Follow Your Dreams and Transition to a Career in Nursing

Nursing professor talking to a studentCHOICE stands for "Connecting Health Occupations with Innovative Curriculum and Experience." The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) CHOICE program is designed for individuals working in health care who want to further their career in the field of nursing. Our evening/weekend class format allows you to keep your day job while advancing your skills to help and heal as a nurse.

 

 

The CHOICE BSN program has a competitive admissions process in which students are selected based on academic performance, recommendations, writing skills as demonstrated in a personal statement, as well as health care and volunteer experience. Academic performance is weighted more heavily than the other criteria.

  • It is recommended that you are currently work in health care, preferably in a hospital setting (examples include certified nurse aid, license practical nurse, EMT, unit secretary, and other positions within hospitals or health care facilities).
  • Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale.
  • Grade of “C-“ or better in all prerequisite courses required for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
  • Three of the following science courses must be complete by the application deadline and all four must be complete by the program start date: Human Anatomy (or Human Anatomy & Physiology I), Human Physiology (or Human Anatomy & Physiology II), Microbiology, Chemistry. All four science courses must include a lab component.
  • Other prerequisites may be in progress at the time of application but all must be completed by the start of the program for those admitted.
  • Eligibility for all BSN programs is pending the successful completion of a drug screening and a criminal background check. For a complete list of Disqualifying Offenses, click here.
  • Eligibility for all BSN programs is pending the successful completion of the Essential Functions and Safety Forms. For a complete list of Essential Functions, click here.
  • Applicants must have the ability to meet all the requirements for licensure and the physical, psychological and emotional standards established by the Colorado Nurse Practice Act and the State Board of Nursing.
  • A complete health history and physical examination record indicating that the student is physically able to meet the objectives of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program, and is appropriately immunized is required upon admission to the program.
  • Applicants must have the ability to complete the American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) for health care professionals certification.
  • If English is not your native/first language, you must meet the following language proficiency requirement:
    • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – Internet-based: Minimum score of 82 (24 Writing, 20 Speaking, 22 Reading, 16 Listening) on the TOEFL.
    • TOEFL – Computer-based: Minimum score of 213
    • Regis University's TOEFL code is 4656.

Ranking

The CHOICE BSN program has a competitive admissions process where students are selected based on academic performance, recommendations, writing skills demonstrated in the personal statement and any healthcare and/or volunteer experience. Academic performance is weighted more heavily than the other criteria.

CHOICE BSN applicants will be selected with priority admission given to health care professionals.

CHOICE BSN applicants who appear best qualified for the program will receive a written invitation for a faculty interview. All applicants will be notified in writing regarding interview status.

The application deadline is January 15th each year for the Fall class. It is in the applicant’s best interest to initiate the application no less than a month prior to the application deadline.

All application materials are DUE by the application deadline. Applications initiated on the application deadline will not be considered for admission without ALL required materials submitted simultaneously. It is the responsibility of the applicant to plan ahead to ensure that all parts of the application arrive by the specified deadline and to monitor their application status to ensure that all parts of the application arrive on time.

A complete application for the CHOICE BSN program includes the following:

  • Completed application form – application form can be found online (see Apply Now link in upper left hand side of this page)
  • Official transcripts from all colleges/universities previously attended - Request official transcripts to be sent directly to Regis University from all post-secondary educational institutions attended. Transcripts must be official. Official transcripts can be mailed or sent electronically. Regis accepts electronic transcripts from the following services: Scrip-Safe, Docufide, Avow Systems.

    Submit electronic transcripts to sendtranscripttoRU@regis.edu.

    Submit mailed transcripts to:
    Regis University, Academic Records
    3333 Regis Blvd. A-8
    Denver, CO 80221-1099
  • Personal statement/essay - Instructions are given when you reach the essay portion of the online application.
  • Resume - summary of professional and volunteer experiences
  • Two completed recommendation forms (professional or academic references only; personal references are not accepted) - the recommendation forms provided in the online application must be used

CHOICE BSN applicants will be selected with priority admission given to health care professionals. Applicants who appear best qualified for the program will receive a written invitation for a faculty interview. All applicants will be notified in writing regarding interview status.

The following information is designed to be a self-assessment for prospective students to use in determining what prerequisites need to be completed for Regis University pre-licensure CHOICE BSN program:

If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or will complete a bachelor’s degree prior to your intended start date:

The following courses are required prerequisites:

  • Chemistry/Lab (4)
  • Microbiology/Lab (4)
  • Human Anatomy/Lab or A&P I/Lab (4)*
  • Human Physiology/Lab or A&P II/Lab (4)*

Three of the four science courses listed above must be complete by the application deadline.

*Students can take either Human Anatomy/Lab and Human Physiology/Lab as a sequence or
 a combined A&P I/Lab and A&P II/Lab as a sequence to fulfill the prerequisite requirement.

  • General Psychology (3)
  • Developmental or Child Psychology (3)
  • Nutrition (3)
  • Sociology (3)
  • Statistics (3)
  • Philosophy (3)
  • Religious Studies (6)
  • Health Care Ethics (3)

If you do not have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and will not complete a bachelor’s degree prior to your intended start date:

The following courses are required prerequisites:

  • Chemistry/Lab (4)
  • Microbiology/Lab (4)
  • Human Anatomy/Lab or A&P I/Lab (4)*
  • Human Physiology/Lab or A&P II/Lab (4)*

Three of the four science courses listed above must be complete by the application deadline.

*Students can take either Human Anatomy/Lab and Human Physiology/Lab as a sequence or
a combined A&P I/Lab and A&P II/Lab as a sequence to fulfill the prerequisite requirement.

  • General Psychology (3)
  • Developmental or Child Psychology (3)
  • Nutrition (3)
  • Sociology (3)
  • Statistics (3)
  • Philosophy (3)
  • Religious Studies (6)
  • Health Care Ethics (3)
  • English Composition (3)
  • Literature/Humanities/Oral and Written Communication (6)
  • Economics/Business/Social Science (3)
  • General Electives (10)
  • Upper Division Electives (3)

Prerequisites may be taken at any regionally accredited institution. We highly recommend requesting an unofficial evaluation of your previous college/university coursework. If you would like an unofficial evaluation, please send a copy of your transcripts, including a cover letter with your name, address, phone number and program of interest, to the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions, Office of Admissions, 3333 Regis Blvd., Mail Code G-9, Denver, CO 80221. You may also fax your request to 303.964.5400 or email it to healthcare@regis.edu. Completed evaluations are sent via email within approximately two weeks of receipt.

We have created Transfer Guides that provide recommended course work from Colorado colleges to transfer to Regis University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program options. One course will fulfill one requirement only. Course requirements are subject to change without notice. For further information contact the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions, Office of Marketing & Admissions at 303.458.4344.

What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is consistently January 15th for the following Fall semester. All application materials must be post-marked by this date each year. Three of the following science courses must be complete by the admission deadline: Human Anatomy (or Human Anatomy & Physiology I), Human Physiology (or Human Anatomy & Physiology II), Microbiology, Chemistry. All science courses must include a lab component. All science prerequisites must be completed by the program start date.

Do my prerequisites have to be complete when I apply?
Three of the four science prerequisites must be complete by the application deadline. The science prerequisites include: Human Anatomy (or Human Anatomy & Physiology I), Human Physiology (or Human Anatomy & Physiology II), Microbiology and Chemistry. All science prerequisites must include a lab component. All other prerequisites can be outstanding by the application deadline, but must be complete by the intended start date.

Where can I complete my prerequisites?
Prerequisite classes may be completed at any regionally accredited college or university. We have transfer guides for many Colorado colleges and universities – click on the "Prerequisite" tab above for a complete list.

What courses can I take for Religious Studies?
It is important that religious studies courses be taken from a Religious Studies or Philosophy Department. Courses taken from Humanities, Literature, Anthropology or History Departments for example will not be accepted. If your school does not have a religious studies department, you will want to take religious studies courses (such as comparative religions, philosophy of religion, world religions east and/or west) from your school's philosophy department. General philosophy courses such as Introduction to Philosophy DO NOT fulfill the religious studies requirement.

Who is eligible for admission into the program?
This program is designed specifically for individuals who are currently working in the health care field. Although the minimum GPA needed to apply is 2.5, the majority of the students accepted to the CHOICE BSN program have well above the minimum.

Do you have a waiting list?
We do not offer a waiting list at Regis University. Each BSN program has a competitive admissions process where students are selected based on academic performance, recommendations and the personal statement. The top candidates are selected for admission to each program, and a small group of alternates will also be selected. Accepted students and alternates generally have cumulative and science GPAs above 3.0. If you are not accepted, you are welcome to re-apply for an upcoming term.

How many spots are available in the CHOICE BSN program? Approximately, how many applications do you receive for those spots?
We accept 24 students each Fall to the CHOICE BSN program. We receive an average of 115-120 applications each year.

What GPA is required to apply to the CHOICE BSN program?
Although the minimum GPA needed to apply is 2.5, the majority of students accepted to the CHOICE BSN program have well above the minimum.

When does the CHOICE BSN program start? How long is the program?
The program starts once a year in the Fall semester (typically the end of August). CHOICE BSN students complete the nursing curriculum and clinicals in six semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring, Summer).

What is the typical schedule for CHOICE BSN students?
CHOICE students have class two evenings a week (typically from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and complete their clinical rotations on the weekends.

How many clinical hours will be completed in the course of this program?
You will complete 772 hours of clinical education during this program. The final 180 hours will be spent 1:1 with a clinical preceptor at a selected site. Clinicals are held on the weekends.

Where are clinical rotations completed?
Clinical rotations are completed at a variety of hospital and health care facilities in the Denver metro area. We use facilities as far north as Longmont United Hospital and Boulder Community Hospital and as far south as Sky Ridge Medical Center and Parker Adventist Hospital.

How can I learn more about the program?
You can attend an information session to learn more about Regis University and the CHOICE BSN program. Information sessions take place at the main Denver campus the second Tuesday of the month at noon and the fourth Tuesday of the month at 5:30 P.M. You should call the Office of Admissions at 303-458-4344 for the scheduled location prior to attending an information session.