Second Baccalaureate BSN program

Program Update

The Accelerated BSN and traditional BSN programs are merging. For Spring 2024, selected applicants will join the traditional accelerated 16-month BSN cohort and upon successful completion will graduate May 2025.

Step 1: Apply to the University

In order to apply to any Orvis School of Nursing BSN program, you must first be admitted to the University of Nevada, Reno for the semester in which you are applying to Orvis. Your transcripts must be submitted and evaluated by the University admissions office, including in-progress coursework. 

*Students applying to the Second Baccalaureate BSN program should register at the University of Nevada, Reno as a Pre-ASBSN student.  Applicants to the Second Baccalaureate BSN program who are not registered at the University of Nevada, Reno, as an active student at the time of application reviews will be ineligible.

Step 2: Review the Second Baccalaureate BSN checklist

Next, review the Second baccalaureate checklist, which lists the steps you will need to take to apply. You will need to review your transcripts to determine how they will transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno. 

To help identify any requirements you’ll need to meet, as well as any prerequisite courses you’ll need to take, you can use the University's Transferology Tool.

Step 3: Complete the prerequisite course requirements

Update: Chemistry 121 or equivalent has been added to the Second Baccalaureate BSN pre-requisite list.

You must complete all required prerequisites, including the University of Nevada, Reno’s U.S. and Nevada Constitution requirements, by the end of the Summer Session, with grades posted to your official transcripts before applying to the program.

Step 4: Take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)

To be admitted into our accelerated nursing program, you must take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). The TEAS Test can only be taken through ATI.  You will need to have your official transcripts sent through ATI to the Orvis School of Nursing.  We will not accept transcripts sent by applicants.

Please note that ASBSN applicants can only take the TEAS exam one time per application cycle (Aug 1– June 30) and must be completed no later than August 31 prior to application.

• Registration
  • To register for the TEAS exam, you will need to create a new account if you are not a current user of ATI.  On the account homepage you will be able to register for a TEAS session (TEAS for Nursing Students). All TEAS Exams are taken though ATI. Once you have taken your exam, you will have the opportunity to have your official exam transcripts sent to the University. We are unable to accept transcripts directly from the student.
• Once you have taken the TEAS test
  • Enter your total score (under your personal information on the right-hand side of the report) into the GPA/point calculator. The GPA calculator will determine the points awarded for your score. When submitting your application, be sure you are using the most current GPA calculator by clicking on the link provided. 

Step 5: Apply to the Second Baccalaureate BSN program

Submit your online Second Baccalaureate BSN application to the Orvis School of Nursing during the specified window. 

• You must submit a completed GPA calculator with your application. Be sure to complete the GPA Calculator in its entirety, or your application cannot be considered.
• Read and agree to the BSN Readiness Assessment. 

Admissions process

1. Applications are reviewed by the OSN Admissions Team.
2. Applications must be completed entirely, including the GPA calculator, or they will be considered ineligible.
3. Applications that do not meet the minimum requirements will not be considered. Applicants must have completed their bachelor’s degree before applying to the Second Baccalaureate BSN program. The applicant will receive a letter stating the reason(s) the application was not reviewed.
4. Applications that meet minimum requirements will be evaluated through a point-based matrix. 
5. Applicants will be ranked from highest to lowest, based on the application matrix.
6. Applicants with the top scores will be offered provisional admission to the OSN pre-licensure program.
7. In the event of a tie, the tie-breaking candidate will be selected using the pre-nursing Nevada Residency, Health Experience, and TEAS cumulative percentile score.

Once selected, you will receive provisional acceptance to the nursing major. The admission offer is contingent upon

1. A negative drug screening (hair follicle test).
2. A background check deemed acceptable by the Orvis School of Nursing clinical partners.
3. All related tasks assigned in the pre-orientation outline.

Email us to request more information