Nursing

• Students accepted into the pre-nursing program (semesters 1 & 2) can move into the nursing program without any further application process and are guaranteed a seat as long as grade requirements are met.
• Complete the full program in 8 semesters (Nursing sequence completed over 6 semesters)
• Eligible candidates must possess a GPA of 3.0
• No prerequisites
• Individualized study plans target your specific learning needs
• Students accepted into the pre-nursing program (semesters 1 & 2) are guaranteed a spot in the Nursing degree program that begins in semester 3
• Cutting edge program and content is built to help you be the nurse of the future
• NCLEX preparation (the examination you must pass to become a nurse) is built into your last semester at no extra cost
• Almost 800 hours of clinical experience will give you the confidence you need to assume the role of a registered nurse
• You begin preparing for NCLEX (the national licensing examination) on day 1 of your nursing studies

A percentage of student loans may be forgiven, depending on where you work after graduation (working for a federally qualified health center, the VA, or acceptance into the Nurse Corps Loan program)

Our Hybrid approach includes:

• In person and online options are available for meeting with your advisor or professors
• Online content available to help you master important content, meaning you can move quickly through information that is not new or repeat difficult content as many times as needed
• The nursing sequence begins in your third semester
• Options are available for working students that limit required time on campus

REQUIREMENTS

5 Required Related Courses – 18 Semester Hours

• BIO 250 Human Anatomy & Physiology I – 4 Semester Hours
• BIO 251 Human Anatomy & Physiology II – 4 Semester Hours
• BIO 230 Microbiology – 4 Semester Hours
• MAT 203 Elementary Statistics – 3 Semester Hours
• PSY 205 Human Growth & Development – 3 Semester Hours
• 20 Nursing Courses – 72 Semester Hours

20 Nursing Courses – 72 Semester Hours

Level 1:

• NUR 204 Professional Practice – 4 Semester Hours
• NUR 212 Medication Safety & Administration – 2 Semester Hours
• NUR 214 Health Assessment & Promotion – 4 Semester Hours
• NUR 223 Pathophysiology – 4 Semester Hours
• NUR 225 Concepts of Wellness and Chronic Illness in Older Adults – 5 Semester Hours
• NUR 233 Principles of Pharmacology – 3 Semester Hours
• HSC 381 Healthcare Informatics & Technology – 3 Semester Hours
• NUR 266 Care of Adults with Medical Surgical Health Alterations – 6 Semester Hours
• NUR 265 Behavioral and Mental Health – 5 Semester Hours
• NUR 272 Principles of Leadership in Healthcare – 3 Semester Hours

Level 2:

• HSC 380 Exploring Health Equity and Healthcare Systems – 3 Semester Hours
• HSC 384 Contemporary Issues in Healthcare – 3 Semester Hours
• NUR 315 Nursing Care of Childrearing Families – 5 Semester Hours
• NUR 343 Research and Evidence-Based Practice – 3 Semester Hours
• NUR 345 Nursing Care of Childbearing Families – 5 Semester Hours
• NUR 423 Global & Community Health – 3 Semester Hours
• NUR 455 Care of Individuals with Unstable or Complex Health Alterations – 5 Semester Hours
• NUR 457 Senior Practicum – 3 Semester Hours
• NUR 458 Transition to Practice – 3 Semester Hours

Programs Leading to Licensure: 

Each state has its own licensing board (Board of Nursing) with its own licensure requirements. Coker University’s Nursing program meets the requirements for licensure as a registered nurse in the state of South Carolina; we cannot confirm that the program meets all the requirements for professional licensure in other states due to the possibility of specific topical requirements. 

A degree in nursing allows approved graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a generalist degree, and those who pass the licensing examination (NCLEX-RN) can work in many areas of a hospital, including medical-surgical, critical care, operating room, pediatrics, telehealth, and oncology.

Nurses are not limited to hospitals; they can also work in home health, long-term care, case management, and community health. Increasingly, additional employment opportunities can be found in non-traditional areas, such as insurance companies, flight nursing, and parish nursing.

A BSN is also a stepping-stone to other careers, including nurse executive, nurse educator, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse leader, clinical nurse specialist, and nurse scientist. These options require additional study at the graduate level.

Nursing faculty work with students to help them choose professional goals that are most appropriate for their interests and talents.

REQUIREMENTS

5 Required Related Courses – 18 Semester Hours

• BIO 250 Human Anatomy & Physiology I – 4 Semester Hours
• BIO 251 Human Anatomy & Physiology II – 4 Semester Hours
• BIO 230 Microbiology – 4 Semester Hours
• MAT 203 Elementary Statistics – 3 Semester Hours
• PSY 205 Human Growth & Development – 3 Semester Hours
• 20 Nursing Courses – 72 Semester Hours

20 Nursing Courses – 72 Semester Hours

Level 1:

• NUR 204 Professional Practice – 4 Semester Hours
• NUR 212 Medication Safety & Administration – 2 Semester Hours
• NUR 214 Health Assessment & Promotion – 4 Semester Hours
• NUR 223 Pathophysiology – 4 Semester Hours
• NUR 225 Concepts of Wellness and Chronic Illness in Older Adults – 5 Semester Hours
• NUR 233 Principles of Pharmacology – 3 Semester Hours
• HSC 381 Healthcare Informatics & Technology – 3 Semester Hours
• NUR 266 Care of Adults with Medical Surgical Health Alterations – 6 Semester Hours
• NUR 265 Behavioral and Mental Health – 5 Semester Hours
• NUR 272 Principles of Leadership in Healthcare – 3 Semester Hours

Level 2:

• HSC 380 Exploring Health Equity and Healthcare Systems – 3 Semester Hours
• HSC 384 Contemporary Issues in Healthcare – 3 Semester Hours
• NUR 315 Nursing Care of Childrearing Families – 5 Semester Hours
• NUR 343 Research and Evidence-Based Practice – 3 Semester Hours
• NUR 345 Nursing Care of Childbearing Families – 5 Semester Hours
• NUR 423 Global & Community Health – 3 Semester Hours
• NUR 455 Care of Individuals with Unstable or Complex Health Alterations – 5 Semester Hours
• NUR 457 Senior Practicum – 3 Semester Hours
• NUR 458 Transition to Practice – 3 Semester Hours

Programs Leading to Licensure: 

Each state has its own licensing board (Board of Nursing) with its own licensure requirements. Coker University’s Nursing program meets the requirements for licensure as a registered nurse in the state of South Carolina; we cannot confirm that the program meets all the requirements for professional licensure in other states due to the possibility of specific topical requirements. 

• Must be a transfer student with 24 or more completed credit hours and prerequisite coursework.
• Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from all prior college coursework
• Must have completed the following prerequisite coursework (with C or better):
  • Anatomy & Physiology I with lab
  • Anatomy & Physiology II with lab
  • Microbiology for the Health Professions (with lab)
  • Human Growth and Development
  • English Composition I
  • English Composition II
  • Public Speaking
  • Introduction to Probability and Statistics

Coker enhances the student’s professional development, prepares the nurse for a broad scope of practice, and provides the nurse with a better understanding of the cultural, political, economic, and social issues that affect patients and influence healthcare delivery.

A BSN is also often required for career advancement and graduate level studies.

In this program, students complete a total of 9 courses (30 semester hours) over four semesters (based on transcript review, additional general education courses may be required). All courses are designed for working nurses, delivered online by nursing faculty who are easily accessible to provide needed support.

Eligible candidates possess:

• GPA of 3.0
• An active and unencumbered nursing license
• Earned Associate Degree in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution or diploma in nursing; program must be fully accredited by CCNE, CNEA or ACEN
• Earned C or better in each course submitted for transfer to Coker University
• Active experience as a registered nurse

RN-to-BSN Course Requirements

Required Transfer Courses from pre-licensure nursing program (27 credits)

BIO 250 Human Anatomy & Physiology I – 4 credits

BIO 251 Human Anatomy & Physiology II – 4 credits

BIO 230 Microbiology – 4 credits

PSY 205 Human Growth & Development – 3 credits

ENG Composition II – 3 credits

MAT 203, Introduction to Statistics – 3 credits

RN-BSN Courses (30 credits)

HSC 380 Exploring Health Equity and Healthcare Systems 3 credits

HSC 384 Contemporary Issues in Healthcare 3 credits

HSC 381 Healthcare Informatics 3 credits

NUR 272 Principles of Leadership in Healthcare 3 credits

NUR 343 Research and Evidence-Based Practice 3 credits

NUR 423 Global & Community Health 3 credits

NUR 475 Clinical Concepts 6 credits

NUR 482 Professional Portfolio & Standards of Practice 6 credits

We recognize your work experience provided valuable training where you acquired important healthcare knowledge. This program leverages prior learning in a unique, hybrid program where you will be with other health care professionals. 

Complete online learning in an interactive, engaging classroom and meet on campus once per semester to demonstrate skills and practice clinical reasoning in a simulation environment.

Our next cohort will begin in May 2026.

• Completed NursingCAS application
• Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions
  • NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted directly to NursingCAS. Do not submit transcripts to Coker University unless specifically requested to do so.
• Proof of a qualifying health professional license/certification
  • Licensed practical nurse, paramedic, and military service certification (HM-0000, 4NX1, 4N031, 40X1C, 68W, or Army LVN)
• Two letters of recommendation
• Completion of the following prerequisite coursework with C or better:
  • Anatomy and Physiology I with a lab
  • Anatomy and Physiology II with a lab
  • Microbiology for Health Professionals with a lab
  • English Composition I
  • English Composition II
  • Public Speaking
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Introduction to Probability and Statistics

3.0 GPA or higher

Non-Clinical Courses

HSC 380 Exploring Health Equity and Healthcare Systems (3 SH)
HSC 381 Healthcare Informatics & Technology (3 SH)
HSC 384 Contemporary Issues in Healthcare (3 SH)
NUR 232 Integrated Pathophysiology & Pharmacology (4 SH)
NUR 272 Principles of Leadership in Healthcare (3 SH)
NUR 343 Research and Evidence-Based Practice (3 SH)
NUR 423 Global & Community Health (3 SH)
NUR 458 Transition to Practice (3 SH)

Skills and Clinical Courses

NUR 224 Professionalism, Roles, and Responsibilities
NUR 205S Introduction to Skills Intensive
NUR 205 Fundamental Medical Surgical Skills for Health Professionals
NUR 268S Skills Intensive I
NUR 268 Medical Surgical Nursing Practice
NUR 266 Nursing Practice in the Behavioral Health Setting
NUR 316S Skills Intensive II
NUR 316 Pediatric Nursing Practice
NUR 346 Maternal and Newborn Nursing Practice
NUR 346S Skills Intensive III
NUR 458S Skills Intensive IV
NUR 456 Nursing Practice in Critical Care Settings
NUR 456C Practicum I
NUR 458C Practicum II

Applicants must meet the Academic Catalog admission standards, complete an interview with nursing faculty, and fulfill all clinical clearance requirements, including background checks, fingerprinting, and drug screening. Licensing boards will review applicants’ legal history prior to NCLEX-RN eligibility.

To remain in the program, students must earn a grade of B or higher in all nursing courses and successfully complete both classroom and clinical components. Courses may be repeated only once, and ongoing academic support and remediation are required for repeated coursework.

Entry to Practice Master of Science in Nursing Prerequisites

• Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
• Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
• Microbiology with Lab
• College-level Statistics
• College-level Human Growth and Development

The education track would be suitable for nurses wishing to become staff, patient, and community educators or those wishing to pursue an academic career. The leadership track is appropriate for nurses moving into or working in an administrative role. Students will complete 50 structured internship hours while completing coursework in their selected track.

Eligible candidates possess:

• GPA of 3.0
• An active and unencumbered nursing license
• Earned Associate Degree in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution or diploma in nursing; program must be fully accredited by CCNE, CNEA or ACEN
• Earned C or better in each course submitted for transfer to Coker University
• Active employment as a registered nurse

MSN Course Requirements

Core Classes (12 credits)

NUR 502 Advanced Practice Roles 3 credits

NUR 511 Healthcare Informatics, Technology, and Communication 3 credits

NUR 522 Methods of Scientific inquiry 3 credits

NUR 524 Application of Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing 3 credits

Education Track* (18 credits)

NUR 602 Foundations of Nursing Education 3 credits

NUR 612 Advanced Clinical Concepts: Integrated Practice 3 credits

NUR 613 Curriculum Development & Program Evaluation 3 credits

NUR 622 Technology, Innovation, and Remediation Strategies 3 credits

NUR 632 Assessment, Measurement, and Student Evaluation 3 credits

NUR 633 Teaching-Learning Practices in the Classroom 3 credits

Leadership Track* (18 credits)

BUS 520 Leadership & Team Management 3 credits

BUS 600 Business Strategy 3 credits

BUS 530 Finance and Business Analytics.

NUR 641 Leading Change and Innovation for Improving Health Equity 3 credits

NUR 651 Healthcare Systems and Financing 3 credits

NUR 671 Ensuring Quality and Reporting Outcomes in Healthcare Institutions 3 credits

*Includes 50 internship hours while completing the course

Graduate Program students are offered the Direct Loans Graduate Unsubsidized Loan funding to help pay for their educational expenses. Students are offered up to $20,500 per academic year in the Direct Loans Graduate Unsubsidized Loan. Students would complete the FAFSA each year to be considered for the loan. The FAFSA site address is https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Based on the student’s needs, the student may reduce the yearly offered amount of the loan by contacting the Office of Financial Aid at financial_aid@coker.edu.

What is a nursing doctorate? The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree option allows anyone with a nursing master’s degree the opportunity to grow within the field and within their career.

This 33-credit hour (11 courses) program is offered completely online – providing the flexibility working nurses need. Courses will be completed in 8-week terms.

• Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or better from an accredited nursing progeam and possess an active and unencumbered nursing license. APRNs will need to have graduated from an accredited nursing program and possess an active and unencumbered APRN license.
• Applicants must have a master’s degree in nursing or related field.

Graduate Program students are offered the Direct Loans Graduate Unsubsidized Loan funding to help pay for their educational expenses. Students are offered up to $20,500 per academic year in the Direct Loans Graduate Unsubsidized Loan. Students would complete the FAFSA each year to be considered for the loan. The FAFSA site address is https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Based on the student’s needs, the student may reduce the yearly offered amount of the loan by contacting the Office of Financial Aid at financial_aid@coker.edu.