Nursing, BSN
Program Details
- Location
- Wayne Campus, Akron Campus
- Level
- undergraduate
- Academic Pathway
- major
- Degree/Program Type
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Format
- In-person
- Course Info
- Curriculum Guide
- College
- Health and Human Sciences, College of (Dean's Office)
- School/Department
- School of Nursing
Program Contact
- Timothy Meyers
-
Executive Director School of Nursing
330-972-5722
Overview
Prepare for a career where your knowledge, skills and compassion can make a difference every day. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing at The University of Akron is a four-year, CCNE-accredited program that prepares you to pass the NCLEX-RN and begin your career as a registered nurse. Clinical experiences at major Northeast Ohio health systems give you the opportunity to learn in the environments where nurses practice.
Are you starting from high school? Students who meet the GPA and test criteria may qualify for direct admission into the nursing program, giving you peace of mind that your spot is saved in the sophomore sequence.
You’ll graduate prepared for RN licensure and the opportunities that come with it, with the clinical experience and foundation to take your next step in nursing.
Registered nurses earned a median of $93,600 in May 2024 per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with about 189,100 openings projected each year through 2034.
Admissions Requirements
Getting in
High School Students:
Direct admission from high school for qualifying students: 3.00 GPA and a 22 ACT or 1030 SAT
Standard Route:
Complete prerequisite coursework with a cumulative 2.75 GPA, then apply through your academic advisor in spring semester for fall entry, and in the fall semester for spring entry
Every prerequisite must be passed with a C or better
Transfer Students:
The deadline to enter nursing as a transfer student in the fall is April 1, and for spring is Oct 1.
Applicants are not eligible for admission to the Traditional BSN program if they:
Have earned a cumulative GPA below 2.75.
Have earned a science prerequisite GPA below 2.75.
Were unable to successfully complete a required prerequisite course within two attempts.
Have previously failed a nursing clinical course in another BSN nursing program.
Have been dismissed or academically separated from another BSN nursing program.
Students who do not meet these requirements are encouraged to speak with an admissions representative to explore other academic pathways that may align with their educational and career goals.
The repeat policy, in plain terms
You may repeat a science prerequisite once for a change of grade
A third attempt at the same course makes you ineligible for the nursing major
Eligibility returns once that first attempt is five years old, so plan any retake with your advisor
More information about the nursing program is available in the Prenursing and Nursing Student Baccalaureate Handbook
Career Outcomes
You graduate ready to sit for the NCLEX-RN and practice as a registered nurse, with the BSN that hospital systems increasingly require for hiring and promotion.
Job titles
Registered nurse
Medical surgical nurse
Emergency department nurse
Pediatric nurse
Critical care nurse
Operating room nurse
Community and public health nurse
Where you will work
Hospitals and health systems across Northeast Ohio
Emergency departments and intensive care units
Outpatient and ambulatory clinics
Schools and community health agencies
Registered nurses earned a median of $93,600 per year in May 2024 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), with about 189,100 openings projected annually through 2034. From the BSN, Akron's own MSN, DNP and Nurse Anesthesia programs are the next step.
Accreditation
Bachelor of Science in Nursing FAQs
Qualifying high school graduates can enter through direct admission. Everyone else completes the prerequisites with a 2.75 GPA, then applies to the nursing major through their academic advisor during spring semester for fall entry, and during fall semester for spring entry.
You can repeat a science prerequisite once for a change of grade. A third attempt at the same course makes you ineligible for the nursing major until that first attempt is five years old, so plan the retake carefully with your advisor.
Registered nurses earned a median of $93,600 per year in May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with about 189,100 openings projected annually through 2034. BSN prepared nurses qualify for the leadership and specialty roles that sit above that median.
Four years of full time study, including prerequisite coursework, nursing courses in sequence, simulation, and clinical rotations at Northeast Ohio health systems.
The Akron Advantage
Rotations run at major Northeast Ohio health systems, the same institutions that hire Akron graduates, three within walking distance of campus.
Hands on simulation labs let you practice assessments and interventions before your first clinical shift. You’ll begin working in the Skills Lab and Simulation Lab the first semester of your sophomore year.
The School of Nursing's Student Success Center covers advising, career coaching, learning communities and nursing orientation, support that follows you from first semester to licensure.
Rotations run at major Northeast Ohio health systems, the same institutions that hire Akron graduates, three within walking distance of campus.
Hands on simulation labs let you practice assessments and interventions before your first clinical shift. You’ll begin working in the Skills Lab and Simulation Lab the first semester of your sophomore year.
The School of Nursing's Student Success Center covers advising, career coaching, learning communities and nursing orientation, support that follows you from first semester to licensure.
YES, some things just set us apart.
CCNE Accredited
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at The University of Akron are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Direct Admission
Qualifying high school graduates can enter the nursing program directly with a minimum 3.00 GPA and a 22 ACT or 1030 SAT
$1.7 Million Earned
$1.7 million earned in merit and named awards by nursing students in the 2024-25 school year.
$93,600 median starting salary
What registered nurses earned at the median in May 2024, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
1:10 Faculty: Student Ratio in Lab
Our low faculty-to-student ratio in nursing labs ensures personalized instruction, hands-on guidance, and meaningful feedback. With more direct access to experienced faculty, students build confidence, master clinical skills, and receive the support they need to succeed in real-world healthcare settings.
One Next Step
See it before you decide. Visit campus, walk the labs, and sit with Financial Aid to price the four years honestly.