Program Information & Requirements

All NUR courses require C+ or higher.

Please reference the Nursing Student Handbook for further review of program requirements and comprehensive policy review.

As part of the Capstone Nursing course fee, students will be registered to participate in a 3-day Comprehensive NCLEX review course. This is mandatory for all students to graduate and receive the Approval to Test through the Board of Nursing.

Pre-Licensure BSN

The pre-licensure nursing program requires completion of prerequisite coursework in the pre-nursing degree plan prior to three levels of coursework within the nursing major.  Additional general education requirements complete the degree requirements. Graduates from the nursing program receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and may sit for the NCLEX – RN (National Council Licensure Examination-RN) to become a Registered Nurse.

Nursing Student Athlete Policy

The Cornerstone University nursing program is pleased to offer nursing as an option for student athletes. It is possible for students to participate in athletics as a nursing major throughout all four years, however, students should be aware that the degree of difficulty in managing both the sport and the major becomes greater as students progress through the nursing program. It is up to the individual student to determine if they are willing to manage both the nursing major requirements and athletics. Each student’s case is evaluated on an individual basis and will depend on how well the student can organize and manage their time, and ensure they are meeting the attendance requirements for class, lab, and clinical.

Nursing student athletes are required to review the course schedule for each course and their athletic schedule at the start of each semester. The student is responsible for identifying any potential conflicts and for providing documentation of these conflicts to the course faculty within the first week of class. Any changes or additions to a student’s athletic schedule throughout the season that will conflict with a course must be communicated to the appropriate faculty member as soon as the change occurs. Faculty will attempt to provide reasonable accommodation when required, but accommodation is not guaranteed. It is important that students keep in frequent communication with their nursing faculty, academic advisors, and coaches while engaged in their sport to ensure they are meeting requirements for the major and the sport.

The nursing program will support students in their extracurricular activities and work with athletes for reasonable requests to be absent from planned learning experiences. However, given the faculty’s responsibility for preparing competent and safe clinicians, attendance during lecture, lab, and clinical experiences is mandatory. Missing classes and laboratory time, if persistent and frequent, is not acceptable behavior and would jeopardize a student’s ability to be successful in the program. Absences not approved prior to class will be counted as unexcused and will follow the appropriate attendance policy (lecture or lab/clinical). In addition, clinical hours are required per the State of Michigan Board of Nursing requirements.  Therefore, missing lab, clinical or simulation time is prohibited and could result in dismissal from the program. 

Authorization to Test (ATT)

A student is considered a program completer when (a) all institutional academic and clinical requirements are met, and (b) NCLEX prep course and practice test are completed and proof is submitted to the Nursing Division.  Students who meet all standards and requirements of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and the State of Michigan are eligible to apply for the NCLEX program code from the Nursing Division in order to apply to the Michigan Board.

The candidate will then apply to the Michigan Board for permission.  The candidate will also register with Pearson VUE (http://www.vue.com/nclex).  Only after both steps are completed will the candidate be granted authorization to test.  A U.S. candidate is expected to make the first attempt within two years of graduation and to pass the exam within one year of the first attempt.   After three attempts, a NCLEX review course is required.  After six attempts, a candidate is no longer eligible for licensure in Michigan (unless the candidate completes the entire RN program again).  Unsuccessful candidates will receive a score breakdown which may help them to prepare.

Fingerprints are required to take the NCLEX.  The Michigan Board recommends that applicants contact one of the board approved agencies no later than 7-10 days after applying.  Examination candidates who completed their education out of state should forward offical transcripts.  In-state students will have a certification of education.  Reference www.michigan.gov for more information regarding application and scheduling of the NCLEX.

GENERAL ADMISSION PROCESS

• Students desiring admission into the nursing program will meet the following requirements:
  • Have a cumulative GPA of > 2.75
  • Be completed with, or nearing completion of nursing pre-requisite courses as outlined below.
  • Students must receive at least a C (2.0) in all prerequisite/general education courses. If less than a C is obtained in a prerequisite/general education course, the student must repeat the course.  Students may only repeat 2 prerequisite courses. In the event of extenuating circumstances students who have repeated more than two courses may submit a petition to the director of nursing to be considered for application into the program.

• The following is the recommended timeline and admission process:
  • Completion of the Nursing Admission Application form 
  • Applications submitted by February 1 for Fall and October 1 for Spring will be granted priority consideration.
• Students who meet all requirements and submit the nursing application will be offered the opportunity to participate in a series of mini-interviews.
• Acceptance into the nursing program will be determined based on meeting admissions criteria, performance in the mini-interviews, and score on admissions rubric.
• Completion of all requirements does not guarantee admission into the program.

DIRECT ADMISSION PROCESS

Exceptionally prepared high school students have the unique opportunity to secure a spot in the nursing program upon entering their freshman year at Cornerstone University. Students who meet the following criteria will be invited to apply:

• High school GPA of 3.3 or above 
• Completion of the Nursing Admission Application form

Students who meet these criteria will be invited to campus in January of their senior year for a series of mini-interviews.

• While it is not required, students who have volunteer, leadership, service, or healthcare experiences have been found to be exceptional candidates.

Once accepted into the program, students are required to adhere to the following:

• Students must maintain a cumulative freshman GPA of 2.75 to continue in the direct admission track
• Students cannot withdraw from more than 1 prerequisite course
• Students cannot receive less than a C (2.0) any prerequisite/general education course
• Direct admission applicants may account for up to 75% of the 48 nursing seats each academic year

The following requirements are in addition to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing core requirements, found here.

Required Courses

Required Cognates