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Looking for a career where you can make a positive difference in the lives of others by caring for diverse populations, addressing social injustice, and improving healthcare outcomes on the community? Nursing may be the best major for you.

Why Saint Martin's University

Saint Martin’s is building a BSN program that will prepare nurses to practice in the 21st century.

Healthcare is dynamic and complex, therefore BSN students develop critical thinking skills in the Saint Martin’s liberal arts core, and layer on the knowledge and skills of the rigorous nursing program to be prepared to practice in an ever-changing care environment.

To meet the challenges of preparing the 21st century nurse, Saint Martin’s has:

  • A specially constructed science building, classrooms and labs for pre-requisite courses
  • State-of-the-art wing dedicated to nursing studies, including a dedicated simulation lab
  • Dedicated nursing student study lounge near nursing learning labs
  • Clinical experiences at local acute care facilities, including Providence St. Peter’s Hospital and Capital Medical Center, as well as community sites including skilled nursing facilities, schools, home health, hospice and public health. 

Important dates for applications and admission

  • First year applications will be accepted until Jan. 15
  • Transfer applications will be accepted until Jan. 15

Ready to learn more about nursing at Saint Martin's?

Register for upcoming info sessions

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program prepares you for a career as a professional registered nurse. The coursework in the BSN program enables you to take the NCLEX-RN exam in any state in the US, and prepares you for life-long learning including graduate education. BSN graduates are prepared to work across the care continuum, in hospitals, community agencies, home health care, hospice, skilled nursing facilities, mental health facilities and more.

Saint Martin’s nursing students and BSN graduates live out the university core values of faith, reason, service and community, by being committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others by caring for diverse poulations, addressing social inequities, and eliminating health disparities.

Photo of Saint Martin's nursing lab

$3.5 million donated for nursing labs and scholarships

Generous gifts have fully funded our 2,000 square feet remodel of Old Main to create an eight-bed nursing learning lab, two-bed simulation suite, classroom, faculty offices and equipment storage rooms.

Read more about the nursing donations

Admission criteria

First-year undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Nursing applicants must meet the general entrance requirements of the University as outlined in the university catalog and at the first-year admissions website.

Applicants seeking admission to the nursing program are required to have 3 years of high school or higher science courses, including one year of laboratory science and mathematics including college preparatory algebra, with grades of “B” (3.0) or higher.

Progression into the upper division nursing courses are dependent on the following:

  1. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the end of the second (sophomore) year at Saint Martin’s.
  2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in the prerequisite sciences taken at Saint Martin’s University.
  3. All pre-requisite courses must be passed with a grade of B or higher.
  4. Students may repeat one pre-requisite science course one time if they receive a grade of lower than a B.
  5. Satisfactory completion of all clinical entry requirements, including background clearance, drug screen and immunizations.
  6. COVID-19 vaccination is required for all nursing students - no exemptions are permitted.

Transfer student applicants to the upper division of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program must meet the transfer admission requirements of the University as outlined in the university catalog and at the Transfer (undergrad) website.  Transfer applicants may state their preference for fall or spring entry into the upper division nursing program.

Application materials needed:

  • Completed Saint Martin’s application form 
  • Personal essay attached to Saint Martin's application
  • Complete nursing-specific questions found on the Saint Martin’s application
  • Transcripts from ALL previously attended colleges
  • Resume
  • Two letters of recommendation, preferably both from a current or past professor

Acceptance into the upper division nursing program for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is dependent on the following:

  • A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. Transfer student GPA is computed from all college-level coursework taken.
  • A minimum of 3.0 GPA in all required prerequisite science courses.
  • Completion of all nursing prerequisite courses. Prerequisite courses may be taken at any accredited college or university.
  • Students may repeat one pre-requisite science course one time if they receive a grade of lower than a B.
  • Satisfactory completion of all clinical entry requirements, including background clearance, drug screen and immunizations.
  • COVID-19 vaccination is required for all nursing students - no exemptions are permitted.
  • Transfer applications to the BSN program are due Jan. 15. Students will be notified of admission, wait list or denial for the BSN program in March.
  • BIO 121 Human Biology
  • BIO 228/328 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
  • BIO 229/329 Human Anatomy & Physiology II
  • BIO 251 Microbiology for Applied Health
  • CHM 121 Introduction to Chemistry
  • MTH 101 Intermediate Algebra (may be waived if student tests into higher level math)
  • MTH 201 Introduction to Statistics
  • NUR 203 Human Nutrition
  • PSY 101 Psychology
  • PSY 215 Lifespan Development

Current Saint Martin’s student requests for internal transfer to the nursing major will be considered on a space available basis. Qualified applicants who wish to change their major to nursing must meet the freshman admission criteria outlined above and have a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher in courses taken at Saint Martin’s.  Students wishing to transfer to the BSN major must meet with the Director of Nursing to apply for transfer into the major and to develop a plan of study. 

All nursing students must meet the Technical Standards of the nursing program, with or without reasonable accommodation to successfully complete the nursing program. Students interested in applying to the nursing program are encouraged to review the Technical Standards to be familiar with the performance abilities required to be successful in a clinically based nursing program. 
Review the Technical Standards

 

BSN courses

Course number Course name, credits and description

NUR203 

 

Human Nutrition
3 credits

An introduction to the fundamentals of human nutrition as they relate to the individual across the lifespan and the community. Includes an exploration of nutrient identity, acquisition and utilization. The links between nutrition, diseases, environment and social context are examined. Students apply concepts to real-world circumstances. Equivalent to BIO303.

Prerequisites: BIO121 or BIO141

 

Course number Course name, credits and description

NUR301 
 

Introduction to Professional Nursing
3 credits 

An introduction to the discipline of nursing, nursing theories, professional values, standards, nursing history and culture, health care delivery systems, the scientific basis for nursing, and the role of nursing in the delivery of health. Critical thinking and active inquiry into healthcare issues are introduced. Students will examine health from different perspectives, social justice in healthcare, care of self and the practice of nursing from a holistic, caring framework. 

NUR302 
 

Foundations of Nursing Practice: Prevention and Promotion of Health
5 credits

Foundational knowledge, skills and attitudes in preparation for reflective nursing practice to promote and protect health across the lifespan. Includes 2 credits didactic, 2 credits lab and 1 credit (50 hours) of clinical experience.

Prerequisites:  All nursing prerequisite courses

NUR303 
 

Health Assessment
3 credits

Foundational knowledge, skills and attitudes about health assessment across the lifespan, respecting diverse cultures, ethnicities and social backgrounds. Includes 1 credit didactic and 2 credits lab.

NUR304 

Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
3 credits

Concepts of pathophysiology and pharmacology essential to nursing practice. 
COR110

Religious Studies
3 credits

A foundational course that introduces students to the academic study of religion, with a focus on traditional and emerging beliefs and practices that shape individuals and communities both locally and globally.
 

 

Course numberCourse name, credits and description

NUR310

Health Policy
3 credits

Examination of health policy and its significance to practice. Overview of policy analysis, legislative and regulatory processes and issues such as health care reform, health care costs, Medicare and Medicaid, and health insurance. Principles of access, equity, affordability, and social justice in health care delivery. Students participate in the legislative, regulatory and political processes.  

NUR311 

Nursing Management of Chronic Diseases
4 credits 

Nursing management of common chronic diseases across the lifespan. Includes nursing assessment, diagnosis, care planning, nursing interventions and symptom management, and evaluation of care. Emphasis on principles of safe and effective care for patients with chronic disease, injury or disability. Taken concurrently with NUR 312.  

Prerequisite courses: NUR 302, NUR 303, NUR 304

NUR312 

Nursing Management of Chronic Disease Practicum
3 credits 

Clinical experience in the nursing management of common chronic diseases across the lifespan. Taken concurrently with NUR 311. Includes 3 credits clinical practicum (150 hours). 

NUR313 

Nursing Skills and Simulation Lab
2 credits 

Skills and procedures associated with managing patients with chronic disease in the community. Lab simulation of selected clinical nursing skills.  

Core340 Ethics

Co-designed core class to focus on healthcare ethics.

 

Course numberCourse name, credits and description
NUR350

Translating Research into Evidence Based Practice
4 credits 

Integration of the research process and methods with elements of evidence-based practice to promote patient-centered, safe and effective care. Incorporation of informatics into the research process and the delivery of patient care.

NUR401 

Nursing Management of Acute or Complex Conditions
4 credits 

Nursing management of common, complex, or exacerbations of chronic conditions seen in acute care settings.

Prerequisite: NUR 311

NUR402 

Nursing Management of Acute or Complex Conditions Practicum
3 credits

Clinical experience in the nursing management of common or complex conditions seen in acute care settings. Includes 3 credits clinical practicum (150 hours).

Co- or prerequisite: NUR 401 

NUR403 

Advanced Nursing Skills and Simulation Lab
2 credits 

Advanced nursing skills and procedures utilized in caring for complex patients, including maternal-child patients. Lab simulation of selected advanced nursing skills.  

NUR420 

Nursing Management of Childbearing and Childrearing Families
4 credits 

Family-focused nursing management of the normal physiological and developmental changes, and disease processes encountered when caring for childbearing and childrearing families. Taken concurrently with NUR 421. 

NUR421 

Childbearing Family Clinical Practicum
1 credit 

Clinical experience in the nursing management of childbearing families. Taken concurrently with NUR 420. Includes 50 hours of clinical practicum. 

 

Course numberCourse name, credits and description
NUR430 

Nursing Leadership
3 credits 

Application of leadership theories to develop skills, competencies and a personal leadership style required to advance health and the nursing profession. Strategies for collaboration with healthcare professionals to redesign healthcare systems and diffuse change. 

NUR410 

Promoting Population Health in the Community
3 credits 

Examination of population health and community health nursing concepts for the promotion of individual, family, group, community and population health through the lens of social justice. Must be taken concurrently with NUR 411 (RN to BSN student) or NUR 412 (traditional BSN student).

NUR412 

Promoting Population Health in the Community Practicum
2 credits 

Application of population health and community health nursing concepts for the promotion of individual, family, group, community and population health through the lens of social justice.  Partnerships with community members, agencies and health systems are emphasized. Must be taken concurrently with NURS 410. Includes 100 hours of practicum for traditional BSN students. 

NUR495 

Transition to Professional Nursing Practice
2 credits 

Students will reflect on successful completion of all Nursing Program Outcomes, and role transition to professional nursing practice.

NUR499 

Capstone & Synthesis Clinical Practicum
5 credits

Students in this course will realize the full scope of baccalaureate nursing practice working with multiple clients or a population typical of those that would be assigned to a beginning professional nurse. Students select a practice or policy problem, design a project to remedy the problem and, when possible implement the project. Includes 150 hours of clinical practicum.  

Prerequisites: NUR 401, NUR 402, NUR 420, NUR 421 

 

Who to Contact

Teri Moser Woo PhD, RN, ARNP, CPNP-PC, CNL, FAANP

Teri Moser Woo, Ph.D., RN, ARNP, CPNP-PC, CNL, FAANP

Director of Nursing,
College of Arts and Sciences
360-688-2632

Admitted nursing students

In addition to the undergraduate requirements, please submit completed nursing paperwork by email, fax or mail.

Download admitted nursing student packet

healthcenter@stmartin.edu
Fax: 360-486-8404
5000 Abbey Way SE
Burton #102
Lacey WA 98503

Deadlines:

  • Fall start - May 1
  • Spring start - Nov. 1

Faculty