Traditional
You’re officially a nursing student. Now what?
Welcome to Creighton University College of Nursing! We are excited to have you in our college and look forward to assisting you during your transition to college.
Now that you’ve been accepted into the Traditional BSN program, it’s time to take these important next steps. Your freshman advisor is here to make your transition to the College of Nursing smooth and successful.
- Check your Creighton email daily for your registration materials, including registration date and time, and assigned freshman advisor contact information. Your Creighton email is the official means of communication at Creighton University.
- Your freshman advisor will contact you via phone if you are not attending a Summer Preview session to discuss your fall course schedule and registration. You will meet with your freshman advisor if you are attending Summer Preview Session.
College of Nursing Compliance Requirements
As a nursing student, you are required to comply with clinical and accrediting requirements throughout your nursing program. In addition to the two requirements listed below, you will be asked to complete additional College of Nursing (CON) and clinical requirements throughout the program. For questions with the traditional nursing program compliance requirements, please contact concompliance-neb@creighton.edu.
Freshmen Year Requirements
Compliance requirements must be completed prior to the first day of fall semester.
Please be advised that as you progress through the traditional nursing program there will be more compliance requirements that will incur additional costs. More information will be provided on these requirements throughout the program.
Creighton University Immunization Requirements
All new Creighton students are required to submit immunization records to Student Health Education and Compliance. To maintain a safe, healthy campus, immunization requirements are strictly enforced.
All Creighton students are asked to upload immunization records electronically via the secure patient portal called the Birdhouse. Please log into your Student Portal to find directions on completing these items through Student Health Education and Compliance.
The Magis Common Core Curriculum (PDF) for undergraduate Creighton students was initiated in 2014 with the start of that academic year. This link to the Magis Core Curriculum provides detailed information about the Core and lists a variety of courses available to meet the different components of the Core. Explanations of the various levels and components are also found at that link.
Nursing Courses
As a nursing student, there are some components that are met by very specific courses designed to provide the foundation and support for your subsequent nursing courses. Examples of plans of study are linked below. Please review these before registration.
Discuss your schedule with your freshman advisor. Important items to discuss are AP, IB, dual credits, ROTC and study abroad options as these circumstances may change your course selections.
When you have done your research (looked up course sections and times) and feel ready to set your schedule, start looking in the NEST for open course sections. In the event, that your selected courses are unavailable (already filled), you will need to have backup schedules. Please use the Schedule Planning Worksheet to develop multiple course schedule options.
Pre-registered Courses
Students on the 4-year plan of study will be pre-registered for RSP 102 Introduction to the Culture of College Life.
Prerequisite Nursing Courses
Prerequisite nursing courses include PSY 201, CHM 111, MTH 205, SOC 101/ANT 111/ANT 112/ANT 113. These courses also fulfill Magis Common Core Curriculum requirements. When searching for classes on the Class Schedule Search page, refer to the following example:
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Searching for Courses with Attributes (Magis Common Core)
On the Plan of Study documents, attributes (or categories) that have an “X” in the course number and indicate multiple course options that fulfill Magis Common Core requirements. When searching for classes that have a “X” on the Class Schedule Search page, use the “Attribute Type”, Magis Common Core: XXX. Leave other search fields as “All,” then scroll to the “Attribute Type” search box found on the lower half of the Class Schedule Search page.
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This search will allow you to pull up all the classes/options that you may choose to fulfill a Magis Common Core requirement:
- 1CCC Magis Common Core: I Cont Comp = ENG 15X
- 1CCT Magis Common Core: I Christian = THL 11X
- 1CHI Magis Common Core: I Critcl Iss* = XXX 17X (*This class has a co-req of COM 101)
- 1COC Magis Common Core: I Oral Comm = COM 101 (The co-req for Magis Common Core: I Human Inquiry)
- 1CPI Magis Common Core: I Phil Ideas = PHL 11X
- 2CUN Magis Common Core: II Undrst NS = ___ ___
Examples of Magis Common Core Courses
Critical Issues
Critical Issues is required during Freshman year; however, not all students will take Critical Issues/COM their first semester.
Critical Issues in Human Inquiry (XXX 17X – 3 units) has a “co-requisite”, meaning, you will register for this course and the correct / matching Communicating Critical Issues (COM 101 – 1 unit). When you choose your Critical Issues in Human Inquiry section, you will find the correct / matching co-requisite Communicating Critical Issues course listed under “NOTES” in the course description. In order to register for these co-requisite courses, you will have to insert both CRNs for the correct / matching sections together, and press “register”. In other words, when you are in the registration add / drop site, you will need to enter both CRNs together (matching co-requisites) in the “add” boxes. You will not be able to check the box next to each class individually. If you do not enter both CRNs together, you will receive an error message.
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Registration Resources
- NEST: Select the semester you want to search, FALL 2022. (Note: Fall 2022 includes the fall schedule. Academic Year 2022-2023 relates to year-long pre-professional courses sponsored by the Student Success program. Please search by “Fall 2022”)
- Registration Tutorials
- Understanding your First Semester Schedule
- How to Search for Courses on the NEST
- How to Register on the NEST
Helpful Tips for Registration
- Have your advisor-approved schedule ready with alternate courses in mind in case any of your desired courses are unavailable.
- Know your NetID login information (ID and Blue password) so you can sign into NEST.
- Know your registration time and have your PIN handy. Once you are logged into NEST, your registration PIN allows you to access the Add/Drop area, so you can register for classes.
- Having trouble getting into NEST? Call the DoIT Student Help Desk at 402.280.1111 and select option 2.
- Experiencing difficulties with registration? Contact the Registrar’s Office at 402.280.4019.
- If you have trouble finding open courses that fit your schedule, work with your freshman advisor and refer to the Pre-Registered Courses information under the Plan Your Schedule section.
- Do not drop CHM 111, EXS 111, or RSP 102. These courses are required for all nursing students on the 4-year plan of study.
- Making changes to your schedule is easy! Just log in to NEST from time to time and check the status of your desired courses. If another student drops the class or more seats become available, you can always add it to your schedule. If you want to change a course section, please check the course availability throughout the summer.
Q: Do I need a car?
A:
You do not need a car during you first year and probably not for the second year. You may need a car when you start attending clinicals at different sites around the area. Carpooling is always a possibility — just make sure you communicate with your clinical instructor and classmates.
Q: What supplies/equipment will I need?
A:
You’ll need stethoscopes for Health Assessment during your sophomore year. Check with Creighton University Student Nursing Association (CUSNA) the semester before your Health Assessment. They sell stethoscopes to Creighton students at a discounted rate.
You’ll also need to purchase an approved lab coat and scrubs (uniforms) just before your junior year for clinicals. More specific information about those items will be provided later on during the program.
Q: What grades do I have to maintain?
A:
You will need to maintain a GPA of 2.2. If your GPA falls below 2.2, then you’ll be put on Academic Probation. You must earn at least a 1.75 GPA during your freshmen year to progress to sophomore status. You must earn a “C” grade or better in all nursing and nursing prerequisite courses. Any grade less than a “C” is considered a failure in the College of Nursing.
If you have questions on repeating courses or the policies that apply to grades in the College of Nursing, please speak with your freshman advisor or contact the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs.
Q: Do I have to take classes in a specific order?
A:
Yes. As an admitted student in the BSN Traditional nursing program, you’ll need to take courses in the sequence outlined in your plan of study. Our courses are sequential in nature and must be taken in the order identified.
Q: Why do health science students need more immunizations?
A:
As a health science student, you have a much greater chance of being exposed to serious illnesses and diseases. The agencies we use for clinical experiences require that all health sciences students have the required immunizations. For patient safety, students without the necessary immunizations will not be allowed into the facility. Contact Student Health Services at immunizations@creighton.edu for more information.
Q: How do I keep track of my immunizations?
A:
You can view your immunizations status on NEST. Feel free to contact Student Health Services with any questions by calling 402.280.2735 or emailing immunizations@creighton.edu.
Q: Who do I contact about financial aid and scholarships?
A:
You’ll be notified directly by the College of Nursing as additional scholarship opportunities arise after your first semester. Contact the Office of Financial Aid at 402.280.2731 with any further questions.
Q: When do I start clinical rotations?
A:
Clinical rotations begin in the fall of your junior year and continue through your senior year.
Q: What if all of the courses I need to take are closed?
A:
The Magis core gives you flexibility with scheduling. If there are no open sections of a course that is highly recommended, try to be open-minded when it comes to choosing other courses. Log into NEST occasionally and check the status of your more desired classes. You can always change your schedule as sections free up over the summer. If all else fails, you can also contact the department chair during Welcome Week to see if you can get an override into the course.
Q: I want to study abroad. What should I do?
A:
You will need to let your advisor know to plan accordingly. It is important to do this before you register for second semester classes. Now is a good time to start compiling information about where you would like to travel and how a semester abroad will fit into your plan of study. You can get more detailed information from the Global Engagement Office.
Q: What about my work study job?
A:
Work-study is managed through our Financial Aid Office. During Welcome Week, you will receive your work-study assignment and will be given instructions on when and how to get in contact with the department for which you will be working.
Q: When do I find out about my roommate?
A:
You’ll receive information about your assigned residence hall and roommate during the summer before your freshman year. If you have concerns about how these will be communicated, please contact the Admissions Office.
Q: Can I change my RSP section time?
A:
Your RSP 102 section has been determined by the College of Nursing. You cannot change your section. Please work with your freshman advisor if you have any questions.
Q:What is RSP 120 and why are some students assigned to take it?
A:
RSP 120 (Strategies for Academic Success) is a course designed to help you achieve academic success at Creighton, with an emphasis of improving personal academic skills. RSP 120 may be assigned as a condition of a student’s admission to the University. If you are one of these students, then you have been pre-assigned to a section of RSP 120. Many factors (gender, race, geographical area, etc.) are considered when making these pre-assigned RSP 120 sections because student diversity is desired in each section.
Q: What is the typical course load for an incoming freshman?
A:
Nursing students who have no transfer credits (AP or dual credit) will need to take 17 or 18 each semester for a total of 35 credit hours earned at the end of your freshman year. One semester you could take 17 hours and the spring semester you could take 18 hours or vice versa.
Q: Can I change my schedule after classes have started?
A:
Yes. You can add/drop a class through online registration during the first week of the semester. If you drop a course during the first week of the semester, it will be removed from your transcript. You can withdraw from a course until shortly after midterm (see the academic calendar for details). This will appear as a “W” (withdrawal) on your record.
Q: How do I change my schedule?
A:
First, you’ll need to discuss the change with your advisor and make sure there is room available in the course you want to add. Changes can be made directly online — just access NEST like you did during registration. You’ll need your NetID and password handy.
Q: When do I find out about my AP scores?
A:
Creighton receives the AP scores in mid-July. You can check your NEST to see which courses you’ve received credit for. If you know your score, find out which credits you will be awarded at Advanced Placement.
