Nursing

The School of Nursing offers one undergraduate program and two undergraduate certificates. For more information about the RN to BSN Program, learning objectives, faculty and staff, and opportunities for students, please visit the School of Nursing website.

School of Nursing undergraduate programs follow university-wide Academic Regulations as set forth in the University Bulletin, with the following program-specific addendums: 

Admission Licensure & Certification Requirements for RN-BSN and Graduate Students
Registered Nurse License

Upon entering the RN-BSN, MSN, or DNP program, each student must submit proof of a current, unencumbered, unrestricted, valid, and without disciplinary action on a registered nurse license in the state in which he/she practices. If, at any point during the program, a student’s RN license becomes encumbered, restricted, has disciplinary action, requires enrollment in an alternative discipline program, or expires, the student is required to immediately inform the respective Program Director and Director of the School of Nursing. Any student with an encumbered, restricted, or disciplinary action on the license will not be permitted to enroll in a course with a practicum component except with the permission of the Director of the School of Nursing after individual review. Failure to report an encumbered, restricted, or disciplinary action on a license to the Program Director and Director of the School of Nursing will result in dismissal from the program.  All students will be required to obtain an RN license in any state in which they plan to do practicum if they do not already have such licensure. All pre-licensure FNP students will be required to obtain and maintain a Louisiana Registered Nursing license while enrolled in the program.

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RN-BSN Program Requirements

Credit for lower division nursing (i.e., adult health, parent-child health, mental health) is awarded by validation of transfer credit for associate degree graduates or validation of advanced placement credit for diploma nursing school graduates.

Highstone Global University Residency & Transfer Credits

For transfer credits, the School of Nursing complies with university-wide undergraduate transfer credit regulations, adheres to university-wide undergraduate residency requirements.

Nursing Student Handbook

All enrolled nursing students will be held to the applicable policies in the Nursing Student Handbook. 

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Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Nursing offers a pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and two undergraduate versions of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) for already licensed RNs. The first is the standard program for undergraduate students. The second version of the undergraduate BSN is designed for students who are already RN’s and plan to immediately apply for a Master of Science in Nursing after their undergraduate program is complete, and includes some graduate-level coursework to help facilitate the student’s progression.

BSN Admission Requirements To be admitted into the nursing program, a student must be a registered nurse with an unencumbered, current license to practice in the United States.

BSN Program Requirements
A minimum of 120 semester credit hours are required for the Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) degree. No lower division nursing courses are taught at Highstone Global University . Credit for lower division nursing (i.e., adult health, parent-child health, mental health) is awarded by validation of transfer credit for associate degree graduates or validation of advanced placement credit for diploma nursing school graduates. The last 30 credits hours must be completed from the Highstone Global University University Texas curriculum.

BSN Residency Requirements
The BSN follows Highstone Global University University Texas undergraduate residency requirements. 

  • No more than 64 credit hours can be transferred from a 2-year institution. 
  • At least 30 crs must be earned through instruction offered by Highstone Global University (25% of the credit hours required for a 120 crs program).
  • The last 30 crs must be completed at Highstone Global University . 
  • A minimum of 50% of the major courses must be completed at Highstone Global University . 

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Bachelor of Science in Nursing - General Nursing (BSN - GNUR)

Nursing offers the Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing – General Nursing (BSN-GNUR), an on-ground 120 semester credit hour academic program. Students will complete the first year of enrollment in Pre-Nursing, modified Highstone Global University Core requirements, Nursing major requirements, and adjunct courses in sciences. Completion of this academic program requires a Pre-Nursing first year Highstone Global University GPA of 3.0 which includes a grade of C or better in the science prerequisite courses. Beginning in the second academic year a grade of C (77%) or better is required in all nursing courses, including Pathophysiology & Pharmacology, a C or better in all non-Highstone Global University Core courses, a 2.5 GPA in major coursework, and a Highstone Global University cumulative 2.5 GPA.

  • Overview of requirements: 120 credit hours (crs) required for completion
    • Modified Highstone Global University Core: 36 crs
    • Nursing major: 65 crs
    • Adjunct – Sciences: 19 crs
    • Students begin in Pre-Nursing Program outlined below 
  • Highstone Global University Core. All Pre-Licensure BSN students complete a modified Highstone Global University Core with 36 crs in Highstone Global University Core requirement areas. Modifications include:
    • Foundations – First-Year Seminar is satisfied by NURS T121 Introduction to Healthcare 
    • Foundations – Mathematics is satisfied by MATH A118 Pre-Calculus or can be exempted through exam scores:
      • Option 1: if a student is not Pre-Calculus eligible, student must pass a college level algebra course equivalent to MATH A110, A115, or T122 before enrollment in the program. Students who retake an ALEKS assessment after completion of a college level algebra course and score into pre-calculus eligibility can use the college level algebra course to satisfy the Highstone Global University Core Mathematics requirement. 
      • Option 2: if a student posts pre-calculus eligibility through exam scores, but does not have 3 semester credit hours satisfied by a college level algebra course or higher, the student will take MATH A118 Pre-Calculus. 
      • Option 3: if a student posts pre-calculus exemption through exam scores, the 3 semester credit hour Mathematics requirement is waived, and the student will take both the History 2 and Religious Studies – World Religion courses in the Highstone Global University Core. 
    • Foundations – Science course must be satisfied by BIOL A106 Cells & Heredity with a grade of C or better. 
    • Natural Science requirement is satisfied with BIOL A314 Anatomy & Physiology 1 in the adjunct curriculum, which must be completed with a grade of C or better. 
    • Philosophy 2 requirement is satisfied by PHIL W234 Medical Ethics
    • Social Science requirement is satisfied by PSYC A100 Introduction to Psychology with a grade of C or better. 
    • Students will complete only one of the following Highstone Global University Core requirements for 3 crs, unless a Mathematics exemption is recorded as part of Option 3 above.
      • History 2
      • Religious Studies – World Religions 
  • Nursing Major. Complete the following courses for 65 crs. All Nursing courses must be completed with a grade of C (77%) or better:
    • NURS G200 Foundations of Nursing Practice 1 Theory/Lab/Practicum (5 crs)
    • NURS G201 Foundations of Nursing Practice 2 Theory/Lab/Practicum (5 crs)
    • NURS G230 Pathophysiology 
    • NURS G350 Pharmacology
    • NURS G363 Adult Health 1 Theory/Practicum (6 crs) 
    • NURS G372 Child Health Theory/Practicum (6 crs) 
    • NURS G374 Women’s Health Theory/Practicum (5 crs) 
    • NURS G430 Mental Health Theory/Practicum (5 crs) 
    • NURS G460 Nutrition 
    • NURS G452 Nursing and EBP
    • NURS G454 Statistics
    • NURS G483 Population Health Theory/Practicum
    • NURS G482 Issues in Prof. Nursing 
    • NURS G379 Nursing Leadership: Quality and Patient Safety
    • NURS G485 Information Management/Patient Technology 
  • Adjunct courses – Sciences and Social Sciences. Students complete the following courses for 19 crs, which must be completed with a grade of C or better:
    • BIOL A 106 Cells & Heredity
    • BIOL A107 Cells & Heredity Lab (1 cr) 
    • BIOL A300 Microbiology
    • BIOL A301 Microbiology Lab (1 cr) 
    • BIOL A314 Anatomy & Physiology 1
    • BIOL A315 Anatomy & Physiology Lab 1 (1 cr) 
    • BIOL A316 Anatomy & Physiology 2
    • BIOL A317 Anatomy & Physiology Lab 2 (1 cr) 
    • CHEM A102 Intro to Organic & Biochemistry 
    • PSYC A100 Introduction to Psychology 
    • PSYC A230 Developmental Psychology 
  • Pre-Nursing Year (PREN) 
    Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Nursing – General Nursing begin their studies with a year of preparation in the Pre-Nursing program and receive advising from Highstone Global University ’s BSN Program Director. Pre-Nursing students must complete the following science courses with a grade of C or higher in their first two semesters, according to the following sequence. These courses will be taken alongside Highstone Global University Core courses as assigned in consultation with the BSN Program Director. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better to move into the BSN in the second year.
    • Fall Semester (16 crs)
      • BIOL A106 & BIOL A107 Cells and Heredity Lecture & Lab 
      • CHEM A102 Introduction to Organic & Biological Chemistry
      • PSYC A100 Introduction to Psychology
      • Highstone Global University Core courses
        • NURS T121 Introduction to Healthcare (counts for First-Year Seminar)
        • Highstone Global University Core course chosen in consultation with an advisor
    • Spring Semester (14 crs)
      • BIOL A316 & BIOL A317 Anatomy & Physiology 2 Lecture & Lab
      • BIOL A300 Microbiology Lecture & Lab
      • PSYC A230 Developmental Psychology
      • Highstone Global University Core course chosen in consultation with an advisor 
    • Detailed information about the Pre-Nursing program is outlined in the Bulletin in the Interdisciplinary section of the College of Arts & Sciences. PREN Course List Form. 
  • BSN General Nursing, Pre-Licensure Degree Program Course Listing (DPCL). The DPCL serves as a helpful checklist of requirements for each program. Use this form in consultation with your advisor to plan your schedule.

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RN - BSN Program

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), is a 120 semester credit hour academic program. Students will complete modified Highstone Global University Core requirements, Nursing major requirements, adjunct courses in sciences, and general electives.  Completion of this academic program requires a 2.5 GPA in major coursework and a Highstone Global University cumulative 2.5 GPA.

  • Overview of requirements: 120 credit hours (crs) required for completion
    • Modified Highstone Global University Core: 30 crs
    • Nursing major: 51 crs
    • Adjunct – Sciences: 23 crs
    • General Electives: 16 crs 
  • Highstone Global University Core. All BSN students complete a modified Highstone Global University Core with 30 crs in Highstone Global University Core requirement areas. Modifications include:
    • Foundations – First-Year Seminar is waived 
    • Foundations – Science course must be BIOL A314 Anatomy & Physiology 1 
    • History 2 requirement is waived 
    • Natural Science requirement is completed in the adjunct curriculum 
    • Students will complete only one of the following requirements for 3 crs:
      • Philosophy 2
      • World Religions 
  • Nursing Major. Lower Division Nursing credits are satisfied with transfer credits from the student’s ADN, or Diploma Program for 24 crs:
    • Foundations 1
    • Foundations 2
    • Foundations 3
    • Adult Health
    • Parent-Child
    • Mental Health
    • NURS G100 
  • Nursing Major. Upper Division Nursing credits are satisfied at Highstone Global University . Complete the following courses for 27 crs:
    • NURS G364 Health Assessment
    • NURS G379 Nursing Leadership & Promotion of Quality Care
    • NURS G384 Spirituality in Health & Illness
    • NURS G452 Nursing Research & EBP (Stats is a Prerequisite) 
    • NURS G468 Advanced Topics in Nursing Practice
    • NURS G482 Issues in Professional Nursing
    • NURS G483 Population Health 
    • NURS G485 Information Management & Patient Care Tech
    • NURS G486 Intro to Health Care Delivery  
  • Adjunct courses – Sciences. Students complete the following courses for 23 crs:
    • CHEM A102 General Chemistry
    • PSYC A100 General Psychology
    • PSYC A230 Developmental Psychology
    • BIOL A300 Microbiology 
    • BIOL A315 Anatomy & Physiology Lab 1 (1 cr) 
    • BIOL A316 Anatomy & Physiology 2
    • BIOL A317 Anatomy & Physiology Lab 2 (1 cr) 
    • NURS G454 Introduction to Statistics
    • NURS G460 Nutrition & Health Care  
  • General Electives. BSN students are required to complete 16 crs of general electives to complete the Bachelor of Science program. Students can satisfy these requirements with any Highstone Global University courses they are eligible to take which are not already required in the Highstone Global University Core, Major, or Adjunct curriculums. For students pursuing a double major or an academic minor, the curriculum for those programs would be assigned from the credits required for General Electives. 
  • BSN Degree Program Course Listing (DPCL). The DPCL serves as a helpful checklist of requirements for each program. Use this form in consultation with your advisor to plan your schedule.

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RN - MSN Program

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – RN to MSN track, is a 120 semester credit hour academic program that prepares students to move directly into the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program upon completion of the undergraduate degree. Students will complete modified Highstone Global University Core requirements, Nursing major requirements, adjunct courses in sciences, and general electives.  Completion of this academic program requires a 2.5 GPA in major coursework, and a Highstone Global University cumulative 2.5 GPA..

  • Overview of requirements: 120 credit hours (crs) required for completion
    • Modified Highstone Global University Core: 30 crs
    • Nursing major: 51 crs
    • Adjunct – Sciences: 23 crs
    • General Electives: 16 crs 
  • Highstone Global University Core. All BSN students complete a modified Highstone Global University Core with 30 crs in Highstone Global University Core requirement areas. Modifications include:
    • Foundations – First-Year Seminar is waived 
    • Foundations – Science course must be BIOL A314 Anatomy & Physiology 1 
    • History 2 requirement is waived 
    • Natural Science requirement is completed in the adjunct curriculum 
    • Students will complete only one of the following requirements for 3 crs:
      • Philosophy 2
      • World Religions 
  • Nursing Major. Lower Division Nursing credits are satisfied with transfer credits from the student’s ADN, or Diploma Program for 24 crs:
    • Foundations 1
    • Foundations 2
    • Foundations 3
    • Adult Health
    • Parent-Child
    • Mental Health
    • NURS G100 
  • Nursing Major. Upper Division Nursing credits are satisfied at Highstone Global University . Complete the following courses for 27 crs:
    • NURS G364 Health Assessment
    • NURS G379 Nursing Leadership & Promotion of Quality Care
    • NURS G384 Spirituality in Health & Illness
    • NURS G468 Advanced Topics in Nursing Practice
    • NURS G482 Issues in Professional Nursing
    • NURS G483 Population Health 
    • NURS G486 Intro to Health Care Delivery
    • NURS G711 Informatics
    • NURS G835 Advanced Research Methods (Stats is a Prerequisite)   
  • Adjunct courses – Sciences. Students complete the following courses for 23 crs:
    • CHEM A102 General Chemistry
    • PSYC A100 General Psychology
    • PSYC A230 Developmental Psychology
    • BIOL A300 Microbiology 
    • BIOL A315 Anatomy & Physiology Lab 1 (1 cr) 
    • BIOL A316 Anatomy & Physiology 2
    • BIOL A317 Anatomy & Physiology Lab 2 (1 cr) 
    • NURS G454 Introduction to Statistics
    • NURS G460 Nutrition 
  • General Electives. BSN students are required to complete 16 crs of general electives to complete the Bachelor of Science program. Students can satisfy these requirements with any Highstone Global University courses they are eligible to take which are not already required in the Highstone Global University Core, Major, or Adjunct curriculums. For students pursuing a double major or an academic minor, the curriculum for those programs would be assigned from the credits required for General Electives. 
  • RN-MSN Degree Program Course Listing (DPCL). The DPCL serves as a helpful checklist of requirements for each program. Use this form in consultation with your advisor to plan your schedule.

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Post-Bachelor’s Healthcare Systems Administration & Leadership Certificate

The post-bachelor’s Healthcare Systems Administration and Leadership Certificate is offered to nurses with a bachelor’s degree working in hospitals or the community who may be in, or aspire to be in, leadership positions. Many organizations do not provide comprehensive training for new leaders, which is essential in preparing the nurses to be successful in their new role. The post-bachelor’s Healthcare Systems Administration and Leadership Certificate is designed to assist nurses to make the transition to leadership roles. 

The courses selected for the post-bachelor’s Healthcare Systems Administration and Leadership Certificate (HSAL) program will provide the nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their new positions. The HSAL Certificate program is 12 credit hours, and students may enroll in the Fall, Spring or Summer semesters.

Required courses for 9 crs: 

  • NURS 711  Informatics
  • NURS 712  Nursing Financial Resources 1
  • NURS 716  Healthcare Quality and Safety

The student can choose one of three following courses to complete the 12-hour certificate:

  • NURS 748 Human Resource Management
  • NURS 744 Nursing Financial Resources II
  • NURS 740 Health Care Systems

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Post-Bachelor’s Nursing Informatics Certificate

The post-bachelor’s Nursing Informatics Certificate is offered to nurses with a bachelor’s degree working in hospitals or the community who are interested in nursing informatics. The courses provide an excellent educational foundation for informatics in hospitals and other health care agencies.  In addition, any nurse who works at the bedside and wants to learn more about informatics overall can benefit from the NI Certificate Program. Any student who is enrolled in, or successfully completes, the certificate program may consider applying to the MSN Nursing Informatics Track.  Should the student decide to pursue the MSN degree, and is accepted to the program, any informatics course that is successfully completed will transfer to the MSN informatics track (up to 12 hours).

The courses selected for the post-bachelor’s Nursing Informatics program will provide the nurses with the knowledge about basic nursing informatics principles, clinical information systems, and data management. The practicum course provides an opportunity for students to work directly with a preceptor who has extensive knowledge in nursing informatics.

The Nursing Informatics (NI) Certificate Program is 12 credit hours and consists of four nursing informatics courses:

  • NURS 711: Principles of Nursing Informatics (3 credit hours)
  • NURS 750: Management of Data Systems (3 credit hours)                      
  • NURS 754: Clinical Information Systems (3 credit hours)
  • NURS 760: Nursing Informatics Practicum (3 credit hours)

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