General Information
1. Why should I choose Arizona State University?
See why you should choose ASU.
2. Why should I choose Nursing as my career choice?
See Why Nursing is an excellent career choice.
3. Where do registered nurses work?
Registered Nurses work in a variety of hospital units and community programs. Also see Nursing as a Career Choice.
4. What is the Code of Ethics for Nurses?
Code of Ethics for Nurses defines acceptable behaviors and promotes high standards of practice for nurses.
5. I have my Associates Degree in Nursing. How do I become a Bachelor's prepared nurse?
See the pathways to becoming a nurse.
6. How soon can I see an academic advisor?
You can schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor as soon as you have determined your interest in this field. Prospective students from high school, other majors at ASU, and from other colleges and universities can schedule an appointment. Due to staffing limitations and periodic peak workloads, students are encouraged to schedule appointments well in advance of program deadlines. There may be a delay of up to three weeks between your request for an appointment and when you are scheduled. Students in the College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation taking critical tracking courses must meet with an academic advisor every semester. Contact the ASU College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation Student Services office at (602) 496-0888 to schedule an Academic Advising appointment.
7. How do I prepare for my academic advising appointment?
Prospective transfer students can FAX unofficial transcripts to the ASU College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation Student Services Office at (602) 496-0705 for evaluation. Then call to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor. Please come to your appointment prepared and arrive early enough to find parking. If you are unable to keep your advising appointment, please call the Student Services Office (602) 496-0888 to cancel or reschedule.
8. Do I need to meet with an advisor before registering for classes?
Yes, academic advising is required for all students who wish to register for critical tracking courses. Please contact the ASU College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation Student Services Office on the Downtown Phoenix campus at (602) 496-0888 to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor.
9. May I get academic advising over the phone?
If it is at all possible, we prefer that you meet in person with an academic advisor. Prospective students who live outside of Arizona who are not able to come to our location may be accommodated with a phone appointment. Prospective or current ASU students living outside of the metropolitan Phoenix area are strongly encouraged to schedule in-person appointments. However, phone advising may be possible. Students living in Maricopa County are required to schedule in-person appointments. If your academic advising appointment will take place by phone, be sure to FAX (602) 496-0705 any transfer work that you may have well in advance of your appointment.
10. Do you have an Associates Degree in Nursing program?
No. The ASU College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and a RN-BSN entry option. Please meet with an academic advisor in our College to discuss your options and career plans. See Maricopa Community Colleges for Nurse Assistant, Practical Nurse and Associate Degree Nurse programs.
11. What is the undergraduate application process?
See the application process flow chart that describes the steps you need to take.
12. What are some of the expectations of the Undergraduate nursing student?
See our list of essential functional abilities for undergraduate nursing students.
13. Are military credits and training transferable?
Military course work linked to an approved community college in the United States may be transferable. You may contact the University Registrar's Office to check on transfer ability and acceptance. Your academic advisor will evaluate your college transcripts to determine course equivalency and applicability. Military training, while considered valuable experience, will not generally transfer as college credit and may not be applicable to the nursing programs at ASU.
14. How do I get started?
See Getting Started/Academic Advising.
15. Can I transfer nursing credits from my community college program to ASU?
It depends upon which courses you have taken. ASU will accept up to 64 credit hours from approved community colleges in the United States (up to 75 hours if you are enrolled in the ASU/MCCD Alliance Program), not all community college courses are transferable to the ASU. In the Maricopa Community College District, for example, HCC courses are not transferable. Schedule an appointment with an academic advisor in our College to determine transferability and applicability of community college coursework. See Course Equivalency Guide.
16. Can I "test out" of credits?
Yes. There are ways in which you may earn credit by Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or by CLEP. If you have taken AP, IB, and/or CLEP exams, request that your scores be sent directly to Undergraduate Admissions at ASU. See Steps to Attending ASU and Transcripts and Test Scores.
17. What testing and placement information do prospective undergraduate students need to know?
See Transcripts and Test Scores.
18. What do some of the nursing-related terminology and acronyms mean?
See our College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation glossary.
BSN Pre-Licensure (includes non-licensed high school graduates/transfer students)
1. Is the BSN Nursing Program right for me?
Read and complete the comprehensive BSN Information workbook (new PDF available). This comprehensive document explains the process for obtaining your BSN and encourages self-evaluation as to readiness for the program.
2. What is the required GPA for advancement to ASU's College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation Upper Division Nursing Program?
The College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation BSN Program requires a minimum GPA of 2.75 or higher, in the 17 critical course requirements (prerequisites) and for the "Select GPA," to be eligible for advancement to the Upper Division Nursing program. Due to the limited number of sites for clinical experience, not all students who meet minimum eligibility criteria will secure a space in the Upper Division Nursing program. For the last several years, students with GPA's below 3.3 have not advanced to the Upper Division Nursing program.
3. How is advancement to the Upper Division Nursing program determined?
Students who meet or exceed the critical tracking requirements will be ranked on a 6-point scale as follows: up to 4 points for the GPA in critical tracking courses and up to 2 points for the Nurses Entrance Test (NET). Beginning with the topped ranks, students are placed in available upper division nursing courses until all spots are filled.
4. What is the cost for the BSN Program?
See Tuition.
5. How long does it take to complete the BSN program?
Approximately four years, but time may vary depending on the program location option you choose, as well as individual student progress. See Pathways to becoming a nurse.
6. What are the Timelines for applications for the BSN Program?
See Critical Tracking requirements and advancement to the Upper Division Nursing program.
7. Is there a waiting list for the BSN program?
No, we do not maintain a waiting list for the Upper Division Nursing program. Students are placed in upper-division Nursing courses based on their rank. Also see BSN Eligibility.
8. Is the ASU BSN program impacted?
ASU's College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation does not have a waiting list that rolls over each semester. Each Fall and Spring, eligible students are reviewed for advancement to upper-division Nursing courses.
9. If the ASU BSN program is completed in Arizona, may I take the license exam (NCLEX) in another state?
Yes. Check with the Arizona State Board of Nursing for details. You will need to apply to the State Board of Nursing in the state in which you wish to be registered to practice.
10. What are the program options/locations for the BSN program?
All critical tracking courses are available on the Downtown Phoenix campus (DPC). Some of these courses are also available on the Tempe, Polytechnic and West campuses. The Upper Division Nursing program is offered on the DPC, Polytechnic and West campuses. See the BSN program options.
11. What courses will I need to complete to advance to the upper-division Nursing courses (BSN)?
See the BSN Program of Study.
12. What courses taken at other colleges apply toward a BSN degree at ASU?
See information for Transfer Students.
13. If I am currently in a nursing program at another institution, may I transfer into the ASU Upper Division Nursing program?
It is not advisable for students already completing upper-division coursework in a nursing program at another university or college to transfer into the ASU's College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation BSN Program. This kind of transfer requires a petition process and a detailed faculty evaluation of each course taken in the program to assess equivalency and to determine remaining course work. It generally will take a student much longer to complete the requirements of ASU's College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation Upper Division Nursing program than it would take if the student remained in the original nursing program. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the transferring student will be admitted into the ASU Upper Division Nursing program because of clinical space limitations.
14. How do I get into the Upper Division Nursing program?
See BSN Admissions criteria and application process.
15. Can I apply to the BSN program online?
You can apply online to be admitted to ASU. To secure a space in the Upper Division Nursing program you must meet critical tracking requirements. Not all eligible students will secure space in the Upper Division Nursing program.
16. Am I ready for the Upper Division Nursing program?
See Advancing to the Upper Division Nursing program and Nursing Program Application Checklist for advancing to the Upper Division Nursing program.
See applying to the Nursing Program and Nursing Program Application Checklist.
17. How do I get started?
See “Getting Started.”
BSN - Licensed RN
1. What are the key features of the BSN-Licensed RN Program?
The RN-BSN Program for RNs is customized to meet the unique needs of returning RNs. The RN-BSN Program Track offers RNs the opportunity to complete degree requirements in one calendar year (upon completion of all prerequisite courses and selection into the nursing major) in a program featuring:
- Reasonable costs;
- Predictable year-round course scheduling;
- Reduced in-class time;
- Theory classes scheduled in 4-6 hour blocks on one-day-per-course scheduling;
(hybrid enhanced, which means sometimes every other week for theory classes) - Web-enhanced and web-based instructional delivery;
- Customized mentorship courses designed to build on previous knowledge and experience (mentorship courses span several months and require additional time on site - may vary during the week);
2. Do I have to repeat my clinicals?
No. The program is designed to build on previous knowledge and experience you obtained in your initial nursing program and have gained in your practice since graduation. There are two mentorship courses in the RN-BSN Program Track: Community Health/Home Health Nursing Mentorship (estimated one or two days a week) and Leadership and Management Practice for RNs (estimated one or two days a week). A mentoring model is used in these courses. See RN-BSN curriculum checksheet.
3. What are the application procedures and admission criteria for the RN-BSN?
See RN-BSN admissions information.
4. What is the grade point average (GPA) admission requirement for ASU's College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation RN-BSN Program?
If you are 22 years of age or older and a resident of Arizona, ASU University Admissions Office requires a minimum of a 2.0 college GPA. There is a second admission process to be considered for admission to the RN-BSN Program Track. Admission to the RN-BSN Program is contingent on achieving at least a “C” in all prerequisite general studies and prerequisite nursing courses and earning a minimum GPA of 2.75 in prerequisite courses.
5. What is ASU regular admission status requirement?
Individuals must obtain regular admission status with the ASU College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation before being considered for the RN-BSN program track. This requires receipt by ASU Undergraduate Admissions of all official transcripts from previously attended institutions along with an application to the University requesting admission to the College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation.
6. What if I have a diploma?
We welcome the opportunity to work with you to develop a way to use the credits you may have, and to earn credit by examination for courses you completed in your diploma program for which you may not have academic credit.
7. Can I "test out" of credits?
Yes. There are ways in which you can earn credit by examination for courses completed in your nursing program if appropriate to your individual circumstance. Whether or not you will be able to do this requires a very individualized determination. A complete evaluation of your transcripts enables us to make this determination.
8. Can I transfer nursing credits from my community college program?
Yes. You can transfer up to 64 credit hours (up to 75 hours if you are enrolled in the ASU/MCCD Alliance Program) from an approved community college in the United States. Of these 64 credits, 29 credits may be nursing courses. In addition, many of your general education courses completed at other colleges or universities may be applied toward your BSN at ASU. Also see Question #6.
9. What courses and prerequisites do I need to take for the RN-BSN?
Many of these prerequisite courses will have been completed as part of your nursing program. See RN-BSN Program of Study and RN-BSN prerequisite courses. All general education and nursing prerequisite courses must be completed to be admitted to the Nursing major.
10. How do I get started?
See “Getting Started.”
11. When are the applications for admission to the RN-BSN Program accepted?
Applications are accepted twice a year, April 1st—for August track, and September 1st—for January track.
12. How much will the program cost?
See RN-BSN Program Tuition information.
Graduate Education and Advanced Practice
1. Do I have to have my BSN before I can get an MS or DNP degree?
Yes. See pathways to becoming a nurse. However, a BSN is not required for entry to the MHI (Master of Healthcare Innovation) degree program.
2. Does ASU's College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation have a Post-Master's Program?
ASU College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation offers a post-Masters DNP program, with two entry points: post-Masters Entry With Advanced Practice Specialty, and post-Masters Entry Without Advanced Practice Specialty (or adding a new specialty).
3. May I use graduate courses I have taken prior to being admitted to the Graduate college?
It depends – in the case of post-baccalaureate entry to the MS or DNP programs, faculty will review the courses you have taken to determine if any may be used. For those entering the post-Masters DNP program, up to 40 credit hours of your Masters degree coursework will be applied toward the required 84 credit hours to obtain your doctoral degree.
4. How long are the MS, MHI, and DNP programs?
This varies based on each program and on full-time or part-time attendance. Please see the webpages for each degree program for more information.
5. Do you have online programs?
Coursework for the MS, MHI, and DNP degree programs, as well as the graduate certificate programs, are conducted in a hybrid-online format. Several different modalities are used to enhance the student’s learning, including multimedia presentations, asynchronous discussion boards and live chats. Travel to campus is required 2 – 3 times per semester (depending on the courses being taught).
6. What are the options in graduate study?
Seven clinical specialty areas are offered for post-baccalaureate entry to the DNP program; See details on each. Beginning fall of 2009, our new Geriatric Nurse Practitioner specialty will be added. There are also MS Nursing programs in Community and Public Health and Nursing Education (along with a new MS in Clinical Research Management beginning Fall 2009), several graduate certificate programs, and post-Masters entry to the DNP program.
7. Do you have a midwifery program?
No, but you may check this web site to find one: http://www.allnursingschools.com/featured/nurse-midwife.php.
Note: certified nurse midwives are eligible to apply for entry to our post-Masters DNP program.
8. Is there a clinical or practicum component to the graduate programs?
Yes, there are clinical requirements for the all of the DNP and MS, Nursing programs; the number of required hours varies depending on the program.
9. Can I go part-time in my graduate program?
Full-time and part-time options are available in the MHI, MS, Nursing and DNP programs (for both post-baccalaureate and post-Masters entry points). See the individual programs for more information on the academic plans for each.
10. How do I become a Nurse Anesthetist?
ASU’s College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation does not have a Nurse Anesthetist Program.
You may check this web site for existing programs http://www.allnursingschools.com/featured/nurse-anesthesia.php.
Note: certified nurse anesthetists are eligible to apply for entry to our post-Masters DNP program.
PhD in nursing & healthcare innovation
1. Why get a PhD in nursing?
University professorships require a doctoral degree and doctoral study is essential to establish an independent research career. PhD preparation allows one to contribute to the development of science by conducting research independently or collaboratively. It also provides the credentials necessary for teaching. Finally, it provides a basis for clinical and leadership skills necessary to influence health processes, outcomes and policy.
2. Is full-time study required?
To enable timely completion of the program as well as continuity in the development of research, full-time study is recommended.
3. What is the purpose and nature of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program?
The PhD degree is designed for persons who wish to pursue careers as leaders in health policy, education and research, consistent with scientific and academic roles.
4. Why choose ASU College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation?
The College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation has a long history of excellence in education, research, practice, and leadership. Our faculty are widely recognized as scholars and researchers – and they will be your teachers and mentors.
5. How long does it take to complete the PhD program?
Four years of full time study is the minimal time it will take to complete the PhD degree, including the dissertation.
6. What types of financial assistance are available?
Students in the College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation are eligible for loans and scholarships from various sources. Traineeships are available to a limited number of graduate students. All students admitted will be considered for scholarship funds and research and teaching assistantships. For more information about financial assistance, contact ASU's Student Financial Assistance office at (480) 965-3355, or online at http://www.asu.edu/fa/.
For More Information: See Student Services
Please submit suggestions for general FAQ's to Webmaster.
