Nursing (NURS)
Dr. Cynthia Hudson, Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences
The mission of the School of Nursing is to prepare professional nurses for lives of significance and service through baccalaureate and graduate nursing education within the Christian tradition. Our vision is the creation and maintenance of a culture of excellence in nursing education grounded in the compassion of Christ. To this end, the curriculum of the School of Nursing is based on a “caring philosophy.”
The School of Nursing offers a four-year program that leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Successful completion of the program qualifies the graduate to apply for the professional nurse licensing examination, NCLEX-RN.
The curriculum consists of three parts: general education, nursing prerequisites, and courses in the nursing major. Together these courses provide the student with the knowledge and skills needed for beginning practice in professional nursing.
Official acceptance into the nursing major is based on:
Completion of all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher; a grade of C- is not acceptable.
No more than two (2) prerequisite courses may be repeated, only one (1) of which may be a science course.
Academic preparedness level of “Proficient” or higher on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). This is a standardized examination from Assessment Technologies Institute (www.atitesting.com).
Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
Science GPA of 2.75 or higher.
Letter of recommendation which directly speaks to the student’s suitability to the profession.
Completed formal application to the major.
Successful completion of background check, negative drug test, over a dozen updated vaccines, titers, health documents, including the COVID-19 vaccines prior to start of the nursing program are needed for admission to the program. If student results raise concerns related to the nursing program, the student will be contacted by a school representative.
Transfer students may apply to the nursing major and are required to meet the same entrance criteria as all other applicants.
First Year students may receive direct admission into the nursing program along with their acceptance to North Park University based on an unweighted high school GPA of 3.75 or higher.
ACT and SAT are optional but highly encouraged to submit.
Students granted direct admission are guaranteed entrance into the nursing major. Acceptance may be forfeited if student does not maintain the requirements.
Accreditation
The programs for pre-licensure and registered nurses are accredited by:
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001
Clinical Facilities
The School of Nursing has affiliations with more than 80 clinical agencies used for supervised clinical practice at both undergraduate and graduate levels. These affiliations include but are not limited to the following: Chicago Department of Public Health, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Evanston Hospital, Glenbrook Hospital, Lake County Department of Public Health, Lutheran General Hospital, Swedish Hospital, Highland Park Hospital, Skokie Hospital, Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital, and home health-care agencies such as Lawndale Christian Health Center.
Learning Labs and Simulation Center
The School of Nursing maintains a Learning Resource Center and a Simulation Center. The Delores H. Johnson Memorial Nursing Laboratory, is used by students for independent study and the practice of nursing skills. The Kathy Holmgren Simulation Center enables students in Nursing to practice critical skills in a simulated safe learning environment.
Additional Expenses
Estimated additional expenses for nursing students include clinical & lab fees for each clinical nursing course, cost of health insurance, background check, drug testing, examinations, vaccinations, and standardized examination fees. Students pay a deposit upon acceptance into the program which covers their practice equipment cost. Further specification of health requirements is explained in the Nursing Baccalaureate Prelicensure Student Handbook. Students must also plan on transportation expenses associated with travel to agencies and other settings for clinical laboratory. Students are responsible for their own transportation. Costs in the spring term of fourth year are higher because of the need for a car (or equivalent transportation costs) for community health visits.