Fast Track BSN Course Information

Fast Track BSN Program

The fast track program is designed specifically for students who have completed all of their BSN degree requirements except for the nursing core courses. Students admitted to the fast track program will complete the nursing core courses in two years (inclusive of summers). Enclosed is a copy of the sequencing of courses for this program. Please note that approval to take core nursing courses concurrently has been approved only for students admitted to the fast track program.

The fast track curriculum maintains the Department’s current academic standards. Admission requirements are more stringent due to the high intensity of the program. Students are able to maintain financial aid throughout the curriculum as the credit allocation is 12 or more credit hours each semester.

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Admission criteria for consideration are:

Completion of all BSN degree requirements except for nursing core courses.
Cumulative GPA of 3.0

Baccalaureate Nursing Program Curriculum Requirements

Liberal Studies

Division I: Composition
EN 111 College Composition	3-4
EN 211 College Composition II	3-4
Division II: Humanities
Humanities Elective	3-4
Humanities Elective	3-4
**Division III: Natural Science
***CH 107 Introductory Chemistry I (if required; offered Fall semester)	3-4
***CH 108 Introductory Chemistry II	3-4
Division IV: Social Sciences
***SO 101 - Intro to Sociology	3-4
Social Sciences Elective	3-4
Division V: Formal Communication Studies
Formal Communications Elective	3-4
Division VI: Visual and Performing Arts
Visual and Performing Arts Elective	3-4

Health Promotion

All students must satisfy the university's liberal studies and health promotion requirements. For complete information refer to the Liberal Studies Program and Graduation Requirements section of the Undergraduate Bulletin.

Major

NE 200 Basic Health Assessment, Interviewing and Communication (T)	2
NE 200L Basic Health Assessment, Interviewing and Communication (L)	1
NE 201 Introduction to Nursing Concepts	4
NE 202 Introduction to Nursing Skills I (L)	1
NE 204 Introduction to Nursing Skills II (C)	2
NE 212 Pharmacology and Therapeutics (T)	2
NE 222 Pathophysiology (T)	3
NE 301 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (T)	3
NE 311 Adult Health Nursing (T)	4
NE 312 Adult Health Nursing (C)	6
NE 322 Introduction to Nursing Research (T)	2
NE 371 Maternal - Infant Nursing (T)	2
NE 372 Maternal - Infant Nursing (C)	2
NE 381 Child and Family Nursing (T)	4
NE 382 Child and Family Nursing (C)	3
NE 420 Community Health Nursing & Continuity of Care (T)	4
NE 421 Community Health Nursing & Continuity of Care (C)	4
NE 422 Nursing Issues Seminar (T)	2
NE 431 Management Concepts in Nursing (T)	2
NE 432 Management Concepts in Nursing (C)	4
NE 435 Senior Nursing Seminar (T)	2

Other Required Courses

21-22

PY 100 General Psychology	4
BI 201 Human Anatomy (or BI 104)	3-4
BI 202 Human Physiology	5
BI 203* Medical Microbiology	5
HN 301 Nutrition for Health Professionals	4

Review Testing Package**

General Electives

Total Credits for Degree

130

Key: T-Theory, C=Clinic, L=Laboratory
* Liberal Studies Requirements (Liberal studies courses may be used for General Electives)
• A minimum of 3 Liberal Studies credits must be 300/400 level

• A minimum of 3 Liberal Studies credits must meet the World Cultures requirement **Transferring Credits

1. Other Chemistry courses may be substituted for the NMU chemistry requirements at the discretion of the nursing faculty: Minimum of 6 semester credits of Chemistry

2. Other Microbiology courses may be substituted for the NMU microbiology requirements at the discretion of the nursing faculty: Minimum of 2 semester credits of Microbiology

• Nutrition: HN 301 A&B or HN 495 A&B are equivalent to HN 301 ***Nursing Prerequisites & Liberal Studies Requirements

CH 111 may be substituted for CH 107. Each course satisfies 4 credits of the Division III: Natural Science requirement.
CH 112 may be substituted for CH 108. Each course satisfies 4 credits of the Division III: Natural Science requirement.
SO 101 satisfies 4 credits of the Division IV: Social Science requirement.

Due Dates

During the last semester of completing prerequisite and required non-nursing courses, students should apply for admission to the program. Applications for the BSN Fast Track may be turned into the Department of Nursing Office beginning with the first day of the Winter semester until the application deadline. The Application Deadline is: February 1st for Fall admission

Note: If Application Deadline is a Saturday or Sunday, the Application is due on the following Monday.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the BSN Fast Track, applicants must meet all of the following minimum Admission Requirements:

Be admitted to Northern Michigan University
Complete the entire Admission Packet by the due date:
BSN Fast Track Application Form

The correct application form must be complete.

Student Application Information Form: Core Performance Standards The form must be completed and signed.
All current transcript of grades and/or TCE (include current semester) (TCE: transcript credit evaluation is obtained from the Registrar’s Office to give credit for transferred courses. This process takes several weeks.) All prerequisite classes will be highlighted on the transcripts and TCE: BI201, BI202, CH107, CH108, PY100, SO101.

(This will make it clear to the Admissions subcommittee that all courses are complete.)

Student has completed or is in the process of completing prior to admission, the
prerequisite courses with a minimum of a C- for each course.

BI 201 – Human Anatomy (3 credits)
BI 202 – Human Physiology (5 credits)
CH 107 - Introductory Chemistry I (4 credits) CH 111 may be substituted
CH 108 – Introductory Chemistry (4 credits) CH 112 may be substituted
SO 101 - Introductory Sociology (4 credits)
PY 100 - General Psychology (4 credits)

Have completed or be in the process of completing all of the non-nursing graduation requirements prior to admission.
Achieve a cumulative NMU grade point average of 3.0 or better. Transfer GPA will be used until a student completes 12 credit hours at NMU.
Failure to file a complete application means the student will not be considered for admission into the nursing program.

Note: Before graduation, students must pass the RN-CAT Exam. Students may take the exam only two times per semester. (This graduation requirement does not apply to RN-BSN program students.) All other Department of Nursing student policies are clearly described in the BSN Student Nurse Handbook, which is available in the school office.

Pertinent Policies & Guidelines

Criminal Background Checks

Student placement in a clinical site/agency assumes that the applicant possesses good moral character and the ability to successfully pass the rigors of a background investigation and criminal history check. Students may be required to complete Criminal Background Checks for specific clinic sites. The nature and scope of the background investigation is the prerogative of the specific agency and is in accordance to federal or state guidelines mandating the background check. Students are responsible for all costs associated with a criminal background check.

Lack of consent for a Criminal Background Check may disallow a student from being placed in that clinical site/agency, and therefore, may prohibit the student from progressing in the nursing program. Additionally, students identified with a history of a felony or a misdemeanor involving abuse, neglect, assault, battery, criminal sexual conduct, fraud or theft may be identified as ineligible for a clinic experience. Students who do not permit a criminal background check when required or who are identified as being ineligible may be terminated from the program.

Graduation & Program Requirements: Testing & Review

In addition to the courses listed as graduation requirements outlined in the NMU Student Bulletin, students must complete each of the following prior to graduation:

The Required Semester Review Testing Package (ERI) each semester
A standardized comprehensive nursing exam RN-CAT (NE 001)
A pre-RN Review course (NE 006)

Semester Review Testing Package (ERI)

All BSN nursing majors are required to register for one or more assessment tests each semester. The assessment tests are related to the content area the student is studying that semester. The student will be charged a fee of $65 (fee is the responsibility of the student and is subject to change by the department). The fee will be added to the tuition bill, and will cover the cost of participating in the Review-Testing Package. Students are required to pass the assessment test.

Nondiscrimination Policy

Northern Michigan University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, height, weight, marital status, familial status, handicap/disability, sexual orientation or veteran status in employment or the provision of services, and provides, upon request, reasonable accommodation including auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in all programs and activities. Persons having civil rights inquiries may contact the Equal Opportunity Office at (906) 227-2420. Students who require disability-related accommodations should contact the Coordinator of Disability Services in 2001 Student Services Building, or call 227-1700 (TDD 227-1543) for help in requesting accommodations.