Dean, Joan Shaver, RN, PhD, FAAN
118 College of Nursing (NURS)
(312) 996-7800
http://www.uic.edu/nursing
Administration: (312) 996-7808
Student Services: Office of Academic Programs, NURS, (312) 996-3566
Academic Advising: (312) 996-6045
Departments: Maternal-Child Nursing, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Public Health, Mental Health, and Administrative Nursing
The College of Nursing is recognized as one of the top ten colleges of nursing in the country and is internationally renowned for its nursing leadership. Exciting and challenging opportunities are available for capable, dedicated, and caring individuals who will be leaders in tomorrow’s healthcare. The University of Illinois School of Nursing was founded in 1951 and became the College of Nursing in 1959. The College of Nursing is located in close proximity to the Colleges of Applied Health Sciences, Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, and the School of Public Health. The libraries and scientific and clinical resources make up one of the largest medical centers in the world.
The College of Nursing offers programs of study leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing; the Master of Science, including joint degree options with a Master of Business Administration, Master of Health Informatics, and a Master of Public Health; and the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Sciences and the Doctor of Nursing Practice with entry at the postbaccalaureate or postmaster’s level. In addition, the college offers a Graduate Entry Program into the Master of Science. This program is specifically designed for students who hold baccalaureate degrees in other fields and want to pursue a master’s degree in Nursing. This is not an accelerated baccalaureate degree, but rather a program for students who want to receive advanced training in any one of UIC’s master’s specialty programs (the only option not currently available is Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist). The generic BSN curriculum is offered at the Chicago and Urbana-Champaign campuses. Programs for the registered nurse to earn a BSN are offered online at Chicago, Urbana-Champaign, and the Quad Cities. In addition to the graduate programs offered at the Chicago campus, master’s programs and the Doctor of Nursing Practice are offered at the Quad-Cities, Peoria, Rockford, and the Urbana-Champaign campuses.
Undergraduate Study in Nursing
The College of Nursing undergraduate program leads to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The curriculum is divided into three levels: foundation, middle, and terminal. The foundation level, freshman and sophomore years, includes those lower-division nonnursing courses that represent the basic learning necessary for the completion of the course of study. The middle level, junior year, includes most upper-division courses that prepare the graduate as a nurse generalist. The terminal level, senior year, represents those upper-division, senior-level courses at the end of the nursing program that synthesize previous learning.
The college has two paths leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing: (1) the generic plan that provides students the basic nursing preparation and eligibility to apply for the registered nursing licensing examination (NCLEX-RN); and (2) the RN/BSN plan that provides advanced placement for students who are registered nurses seeking a BSN.
College of Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). The college holds membership in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
To earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from UIC, students need to complete the degree requirements of the University and college that are in effect at the time of initial registration. It is essential for each student to become familiar with the degree requirements stated in this catalog and to keep up-to-date with published changes. If requirements change, continuing students and those whose attendance at UIC has been interrupted for no more than two years may elect to complete the new graduation requirements or may continue to fulfill those requirements in effect at the time of initial registration. Students who return to UIC after an absence of more than two years are responsible for meeting the requirements of the University and college in effect at the time of reenrollment. If courses originally required are no longer offered, the college has the prerogative of specifying substitutes.
Note: The college retains the right to change educational policy and graduation requirements at any time. This may affect currently enrolled students’ standing..
The College of Nursing semester hour requirement is 120 semester hours. UIC students complete the first two years of the program in Pre-Nursing Studies through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. If admitted to the College of Nursing, students complete the final two years in the Nursing curriculum. Please see Preprofessional Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of the catalog for more information on Pre-Nursing.
| Degree Program | Degree Conferred | Total Hours |
| Nursing | BS in Nursing | 120 |
| BS in Nursing Degree Requirements | Hours | |
| Pre-Nursing Studies | 57 | |
| Course Requirements in the College of Nursing | 61 | |
| Nursing Electives/Selectives | 2–5 | |
| Total Hours—BS in Nursing | 120 |
Course Requirements—Pre-Nursing Studies
| Courses | Hours |
| ENGL 160—Academic Writing I: Writing for Academic and Public Contexts |
3 |
| ENGL 161—Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research |
3 |
| BIOS 350—General Microbiologya | 5 |
| CHEM 112—General College Chemistry Ib | 5 |
| CHEM 130—Survey of Organic and Biochemistryb | 5 |
| MVSC 251—Human Physiological Anatomy I | 5 |
| MVSC 252—Human Physiological Anatomy II | 5 |
| NUSC 250—Human Development across the Lifespan | 3 |
| HN 196—Nutrition | 2 |
| Exploring World Cultures coursec | 3 |
| Understanding the Creative Arts coursec | 3 |
| Understanding the Individual and Society coursecd | 3 |
| Understanding the Past coursec | 3 |
| Understanding U.S. Society coursecd | 3 |
| One 3-semester-hour, 200-level, upper-division course in any General Education category (anatomy, physiology, and microbiology do not fulfill this requirement) |
3 |
| LAS electives | Varies |
| Total—Pre-Nursing Studies | 57 |
a BIOS 100 is a prerequisite for this course.
b This course is approved for the Analyzing the Natural World General Education category.
c Students should consult the General Education section of the catalog for a list of approved courses in this category.
d For the Understanding the Individual and Society requirement, PSCH 100—Introduction to Psychology is recommended; for the Understanding U.S. Society requirement, SOC 100—Introduction to Sociology is recommended.
Course Requirements in the College of Nursing
| Required Courses | Hours |
| NUSC 202—Concepts and Processes of | |
| Professional Nursinga | 3 |
| NUSC 210—Health Assessment | 3 |
| NUSC 215—Pathophysiology and Applied | |
| Pharmacology Ib | 4 |
| NUSC 217—Pathophysiology and Applied | |
| Pharmacology IIb | 3 |
| NUSC 225—Introduction to Clinical Concepts and | |
| Processesb | 6 |
| NUSC 242—Concepts and Processes for | |
| Contemporary Nursing Practicec | 4 |
| NUSC 322—Introduction to Nursing Research and | |
| Statistics for Evidence-Based Practice | 4 |
| NUSC 335—Clinical Concepts and Processes in | |
| Adult Healthb | 6 |
| NUSC 345—Clinical Concepts and Processes in | |
| Women’s and Family Healthb | 5 |
| NUSC 355—Clinical Concepts and Processes in | |
| Children’s and Family Healthb | 5 |
| NUSC 365—Clinical Concepts and Processes in | |
| Mental Healthb | 5 |
| NUSC 375—Concepts and Processes in Older | |
| Adult Healthd | 3 |
| NUSC 385—Clinical Concepts and Processes in | |
| Population-Focused Nursing | 5 |
| NUSC 390—Nursing Leadership and Management in | |
| Healthcare | 6 |
| NUSC 397—Issues in Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Total—Required Nursing Courses | 61 |
a NUSC 202 is not required for the RN/BSN Curriculum.
b RN/BSN Curriculum: Courses that are validated for credit by graduating from a State-Approved ADN program and holding a current license as a Registered Professional Nurse.
c RN/BSN Curriculum: Graduating from a State-Approved ADN program and holding a current license as a Registered Professional Nurse will validate 5 hours of NUSC 225. The other semester hour of credit will be earned through successful completion of NUSC 242. Validation of clinical competency is achieved by NUSC 210. Note that only RN/BSN students take NUSC 242.
d RN/BSN Curriculum: NUSC 375 is not required but can be taken to fulfill three semester hours of the nursing elective requirement.
| Nursing Electives/Selectives | Hours |
| Minimum requirement of 2 hours (5 hours for | |
| RN/BSN students) of nursing electives/selectives | |
| chosen from 300- or 400- level nursing courses | |
| selected with an adviser. | 2–5 |
| Total—Nursing Electives/Selectives | 2–5 |
General Education Core
General Education at UIC is designed to serve as a foundation for lifelong learning. As outlined in the Pre-Nursing Studies course list, College of Nursing students meet the University’s General Education Core requirement of a minimum of 24 semester hours in the General Education Core with at least one course from each of the following categories:
| I. | Analyzing the Natural World | |
| II. | Understanding the Individual and Society | |
| III. | Understanding the Past | |
| IV. | Understanding the Creative Arts | |
| V. | Exploring World Cultures | |
| VI. | Understanding U.S. Society |
For a description and a list of courses for each General Education Core category, students should consult the General Education section of the catalog.
General Education Proficiencies—University Writing Requirement
As noted in the Pre-Nursing Studies course list, College of Nursing students meet the requirement by achieving a passing grade in English 160 and 161.
Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement
All students are required to satisfactorily complete with a minimum grade of C all required LAS and nursing courses and maintain a cumulative and nursing grade point average of 2.00/4.00.
Graduation Declaration/Filing to Graduate
Students declare their intent to graduate online using UIC Web for Student. The deadline for submission to the Pending Degree List is the end of the third week (fall and spring) or second week (summer) of the term in which graduation is sought. Failure to submit the request at this time may delay the awarding of the degree. A final review will be made following the close of the term. If a student has satisfactorily completed all the degree requirements, the student’s name will be placed on the official degree list.
Enrollment Residence Requirement
At a minimum, the last 30 semester hours of university work must be taken at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Concurrent attendance at the University of Illinois at Chicago and another collegiate institution or enrollment during the summer at another institution, when approved by the student’s college, does not interrupt the UIC enrollment residence requirement for graduation.
Transfer Credit
Transfer guides are available for most colleges in the Chicago area and can be found at http://www.uic.edu/depts/oar/transf/index.html.
To be considered full-time, a student must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester hours fall and spring terms. During the regular academic year, an academic course load exceeding 18 semester hours must be approved in the College Office of Academic Programs.
Academic Probation and Dismissal Rules
Probation Rules
A cumulative grade point average is calculated. When the nursing or cumulative grade point average is below 2.00/4.00, the student is placed on probation.
A student not currently on academic probation will be placed on academic probation at the end of any term in which the student earns less than a 2.00/4.00 in nursing, nonnursing, or cumulative grade point average.
A student currently on academic probation will be continued on academic probation when:
The Admissions and Academic Standards Committee-Baccalaureate determines the conditions of probation. In addition to specifying the grade point average, the committee may require the completion of specific courses, may limit the number or hours for which the student registers, and may exclude the student from taking certain courses while on probation.
Dismissal Rules
Undergraduate students may drop courses using UIC Web for Student through the end of the second week of classes for fall and spring semesters, or through the end of week 1 for summer semester. During weeks 3 through 6 of the fall and spring semesters (weeks 2 through 5 for summer semester) students may drop courses with the permission of their major college. If the drop occurs between 0–2 weeks in fall and spring (between weeks 0–1 in summer), there will be no notation on the transcript. If the drop occurs during weeks 3 through 6 in fall and spring (weeks 2 through 5 in summer), a W is noted on the transcript. Undergraduate students may drop a maximum of 4 UIC individual courses that result in a W notation on their transcript during their entire undergraduate degree program. College of Nursing students must meet with an academic adviser or the associate dean for nursing clinical practice studies in the Office of Academic Programs on the first floor of the College of Nursing.
Classroom
Attendance at all classroom sessions is expected. Students are expected to prepare for each class by completing the required readings and other assignments (e.g., viewing videotapes, listening to audiotapes).
Discussion Groups
Discussion groups are a critical component of many courses. Attendance and participation are expected. Attendance will be taken during discussion group times to assure participation. If the student is unable to attend discussion group due to an accident, illness, or injury, the student must contact the course coordinator to make up any work that is missed.
Laboratory Sessions
Attendance at all laboratory sessions is expected. In the event that a student misses a laboratory session due to illness or personal emergency, the student will make arrangements to complete the session and the assigned exercise. Failure to do so will result in the student’s grade being lowered, and the student may not be able to progress to the next lab session until the make-up is completed.
Practicum Sessions
Practicum attendance is expected. Students must be prepared for the practicum experience. If a faculty member determines that the student is not prepared to participate fully in the practicum experience, the faculty member may ask the student to leave or not to participate in certain activities. The student’s performance for the day will be considered unsatisfactory and will influence the practicum evaluation. If written assignments are required, a grade of zero will be given. Students should refer to the course syllabi for policies regarding absence or late practicum assignments.
Students must attend all practicum orientations for their assigned agency. If students are not present, they may not be allowed to continue in the course. Opportunities for making up excused or unexcused absences are not available. Any absence may affect the grade. Absences of more than 15% of the total practicum hours may result in the student’s need to repeat the course before progressing in the program.
Students may petition the director of academic programs for exceptions to certain college regulations, but should do so only after consulting with their adviser, whose recommendations must appear on the petition. Petition Forms may be obtained in the Office of Academic Programs. Petition forms must be accompanied by a full explanation of the circumstances and any appropriate supporting documents. Petitions should be filed within thirty (30) days of the time an individual knows, or reasonably should have known, that an occurrence has affected his or her status. Petitions can take 4–6 weeks to be reviewed and a decision made.
The College of Nursing has a mandatory advisement policy. Students must meet with their adviser each semester to discuss their program plan and to obtain permission to register.
A student may repeat only once a nursing course or its equivalent. If a grade of C or higher is not earned at the end of the second registration in a nursing course or its equivalent, the student will be dismissed from the college.
A nonclinical nursing course in which a grade below C is received must be repeated the first term the course is offered again.
A clinical nursing course in which a grade below C is received must be repeated the first term in which space is available and prior to enrolling in any other clinical course.
If a student repeats a course for which credit was earned, the original credit is forfeited, but both grades will be included in the cumulative grade point average and will remain on the student’s permanent record.
Students are admitted to the College of Nursing each fall semester. Applications are available beginning July 1. Priority application deadline is October 15 and the final application deadline is January 15. All decisions are communicated in writing. No decisions will be given over the phone.
Intercollege Transfer Students
For application information, students currently enrolled in another college at UIC should contact the College of Nursing at (312) 996-6045.
Transfer Students from Other Colleges and Universities
The College of Nursing admits qualified junior-level transfer students from accredited institutions. Transfer student applicants are required to have a 2.50/4.00 cumulative transfer grade point average and a 2.00/4.00 natural science grade point average for admission, in addition to satisfying all other UIC transfer admission criteria. All required course work must have a grade of C or higher.
RN/BSN Admission
The College of Nursing at the University of Illinois at Chicago, through its partnership with The Global Campus, now offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree for RN students primarily online. This degree provides an excellent foundation for a career in leadership in one of the fastest growing professions in the United States.
The BSN Completion Program for RNs delivers courses using online instruction that emphasizes group collaboration, along with practicum experiences designed to be completed in the student's locale.
Admission to the program for RNs requires a minimum cumulative, nonnursing GPA of 2.75/4.00 as well as a natural science GPA of 2.50/4.00.
The nurse who has graduated from a State-Approved Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) program and holds a current license as a Registered Professional Nurse will receive 33 semester hours of proficiency credit. The credit will be awarded upon successful completion of NUSC 210 and NUSC 242 in the RN to BSN program.
Students must have an active RN license for admission. When the student applies for admission directly from a nonbaccalaureate nursing program, he or she must take the NCLEX-RN Licensure Examination at the first opportunity after graduation and present the RN license to the college prior to enrollment. Failure to pass the NCLEX-RN Examination will result in cancellation of admission.
International applicants to the BSN Completion Program for RNs must submit a Full Education Course-by-Course Report Evaluation of Foreign Credentials from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), 3600 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651, (215) 222-8454, http://www.cgfns.org or e-mail at info@cgfns.org.
Information on the application process, deadline dates, tuition cost and length of the program can be found at: http://global.uillinois.edu/.
Accommodation. Students requesting accommodation for disabilities should make the request in writing using the “Request for Accommodation” form available from the Disability Resource Center, 1190 SSB, (312) 413-2183. That office will evaluate the student’s request and make recommendations to the College of Nursing. The College of Nursing will determine if the recommendations can be met. No accommodations can be made until the student’s situation is evaluated by the Disability Resource Center.
Alcohol and Controlled Substances. The use of alcohol and illegal use of controlled substances, including alcohol can seriously injure the health of students, impair their performance of their responsibilities, and endanger the safety and well-being of fellow students and members of the general public. Students who are engaged in clinical work at a practicum site may be required to submit to random tests for illegal use of controlled substances as provided by the law or regulations of the contracting agency. Just cause for student disciplinary action includes, but is not limited to, use or unauthorized possession of intoxicants, controlled or illegal substances, or materials dangerous to public health and safety. It is not acceptable to use alcohol or illegal drugs prior to or during class or clinical. Immediate disciplinary action will be taken.
Background Check and Drug Testing. All students will be required to have a background check and drug test upon admission. If the results of either requirement indicate that the student would not be eligible for placement at the College’s practicum agencies, the student’s admission will be rescinded. Students may be required to repeat either requirement should the practicum agency require more frequent testing. If at anytime during the period of enrollment, the student’s background check or drug test results preclude placement in a practicum agency, the student will be required to withdraw from the program. Students at time of application for licensure will be required to submit to fingerprinting and be reviewed for eligibility by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
Citizenship. Undocumented students are eligible to sit for licensure at time of graduation. However, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) requires resolution of the citizenship status within two years from date of initial licensure.
CPR Certification. Prior to enrolling in NUSC 225—Clinical Nursing I: Clinical Concepts students must hold current CPR certification. Contact the American Red Cross (Basic Life Support), American Heart Association (“C” level course), local park district, fire department, or hospital for available courses. CPR Certification must be updated yearly throughout the educational program. Students who do not provide this document will not be allowed to participate in the clinical experience.
Immunization. Students must complete Parts I, II, and III on the University of Illinois Medical Immunization form and Part IV of the College of Nursing Immunization Report. Documentation of current immunizations for measles, mumps, rubella, polio, diphtheria/tetanus, and hepatitis B and evidence of chicken pox immunity status, including titers, are required. ANNUAL TESTING FOR TUBERCULOSIS IS REQUIRED. Students should retain a copy of their immunization record and make it available for verification at the first day of class for each clinical course. Students are required to keep current all immunizations throughout their enrollment.
Word Processing Skills. Each student admitted to the College of Nursing, prior to the beginning of the program, must provide documentation of skills in basic word processing. Compliance with the requirement can be demonstrated with a transcript-documented high school or community college course, or a copy of a certificate of completion of a basic computer skills/word processing course.
Transportation. Each student is responsible for his or her own transportation to all clinical sites. These clinical sites may be located some distance from the College of Nursing and public transportation may not always be available. Therefore, students need a car. Students without a car will need to find alternative methods of transportation.
Prior to admission to the College of Nursing, advice on acceptance of transfer credit is available in the College Office of Academic Programs. Following admission, students are assigned an adviser who will assist them with course and career planning. Mandatory advising is required each term.
At commencement, students are awarded College Honors for academic distinction. College Honors shall be awarded to the top 15% of students based on their nursing grade point average. Students will be awarded with an Honor Cord. Graduation with College Honors benefits students when they are being considered for job placement, graduate school, and other competitive opportunities.
Outstanding academic achievement in the College of Nursing is recognized by inclusion on the Dean’s List. Eligibility is based on a 3.35/4.00 term grade point average with a program of 12 semester hours of letter grades in a semester.
The College of Nursing has the Alpha Lambda chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society in Nursing. The purposes of the society are to recognize achievement of superior scholarship and the development of leadership qualities, foster high professional standards, encourage creative work, and strengthen the commitment by individuals to the ideals and purposes of the profession of nursing. Seniors and graduate students are eligible for membership.
| Junior Year | |
| Fall Semester | Hours |
| NUSC 202—Concepts and Processes in | |
| Professional Nursing | 3 |
| NUSC 210—Health Assessment | 3 |
| NUSC 215—Pathophysiology and Applied | |
| Pharmacology I | 4 |
| NUSC 225—Introduction to Clinical Concepts and | |
| Processes | 6 |
| Total Hours | 16 |
| Spring Semester | Hours |
| NUSC 217—Pathophysiology and Applied | |
| Pharmacology II | 3 |
| Two courses from NUSC 335, 345, 355, 365 | 10–11 |
| NUSC 375—Concepts and Processes in | |
| Older Adult Health | 3 |
| Total Hours | 16–17 |
| Senior Year | |
| Fall Semester | Hours |
| Two courses from NUSC 335, 345, 355, 365, 385 | 10–11 |
| NUSC 322 – Introduction to Nursing Research and | |
| Statistics for Evidence-Based Practice | 4 |
| Total Hours | 14–15 |
| Spring Semester | Hours |
| NUSC 365 or 385 | 5 |
| NUSC 390—Nursing Leadership and Management | |
| in Healthcare | 6 |
| NUSC 397—Issues in Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Nursing elective | 2 |
| Total Hours | 16 |
Two hours of nursing electives and the liberal arts and sciences requirements must also be completed. Full- and part-time study is available each semester, including the summer session.
| Course | Hours |
| NUSC 242—Concepts and Processes for | 4 |
| Contemporary Nursing Practice | |
| NUSC 210—Health Assessment | 3 |
| NUSC 322—Introduction to Nursing Research and | |
| Statistics for Evidence-Based Practice | 4 |
| Nursing elective | 3 |
| Total Hours | 14 |
| Course | Hours |
| NUSC 385—Clinical Concepts and Processes in | |
| Population-Focused Nursing | 5 |
| NUSC 390—Nursing Leadership and Management in | |
| Healthcare | 6 |
| NUSC 397—Issues in Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Nursing elective | 2 |
| Total Hours | 16 |
|
Copyright © 2007 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois |
Information provided by: Office of Academic and Enrollment Services (MC 103), 601 South Morgan Street, Chicago, IL 60607
