Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog [Not Current Academic Year. Consult with Your Academic Advisor for Your Catalog Year]

Nursing, B.S.N. (Second Degree)


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School of Nursing  > Nursing, B.S.N. (Second Degree)

Nursing, B.S.N. (Second Degree)

The Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) has two tracks.

  1. The Second Degree BSN program is a twelve-month, intensive, full-time course of study for people holding bachelor’s or master’s degrees in other fields who want to become registered nurses (RNs). This accelerated track is designed to facilitate a career change for the more mature and experienced student.
  2. The RN - BSN  is a completion program, specifically designed for registered nurses who have earned their associate degree and subsequent RN licensure. 

Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing Overview

The objective of the Second Degree BSN track is to produce graduates for professional nursing practice who can draw upon knowledge from the biological sciences, social sciences, humanities and nursing to critically analyze human responses to actual and potential health problems and provide appropriate nursing interventions. The Second Degree bachelors program is a twelve-month intensive full-time course of study for people holding bachelors or master’s degrees in other fields who want to become registered nurses (RNs). This track is designed to facilitate a career change for the more mature and experienced student.

All applicants must satisfy university requirements for an undergraduate degree in addition to the Second Degree BSN track requirements below:

  1. Applicants to the Second Degree BSN track must have graduated with an accredited Bachelor’s degree.Applicants who completed an international Bachelor’s degree may not have satisfied degree requirement for admission to the University of Houston School of Nursing undergraduate Second Degree BSN track. Contact an International Student Advisor in the University of Houston Admissions Office for additional information.
  2. Applicants to the Second Degree BSN must submit a completed social security number form to UH School of Nursing by fax to 281-275-3056.  The form is available on the School of Nursing website at uh.edu/nursing
  3. Applicants to the second degree BSN program must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and a GPA of 3.0 in natural and behavioral sciences is expected. (Science courses taken more than five years ago will be evaluated on an individual basis and may have to be repeated.)
  4. Applicants to the second degree BSN program must have completed all prerequisite course work prior to the deadline date.  No “in progress” course work will be considered.
  5. Applicants to the second degree BSN track must pass the school approved pre-admission test.
  6. Upon successful completion of the program the graduate will write the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).  Satisfactory achievement on the examination will qualify the graduate for licensure as a Registered Nurse. 

Program Goals

At the end of the undergraduate educational program, the graduate will:

  1. Synthesize knowledge from the biological sciences, social sciences, behavioral sciences, humanities and nursing to provide appropriate culturally sensitive care to individuals, families and communities.
  2. Demonstrate effective interpersonal communication, collaboration with other professionals, and leadership and management skills.
  3. Critically analyze and apply research finds to nursing practice related to disease prevention, health promotion, illness care and restoration of health.
  4. Utilize critical thinking skills to evaluate the outcomes of nursing care.
  5. Serve as client advocates by providing health education and in monitoring and promoting access to cost-effective care.
  6. Encourage lifelong learning and create a foundation for graduate study.
  7. Integrate professional values and ethical, moral and legal aspects of nursing into practice in a variety of structured and unstructured settings.

Course Requirements:


Applicants must satisfy all UH core requirements for a second undergraduate degree in addition to the Second Degree BSN track requirements below:

Lower Division:


  • 3 semester hours of statistics.
  • 3 semester hours of nutrition.
  • 8 semester hours of human anatomy and physiology.
  • 4 semester hours of Chemistry (may take introductory chemistry or general chemistry).
  • 4 semester hours of Microbiology
  • 6 semester hours of Psychology (Introduction to Psychology , and Human Growth and Development across the Life Span).
  • 3 semester hours of Sociology ( Introduction to Sociology ).

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