completed, you must be able to document them with an official transcript from that institution. Transfer notations on another institution’s transcripts will not be accepted in lieu of an official transcript from which the course was taken.

• 10. I have taken a course twice in order to improve my grade. Which grade will you use to transfer?

  When a course is retaken, the second attempt or the highest grade earned will be utilized for transfer credit and/or grade point average calculation.

• 11. Does the BSN program accept credit-by-examination coursework?

  Proficiency credit awarded through Credit-by-Examination will be considered for transfer. Students may have Advanced Placement (AP), College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES subject Standardized Tests (DSST) or International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations scores evaluated by USN for the awarding of proficiency credit by submitting official score reports to the Nursing Admissions and Enrollment Office.

• 12. What are the requirements for clinical rotations?

  Upon receipt of a seating deposit, the Nursing Admissions and Enrollment Office will mail a packet that includes clinical rotation requirements and other information regarding enrollment.

• 13. Is health insurance required? Where can I go to learn about the Student Health Policy?

  Yes, health insurance coverage is required of all students. If you do not have health insurance, you must enroll and register in the Student Health Policy offered through the University. You may also contact the Student Services Office for additional information.

• 14. Does the College of Nursing conduct background checks? If I had a previous violation, will it affect my chances at licensure?

  To comply with requirements of clinical affiliates, the College of Nursing requires background checks to be conducted prior to clinical rotations. Based on the offense, the clinical agencies may not allow you to practice in their facilities, which will have an adverse impact on your ability to successfully complete the requirements for the BSN degree.

  If you have been charged, arrested or convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, please contact the Nevada State Board of Nursing for information regarding licensure.

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• 01. Can I apply online?

  The BSN program application is currently available for download online. However, you will need to type in the information, print and then mail or drop off the application materials to USN. To ensure proper delivery, please have all application materials addressed to:

  University of Southern Nevada
  College of Nursing Admissions & Enrollment Office
  11 Sunset Way
  Henderson, NV 89014-2333

• 02. When is the application available? When is the deadline to apply?

  Admission is done annually. The application is available in October for classes beginning the following August. Deadline to apply each year is in April or until the class is filled. Please see website for specific dates.

• 03. I applied to USN last year or the year before. Do I need to resubmit a new application?

  You are required to fill out a new application each year you apply and follow the new procedures in place. This includes having your updated official transcripts sent to us regardless of whether or not you have taken additional coursework since you last applied. Official transcripts must be dated within the first year.

• 04. Is there an advantage to applying early?

  Candidates who apply early have a chance to take additional coursework in the event that some of their courses were not transferable.

• 05. How will I know if my application has been received and is complete?

  An e-mail will be sent within 3three (3) weeks after your application packet is received by the Admission Office. In that email, you will be informed if your application is complete or if you are missing items.

  To alleviate delays in processing your application, please refer to the checklist on page one of the application to determine what is required to submit a complete application packet.

• 06. When will I know if I will get an interview?

  The Admissions Office begins inviting candidates via e-mail and phone in early March for interviews and will continue issuing invitations through late May or until the class is filled. Candidates who meet the minimum GPA and prerequisite requirements will be invited to an interview.

• 07. When and how will I be notified of my final admission status?

  The Admissions Office will notify all candidates of their final admission status in writing beginning in March at which time an Admissions packet will be also be mailed out.

• 08. I'm making changes to my contact information. How do I notify you?

  You must inform us in writing via email, letter or fax of all changes to your address and phone numbers. Please include your full name, a date of birth and your new information.

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• 01. How long is the BSN program?

  USN’s BSN program is 18 months, and it is full-time. The didactic component of the program is generally conducted Monday through Friday from 8am to 3pm. The experiential portion of the curriculum varies depending on the course and the facility.

• 02. Do you require a minimum passing score on tests while in the program?

  Yes. We require all students to pass each assessment with a 90% or better score. This score includes a group score. If a student does not pass an assessment the first time, they are given a chance to remediate.

• 03. What is the block curriculum? Do we have any breaks?

  The block curriculum allows students to take one course at a time, unlike traditional semester or quarter systems. The BSN program is a continuous program with limited breaks in the winter and summer. Students may have extended breaks and weekends if they do not need to remediate.

• 04. How long does each block last?

  Blocks vary in duration. Some blocks may last two (2) weeks, while others may span nine (9), depending on the amount of content and whether or not it includes an experiential component.

• 05. Do the students choose where they will go on clinical rotations?

  No. The schedule is determined in advance by the clinical coordinator. However, during Block 13 (Senior Practicum), students are given a choice, depending on the availability of sites, as to what field of nursing they would like to do their practicum. Clinical sites are dependent on availability of a preceptor and available clinical hours. Please email the Clinical Coordinator of Nursing, Ms. Debra Houdek or contact her at 702-968-1634 for additional information on clinical rotations.

• 06. Are you accredited?

  The University of Southern Nevada has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, 8060 165th Avenue N.E. Suite 100, Redmond, WA 98052.

  Candidacy is not accreditation nor does it ensure eventual accreditation. Candidate for Accreditation is a status of affiliation with the Commission which indicates that the institution has achieved initial recognition and is progressing toward accreditation.

  The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is a candidate for accreditation by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. The BSN program has recently completed its initial site visit for accreditation in November 2007 and has been recommended for full accreditation by the NLNAC, pending board review and approval.

• 07. I read on the Nevada State Board of Nursing website that the program has "provisional approval." What does this mean and will I be able to sit for the NCLEX-RN upon graduating from the program?

  As a new program, the College of Nursing had to first obtain approval from the Nevada State Board of Nursing to start the program. This approval was granted in April 2005; therefore we are on provisional approval. This approval allows our graduates to sit for the licensing examination (NCLEX-RN) after graduation to become registered nurses. Once you pass NCLEX-RN, you are licensed as a registered nurse. We will remain on provisional approval until we have graduated one or more nursing classes and have at least an 80% passing rate on the NCLEX-RN. This is the policy of the Nevada State Board of Nursing.

• 08. What are the tuition and fees for USN? What is the maximum amount I can borrow for a student loan? When should I apply for a student loan? Can I apply for FAFSA? Are there scholarships available?

  Learn all about Financial Aid & Scholarships. Additional information can also be obtained by contacting the financial aid office at 702-968-1635.

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• 01. Can I apply to USN if I am an international student?

  Yes, if you have an F1 visa status, an I-20 and a U.S. social security number. Additional documentation may be required and requested. If you are an international student, you may contact the Registrar’s Office at 702-968-2029 or Email for additional information.

• 02. How do I know if I need the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination?

  If you are an international student, you must take the TOEFL examination if you received a grade that was lower than a “B” in both of the English composition requirements.

• 03. I have completed coursework outside of the United States. Should I have my international transcript evaluated prior to applying?

  Yes, non U.S. coursework must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny & Associates (JSA). The College of Nursing does not evaluate foreign transcripts and cannot provide advising regarding coursework completed in a non U.S. country until it is formally evaluated. Please contact the Nursing Admissions and Enrollment Office if your coursework has been evaluated by another organization.

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• 01. What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate for students who have completed the program?

  The BSN program has recently graduated its inaugural class in October 2007. The second class will be graduating in March 2008. Not all the graduates have taken their NCLEX-RN exams, therefore statistics on the NCLEX-RN pass rate is not yet available.

• 02. How many applications do you receive for each class? How many students are accepted each year?

  The BSN program has grown dramatically since it first matriculated a class in April 2006. The April 2006 class received 67 applications and enrolled 30 students. The August 2006 class received 76 applications and 34 students were enrolled. The August 2007 class received 156 applications and enrolled 82 students. We expect the growth to continue in both applications and enrollments for upcoming classes. The August 2008 class is expected to enroll between 80-100 students in the Henderson campus. Pending approvals, a BSN program is expected to begin in the South Jordan campus in September 2008.

• 03. What is the average GPA of students who are offered admission?

  The average GPA of students of are offered admission is 3.0.