Pre-Licensure BSN Program

FMU offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. This type of BSN program is often called a 2+2 program because applicants must complete 59 semester hours of lower division coursework which includes university general education requirements and specific nursing prerequisites prior to enrollment in the upper division nursing curriculum. Both the lower division and upper division typically take two years a piece, hence the name 2+2.

Upon admission to the upper division, pre-licensure students then complete an additional 61 semester hours of nursing coursework, as well as approximately 500 hours of clinical experience spread over the 4 semesters. The nursing major focuses on the knowledge, values, and skills needed for professional nursing practice. Students gain clinical experience with patients of all ages, as well as with families, and communities in a wide variety of settings.

Nursing students have the opportunity to study with highly qualified and skilled faculty. In addition, students are assigned a faculty adviser to assist them with academic advising and schedule planning, and to serve as a student advocate.

Upon graduation from the program, pre-licensure students are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam given by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

Second Degree students are only required to complete the 2nd Degree General Education Requirements. There is no advantage for students who hold a previous Bachelor’s degree in another area.

The first step towards a BSN degree at FMU is to fill out an FMU Application and have all official transcripts sent from any previous schools attended, including high school.

Once the student has been officially accepted to the university and has all of their coursework completed or they are in their last semester of completing the courses, a BSN application for the upper division should be submitted.

The deadline for fall semester upper division applications is March 1st. All classes must be completed by the end of FMU’s Summer I term.

The deadline for spring semester upper division applications is October 1st.

Students without a previous bachelor’s degree must complete the following courses:

• English 101 Analysis and Argument (3 credit hours)
  or English 101E/L Analysis and Argument with Extended Studio (4 credit hours)
• English 102 Rhetoric, Genre, and Research (3 credit hours)
• Speech Communication 101 Basics of Oral Communication (3 credit hours)
• Political Science 101 United States Government
  or Political Science 103 Introduction to Political Science (3 credit hours)
• Social Science Elective (3 credit hours)
• Psychology 334 Life Span Development (3 credit hours)
• Literature (3 credit hours)
• History (3 credit hours)
• Art 101, Music 101, or Theatre 101 (3 credit hours)
• Humanities Elective (3 credit hours)
• Mathematics 111/111E College Algebra II or higher (3 credit hours)
• Mathematics 134 Probability and Statistics (3 credit hours)
• Biology 105 Biological Sciences I (3 credit hours)
• Biology 205 Human Anatomy (4 credit hours)
• Biology 215 Microbiology for Healthcare Professionals
  or Biology 311 Microbiology (4 credit hours)
• Biology 236 Human Physiology for Healthcare Professionals (4 credit hours)
• Chemistry 111 and 111L General Chemistry I (4 credit hours)
• Nursing 101 (2 credit hours)
• Nursing 102 (2 credit hours)

A sample pre-nursing plan of study is available.

Students with a previous bachelor’s degree are only required to complete the following courses:

• Psychology 334 Life Span Development (3 credit hours)
• Mathematics 134 Probability and Statistics (3 credit hours)
• Biology 205 Human Anatomy (4 credit hours)
• Biology 215 Microbiology for Healthcare Professionals
  or Biology 311 Microbiology (4 credit hours)
• Biology 236 Human Physiology for Healthcare Professionals (4 credit hours)
• Science Elective (4 credit hours)
• Nursing 101 (2 credit hours)
• Nursing 102 (2 credit hours)

Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology are considered core science courses. Admission to the upper division of the nursing program considers both your core science GPA (your average GPA for these three courses) and your overall GPA (your average GPA for all of the above prerequisites, including core sciences). Courses not listed here are not considered for admission to the upper division.

Admission into the upper division, or final two years of study, in the Nursing Program is competitive. All applications are carefully reviewed by the Nursing Program’s Admission, Progression, and Graduation Committee.

• Applicants must first be admitted to Francis Marion University – apply to FMU here
• Completion of all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better by December (Spring admission) or June (Fall admission)
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Science GPA of a 2.6 on a 4.0 scale (Anatomy, Microbiology, Physiology) – If a student takes a core science course twice, the higher of the two grades will be used to calculate the core science GPA and overall GPA. Any repeated attempts after the 1st repeat will not be considered.
• Three (3) positive, signed references. Please use the reference forms that are provided. Also, please note that only three (3) references will be reviewed.
• Non-refundable application fee
• Completion of short answer questions that pertain to the core values of the FMU BSN Nursing Program

All application materials must be submitted electronically. A confirmation email will be sent to the student once the Department of Nursing has received all materials and the packet is complete.

• Immunization Records
• American Heart Association (AHA) CPR Certification
• Proof of Health Insurance

There will be other documents required by the Department of Nursing that will need to be completed. For more information about the listed requirements and the other documents, please see the Student Handbook.

• Pre-Nursing Plan of Study
• Upper Division Nursing Plan of Study