Prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing

On this page:

• Why Choose Nursing?
• Careers
• Real-World Experience
• Academics and Curriculum
• Admission
• Program Outcomes

Why Choose Nursing?

Become a professional nurse and serve a vital role in our health care system, including that of an advocate for health care consumers. Wright State's nursing program will help prepare you to become a self-directed nurse who can function as a generalist in multiple settings. You will collaborate with other professionals to coordinate and improve the health care of individuals, families, and communities.

Wright State University is currently offering a three-year (year round) and a four year (summer's off) program at the Dayton Campus.  The Lake Campus will continue to offer only the four-year (summers off) program.

Program Description

The Wright State University Undergraduate Nursing Program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree. An honors program is available for students with superior academic ability. 

The program offers a traditional pathway for students who are admitted to the program in their sophomore year or via direct admit from high school.  This program is offered at both the Dayton and the Lake campuses.  

The professional nurse is increasingly being viewed as the nucleus of the health care system, as well as serving as an advocate for health care consumers. Therefore, Wright State's program prepares self-directed graduates who can function as generalists in a number of settings and work in collaboration with other health professionals to coordinate and improve the health care of individuals, families, and communities.

The nursing program at Wright State is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing. Graduates of the pre-licensure pathways are eligible to sit for the National Council of State Boards Licensing Examination (NCLEX) to become licensed as registered nurses.

Successful completion of the BSN meets the educational requirements for the RN license in Ohio as regulated by the Ohio Board of Nursing. 

Successful completion of the BSN meets the educational requirements for RN licensure in all other states, but other requirements may vary from state to state. If you are planning to pursue RN licensure in a state other than Ohio, please contact the licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding that state's licensure or certification requirements.

Careers

Nurses care for individuals and families from birth to death in local as well as international communities. Workplace environments can include newborn nurseries to elderly care facilities and school clinics to the World Health Organization. A nursing education prepares you to participate in research to improve the health of people and/or improve health care practices.

Real-World Experience

The School of Nursing, Kinesiology, and Health Sciences has contracts with more than 200 agencies in the area, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, county health departments, nursing homes, school systems, senior citizens centers, and daycare centers which can be used for clinical experiences and/or research. You will be introduced to the varied aspects of nursing through theory and research in the classroom. Outside the classroom, you will have clinical experiences in health assessment, maternity, pediatrics, adult health, community health, mental health, and complex care settings. You will complete more than 750 hours in clinical practice, laboratory, and simulated settings. Based on space availability, your classes and clinical experiences may be offered days, evenings, or weekends.  During your final semester, you will complete a preceptorship during which you work alongside a registered nurse in a healthcare setting.

Academics and Curriculum

View Bachelor of Science in Nursing program information, all degree requirements, and graduation planning strategy in the Academic Catalog.

If you are admitted to the nursing program, review the posted undergraduate student handbook for your pattern and program of study. The six-semester nursing curriculum plan will change beginning Fall 2023 for new students.

Admission

Admission to Nursing is competitive due to constraints of the affiliating clinical facilities and program resources. The most highly qualified applicants are selected based on the following criteria: the achievement of a minimum score on the HESI A2 Entrance exam, application information, prerequisite course work GPA, cumulative undergraduate course work GPA (only includes coursework completed within the last 10 years), and criminal records check. 

The number of students accepted is dependent on available resources. The Nursing department maintains no waiting list. To be reconsidered for a subsequent admission period, you must reapply to the program and compete for admission with all other applicants for that period. 

Admitted students may not defer entrance to the program; they must reapply.  Prior acceptance does not guarantee acceptance at a later date.

All applicants for admission to the nursing program receive consideration regardless of race, gender, national origin, religion, creed, age, political views, sexual orientation, marital status, or veteran status.

All students must:

1. Be admitted to Wright State University as a matriculated (degree-seeking) student.
2. Provide evidence of a clean/clear criminal records check from both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation) or applicable state. Results of background checks must be sent directly to the appropriate Nursing campus.
3. Successfully complete the following prerequisite courses or their equivalent with a grade of C or better, while maintaining a minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.75:
   1. Anatomy 2100 (Human Anatomy I)
   2. Anatomy 2120 (Human Anatomy II)
   3. English 1100 (Composition I)
   4. Psychology 1010 (Introductory)
   5. Psychology 3410 (Lifespan Developmental)
   6. Chemistry 1020 (Organic)
   7. Biology 1070, 1120 or 1150
   8. Statistics 1600
   9. NOTE: Students who began the Anatomy and Physiology series Fall 2015 or beyond must provide evidence of taking both Anatomy and Physiology courses at the same institution in order to ensure coverage of all necessary content prior to starting their nursing series of courses. This requirement will be only be waived for students who provide documentation in the form of a course syllabus or other similar documentation that provides evidence of all required anatomy and physiology content.
4. In meeting the admission prerequisite courses or progression requirements:
   1. Students may repeat any science course once (ANT 2100, 2120; BIO 1070, 1120, 1150; CHM 1020; HLT 3400; BIO 2200).
   2. Only two science courses may be repeated
   3. All natural science courses must be current (taken within 10 years of acceptance to the program).
5. Complete all undergraduate coursework with a minimum of 2.75 cumulative GPA (only includes coursework completed within the last 10 years).
6. Achievement of a minimum composite score of 75 percent on the English language, science, and math modules of the HESI A2 Entrance Exam. This requirement will be waived for (1) direct admit from high school students; (2) students who provide prior evidence of successful completion ("C" or higher) for at least one clinical course (i.e. Nursing Fundamentals) from a regionally accredited institution or accredited through CCNE or ACEN; or 3) hold a prior baccalaureate degree.

Special Considerations for Direct Admit from High School:

Offers of direct admission for Fall 2023 will automatically be made to any 2023 high school graduate meeting the following criteria (no separate application is required): 

1. Direct from high school admission applications are accepted from those who meet the following criteria:
   1. High school cumulative GPA of 3.25 AND
   2. Minimum of 22 ACT Composite score or 1100 SAT; OR 
      Minimum of 21 on the WSU Math Placement Level and a minimum of 50 on the WSU Writing Placement level; OR 
      Completion of two or more College Credit Plus (CCP) courses with at least a 3.0 GPA
   3. Be admitted to Wright State University as a matriculated (degree seeking) student by May 1st of their senior year of high school.

Procedure

1. Students applying for the traditional pathway should submit an Application for Admission (PDF) to Nursing by the application deadline.
2. Students applying for direct admit from the high school pathway should submit an Intent to Enroll form to Nursing by that application deadline.
3. Submit copies of transcripts with the application from all colleges previously attended as well as the HESI results scores (when required).
4. Results of background checks must be sent directly to the appropriate Nursing campus.

Application Deadlines for Traditional Pathway

• Fall admission: May 15
• Spring Admission: September 15

Please see the below section for Progression Requirements that must be completed after admission and before starting nursing courses.

Progression Requirements

Prelicensure BSN - Student Checklist for Nursing Compliance Requirements

Upon receipt of your acceptance letter to the B.S.N. program, set up your CastleBranch (CB) account. Then complete all of these items and load them into your CB account by August 1 for Fall Semester start or December 1 for Spring Semester start.

*Review Handbooks and Requirements  for more information on these items:

1. CastleBranch Instructions
2. Student Checklist
3. Student Physical Exam Forms
4. CPR (BLS)
5. Training Modules for Blood Borne Pathogen and Clinical Passport Training (GDAHA)
6. Technical Standards - Please Read
7. Technical Standards - Signature Sheet

If you fail to submit all of these documents by the deadline, you may be ineligible to start the nursing program.

Clinical Uniforms

In addition, be sure to order and purchase your nursing uniforms. See Handbooks and Requirements for information.

HESI A2 Entrance Exam

HESI Frequently Asked Questions

HESI A2 Registration Directions (DOCX)

Program Outcomes