FAQ

SFA graduates are employed all over Texas, the United States and even work globally. Students graduate highly skilled, making them competitive for nurse residency programs in major medical centers, children's and women's hospitals and clinics. Upon graduation, students are prepared to work in many specialties, including medical surgical, critical care, emergency medicine, pediatrics, labor and delivery and surgery. With our strong ROTC partnership, we have had graduates enter the United States military as officers upon graduation, being stationed in amazing locations across the globe. Many Lumberjack nurses go on to graduate school after a few years of practice, pursuing nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and certified registered nurse anesthetist programs.

Applications may be submitted at any time, but they must meet the following deadlines:

• Feb. 1 to enroll in fall semester
• Aug. 15 to enroll in spring semester

The application process is conducted through the NursingCAS system, and you are encouraged to begin the process at least two months before the deadline date. All applications must be verified by NursingCAS before the application deadline. This process can take 4 to 6 weeks.

We recommend that all applications are submitted four to six weeks in advance. Application deadlines have been set to allow sufficient time for admission letters to be sent out to students on time. Applications are completed through NursingCAS. Once NursingCAS has verified your application, it will be sent to SFA Nursing. If your application has not been received by SFA by the deadline, it is possible that your application will not be viewed for admission.

All transcripts must be sent to NursingCAS for review. No transcripts need to be sent to SFA Admissions for the nursing application.

When applying to the School of Nursing, the majority of your prerequisite courses must be complete. You may be enrolled in the remaining courses during the time of application. If pre-requisite courses are being taken from an institution other than SFA, science courses must be completed in time for official transcripts to be reviewed prior to the beginning of nursing classes.

The following courses are not required for admission to the School of Nursing, but are required for graduation: HIST 1301, HIST 1302, GOVT 2305, GOVT 2306, COSC 1301 and the Component Area Course.

The SFA nursing program requires completion of the Test of Essential Academic Skills covering basic reading, math and science skills. The test is administered by SFA Student Testing Services.

If you aren't located near the SFA campus, review the ATI website for more options.

Absolutely. Make sure all your coursework is complete and all criteria is met. You’ll upload any new work completed in NursingCAS. Make sure to send your updated transcripts.

We are pleased to offer an online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing transition program. This track can be completed in about a year and has one of the most affordable tuition packages in the state!

Students who come to SFA to obtain a nursing degree enter the program as pre-nursing students. Pre-nursing students become nursing majors when they have successfully applied and been accepted to the School of Nursing through NursingCAS.

Nursing students do not need to declare a minor. The curriculum for the bachelor of science in nursing program comprises 67 prerequisite hours and 53 nursing course hours, totaling the 120 hours needed for a degree. Students who wish to add on a minor can do so at their own discretion and must be advised separately by their minor department advisor. 

Students who wish to change their major to nursing must have an overall GPA of at least 2.5. If a student meets this requirement, please visit the College of Sciences and Mathematics advising center located in the Miller Science Building, room 127 or email cosmadvising@sfasu.edu. Students that wish to change their major from nursing to a different major should visit the academic advising center for their desired new major. Students that have already began the nursing program need to meet with the BSN coordinator prior to changing their major.

Learn more about the Lumberjack Nursing Guarantee.

Pre-licensure BSN Program Application Instructions

There are many perks to having a BSN. In order for a hospital to achieve Magnet designation, all nurse managers and nurse leaders must hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing. These facilities also require that at least 80% of their nurses have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Additionally, if you think there is any chance you’d like to further your education to become a nurse practitioner, nurse educator or nurse anesthetist, a bachelor’s degree will be required to enter graduate school. To read more about the value of a BSN degree, take a look at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing statement on the Impact of Education on Nursing Practice.

At SFA, you will be exposed to many nursing specialties, but students do not choose one specific area of study during their program. You will take courses in medical surgical, psychiatric care, pediatrics, women’s health and critical care. Graduates are competitive in any specialty, and many of our students have secured jobs in prestigious hospitals and specialty units upon graduation. The School of Nursing is committed to ensuring your success on the national licensing exam and preparing you to excel no matter where you choose to work.

Anatomy and Physiology 1, Anatomy and Physiology 2, Chemistry, Microbiology and Pathophysiology. The student must achieve a C or higher in these classes. The grades in these classes are averaged and must be a 2.75 GPA or higher. All attempts are averaged.