Concordia College

Nursing Catalog Information

Programs offered

• Major in Nursing leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree (48 credits)

• Accelerated nursing program leading to a second major in nursing (48 credits)

• Certificate of Completion for Parish Nurse Preparation (see Church Professions)

The nursing program at Concordia College is nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and maintains approval through the North Dakota and Minnesota Boards of Nursing. The student is eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam for the registered nurse (RN) upon successful completion of the program. 

The mission of the nursing program is to provide professional nursing education, to advance knowledge of the discipline, and to serve as a resource for the healthcare needs of the community. The nursing curriculum prepares professional practitioners by providing a sound educational basis for continuing development, for graduate study in nursing, and for accepting professional and community responsibility. The nursing program serves as a resource for society through consultation, collaboration, political involvement, scholarship and clinical practice.

The nursing program provides learning experiences that prepare students to achieve the following outcomes:

• apply concepts from the arts, humanities and sciences to professional nursing practice*

• communicate clearly and effectively*

• apply critical-thinking skills in deliberative decision-making*

• provide nursing care in accordance with the Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice (ANA, 2004) 

• provide nursing care in accordance with the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (ANA, 2001)

*Adapted from Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice. American Association of Colleges of Nursing. 1998. AACN. Washington, D.C. Graduates meet the qualifications for public health nursing certification.

The curriculum is sequentially organized to facilitate student learning. The beginning courses provide a theoretical foundation for the major. Course content and learning experiences progress from simple to complex, from individual to family and community-client foci, from faculty-directed to student-directed learning, and from theory to application. Faculty members design experiences to provide opportunities for students to integrate theory with practice, engender a spirit of inquiry, and develop critical-thinking abilities. This design enables students to acquire cognition, attitudes, and skills needed to develop the variety of behaviors that constitute the professional nursing role.

Major in Nursing Leading to a Bachelor of Arts Degree

Admission to the Nursing Major

The baccalaureate nursing program is a nationally accredited four-year course of study leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in nursing. The prenursing program is open to all high school graduates and college students who wish to pursue a nursing major. To enter the prenursing program, students must be admitted to Concordia; however, applicants should note that admission to the college does not grant admission to the professional nursing major.

The professional nursing major begins the spring semester of the sophomore year. Incoming freshmen who qualify for select academic scholarships through the Admissions Office of the college may apply for early admission to the nursing major. Guaranteed admission to the nursing major is offered to select high school graduates at the time of admission to Concordia College. The criteria for early admission are available from the Concordia College Admissions Office. Students who are not awarded early admission to the major must submit an application to the nursing department by April 15 of the student’s freshman year. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required in all post-high-school work to apply. Application forms may be obtained in the nursing department. Applicants are notified of their admission status in May. Students who are currently enrolled at Concordia in the prenursing program should consult with a nursing faculty adviser prior to the application deadline.

Policies specific to students accepted into the nursing major are published in the Baccalaureate Nursing Program Student Handbook. The handbook is provided to students in the first semester of the major.

Because state regulations require a specific student-faculty ratio in the clinical practicum, enrollment in the professional nursing program is limited and based on available resources and clinical placement availability. Consideration will be given to students who have attended Concordia College and meet all other criteria. Admission is competitive and based on all of the following:

• GPA (minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 through the semester of application)

• completion of the prerequisite courses with a passing letter grade

• eligibility for sophomore standing

• submission of the completed application materials

• personal references

• an impromptu essay and/or interview

Required Coursework (48 credits)

A sample course plan for the major is available from the nursing department. This plan provides a framework for students to meet all course requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree in nursing within a four-year college career. The plan includes additional courses that are required as prerequisites or co-requisites for the nursing major. These include specific courses in chemistry, biology, nutrition, psychology and sociology. Details are available through the nursing department and department Web pages.

Students must be accepted into the nursing major to enroll in any of the following courses:

• NURS 341 – Client Concepts, 4 credits

• NURS 342 – Adult Health Nursing I, 4 credits

• NURS 351 – Nursing Concepts, 4 credits 

• NURS 352 – Family Nursing I, 4 credits

• NURS 361 – Health Assessment, 4 credits

• NURS 362 – Family Nursing II, 4 credits

• NURS 401 – Community Health Nursing, 4 credits

• NURS 402 – Mental Health Nursing, 4 credits

• NURS 403 – Adult Health II, 4 credits

• NURS 404 – Adult Health III, 4 credits

• NURS 411 – Nursing Role Development I, 2 credits

• NURS 412 – Nursing Role Development II, 2 credits

• NURS 420 – Nursing Research, 2 credits

• NURS 430 – Nursing Management, 2 credits

Accelerated Nursing Program Leading to a Second Major for College Graduates 

The accelerated nursing program is an 18-month course of study leading to a major in nursing for students who have already completed a baccalaureate degree. The program begins in May and finishes 18 months later in December. The students complete the same curriculum of nursing coursework and co-requisite courses as the traditional nursing major, with minor scheduling and clinical alterations. Upon successful completion of the program the student will attain a second major in nursing and is eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam for the registered nurse (RN).

Admission to the Accelerated Program

The accelerated nursing program is open to students who have already completed a baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution. To enter the accelerated program students must apply and be selected for admission into the nursing program. Completed application materials must be submitted directly to the nursing department by Feb. 15 preceding the start of the program in May. Admission is competitive and based on all of the following:

• GPA (minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0)

• baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution

• all of the following prerequisite courses must be successfully completed prior to beginning the first class in the nursing program: 

– two semesters of chemistry (including labs)

– microbiology (including labs)

– anatomy and physiology (including a lab)

– general psychology

– general sociology

– developmental psychology

– college algebra

• submission of the completed application materials

• personal references

• an impromptu essay and/or interview is required

Nursing Courses