Nursing at EWU


The EWU nursing program provides transformative educational experiences to create a culture of excellence in the art and science of nursing.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

We are excited to have you explore the career of nursing with us. The EWU BSN program accepts a 40-seat cohort in both the fall and spring semesters. The BSN program requires four years of full-time study. The first two years focus on a broad spectrum of courses, including; core (BACR) requirements and nursing pre-requisite courses that prepare students for upper-division nursing courses. The final two years (four semesters) of nursing courses are on the Spokane campus, inside the SIERR Building, where students engage in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical learning experiences. 

Nursing students start with courses in biology, chemistry, psychology, sociology, human development, statistics, and nutrition. Once admitted to the BSN program, specialized coursework can include: pathophysiology/pharmacology, health assessment, gerontology, childbearing health, psychiatric/mental health care nursing, leadership/management, acute/chronic care nursing, and much more.

Admissions Preparation & Prerequisites Curriculum

Information Session

WHO: Students interested in applying for the EWU Nursing program.

WHEN: October 22nd, 2024

TIME: 2pm to 4pm

WHERE: Cheney Campus, Patterson Hall Room 126

WHAT: The session will cover admissions requirements, the holistic admissions process, interview preparation and the selection process.

RSVP Here

Program Prerequisites

The prerequisite courses (or equivalent courses) must be completed or planned to be completed before starting the program, if admitted.

Pass/Fail grades, CLEP, International Baccalaureate (IB) scores, and AP test scores are not accepted to meet the EWU Nursing prerequisite requirements.

The Biology and Chemistry series are required to be completed at one institution to assure continuity of coursework. 

BIOL 232 Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab
BIOL 233 Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab
BIOL 234 Anatomy & Physiology III with Lab
BIOL 235 Medical Microbiology with Lab
CHEM 161 General Chemistry for the Health Sciences
CHEM 161L General Chemistry Lab for the Health Sciences
CHEM 162 Organic Chemistry for the Health Sciences
CHEM 162L Organic Chemistry Lab for the Health Sciences
CHEM 163 Biochemistry for the Health Sciences
CHEM 163L Biochemistry Lab for the Health Sciences
CSBS 320 Statistics for the Social Sciences
FNDT 356 Nutrition
PSYC 100 Psychology
PSYC 201 Life-Span Development

Minimum C / 2.0 GPA is required in the Nursing Prerequisite courses.

EWU students are encouraged to meet with their EWU CAAR Advisor to determine where you stand with the EWU Nursing Prerequisites.  Non EWU students, should utilize the EWU Transfer Guide and/or the EWU Degree Planning Tool to complete a audit on where you stand with the EWU Nursing Prerequisites and EWU BACR’s.

All EWU Breadth Area Core Requirements (BACR) and graduation requirements — Math, English, Humanities, Social Sciences, Diversity, and Global Studies courses — must be successfully completed prior to entry into the program. Failure to complete these requirements will result in program acceptance being rescinded.

EWU students are encouraged to meet with their EWU CAAR Advisor to determine where you stand with the EWU BACR’s.  Non EWU students, should utilize the EWU Transfer Guide and/or the EWU Degree Planning Tool to complete a audit on where you stand with the EWU Nursing Prerequisites and EWU BACR’s.

To be considered for admission, applicants must have the majority of the EWU Breadth Area Core Requirements (BACR) and graduation requirements completed at the time of application and/or be able to complete all requirements prior to entry into the program.

Application Process

In order to be eligible for admissions, interested individuals must:

  • Apply to EWU or be admitted to EWU for the term they are applying for.
  • Achieve a minimum grade of C or 2.0 GPA in any course at the time of application.
  • At the time of application, have a 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA in the Nursing Prerequisites
  • At the time of application, have a 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA in all college-level coursework from all schools attended.
  • If invited, attend the interview portion of the admission process.
  • Complete the EWU Nursing Prerequisites and EWU Breadth Area Core Requirements (BACR) and EWU Graduation Requirements prior to entry into the program.

GPA requirements must be maintained throughout the admissions process to remain eligible.

Applicants who meet the minimum requirements are not guaranteed admissions.

We are interested in all aspects of our applicants.  Our admissions committee holistically reviews each applicant’s academic record, experience in healthcare, professional and community experience.

Applicants should note that priority admission review will be given to those who have completed 40+ credits or more at Eastern Washington University.

Admission requirements promote student success by assessing preparedness and academic potential in the unique context of each student’s experience.  Admission assessment will consider all achievements, both academic and non-academic, to enroll students with a broad range of characteristics and perspectives.  These include, but are not limited to:  academic achievement, creativity, initiative, motivation, leadership, persistence, service to others, intellectual curiosity, exceptional personal or academic recognition, unusual talent or ability, substantial experience with other cultures, an ability to overcome significant challenges.

Reapplication:  Applicants who are not admitted for the current admissions cycle are encouraged to reapply.  Re-applicants must adhere to the School of Nursing admission policies and requirements.  Reapplications are reviewed as new applications for the purposes of evaluation and will be considered without reference to the previous application.

Click here to Apply.  Current EWU students will access the EWU Nursing application through the portal in which you applied to EWU and proceed to select the BSN application.  You will use our SSO to access the application.

Application Instructions:

  1. Complete the EWU BSN application
    • Upload a copy of your Resume
      • Please include work history, volunteer & leadership experience
      • Do not include reference information on your resume
    • Upload the EWU Nursing Courses in Progress Form as indicated within the application
  2. Pay the $75 non-refundable Nursing Application fee when prompted after submitting the application
  3. View any admission status updates through the EWU Application Dashboard. All admission notifications will be posted here.

*As a current EWU student, we already have your transcript information on file.  If you have taken any courses at a college/university other than EWU since you initially applied to EWU, please submit those transcripts to the EWU Admissions Office.

Transfer students must apply to EWU before applying to the EWU Nursing program. 

Click here to Apply to EWU.  After applying to EWU, you will go back into the application portal and proceed to select the BSN application.

Application Instructions:

  1. Apply to EWU
    • It is recommended Transfer applicants apply to EWU at least 2 weeks before the EWU Nursing application deadline.
    • Within the EWU application, select “Nursing Preparation” as your intended major.
  2. Submit all official transcripts to EWU Admissions Office.
    • As a transfer applicant, you may be asked to submit additional copies of your transcripts for further review throughout the admissions process.
    • Applications are considered incomplete if transcripts have not been received by EWU two weeks after the application deadline.
  3. Complete the EWU BSN application
    • Upload a copy of your Resume
      • Please include work history, volunteer & leadership experience
      • Do not include reference information on your resume
    • Upload the EWU Nursing Courses in Progress Form as indicated within the application
  4. Pay the $75 non-refundable Nursing Application fee when prompted after submitting the application
  5. View any admission status updates through the EWU Application Dashboard. All admission notifications will be posted here.

Post Baccalaureate students must apply to EWU before applying to the EWU Nursing program. 

Click here to Apply to EWU.  After applying to EWU, you will go back into the application portal and proceed to select the BSN application.

Application Instructions:

  1. Apply to EWU
    • Within the EWU application, select “Nursing Preparation” as your intended major.
  2. Submit all official transcripts to EWU.
    • If you are a previous graduate of EWU, you do not need to submit your previous transcripts. EWU already has them on file.
    • If you are completing the Nursing prerequisites at another institution, make sure you submit those official transcripts. You may be asked to submit additional copies of your transcripts for further review throughout the admissions process.
  3. Complete the EWU BSN application
    • Upload a copy of your Resume
      • Please include work history, volunteer & leadership experience
      • Do not include reference information on your resume
    • Upload EWU Nursing Courses in Progress Form the as indicated within the application
  4. Pay the $75 non-refundable Nursing Application fee when prompted after submitting the application
  5. View any admission status updates through the EWU Application Dashboard. All admission notifications will be posted here.

Application Deadlines

Start Term Application Link Available Application Deadline Interview Date

Spring Semester 2025

(Special Admission Cycle)

September 18th 2024 September 29th 2024 (8:59 p.m.) Week of October 14th, via ZOOM
Fall Semester 2025 December 1st 2024 January 31st 2025 (8:59 p.m.) TBA
Spring Semester 2026 December 1st 2024 January 31st 2025 (8:59 p.m.) TBA
Fall Semester 2026 December 1st 2025 January 31st 2026 TBA

Please note, these dates are subject to change.  Please check the website regularly for the most up to dates and deadlines.

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Nursing Major, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

 After completion of all coursework, students will be prepared for generalist nurse positions in hospitals, community clinics, public health, nursing homes and more. Students will be able to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing examination and apply for registered nurse licensure in Washington immediately after graduation. Students will also be prepared for graduate level coursework after completion of the BSN-Nursing program.

Grade Requirements: in order to graduate, students majoring in nursing must earn a GPA ≥2.0 in all nursing coursework.

Year One–Semester One
NURS 301SPROFESSIONAL NURSE 1: ROLE DEVELOPMENT2
NURS 302SNURSING FOUNDATIONS 1: ADULTS AND OLDER ADULTS4
NURS 303SHEALTH ASSESSMENT 1: ADULTS AND OLDER ADULTS3
NURS 304SNURSING SKILLS LABORATORY2
NURS 305SPHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSING PRACTICE3
NURS 306SINTEGRATED PRACTICUM 12
Year One–Semester Two
NURS 311SPROFESSIONAL NURSE 2: HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION2
NURS 312SNURSING FOUNDATIONS 2: ACUTE AND CHRONIC ILLNESS4
NURS 313SBEHAVIORAL HEALTH NURSING3
NURS 314SPATHOPHYSIOLOGY3
NURS 315SINTEGRATED PRACTICUM 24
Year Two–Semester One
NURS 401SPROFESSIONAL NURSE 3: HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS AND POLICY2
NURS 402SNURSING FOUNDATIONS 3: CARE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES4
NURS 403SHEALTH ASSESSMENT 2: MOTHERS, INFANTS, CHILDREN3
NURS 404SCOMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING3
NURS 405SINTEGRATED PRACTICUM 34
Year Two–Semester Two
NURS 411SPROFESSIONAL NURSE 4: TRANSITION TO PRACTICE2
NURS 412SNURSING FOUNDATIONS 4: COMPLEX CARE4
NURS 413SLEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT3
NURS 414SNCLEX-RN PREPARATION2
NURS 490SCAPSTONE PRACTICUM5
Total Credits64

The following plan of study is for a student with zero credits. Individual students may have different factors such as: credit through transfer work, Advanced Placement, Running Start, or any other type of college-level coursework that requires an individual plan.

Courses may be offered in different terms and not all courses are offered every term, checking the academic schedule is paramount in keeping an individual plan current. There may be some courses that have required prerequisites not listed in the plan, review the course descriptions for information. Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

All Undergraduate students are required to meet the Undergraduate Degree Requirements.

First Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
CHEM 161
161L (Natural Science BACR 1)
5CHEM 162
162L (Natural Science BACR 2)
5CHEM 163
163L
5
ENGL 1015CSBS 3205PSYC 100 (Social Sciences BACR 1)5
MATH 1075ENGL 2015Humanities & Arts BACR 115
 15 15 15
Second Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
BIOL 2325BIOL 2335BIOL 2345
FNDT 3565Global Studies - graduation requirement15BIOL 2355
PSYC 201 (Social Sciences BACR 2)5Humanities & Arts BACR 215Diversity - graduation requirement15
 15 15 15
Total Credits 90
Third Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
NURS 301S2NURS 311S2
NURS 302S4NURS 312S4
NURS 303S3NURS 313S3
NURS 304S2NURS 314S3
NURS 305S3NURS 315S4
NURS 306S2 
 16 16
Fourth Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
NURS 401S2NURS 411S2
NURS 402S4NURS 412S4
NURS 403S3NURS 413S3
NURS 404S3NURS 414S2
NURS 405S4NURS 490S5
 16 16
Total Credits 64
1

University Graduation Requirements (UGR) and Breadth Area Course Requirements (BACR) courses may be less than 5 credits and additional credits may be required to reach the required 180 total credits needed to graduate.  Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

Students who earn a BSN in Nursing from EWU should be able to:

  • synthesize knowledge from the liberal arts, sciences, and nursing to form the basis for professional nursing practice;
  • integrate behavioral health principles in planning care aimed at the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health; management of acute and chronic illness; and death with dignity;
  • apply clinical reasoning, critical reflection, and research evidence to provide safe, holistic, ethical care;
  • provide person-centered care that respects diverse values, beliefs, cultures, lifestyles, and health practices;
  • plan, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate, culturally sensitive nursing care in diverse practice settings;
  • use patient care technology, health information technology, and communication devices to deliver safe nursing care;
  • incorporate the professional values of integrity, advocacy, altruism, and equity in the care of vulnerable populations;
  • function collaboratively within nursing and interprofessional teams to promote quality care and achieve optimal patient outcomes;
  • promote the practice of professional nursing through leadership activities and participation in health care policy development.