Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The School of Nursing (SON) offers two options for students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The pre-licensure option is designed for students seeking licensure as a registered nurse (RN) within the state of Alaska; the RN student option is designed for students who hold current licensure as a RN within the state of Alaska.

The RN student option includes “RN-only” online courses and sections within the BSN designed to build upon the RN’s basic preparation and experience and to facilitate progress in meeting program objectives. Those students without RN licensure are admitted as pre-licensure option students. The baccalaureate program also provides students with the academic base for graduate study in nursing. More information can be found on the SON website. 

The associate, baccalaureate, master's, post-master's certificate nursing programs at University of Alaska Anchorage at the Alaska campuses located in Anchorage, Alaska is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
Phone: (404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate, baccalaureate, master's, post-master's certificate nursing program is continuing accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at https://www.acenursing.org/ search-programs.

Licensure and/or Certification

Graduates of the BSN are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

This program is designed to meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in the State of Alaska. However, the program might not meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in other states. Please see UAA’s Licensure and Certification website for more information.

Admission Requirements

• Complete the Admission Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
• All students will initially be admitted to a pre-major status. Admission to the pre-major status does not guarantee subsequent admission to the major. As a pre-major, students work with an advisor to assist them in completing pre-major requirements and preparing to apply to the full major.
• Complete, or be in progress of completing, the following courses with a minimum grade of C, within two attempts, and a minimum GPA of 3.00¹ in the following courses:
  • BIOL A111 and BIOL A111L
  • BIOL A112 and BIOL A112L
  • BIOL A240 and BIOL A240L
  • CHEM A103²
  • CHEM A104²
  • DN A203
  • HLTH A151 ²
  • ENGL A120 ³, PHIL A101 ³, or PHIL A201 ³
  • MATH A121, MATH A151, or an ALEKS exam score of 65 or higher²
  • PHIL A301 ³, PHIL A302 ³, or PHIL A305 ³
  • PSY A150 ³
  • STAT A200, STAT A253, STAT A307, or STAT GER course earned in transfer
  • Tier I GER courses
• Submit a Bachelor of Science Nursing application according to instructions and deadlines on the program website.
• Complete School of Nursing entrance exam according to directions on program website.

RNs returning to complete the BSN in the RN student option must successfully complete the admission requirements above unless otherwise noted, as well as the following:

• Hold current unencumbered license as a RN in the state of Alaska.

Special Considerations

Prior to the commencement of the nursing program, students must provide documentation for the following:

• Immunizations: Proof of rubella, rubeola, and mumps vaccination or titer; varicella (chickenpox) vaccination or titer; Hepatitis B titer demonstrating immunity; Hepatitis A titer demonstrating immunity; diphtheria/tetanus vaccine within the past ten years; influenza vaccine within the previous twelve months.
• Freedom from active tuberculosis: Verified annually by a negative PPD skin test or by a health examination conducted by a nurse practitioner, physician, or physician's assistant.
• Current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): Required for infants, children, and adults. 
• Additional requirements: May include, but are not limited to, drug screening, additional vaccinations, and/or clinical facility-specific requirements.
• Eligibility determination from a national-level criminal background check.
• Professional liability insurance: Specific information regarding acceptable policies can be obtained directly from the program.
• Proof of health insurance: The school assumes no responsibility for illnesses and injuries experienced by students during their clinical experiences; students who are injured while completing clinical assignments are responsible for all associated medical costs.

Furthermore, students enrolled in clinical courses must arrange their own transportation to clinical assignments and will need to purchase uniforms and specialized equipment.

Graduation Requirements

• Complete the General University Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
• Complete the General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
  • For the Humanities GER, either PHIL A301 or PHIL A305 is recommended.

Pre-licensure Student Option

• Students must maintain a minimum 3.00 GPA while in the pre-licensure student option.
• Complete the following major requirements with a minimum grade of C: 

A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, of which 39 credits must be upper-division.

Registered Nurse (RN) Student Option

• Students must maintain a minimum 2.00 GPA while in the RN student option.
• Complete the following major requirements with a minimum grade of C:

A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, of which 39 credits must be upper-division.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing will be able to:

• Demonstrate clinical reasoning by making evidence-based nursing judgments through the use of intellectual, interpersonal, and technical competencies to promote safe and effective client-centered care.
• Implement caring behaviors in the practice of professional nursing using established standards, evidence-based practice, and innovation to prevent illness and promote and restore health in order to meet the changing needs of diverse individuals, families, groups, and communities.
• Utilize principles of management and leadership to collaborate as a member of the inter-professional care team. 
• Compare and contrast the roles of the professional nurse in promoting optimal healthcare policies locally, nationally, and globally.
• Develop an individualized plan for ongoing professional development and professional identity using a technological platform.

Sample Plan

The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the plan below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.

Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.

• Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.
• GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.
• Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
• Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.
• Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
• Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.