B.S. in nursing student learning outcomes

Completing your B.S. in nursing at OHSU prepares you for the next step of your career. The curriculum helps you build your skills as a competent nurse and learn to: 

• Base personal and professional actions on a set of shared core nursing values 
• Use reflection, self-analysis and self-care to develop insight 
• Engage in intentional learning 
• Demonstrate leadership in nursing and health care 
• Collaborate as part of a health care team 
• Practice within, utilize and contribute to all health care systems 
• Practice relationship-centered care 
• Communicate effectively 
• Make sound clinical judgments 
• Locate, evaluate and use the best available evidence 

Anatomy and physiology

You need 12 quarter credits of human anatomy and physiology with lab. This must cover all body systems. You should:   

• Complete the full sequence  
• Finish at least one course by the end of fall term the year before you start 
• Complete all courses before starting the pathway
• Take each course no more than twice in the last seven years  

If you've taken a course more than twice in seven years, we'll use your grade from your second attempt. 

Microbiology with lab

You need 4 quarter credits of basic microbiology with lab.

Nutrition

You need 3 quarter credits in nutrition. The course should cover:   

• Biological functions  
• Dietary sources of essential nutrients  
• How diet affects health 

Human development

You need 3 quarter credits in a human development course that covers social and psychological development across the entire lifespan, from birth to death. Courses that only cover part of the lifespan won’t count.

Written English/English Composition (WR 121 and 122 or equivalent)

You need 8 quarter credits in English composition. Courses should:   

• Develop and support ideas in written English  
• Prepare you for scientific or technical writing  

Note:   

• Remedial English courses don't count.  
• Writing-intensive college courses can meet this requirement (e.g., WR 121, 122 or 123).  
• A non-nursing bachelor's degree from an English-speaking country satisfies this, but you may need extra elective credits to graduate. 

Introduction to genetics

You need 3-4 quarter credits in a human biology course that includes a human genetics component. The course catalog must specifically mention human genetics. Microbiology or Anatomy and Physiology courses won’t count.

If you plan on pursuing the full-time track, we recommend completing Statistics before applying.

NRS 410: Population-Based Care

9 credits. This course is intended to prepare nurses in the practice of community and population health. Students are given an opportunity to apply population health principles to address health disparities. Community and population health are examined as a synthesis of knowledge from nursing, public health, the social sciences and epidemiology. Students analyze prevalent population health issues, explore population interventions and participate with the community to promote quality, culturally proficient and preventive health care. Frameworks of community and public health are examined, and community assessments are conducted using a systems approach that promotes health literacy and embraces cultural diversity. 

NRS 411: Epidemiology

3 credits. Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of death, disease and disability in human populations. In this course, students will learn the basic principles and methods of epidemiologic investigation; examine studies of the distribution and dynamic behavior of health determinants; understand etiologic factors, modes of transmission and pathogenesis; and explore concepts in social epidemiology. Applying epidemiologic case studies, students will engage systems and complex thinking to evaluate programs and policies in population health and nursing. 

NRS 412: Nursing Leadership in Health Care Delivery Systems

10 credits. This course requires the learner to consider his or her role as a leader in nursing and in health care. Focus is on the knowledge and skills required to improve health care delivery and client outcomes from a systems perspective. Historical, legal, ethical, regulatory, socio-cultural, economic and political factors influencing the health care system and professional nursing practice provide context to the learning. Students will understand how nursing leadership influences client care and practice within the broader health care delivery system. This course includes classroom and clinical learning experiences. 

NRS 413: Introduction to Research for Nurses

2 credits. This course builds on foundational learning activities in evidence-based practice and research. In the course students will deepen their understanding of evidence-based practice, the research process and the nursing contribution as they learn to refine research questions and access, critique and translate evidence into practice. 

NRS 425: Integrative Practicum II

9 credits. A continuation of NRS 224 or 424, this course provides the student with the opportunity for developing deeper understanding of and competence in the nursing care of the selected population. Faculty/Clinical Teaching Associate/Student Triad Model provides a context that allows the student to experience the nursing role in a selected setting, balancing demands of professional nursing and lifelong learner, supporting the transition to the nursing role in the delivery of health care. Emphasis is on the health care needs of the selected population, and the associated systems and policy issues. Includes seminar, self-directed study and clinical learning experiences.