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Nursing Major (BSN)

Nursing majors at George Fox study at one the top Christian colleges in the Pacific Northwest.

If you want to find a major that strikes a balance between caring for others and sound scientific knowledge, consider the George Fox nursing program.

As a nursing major at George Fox, you will prepare yourself for a rewarding career in a field that combines nursing expertise and compassion. Graduates of our Christian nursing college go on to work in hospitals, research facilities, community-based clinics, doctors’ offices and other health care facilities throughout the country. Our nursing graduates are also equipped to pursue graduate education and fulfill the need for nurses in advanced practice, higher education and management.

The bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree program at George Fox University is accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (ccneaccreditation.org) and is also approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. Upon completion of the nursing program, you will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Our graduates are overwhelmingly successful on this exam.

George Fox nursing students posted a first-time pass rate of 98% on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam, well above the national average of 89% (2020).

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Nursing Major Instagram Tour

Learn more about the nursing major at George Fox from student Nate Johnson.

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Please note that most questions will be responded to immediately, but because of class schedules and activities, sometimes responses may be delayed.

Nursing Videos

Life@Fox: A Day in the Life of a Nursing Major Life@Fox: A Day in the Life of a Nursing Major https://www.youtube.com/embed/QLUUd_K1Jlw?autoplay=1&origin=https://www.georgefox.edu
Student-Athlete Profile: Football and Nursing Student-Athlete Profile: Football and Nursing //player.vimeo.com/video/112436423?autoplay=1
Nursing Major Focus: Eduardo Fuentes Nursing Major Focus: Eduardo Fuentes //player.vimeo.com/video/204619211?autoplay=1

In the News

Nursing story

Nursing students finish strong, step up during COVID-19 crisis

This wasn’t the way it was supposed to end. With seven weeks left in the semester, there were critical exams to prepare for and clinical placements to complete. And, for those graduating, there was the highly anticipated pinning ceremony to look forward to – the culmination of four years of toil, when family and friends would gather round, cameras in hand, to celebrate this most impressive of accomplishments.

Then, almost without warning, plans changed. The threat of COVID-19 triggered an international call to stay home. Businesses closed. Sporting events and social gatherings were canceled. And students across the nation – including those in George Fox’s highly hands-on nursing major – were asked to give up in-person instruction and master remote learning. For senior nursing students, the urgency to graduate and enter the field was greater than ever. Read more ...

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Major Requirements

Complete the following:

Structure and function of the human body. Fall semester topics include basic chemistry, body organization, integument, skeleton, muscles, and the nervous system, including special senses. The course is designed for nonscience majors. Three lectures and one laboratory per week. Additional course fee is required.
Structure and function of the human body. Spring semester topics include cardiovascular, reproductive, endocrine, respiratory, urinary, and digestive systems. The course is designed for nonscience majors. Three lectures and one laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 221 Human Anatomy and Physiology I, or permission from instructor. Additional course fee is required.
This course covers intermediate principles of chemistry. Special emphasis is placed on those aspects of general and organic chemistry that are pertinent to biochemistry. This course provides a background for students with interests in prenursing, nutrition, and related allied health areas. (This course does not meet the requirements for science majors.) Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: A math SAT score of at least 440 (test taken prior to March 2016), or a math SAT score of at least 480 (test taken March 2016 or later), or a math ACT score of at least 19, or successful completion of MATH 180 College Algebra (or equivalent
An introduction to the study of human communication. Application of communication principles to interpersonal, group, and public contexts. Particular emphasis on the practice of public speaking. Students will prepare and deliver several oral presentations.
An algebra course designed for students who have a good background in high school algebra and are prepared to cover the major topics of algebra in more depth and breadth. Applications of algebra will be emphasized in this course. This course does not serve as a prerequisite for the calculus sequence. Prerequisite: high school algebra or equivalent.
An introduction to the scientific study of human behavior. Major topics include the biological bases of behavior, sensation, perception, thinking, learning, memory, development, emotion, motivation, personality, social interaction, and abnormal behavior. Prerequisite to most other psychology courses.

Complete the following:

A course in the structure, metabolism, classification and health aspects of microorganisms. Special emphasis will be given to human-microbe interactions and clinical aspects of infection. Methods of microbiological investigation are emphasized and include current techniques and experiences within the field of Microbiology. Course designed for students not majoring in biology. Pre-requisites: BIOL 221 Human Anatomy and Physiology I; BIOL 222 Human Anatomy and Physiology II and CHEM 150 Foundations of General, Organic, and Biochemistry; or permission of the instructor. Additional course fee required.
This course introduces students to literature and philosophy as methods of human inquiry. Special focus is given to close reading of texts with an attention to literary form and on thinking and living ethically. Topics and texts vary by section.
A study of physical, intellectual, personality, social, and moral development from infancy to old age. Will not count as part of the psychology major. Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

Choose one of the following:

An introduction to probability and statistics with content and application directed toward the natural and physical sciences. Topics to be covered include methods of describing data, probability, random variables and their distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing, linearregression, and correlation. Prerequisite: MATH 180 College Algebra or equivalent.
Applied statistics for the social and behavioral sciences. Emphasis is placed on statistical logic and decision making. Prerequisite: high school algebra or equivalent.
Applied statistics for the social and behavioral sciences. Emphasis is placed on statistical logic and decision making. Recommended for the sophomore or junior year. Required for sociology and social work majors. (Identical to SWRK 340) Prerequisites: SOCI 150 Principles of Sociology and high school algebra.

Complete the following:

Introduction and application of theories concerning clients in need of primary, acute, and restorative nursing care. Students will be introduced to basic nursing concepts, skills, and techniques of professional nursing practice. Application of health assessment and basic nursing skills in the care of individuals experiencing alterations in biopsychosocial, cultural, and spiritual health status. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisites: Admission to the Nursing Program, BIOL 367 Essentials of Microbiology and NURS 311 Pathophysiology.
Introduction to study of professional nursing as a science and as an art. Encompasses role definition of nursing based on scientific theoretical frameworks and the art of caring. Students learn the nursing process, a critical thinking approach to problem-solving and decision-making on behalf of patients, and are introduced to evidence-based practice. Introduces definitions, historical background and status of nursing as a profession and as a discipline of applied science. Prerequisites: Admission to the Nursing Program.
The systematic and continuous collection of biopsychosocial, cultural, and spiritual data through the assessment of clients' strengths and coping resources, actual and potential health problems, and the identification of factors that place clients at risk for alterations in health. Prerequisite: Admission to Nursing Program, NURS 204 Introduction to Nursing Professional Practice, and NURS 311 Pathophysiology.
This course introduces the student to the use of nursing process in the care of adults with life threatening conditions and exacerbation of chronic conditions. The clinical practicum provides an opportunity to integrate learning with clients in the acute care setting. Prerequisites: NURS 201 Nursing Fundamentals, NURS 210 Health Assessment, NURS 311 Pathophysiology, and NURS 312 Pharmacology.
This course presents clinical decision-making and clinical judgment strategies for the care of adults with acute and complex conditions. Building on NURS 301: Nursing Care of Adults with Acute Conditions, the nursing process is used to analyze and intervene in alterations to the health of the individual and family. The clinical practicum provides an opportunity to work with clients in the acute care and complex settings such as the emergency department, intermediate care, and critical care settings. Prerequisite: NURS 301 Nursing Care of Adults with Acute Conditions.
Pathophysiology is a study of the basic principles, processes, and physiological changes of alterations in body systems. This course will provide a review of human physiology and an overview of pathophysiology, emphasizing imbalance of homeostatic mechanisms and etiology of disease. Pathophysiology of the body systems will be examined from cellular, organ, and systemic levels. Discussions and applied materials will be directed primarily toward nursing students but may also be useful to others wishing to explore healthcare-related fields. Prerequisites: Admission to the Nursing Program, BIOL 221 Human Anatomy and Physiology I, BIOL 222 Human Anatomy and Physiology II, CHEM 150 Foundations of General, Organic and Biochemistry, or instructor permission.
Pharmacology is the study of various drug classifications, their impact on living tissue, and their actions and distributions in the body - pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. This course will provide an overview of the therapeutic use of drugs on humans. Classes of drugs will be reviewed by body system with key drugs within each class emphasized. The molecular and cellular mechanisms of drug action will be explored, as well as specific drug pharmacokinetics and adverse reactions along with appropriate nursing interventions related to medication administration. Prerequisites: Admission to the Nursing Program, BIOL 211 Anatomy and Physiology I, BIOL 222 Anatomy and Physiology II, CHEM 150 Foundations of General, Organic and Biochemistry, NURS 311 Pathophysiology or by instructor permission.
This course will cover the science and fundamentals of human nutrition. In this course, topics covered will include nutritional requirements related to changing individual and family needs, food choices, health behaviors, prevention of chronic disease and nutrition-related public health in the United States and globally. Prerequisites: NURS 204 Introduction to Nursing Professional Practice and NURS 311 Pathophysiology.
The emphasis for this course is on the elements of evidence-based practice (EBP). Focus is placed on the cyclical process of identifying clinical questions, searching and appraising the evidence for potential solutions/innovations, planning and implementing practice changes, evaluating the outcomes, and identifying additional gaps in the nursing knowledge. Integration of the existing evidence with clinical judgment, patient preferences, inter-professional perspectives, and other resources forms the basis for the clinical decision-making process that is inherent in improving patient, population, and organizational outcomes. Prerequisites: Statistics (MATH 240, PSYC 240, or SOCI 340), NURS 201 Nursing Fundamentals, NURS 210 Health Assessment, and junior standing in the Nursing Program, or instructor permission.
This course provides acquisition and integration of knowledge vital to the holistic nursing care of children and families experiencing acute and chronic threats to health. Prerequisite: NURS 301 Nursing Care of Adults with Acute Conditions and junior standing or instructor permission.
Exploration of psychiatric nursing principles of mental health promotion and illness prevention; of evidence-based treatment modalities; of hospital and community treatment options; and of nursing principles applied to specific psychiatric clinical disorders. Prerequisites: Senior status and NURS 302 Nursing Care of Adults with Complex Conditions.
This course builds on the concepts of previous nursing courses with emphasis on utilizing the Nursing Process in dealing with women's health focusing on the childbearing years, antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and the health of newborns. Students will explore the concepts of health promotion, disease prevention, and alterations in health related to women in these phases and the newborn infant. Emphasis is on the whole person care of the client and the family. Management and planning of the Nursing Process will include concepts from a variety of culturally diverse settings to include nursing in the community. Prerequisite: NURS 302 Nursing Care of Adults with Complex Conditions or by permission of instructor.
This course addresses population focused health promotion, and disease and injury prevention based on determinants of local, national and global health including lifestyle, environmental, cultural, and genetic factors. Addresses evidence-based clinical prevention responses, including information technology, inter-professional collaboration, population-focused advocacy partnerships, and the caring role of the professional registered nurse to improve population health and minimize the consequences of mass emergencies. Prerequisites: NURS 302 Nursing Care of Adults with Complex Conditions, and Senior standing in the Nursing Program, or instructor permission.
The study of the leadership and management roles and functions filled by professional, registered nurses in a broad range of health care organizations and settings. Focus is on learning and applying core concepts of nursing leadership and management, and the requisite skills of effective nurse leaders/managers. The influence on nursing practice of theoretical, legal, ethical, economic, sociological, cultural and regulatory factors in the ever-changing health care system is examined. Students will have the opportunity to explore their personal and professional perceptions of how nursing leaders/managers impact nursing practice and patient care outcomes. Course should be taken the last semester of a students senior year in the program. Co-requisite: NURS 490 Nursing Capstone.
Prerequisites: NURS 302 Nursing Care of Adults with Complex Conditions, NURS 411 Mental Health, NURS 430 Population Nursing and senior standing in Nursing Program.
Exploration of the field of nursing that focuses on care of the older adult with chronic conditions. Includes unique healthcare needs of seniors, nursing approaches to managing these needs, ethical and legal issues that impact senior care, and exploration of the richness and wisdom of life experience shared by these members of society and families. Prerequisites: Senior standing in nursing program or by instructor permission.
A broad review of professional nursing content and practice to prepare students for the National Council License Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) licensure exam and transition to practice as registered nurses. Students will engage in the classroom and online learning environments to systematically review nursing content and complete NCLEX practice tests. Application and integration of knowledge and skills will occur during students’ practicum experiences working in partnership with clinical teaching associates to provide holistic nursing care to acute-care patients. A comprehensive, standardized examination is completed to determine each student’s proficiency and readiness for entry into nursing practice. Course should be taken the last semester of the student's senior year in program. Co-requisite: NURS 442 Nursing Leadership and Management
Prerequisites: NURS 301 Nursing Care of Adults with Acute Conditions, NURS 302 Nursing Care of Adults with Complex Conditions, NURS 411 Mental Health Nursing, and senior standing in the nursing program.

Jobs and Graduate School for Nursing

George Fox nursing majors get an education that integrates faith with learning.

Registered nurses (RNs) constitute the largest health care occupation in the United States, with 2.6 million jobs. Registered nurses will have the opportunity to work in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings including hospitals, ambulatory care clinics, nursing homes, community settings and academic institutions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016 to 2026, adding a projected 438,100 jobs in the United States over this period.

In Oregon, a recent research study conducted by the Oregon Center for Nursing (OCN) revealed that Oregon employers face difficulties in recruiting, hiring and retaining qualified nursing professionals across the health care industry. It also revealed that nearly 83 percent of hospitals and health systems plan to increase the number of registered nurses with a baccalaureate degree.

  • Surgical Unit, Seattle Children’s Hospital
  • Pediatrics, Loma Linda Medical Center
  • Surgery, Silverton Hospital
  • Oncology, Midland Memorial
  • Adult Medical/Surgical, OHSU
  • Labor and Delivery, Evergreen Hospital
  • NICU, UCLA Medical Center
  • MD Anderson Cancer Center
  • Family Birth Center, Legacy Emanuel
  • Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, OHSU
  • ER, Salem Hospital
  • Labor & Delivery, Silverton Hospital
  • Medical/Surgical, Pali Momi Medical Center
  • Orthopedics, Salem Hospital
  • Pediatrics, Kadlec Regional Medical Center
  • Medical/Surgical, Providence Newberg
  • OHSU, Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner
  • Loma Linda University, Nurse Anesthesia
  • Washington State University, Nurse Practitioner Mental Health
  • Crown College, International Leadership with emphasis in Community Development
  • Cross-cultural study nursing experience in Kenya
  • 800-1000 hours of clinical experience outside the classroom including hospitals, clinics, home health and hospice, local schools, correctional facilities

Nursing Student Experiences

Sarah Emerson

"During my time in the George Fox School of Nursing, I have learned how to holistically assess and care for patients. Any school can teach you how to be a nurse, but George Fox's Be Known promise and Christ-centered approach to patient care truly sets us apart." 

- Sarah Emerson

Malachi Teague

"What really sets GFU School of Nursing apart is the faculty. Every member of the faculty is invested in the success of the students, and is willing to go the extra mile to make sure you have what you need to become the finest RN's in the discipline." 

- Malachi Teague

Drew Bontrager “My perspective on life changed since my first classes at Fox. I came to school for a career and personal gain, but developed a love for community and a servant's heart for the sick.”

- Drew Bontrager

Craig Lee

“Each and every faculty member welcomed me in as family, pushed me to fulfill my potential, and exemplified what it means to be a nurse who loves Christ.”

- Craig Lee

Hannah Love

“I was able to travel to Kenya on a medical missions trip through the George Fox School of Nursing. Through this trip, I developed a passion for missions, and I also saw how versatile nursing can be.”

- Hannah Love

Nursing Points of Distinction

  • Graduates are prepared to enter the profession with a commitment to promoting health with excellence and integrity, and as imitators of Christ through caring with compassion and hope.
  • Students are taught to serve as leaders in providing holistic health care to a global community.
  • An attitude of lifelong learning is fostered in a foundation of liberal arts education.
  • Students are prepared for graduate education.

Why George Fox?

Christ-centered community

Our faith influences everything we do here, from the way our professors teach to the way we relate to one another and serve in the community.

Global opportunities

More than half of George Fox undergraduate students study abroad. That ranks among the national leaders in study abroad participation.

National recognition

George Fox University is a Christian university classified by U.S. News & World Report as a first-tier national university, and Forbes ranks George Fox among the highest Christian colleges in the country.

Nursing Faculty

Four-Year Course Plan

Nursing Application

Related Majors

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