Kirkhof College of Nursing

What is the benefit of earning a BSN degree?

Today's nurses must not only be prepared to proivde expert nursing care but also be able to help transform health care practice in hospitals and other settings. In the BSN program, the student has the opportunity to develop the professional knowledge, skills and attitudes to meet both of these challenges. Emphasis is placed on the incorporation of the liberal arts education in to the nursing content. The BSN curriculum focuses on theory based experiences inproviding care to individuals, families and populations for acute/chronic conditions, health promotion and disease management. Specialized course work in research and evidence based practice expand the student's critical thinking ability. Developing knowledge in local, regional and global health care along with interdisciplinary experience allow the BSN graduate to take a leadership role in the health care team. Lastly, a BSN degree prepares the student for advanced education and career opportunities.

What type of accreditation does the Kirkhof College of Nursing have?

The Kirkhof College of Nursing is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

How do I get accepted into the nursing program?

Kirkhof College of Nursing (KCON) is a secondary-admit program. In order to be eligible to apply to the nursing program, students must declare Pre-Nursing as their major, have an overall GPA of 2.800 and complete all of the Pre-Requisite and Decision courses with a grade of C (not C-) or better.

Students who meet the admission criteria may submit their application. KCON accepts applications by November 1st for a Spring/Summer start date and by March 1st for either a Fall or Winter start date. Currently, we are the largest undergraduate program in the state.

Acceptance into the nursing program is a competitive process. KCON determines admission by the successful completion of the six Decision courses.

What are the pre-requisite courses requirements?

The pre-requisite courses consist of the General Education requirements required by Grand Valley State University for all students earning a baccalaureate degree. In addition to the GVSU General Education requirements, pre-nursing students must complete the additional pre-requisite courses:

Catalog year prior to Fall 2009:
BIO 120 & 355*
CHM 109, 231, 232*
BMS 208*, 212*, 213, 290*, 291, 309
PSY 101 & 364*
NUR 120 & 220
*Decision courses

Catalog year Fall 2009 and after:
BIO 120 & 355*
CHM 109, 230*
BMS 250*, 251*, 212*, 213
PSY 101 & 364*
NUR 120 & 220
*Decision courses

Do you have a waiting list to get accepted into the program?

No. Once a person is accepted by GVSU, they can declare their major as Pre-Nursing and will be considered a ‘pre-nursing’ student. Once a student meets the admission criteria, they can apply to the program. If the student applies and is not accepted, we encourage them to make an appointment with their nursing Academic Advisor to determine the next step. Students are allowed to re-apply to the program for the next semester.

Are there scholarships available for nursing students?

Yes. Contact the GVSU Financial Aid office at (616) 331-3234 for further information. Scholarships are also available through the Kirkhof College of nursing. More information can be obtained on our website: KCON Scholarships

Do I have an Academic Advisor?

Yes, you will be assigned a Nursing Academic Advisor after you register for your first class at GVSU and declare pre-nursing (B.S.N. in Nursing) as your major. Academic Advisors assist with the development of educational plans, explain institutional requirements, assist with the exploration of career goals, clarify and guide students through the nursing admissions process, enhance student awareness of educational resources, and help students with personal and academic needs. Once you are admitted into the clinical coursework, you can also be assigned a faculty mentor who will provide career guidance and support.

How long is the program?

There are approximately four semesters of pre-clinical course work. The clinical nursing courses take five consecutive semesters to complete.

Can the program be part-time?

The prerequisite courses can be completed with part-time study. Completing the nursing program with part-time study is not encouraged; however the clinical nursing courses can be part-time if co-requisite courses have been completed.

Where are the courses offered?

Most of the pre-clinical courses are available on the Allendale Campus, and some are available on the PEW Campus and in the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences in Grand Rapids, and in Holland.

Can I take the prerequisite courses at another school?

Courses can be taken at another school if they transfer to GVSU and are equivalent to the prerequisite requirements. However, it is recommended to take as many of the prerequisite courses as possible at GVSU, especially the Decision courses. The student is responsible for forwarding official transcripts to the Registrar upon completion of additional course work from other institutions.

How many hours of study time per week are expected for each class?

A minimum of three hours of study for each credit hour is standard. Clinical courses require three hours of clinical experience (hospital, clinic, skills labs, seminar) for one academic credit. Clinical hours are completed in 2 or 3 days per week, depending on the course. Clinical times occur during the day, evening, or at night. Weekend hours may also occcur.

What clinical sites will I work at?

Many clinical sites are located in the Grand Rapids area: Spectrum Health, Metropolitan Hospital, St. Mary's Medical Center, Kent County Health Department, Ottawa County Health Department, and numerous other community agencies. You may also work at a clinical site outside of the Grand Rapids area.

What information must be submitted prior to starting the clinical courses?

Physical examination, successful completion of a criminal background check and drug screen through a KCON specified provider, documentation of Rubella, Rubeola, Polio, DPT, TB immunity, Hepatitis B vaccine, proof of 2 MMR immunizations (if born after 1957)* and current annual Adult/Child/Infant CPR (for the professional rescuer) certification. Each clinical course requires a current CPR certification, annual TB test, and current proof of health insurance. The KCON requires annual re-certification of CPR. Classes are held at the beginning of each semester.
*Titers for immunization

When will I become a registered nurse?

Upon successful completion of the BSN program, a certificate of completion is submitted to the state board of nursing (SBN) verifying that the individual graduated from our program. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam. The SBN determines if the candidate (graduate) is eligible for licensure.

What is the cost of the program?

Tuition costs for GVSU can be found on the GVSU website: GVSU Quick Facts. Books, uniforms, transportation, etc. are extra.

What is direct admit status?

A limited number of new freshman students are eligible for direct admission to the nursing major. Admission is based on exceptional performance in a number of academic and leadership areas.

Eligibility for Direct Admit status to the undergraduate nursing program includes:

  • New freshman student
  • Cumulative high school grade point average of 3.6 or higher
  • ACT composite score of 30 or higher
  • All of the application for admission documents, including ACT score, must be submitted to the GVSU Admissions Office by December 31 of the senior year of high school
  • Declaration of a nursing major by the end of the first week of classes during the first semester of enrollment at GVSU

Maintenance of Direct Admit status requires students to:

  • Meet with their academic advisor in the Office of Student Services in the Kirkhof College of Nursing during their freshman year to identify the anticipated semester of entry into the initial clinical course
  • Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0, including transfer credits
  • Attain a non-factored 3.5 grade point average in the decision courses
  • Maintain congruency with GVSU and KCON policies regarding course repeats
  • Be aware that a change of major will result in loss of Direct Admit Status

Progression into the clinical portion of the undergraduate nursing program requires students with Direct Admit status to:

  • Complete the necessary pre-requisite and decision courses prior to beginning the initial clinical course in the undergraduate nursing program
  • Meet with their academic advisor by the specified date (November 1 for Spring/Summer entry; March 1 for Fall or Winter entry) to complete the Verification of Preclinical Coursework (VOPC) document. Failure to meet with their academic advisor to complete the VOPC will jeopardize their direct admit status.

Evidence of the following items are required before the student begins NUR 315:

  1. Health and immunization reports.
  2. Certification in an American Heart Association course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for health professionals.
  3. Transportation for clinical experiences.

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?

You can contact the Kirkhof College of Nursing at (616) 331-3558

If you would like to speak with a KCON Academic Advisor, please call (616) 331-7160