BSN Curriculum
C O U R S E O R D E R M AT T E R S !
Created by Academic Advising Services
of Northwestern State University of Louisiana
February 2016
COURSE ORDER FOR BSN
Due to strictly enforced prerequisites for nursing courses
taken prior to clinicals, skipping courses in the first semesters
can delay graduation.
BSN curriculum checklists are available at this link:
https://www.nsula.edu/academics/nursing-allied-health/nursing-program/
NURB 2160
NURB 2160 is the first required nursing course and is listed in
the second semester of the BSN curriculum pattern.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Curriculum Pattern
Freshman Year
First Semester
Course
CR hrs
University 1000
1
English 1010 (Comp & Rhet I)
3
*Math
3
Biology 2220/2221
4
1
**Social Science
3
Chemistry 1070 (Intro Chemistry) 3
TOTAL: 17 hours
Second Semester
Course
English 1020 (Comp & Rhet II)
*Math
Biology 2230/2231
Biology 2210 (Microbiology)
NURB 2160 – Culture & Ethics
Comm 1010
TOTAL:
CR hrs
3
3
4
3
2
3
18 hours
NURB 2160 PREREQUISITES
Students must complete all courses listed in the first semester of the
curriculum pattern with a grade of “C” or better to register for NURB 2160.
First Semester
Course
CR hrs
University 1000
1
English 1010 (Comp & Rhet I)
3
Math 1020
3
Biology 2220/2221
4
**Social Science1
3
Chemistry 1070 (Intro Chemistry)
3
TOTAL: 17 hours
** Select from: Anthropology1510, Economics 2000, Political Science 2010, Geography 1010, or Philosophy 1010
NURB 3030 & 3050
NURB 3030 & NURB 3050 are listed in the 3rd semester:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Curriculum Pattern
Freshman Year
First Semester
Second Semester
Course
CR hrs
University 1000
1
English 1010 (Comp & Rhet I)
3
Math 1020
3
Biology 2220/2221
4
**Social Science1
3
Chemistry 1070 (Intro Chemistry)
3
TOTAL: 17 hours
Course
CR hrs
English 1020 (Comp & Rhet II)
3
Math 1060
3
Biology 2230/2231
4
Biology 2210 (Microbiology)
3
NURB 2160 – Culture & Ethics
2
Communication 1010
3
TOTAL: 18 hours
Sophomore Year
First Semester
Second Semester (1st Level Clinicals)
Course
CR hrs Course
CR hrs
Biology 2240 (Intro to Human Genetics)
3
ALHE 1020
2
Engl 2110
3
Nutrition 1030 (General Nutrition)
3
1
***Behavioral Science
3
N 2170 Dosage Calculation
1
NURB 3030 Nursing as a Profession
3
N 3040 – Foundations of Nursing
3
NURB 3050 Pathophysiology
3
N 3041 – Foundations Practicum
2
N 3060 – Health Assessment
2
N 3061 – Health Assessment/Lab
2
TOTAL: 15 hours
TOTAL: 15 hours
NURB 3030 & 3050 PREREQUISITES
Requirements for registration in NURB 3030 & 3050:

Students must complete all courses listed in the
1st year and have completed or be concurrently enrolled
in other courses listed in the 3rd year.

Students must have a 2.7 or higher GPA on all BSN
courses pursued (See How to Calculate your Nursing GPA powerpoint
on the Academic Advising Services website)
WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS
IF YOUR 1ST YEAR GPA IS LESS THAN 2.7?
1. Take required non-nursing courses listed in the last five semesters
of the curriculum checklist to improve your BSN GPA:
ALHE 1020 (Medical Terminology)
Nutrition 1030 (General Nutrition)
Psychology 4400 (Statistics)
Fine Arts 1040 (Exploring the Arts)
History 1010, 1020, 2010 or 2020
2 hrs
3 hrs
3 hrs
3 hrs
3 hrs
2. Take a different course for requirements with options if grade is
lower than a “B” since course with higher grade will be used in GPA
calculation. i.e. Take GEOG 1010 to replace “C” in ANTH 1510
3. Repeat required courses with grades lower than “B”.
WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS
IF TAKING EXTRA COURSES OR REPEATING COURSES IS NOT
SUFFICIENT TO BRING NURSING GPA ABOVE 2.7 ?
Consider alternative career/major options such as:
Social Work
Psychology
Health & Exercise Science
Child Development & Family Relations