Earn a Nursing (BSN) degree at Lindenwood University in St. Louis, MO.
All information is subject to additions, deletions, and revisions.
Lindenwood University Continues Traditional Nursing Program Development!
In October 2023, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) approved Lindenwood University adding a BSN program to our roster of degree offerings. In 2022, Lindenwood University received approval from the Missouri State Board of Nursing (MSBN) to pursue initial program approval and will formally apply in spring 2024. Further, the potential BSN program has achieved endorsement and support from internal institutional committees, the board of trustees, and local and regional healthcare systems eager to build longstanding clinical partnerships.
In Fall 2023, Lindenwood University admitted prospective nursing students who began a sequence of prerequisite and support courses in preparation for the program, tentatively scheduled to commence in August 2025 (pending MSBN approval). The courses are foundational topics necessary to build and satisfy core science and general education competencies.
Curriculum Overview
The planned BSN program’s curriculum is based on the perspective and industry-anticipated needs of nursing practice and standards outlined by the MSBN and accrediting bodies. The plan is structured where students complete general education and support courses in the first and second years before beginning concentrated nursing courses in the junior and senior years. Course content and learning experiences progress from simple to complex and from the care of individuals to the care of diverse families, groups, and communities. Learning experiences foster the development of knowledge, values, and essential skills required to provide professional and empathetic care to various individuals across the care continuum and lifespan.
Recommended Curriculum Sequence and Plan of Study
Preparation Years
FALL: YEAR 1, SEMESTER 1
- UNIV 10100 – First Year Seminar
- ENGL 15000 – Composition I
- BSC 22700 – Human Anatomy & Physiology I
- General Education – Human Culture, Arts
- PHS 20000 – Foundations of Public Health
…OR…
PSY 10000 Principles of Psychology- HFS 18500 – Medical Terminology
SPRING: YEAR 1, SEMESTER 2
- ENGL 17000 – Composition II
- BSC 22800 – Human Anatomy & Physiology II
- Human Culture Elective I
- SOC 10200 – Basic Concepts of Sociology
- MTH 15100 – College Algebra
FALL: YEAR 2, SEMESTER 3
(Application [November 2024])
- BSC 23000 – Microbiology for Health Sciences
- COM 21301 – Interpersonal Communication
- PSY 20500 – Human Development
- U.S. Government / History
- EXS 24000 – Nutrition Throughout the Lifecycle
SPRING: YEAR 2, SEMESTER 4
(Tentative Acceptance)
- Human Culture Elective II
- General Education – Human Culture, Literature
- MTH 14100 – Basic Statistics
- HS 20000 – Introduction to the Caring Health and Wellness Professions
- HS 22000 – Medication Dosage Calculation
Nursing Years
(Courses pending future approval)
FALL: YEAR 3, SEMESTER 5
- NURS 30000 – The Nursing Process: Foundations of Fundamental Nursing Theories, Skills, and Applications
- NURS 31000 – Comprehensive Health Assessment: Applications, Considerations, and Implications
- NURS 32000 – Human Pathophysiology for Conceptual Nursing Practice and Application
- NURS 33000 – Pharmacology: The Nursing Process, Practice, and Application
SPRING: YEAR 3, SEMESTER 6
- NURS 34000 – Professional Nursing Care of Populations I (Adult Lifespan and Chronic Condition)
- NURS 35000 – Professional Nursing Care of Populations II (Mental Health)
- NURS 36000 – Professional Nursing Care of Populations III (Women’s, OB, Pediatric, and Family Health)
- NURS 37000 – Professional Nursing Care of Populations IV (Gerontology)
- NURS 38000 – Research, Statistics, and Scholarship in Professional Nursing Practice
FALL: YEAR 4, SEMESTER 7
- NURS 40000 – Professional Nursing Care of Populations V (Acute Adult)
- NURS 41000 – Informatics in Professional Nursing Practice
- NURS 42000 – Healthcare Economics and Policy
- NURS 43000 – Healthcare Transformation Through Organizational Systems, Quality, and Safety
SPRING: IV, 2027: YEAR 4, SEMESTER 8
- NURS 44000 – Interprofessional Communication, Collaboration, and Leadership in Healthcare
- NURS 45000 – Healthcare Promotion and Practice in Public Health and Communities
- NURS 46000 – Advancing the Nursing Profession: Expanded Practices, Implications, Ethics, and Roles
- NURS 47000 – Senior Practicum
- NURS 48000 – BSN Capstone
Notes
The curriculum sequence of the first and second years reflects the anticipated academic pathway for the first four semesters. The sequence is strongly suggested and includes all general education and support courses required by Lindenwood University and the Missouri Higher Education Core Transfer Curriculum (CORE 42).
Additional Information
Mission and Vision
Program Mission Statement
The nursing program at Lindenwood University prepares diverse learners to become professional nurse leaders who tend to all populations with excellence through ethical, evidence-based, collaborative, and competent care. A global application of holistic nursing is fostered by means of interprofessional partnerships and engagement opportunities, inspiring students to apply current theoretical knowledge and clinical standards to achieve distinction in practice, service, and scholarship.
Program Vision Statement
The nursing program at Lindenwood University will advance nursing education to prepare professional nurse leaders who reflect and affect future populations, healthcare, and technologies through lifelong practice and learning.Â
Philosophy Statement and Core Curriculum Attributes
The nursing program in the College of Science, Technology, and Health is central to Lindenwood University and aligns itself with the institution’s permeating qualities of belief in an ordered and purposeful universe, the dignity of work and purpose, the worth and integrity of the individual, the obligations and privileges of citizenship, and the primacy of truth and equality.
Our philosophy focuses on the core curricular concepts of acute clinical aptitude; scholastic and service excellence; holistic, intentional, and culturally based care of diverse communities and populations; professional ability and proficient leadership; evidence-based performance; and continued learning within the scope of competent nursing knowledge and practice. 
The nursing faculty believes this philosophical charter serves to connect the following beliefs:
- NURSING is based upon a foundation of ethical and professional standards that supports the approach to holistic care and focuses on human responses to actual, believed, and potential health issues.  
- NURSING encompasses a unique body of knowledge that incorporates life experiences and empirical practices.
- NURSING continually builds upon theories and principles from the liberal arts, humanities, and the social and natural sciences and is ever mindful of the evolving health needs of populations. 
- NURSING continuously adapts to promote, maintain, and restore optimum health in individuals, families, groups, and communities throughout life and care continuums.  
- NURSING embodies the roles of clinician, teacher, consultant, manager, and advocate, enabling the professional nurse to affect positive outcomes and allow for the safe transition to the next level of caring support along the patient’s wellness journey. 
- NURSING reflects the faces of the populations served and proacts to anticipated and future health needs, transforming points of care personally, virtually, telephonically, and electronically.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
The Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are the results of the core curriculum concepts, which provide their architecture. They are statements that describe in general terms what Lindenwood University aims to accomplish with our BSN curriculum. After completing the nursing program, the PLOs reflect what students should know, think, do, value, and appreciate. They include the skills, competencies, and extensive ideas students should articulate, implement, and utilize after completing their degree. Additionally, they serve as the basis for determining the effectiveness of the curriculum.
- Incorporate theoretical and empirical knowledge, fundamental skills, therapeutic behaviors, and critical thinking and reasoning to promote caring practices that affect individual and population wellness and factors that influence health.
- Collaborate and communicate effectively, professionally, and compassionately with patients, families, interdisciplinary clinicians, and associated care providers to promote positive working relationships and support delivering focused and meticulous care.
- Perform the role of the patient advocate in promoting health and minimizing risks by practicing in a manner that is evidence-based, collaborative, purposeful, and meaningful for others.
- Integrate expected learnings, proficiencies, and performances by delivering intentional, competent, entry-level care to diverse populations across lifespans, healthcare settings, and multicultural environments. 
- Engage in the continual, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of nursing knowledge to sustain, heighten, and enrich competence in practice, education, research, and policy.
- Apply current research, evidence-based practice, cognitive judgment, and health literacy to ensure optimum care when merging advanced systems and technologies with the nursing process.  
- Demonstrate consistent application of the core values of nursing and the universal standards of moral and ethical conduct to advocate for and continue advancing nursing policies, processes, and practices.
Admission Criteria
Admission Requirements
The program adheres to the principles of a holistic admission process in which selection criteria are broad-based and linked to the institution’s mission, vision, philosophy, graduate attributes, and goals. While considering academic metrics, we will also reflect on applicant experiences, features, potential for success, and how prospective students may contribute to the learning environment and nursing profession.
Applying and Advising
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the Lindenwood University Office of Admission. General university application and admission will be required before starting pre-nursing coursework. Application to the nursing component of the program will commence later. The application process will be selective, requiring the completion of core prerequisite courses. After all appropriate regulatory approvals have been granted, more details on admission will follow in future updates. A detailed application timeline is being finalized and will be forthcoming. Acceptance will be based on a review of students’ personal and academic records.
Advisors
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Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
The regional higher education accrediting body.
The HLC approved the BSN program in October 2023.
Missouri State Board of Nursing (MSBN)
The governing body overseeing pre-licensure nursing programs in the state of Missouri.Â
Lindenwood University has successfully obtained petition approval from the MSBN to offer a BSN program. Lindenwood University is generating the full proposal for submission to the MSBN in spring 2024.
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The national accrediting body of higher education nursing programs.
Lindenwood University is pursuing initial accreditation by the CCNE. Applying for accreditation from the CCNE does not guarantee accreditation will be granted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the program?
If a student has completed ALL general education and support courses, the program can be completed in four years (eight semesters).
How many students will be admitted each year?
The MSBN will mandate the number of seats available. Lindenwood University must adhere to MSBN decisions.
When will the program be official?
The MSBN must approve the program before Lindenwood University officially announces the curriculum. MSBN approval is anticipated by mid-2024.
When may students apply?
Students may tentatively apply in November of the third semester. A detailed application timeline is being finalized and is forthcoming. The selection process will be based on the review of students’ personal and academic records.
Are students guaranteed entry?
No. Admission will be based on the student’s academic standing and performance. Additionally, a limited number of applicants will be granted admission, as the MSBN will determine the seats available. Lindenwood University must adhere to MSBN decisions.
May student athletes apply to and succeed in the program? Will training and competition schedules conflict with the curriculum?
Student athletes may apply, granted all general education and support courses have been met. The courses in the junior and senior years will include required clinical components. Nursing faculty and athletics will collaborate to ensure student athletes fulfill clinical course expectations.
When will the program be approved and accredited?
The HLC has approved the university to grant the BSN degree. Additional approval must be gained for the MSBN to enroll students into the pre-licensure program.
Lindenwood University is seeking approval from the MSBN and the CCNE.
What should students do in the meantime?
Students intent on applying tentatively in November 2024 should:
- Focus on strong academic performance, especially in mathematics and sciences.
- Develop rigorous study habits.
- Continually meet with advisors Kate Knight or Julie Bergen to ensure the proper course sequence is followed and all required general education and support courses are completed satisfactorily.
- Seek assistance as needed, such as tutoring, counseling, etc.
What if a student is not following the study plan suggested for Fall I, 2023: Year 1, Semester 1?
Students whose current courses differ from the suggested study plan should meet with an advisor, Kate Knight or Julie Bergen, to develop an appropriate study plan to ensure missing courses are taken in subsequent semesters and, ultimately, all required general education and support courses are completed in preparation for applying tentatively in November 2024.
