Bachelor of Science in Nursing

We offer multiple pathways to help you earn your BSN. Each pathway has its own requirements and deadlines. Our three traditional pathways include:

• Pre-Nursing
• Direct Enrollment
• Second-Year Enrollment

Admission to the nursing major is required before enrolling in nursing courses. First-year and transfer students may begin as pre-nursing students if they meet admission criteria.

Transfer students should apply to the appropriate pathway based on their academic background and these students can review course equivalencies using university resources.

Prerequisite courses may be completed at Ohio State or another accredited institution.

Our curriculum prepares you to deliver safe, effective and evidence-based care in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.

You’ll complete one year of prerequisite coursework followed by three years in a structured, lock-step nursing curriculum. Once admitted to the nursing major, your course sequence is set to ensure consistent progression.

You’ll receive:

• A personalized curriculum plan
• Academic advising and support
• Guidance on course sequencing and progression

Course progression may vary based on:

• Transfer credit
• AP or test credit
• Placement scores
• Academic performance

General education requirements for BSN students entering the university after August 2022

University Honors Program 
Incoming pre-nursing students with strong high school academics and high ACT/SAT scores can apply to the University Honors Program.

College of Nursing BSN Honors program

The College of Nursing provides various research opportunities to our undergraduate students. The BSN Honors program focuses on producing high-caliber nurses, researchers and health professionals who lead in innovation, wellness promotion, policy change and improvement in health outcomes across diverse communities.

Traditional undergraduate students may apply at the end of their first year after being accepted into the nursing major. Admission decisions and faculty mentor assignments are made by the Honors program subcommittee.

Students who have previously held honors status at either a university or college level must be enrolled in the Honors program to retain honors status and to graduate with distinction.

BSN Honors students will:

• Develop a partnership with an assigned faculty mentor to learn more about nursing research
• Conduct a research project under the direction of their faculty mentor, write a thesis and present results at a local research event
• Graduate with Honors Research Distinction in Nursing
• Have the opportunity for early class registration
• Complete courses as outlined in Honors Curriculum and Course Progression

To practice as a registered nurse, graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.
As per the Ohio Revised Code, eligibility requirements include:

• Completion of an approved nursing program
• Submission of fingerprints to the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation for a background check
• Compliance with state licensing regulations

Certain criminal convictions may affect eligibility for licensure.

Ohio State’s BSN program prepares students for licensure in Ohio. Students planning to practice outside Ohio should review state-specific requirements.

Completion of the program does not guarantee licensure or employment.

We support our students in pursuing their personal and professional success through the philosophy of LIVE WELL. BSN graduates will be prepared to:

• Lead: Embody the values and leadership abilities of a professional nurse across the lifespan in a variety of settings
• Innovate: Serve as an innovative nurse who makes meaningful and unique contributions toward wellness promotion, disease prevention and management and population health improvements
• Vision: Practice with vision and leverage one’s own career to transform healthcare to ultimately improve quality and safety
• Execute: Execute clinical reasoning and evidence-based decision making to practice with the full extent of licensure
   
• Wellness-focused: Apply a holistic approach to optimal health and well-being for self, individuals and populations
• Evidence-based: Implement best practices consistently while fostering an evidence-based practice culture
• Lifelong learning: Embrace life-long learning to transform health and improve lives
• Lights for the world: Exemplifying the spirit of caring and service