Undergraduate Nursing Program

Planning Your Degree
How to Apply for Admission

Admission to the undergraduate College of Nursing (HCN) Program requires a minimum of a 2.5 GPA in Nursing courses, a grade of "C" or better in designated prenursing courses and junior standing. Priority for admission is given to students with high Nursing GPAs. To remain in the program, the
student must maintain a 2.5 GPA in Nursing, including a grade of “C” or better in all nursing courses, and make satisfactory progress toward the degree.

Students who wish to enter the undergraduate HCN program must file an admission application with the College of Nursing. Students desiring fall admission must submit an application by March 1. Students desiring spring admission must submit an application by October 1. Application to the College of Nursing is completed the semester prior to anticipated entry. Applicants are considered for a fall or spring admission depending on when all admissions requirements are met and space availability.

Admission application forms may be obtained by contacting the College of Nursing. No final action will be taken on an application until the student has been admitted to the University, all prerequisites have been met, and the application completed. Contact the Assistant-to-the-Dean at nursing@harding.edu for further admission information.

Admission to the nursing major is granted following successful completion of required prerequisite courses and NURS 100, 203, 300 and 363. Official transcripts of all college credit granted elsewhere must be submitted to the Registrar's Office. Reference evaluations must also be completed prior to admission.

Note: Students who enroll in any nursing course consent to participate in the learning activities required in that course in order to progress in the nursing curriculum.

Prior to admission, the student must present medical certification indicating health status, current immunization, satisfactory blood tests, a tuberculosis skin test (PPD/intradermal) or chest x-ray and other laboratory results as indicated on the College of Nursing Health Regulations form. Current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is required. Health and disability insurance coverage are strongly recommended. Hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines are required prior to the semester admitted. The Health Regulations form deadlines are November 1for spring admission and April 1 for fall admission.

Planning Your Degree
The following are recommended in planning a program of studies:

1. Along with the nursing degree, consider obtaining a Health Care Missions minor. Details are available in the Catalog and can be provided by the Assistant-to-the-Dean at nursing@harding.edu
2. NURS 367 is available as a cooperative education clinical practicum. See the Assistant-to-the-Dean for details.
3. Mission and healthcare mission opportunities abound. NURS 210, 305, 344 and 413 are available to enrich your knowledge and skills with missions and health care. See the nursing missions coordinator for details.
4. Though the junior and senior year may be predominately nursing courses, students are encouraged to participate in campus activities.
5. The assistant to the dean and faculty advisers are available to serve with academic and career planning. Individual academic advising sessions are available each semester.
   

Step By Step - How to Apply for Admission

  1.  Acceptance to Harding University. Call 1-800-477-4407 to reach the Harding University Admissions Office.

2. Complete the following courses with at least a "C" or better:

• CHEM 114 - General Chemistry - 4 hrs
• BIOL 159 - Intro to Cell Biology and Genetics - 3 hrs
• BIOL 249 - Anatomy & Physiology Part I - 4 hrs
• BIOL 253 - Anatomy & Physiology Part II - 4 hrs
• BIOL 271 - Microbiology - 4 hrs
• ENG 111 - English Composition I - 3 hrs
• FCS 331 - Human Nutrition - 3 hrs
• FCS 323 - Lifespan Human Growth & Development - 3 hrs
• PSY 201 - General Psychology - 3 hrs
• SOC 203 - General Sociology - 3 hrs
• NURS 100 - Intro to Nursing - 1 hr
• NURS 203 - Health Assessment - 3 hrs
• NURS 300 - Professional Nursing Issues I - 5 hrs **
• NURS 363 - Pathophysiology - 3 hrs 

** Nursing 300 is a skills/clinical course that prepares the student for upper-level nursing courses. The prerequisites for this course are BIO 249 and 253, Nursing 100 and 203. NURS 203 may be taken concurrently only if the student's enrolled in no other lab courses.

3.  Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher. Your cumulative GPA is made up of all courses taken in college, whether or  not they are required for a nursing degree. 

4.  Maintain a Nursing GPA of 2.5 or higher. Your Nursing GPA is made up of all courses listed in the item #2 above. While we do admit students with a 2.5 nursing GPA, those students with a GPA of 2.9 or higher tend to encounter fewer difficulties in progressing through the challenging curriculum of a baccalaureate nursing program. Therefore, students with a 2.5-2.7 Nursing GPA upon entrance to the program should be aware that they have a greater risk for academic difficulties and should prepare accordingly.