BSN Resources & Policies

Effective June 26, 2024, this nursing program is a candidate for initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). This candidacy status expires on June 26, 2026.

The date for the Initial Accreditation Site Visit of the Baccalaureate Nursing Program is scheduled for March 3, 2026 thru March 5, 2026. 

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000 

Iowa Board of Nursing (IBON)

On April 5, 2023,  the lowa Board of Nursing approved the nursing program proposal and curriculum for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at University of Northern lowa, Cedar Falls, pursuant to IAC 655, Chapter 2, 2.3(1). 

Following the graduation of the first nursing cohort in spring 2027, the Department of Nursing & Public Health will submit a self-study to the Iowa Board of Nursing. The Iowa Board of Nursing will conduct a site visit in 2027 as the final step of their accreditation process. 

National and State Legal Requirements for RN Licensure and Entry into the Nursing Profession

Program Completion Rates

Data will be available in May 2027, upon graduation of the first BSN cohort. 

The Expected Level of Achievement for Program Completion:
60% of all students who begin the first course (NUR 2575 Research and Evidence-Based Practice) and at the time when a student can no longer receive a 100% tuition refund (before day 1 of class) will complete the BSN program on time, which equates to 6 terms in cohorts 1-4 and 4 terms for all subsequent cohorts. 

Job Placement Rates

Data will be available in November 2027 for the first BSN cohort who graduate in May 2027. 

The Expected Level of Achievement for Job Placement Rates:
95% of graduates who complete the program will be employed as a registered nurse either part-time or full-time, within 6 months after graduation.

Licensure and/or Certification Examination Pass Rates

Data will be available beginning in fall 2027 and updated every spring.  

The Expected Level of Achievement for NCLEX Pass Rates: 
≥80% of first-time test-takers pass; or
≥80% of all test-takers (first-time plus repeaters) pass; or
The program’s pass rate is at or above the national/territorial mean for the same program type.

1. Students will apply clinical judgment in the delivery of care by synthesizing knowledge, skills, and technology from the established and evolving art and science of nursing, as well as from the biological, social, and behavioral sciences.
2. Students will employ person-centered care in partnership with the client, identified support persons, and the healthcare team
3. Students will evaluate social determinants of health at the population level to promote improved health outcomes.
4. Students will integrate the best scholarly evidence into nursing practice.
5. Students will apply principles of safety and quality improvement into the delivery of care.
6. Students will apply collaborative practice to optimize patient care.
7. Students will apply knowledge of systems to work effectively across the continuum of care.
8. Students will apply principles of professional nursing ethics in the care of individuals across the lifespan.
9. Students will utilize information technologies to deliver evidence-based care.
10. Students will create a personal and professional plan for long-term resilience. 

The BSN Student Handbook contains all policies and expectations for BSN students, including academic standards, policies, clinical expectations and support services.

‌Access the Student Handbook

Program Track

The University of Northern Iowa offers one nursing program track, which is built on a solid foundation of the liberal arts:

• A four-year B.S.N. pre-licensure track for first-year and transfer students seeking a bachelor's degree in nursing. 

BSN Admission Requirements

Admission to the University of Northern Iowa’s nursing program is contingent upon being admitted to the University, the ability to perform essential functions of the program, and the completion of prerequisite coursework with an extracted 3.0 GPA. 

Admission Process:

1. Admitted to the University of Northern Iowa
2. Able to perform the essential functions of the program with or without reasonable accommodation
3. Completed application form to the Nursing Major
4. Achieved a minimum extracted cumulative 3.0 GPA* based on a 4.0 scale in the following courses**:

• CHEM 1010: Principles of Chemistry
• BIOL 1101: Principles of Anatomy and Physiology I ^
• BIOL 1102: Principles of Anatomy and Physiology II ^
• STAT 1772: Intro to Statistical Methods - OR - SOC SCI 2020: Social Science Statistics
• PH 2160: Medical Terminology
• PSYCH 2202: Developmental Psychology - OR - FAM SERV 1055 Lifespan Development

*Students with a GPA below 3.0 may be considered upon a holistic review of special circumstances.

**Course equivalencies and course substitutions will be evaluated for transfer credit.

NOTE: For students who want to transfer in one or more nursing courses, a determination will be made on a case by case basis to determine which nursing course(s) the student will be placed in. Students may be required to take a HESI Specialty Exam (at their own cost) and complete a competency evaluation to assist in the determination of placement. 

‌UNI Admissions Requirements

All BSN course textbooks and virtual resources will be provided digitally through Evolve/Elsevier and are included in student fees. Students will be automatically enrolled—there is nothing to purchase at the bookstore. This package includes:

• eBooks
• Evolve course access (Sherpath)
• HESI Standardized Exams
• Elsevier Adaptive Quizzing
• Shadow Health
• Lessons and Virtual Sim Charting

For a physical textbook, there are two options:

• Purchase through Sherpath course at a 50% discount from Elsevier.
• Purchase through the bookstore (bookstore pricing), which may be covered by financial aid.

Additionally, one printed copy of each textbook will be available for use in Rod Library.

Students have the right to voice concerns or file formal grievances related to the nursing program. UNI follows both university and nursing-specific grievance processes.

The program utilizes HESI standardized exams to assess student learning and NCLEX preparedness. 

HESI Policy

Purpose: This policy ensures that students meet the necessary benchmarks for competency while providing structured opportunities for remediation and improvement. By adhering to these guidelines, the program aims to maintain high standards of academic performance and professional preparedness.

HESI Exam Schedule 

In most cases, the HESI exam will be administered during the last half of the semester (subject to change).

Procedure

1. Students must pass the Theory, Skills Lab, Simulation, and or Clinical in a variable credit course. A variable course is defined as a course which has a theory component plus a skill lab, simulation, and/or clinic component. Students who fail the theory component of a course will fail the course with the letter grade earned for theory. Students who have passed the lecture component in an integrated course, but who fail their performance in the lab, clinical, or simulation component of the course, will receive a failing grade of C for the course.
2. Students who fail to meet any required competencies in one or more areas in simulation or a clinical component of a course will fail the course.
   1. Note: Simulation and Clinical Grading will use competency rubrics.
3. Students who receive an Incomplete in a NURS prefix course will follow the University policy on Incomplete courses. Academic Regulations
4. All Health and Illness Concept courses must be taken sequentially.
5. The Clinical Reasoning Seminars and  Nursing Pharmacology Seminars are required to be taken concurrently (corequisite) with the corresponding Health Concept Course. If a student drops a course with a required corequisite(s), the corequisite(s) must also be dropped. The Clinical Reasoning Seminars and Nursing Pharmacology seminars may not be completed or taken prior to the corresponding Health and Illness Concept course. If a student fails any of the concurrent Health and Illness Concept courses, Clinical Reasoning Seminar, and Nursing Pharmacology Seminar, the student must repeat the failed course and the concurrent courses.
6. A student who has failed in performance in a clinical component of a course due to unsafe behavior may be dismissed from the nursing program and might not be permitted to re-enter the nursing program.
7. A student who fails a clinical course due to unsafe behavior will receive an “F” letter grade for the course. Unsafe behaviors may include, although not limited to, the following:
   1. purposeful falsification of a client record,
   2. blatant disregard for client confidentiality,
   3. blatant disregard for client safety,
   4. denying responsibility for one’s own deviation from standard practice,
   5. act or threat of intimidation, harassment, or physical aggression,
   6. actions, which places the client or others in physical or emotional jeopardy,
   7. abusive behavior toward clients, faculty, staff, or colleagues,
   8. failure to disclose actions that place the client or others in physical or emotional jeopardy,
   9. ignoring the need for essential information before intervening or
   10. other behaviors deemed unsafe by the clinical instructor.
8. Students who fail to meet any required competencies in one or more areas will fail the clinical or simulation component of the course.
9. Students who allow one year to elapse between enrollments in nursing courses will be subject to currency considerations. If a student is allowed to reenter the nursing program, he or she may be required to take one or more HESI exams and Competency Assessments (at student’s expense), and may be required to repeat or audit selected nursing courses at the discretion of the Nursing Admissions and Progression Committee. The student must meet all new requirements upon returning to clinical nursing courses.

Student Performance Improvement Plan Policy and Procedure Policy: 

The Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) process is intended to increase the likelihood that students will succeed in meeting course or program level objectives and comply with established academic and professional standards. A PIP can be initiated for any of the following:

1. The student is not progressing toward achievement of one or more course or program level objectives,

2. The student is likely to benefit from enhanced or remedial learning activities to meet one or more course or program level objectives,

3. The student has failed to meet one or more course or program level objectives,

4. The student demonstrates behaviors that violate the student code of conduct and or academic integrity.

5. The student is consistently late or absent from class or clinical.

Procedure

1. At any time during a student’s experience, the course faculty member can initiate a PIP as per the items outlined in the policy above.
2. Prior to meeting with the student, the course faculty member will inform the a) Department Head and b) Academic Clinical Coordinator, if warranted of the need to initiate a PIP.
3. The faculty member may request consultation or review by the Department Head of the need to initiate a PIP.
4. The PIP form will contain:
   1. a list of the objective(s) not met or behaviors that require remediation.
   2. a detailed description of how the student is not currently meeting the listed objectives/behaviors.
   3. a plan of action to remedy the issue(s)/behavior(s)
   4. an evaluation plan which includes future meetings.
5. At the time of the initial meeting and all subsequent meetings with the student, the student and faculty member will both sign and date the form, including any student comments.
6. After each meeting, one copy of the PIP will be given to the student and one copy retained by the faculty member.
7. At such time that the faculty member documents that the student has met the objectives or remediated the behavior(s) that have been identified- he/she will notify the student in writing that the student has satisfactorily met the PIP conditions.
8. Resolution of the behavior(s) must be evaluated and resolved no later than the end of the term in which it was initiated. Failure to meet course or program level objectives or resolve the identified behaviors by the end of the term in which the PIP was initiated will result in failure of the course.
9. If the student remedies the behavior(s) and meets course or program level objectives by the end of the course, this outcome will be noted on the PIP and all documentation related to the PIP will be forwarded to the Department Head of Nursing & Public Health for secure storage. They will be retained until graduation and destroyed unless there are legal/accreditation requirements to retain the documentation.

Repeating a Nursing Course

1. Students who receive a final grade of less than 78.0% in a nursing course may repeat the (same) course one time. If a student cannot pass the course on the second attempt, the student will be dismissed from the program.
2. The student can only repeat a total of two nursing courses within the program. Failure of the third nursing course will result in a dismissal from the program.
3. In the event that a student encounters a documented significant life event, he or she may request an exception from the Department Head of Nursing and Public Health for that specific enrollment counting toward the total number of times enrolled. 

Course Withdrawal

In accordance with University policy, students may opt to withdraw from a course  on or before the deadline. Withdrawal Information & Schedule | Office of the Registrar

Students planning to withdraw from a nursing course are expected to make an appointment with the course faculty and academic advisor for further instruction.

Students may not drop the same course with a mark of W more than twice. 

Clinical Probation for Unprofessional Behavior

All students in the BSN program must demonstrate professional behavior that is considered acceptable for a career in nursing. Students who do not meet expected professional behaviors in a clinical, lab, and/or simulation setting will be placed on clinical probation. However, in the case of serious misconduct, students can be immediately removed from clinical, lab, and/or simulation settings, which will result in failure of the course and/or dismissal from the program. 

Students are subject to clinical probation under the following conditions:

• Failure to demonstrate consistently the professional attributes considered by the faculty as necessary for continuance in the nursing program.
• ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses,  NSNA Code of Conduct for Prelicensure students NSNA Code of Ethics, and the Ethical Principles from the National League of Nursing 

Students placed on clinical probation will receive a written Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), which details the behaviors that must be demonstrated to meet the terms of probation. Students placed on clinical probation must meet the terms in the PIP. Failure to meet the terms of the PIP will result in a clinical failure of the course. If a student has Clinical Probation for Unprofessional Behavior, the Chief Academic Nurse Administrator will provide written notification to the student. The letter will remain in the student’s academic file.

• More than two occurrences of a clinical probation for unprofessional behavior in the program may result in dismissal in the program. 

Clinical Failure

Clinical failure is based on the student's behavior or performance in the clinical area in relation to the course objectives. Reasons for clinical failure include but are not limited to the following:

• Earning a final rating of unsatisfactory in any clinical course objective.
• Consistently (more than twice in a term) coming to the clinical setting unprepared.
• Repeated tardiness (two or greater in a term) or unexcused absence (greater than one in a term) on the clinical day.
• Acts of dishonesty.
• Providing unsafe care.
• Unprofessional behavior. 

A clinical failure will result in the failure of the course. Students who provide unsafe care, commit acts of dishonesty, or display threatening behavior may be dismissed immediately from the clinical and the nursing program. More than two clinical failures in the program may result in dismissal from the BSN Program. If a student has a clinical failure, the Chief Academic Nurse Administrator will provide written notification of the clinical failure. The letter will remain in the student’s academic file.

Program Dismissal 

Students are subject to dismissal from the BSN Program for reasons under any of the following conditions, including the UNI Student Conduct Code: 3.02 Student Conduct Code | University Policies

• Does not raise the cumulative grade point average to a 2.33 by the end of the academic probation period, or
• Being placed on clinical probation for a second time.
• Being unsuccessful in two or more required courses during the course of study. “Unsuccessful” is defined as:
  • A grade of less than C (2.0) in pathophysiology and microbiology courses.
  • Receives a grade of less than '''78.0%''' in the same nursing course twice (if repeated) or receives a grade of less than '''78.0%''' in two or more different required nursing courses in the nursing major. This includes all courses in the nursing major in which the student was unsuccessful the first time, repeated the course, and then received a passing grade.
  • Withdrawing from a required nursing course (greater than 2 times for one course) for academic reasons (withdrawing for non-academic reasons must be substantiated by appropriate documentation).
  • Chooses to withdraw at any time in the semester from two or more courses in that semester, without an approved leave of absence.
  • Chooses to withdraw at any time from two or more courses in the semester and without a documented change in plan of study with registrar and financial aid.
  • Any combination of the above.
• Students who provide unsafe care, commit acts of dishonesty, or displayed threatening behavior may be dismissed immediately from the clinical and the nursing program
• Consistently exhibiting unprofessional or unethical behavior is considered unacceptable for both study and a career in nursing.
• Failure to remove or successfully resolve clinical probation status.

The University of Northern Iowa and the nursing program share many of the same graduation policies and requirements, ensuring consistency in academic standards. The BSN program builds on the university’s core graduation framework with discipline-specific expectations. Beginning fall 2026, the nursing major will be reduced from a six-semester plan of study to a four-semester plan of study. This will reduce the number of nursing major credits from 59 to 50 credits and reduce the number of laboratory hours from 112.5 to 87.5. See Table 1 for the graduation requirements.

Table 1: Graduation Requirements

BSN Major Requirements:

To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this BSN program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with an advisor. Some courses also satisfy the University requirements for UNIFI general education courses.

Before starting clinicals, students must meet all health and immunization requirements, including uploading proof of insurance.

• UNI Student Health Clinic
• Nursing Student Checklist

The University of Northern Iowa establishes baseline technology requirements for all students through the Office of Information Technology. Still, nursing students are held to additional program-specific technology standards due to the rigorous digital demands of the nursing curriculum. These technology requirements differ from those for non-nursing students. Nursing students must have access to a computer capable of supporting the adopted learning platforms, including Elsevier 360, ViewPoint screening, Blackboard, and online nursing exams. While students are not required to purchase their own laptops, they must have reliable access to a computer. To support this need, the nursing program has provided laptops for student use during on-campus testing. Students must also have access to a computer to engage with digital materials and participate in both synchronous and asynchronous classes.

The admissions office refers all students to the “Getting Started” webpage, which provides information on technology requirements and learning tools, such as Blackboard, Zoom, Panopto, and the Software Purchasing Guide. Kristin Soppe, the Assistant to the Department Head of Nursing & Public Health, sends nursing students additional information regarding enhanced technology requirements due to the web-based nature of the nursing curriculum. It is recommended that students use a Windows 11 machine for compatibility with the nursing program when purchasing a personal laptop. Also, students must have reliable high-speed internet access, a functioning webcam, microphone, and an updated operating system for synchronous virtual sessions, including online lectures in distance education courses. This information is communicated to students via email and discussed during student orientation.

UNI Rod Library offers support for nursing students, including access to CINAHL, APA guides, evidence-based databases and research consultations.

• Rod Library - Nursing Student Resources
• APA Resources

All current UNI Nursing program policies are publicly available through:

• The University Catalog
• The UNI Nursing Website
• The Nursing Student Handbook 

• RegisteredNursing.org
• Iowa Nurses Association Career Network
• MercyOne Careers
• UnityPoint Health Careers
• University of Iowa Healthcare Careers
• VA Healthcare
• Emergency Nurses Association Careers
• State of Iowa Nursing Careers