Denver College of Nursing

What you'll study

The program totals 100 quarter credits of coursework (87 nursing credits, 13 program general-education credits) within a degree that totals 180 quarter credits including transferred general-education credits. Nursing quarters and sample courses include:

• Quarter 1: Pathophysiology (BIO309) 6 credits; Health Assessment (NUR310) 5 credits; Introduction to Nursing for the BSN Nurse (NUR301) 4 credits.
• Quarter 2: Foundations of Nursing with Lab and Clinicals (NUR320) 11 credits; Intro to Pharmacology with Dosage Calculations (NUR315) 3 credits.
• Quarter 3: Healthcare Informatics (HIT410) 3 credits; Advanced Concepts in Pharmacology (NUR318) 3 credits; Medical Surgical Nursing I with Lab and Clinicals (NUR330) 11 credits.
• Quarter 4: Mental Health Nursing (NUR420) 6 credits; Medical Surgical Nursing II with Clinicals (NUR440) 9 credits.
• Quarter 5: Pediatric Nursing with Clinicals (NUR340) 6 credits; Obstetrical Nursing with Clinicals (NUR350) 6 credits; Research and Evidence-Based Practice (NUR338) 3 credits.
• Quarter 6: Community and Public Health Nursing with Clinicals (NUR450) 5 credits; Transition to Professional Practice (NUR460) 3 credits; Leadership and Management (NUR470) 3 credits.
• Quarter 7: Life Transitions: Death and Dying (SOC321) 4 credits; Senior Integrative Seminar and Capstone (NUR485) 9 credits.

The curriculum emphasizes synthesis of nursing knowledge with arts and sciences, quality and safety in patient care, interprofessional collaboration, evidence-based practice and use of patient care technologies.

Entry requirements

Applicants must have completed prerequisite and general-education coursework at an accredited institution before starting the completion program. Two pathways are detailed:

• Applicants without a prior baccalaureate: Minimum of 56 semester credits (80 quarter credits) of post-secondary coursework with cumulative GPA ≥2.0. At least 40 semester credits (56 quarter credits) of specified prerequisites must be completed with grades of C or better. Required prerequisite subjects listed include microbiology with lab, anatomy & physiology with labs, two sciences (one with lab, excluding pathophysiology), algebra, statistics, psychology, human growth & development, nutrition, and English/composition. An additional 16 semester credits (24 quarter credits) of general-education courses from at least three different disciplines are required.
• Applicants with a prior baccalaureate: Satisfactory completion of 21 semester credits (32 quarter credits) including microbiology with lab, anatomy & physiology with labs, statistics, human growth & development and nutrition, with grades of C or better and cumulative GPA ≥2.0.

Additional application requirements include submission of official transcripts and course descriptions for review, background check and drug screen meeting licensure requirements, and successful completion of Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology within seven years of program start. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required overall for admission to the program.

Admissions testing: Applicants to pre-licensure nursing programs must take the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) and achieve a minimum score of 22 on a single attempt. Applicants who do not reach that SLE score may take the HESI A2 exam (two attempts within 12 months) to obtain at least 75% on the English Composite Subscale and Math Subscale; a third attempt may be permitted after remediation.

Career prospects

Graduates earn a BSN and are prepared to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The curriculum’s clinical components, leadership and community health coursework, and capstone are intended to prepare nurses for entry- to early-practice roles in acute care, community/public health, pediatrics, obstetrics, mental health and leadership/management positions within healthcare settings.

Scholarships & funding angle

The program page does not list specific scholarships or fees. Prospective students should explore institutional scholarships, external nursing scholarships, employer tuition assistance, federal student aid (if eligible) and loan options. Also confirm eligibility and deadlines with Denver College of Nursing admissions and financial aid offices.