Angela Kueny (department head)

Admission to the nursing major:

Luther's nursing program, with its longstanding connection to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, has a very strong reputation. Clinical resources both in the Rochester and Decorah areas limit the number of students who can be enrolled in the program, and so the number of qualified program applicants may exceed the number who can be admitted. Students must understand that admission to Luther does not itself mean admission to nursing. Applicants must meet minimum eligibility requirements indicated below; however, obtaining or exceeding minimum criteria does not guarantee admission. Decisions affecting admission to the major will be made at the end of the fall semester. Luther also offers a direct entry program into the nursing major for high school seniors.

Minimum criteria for admission to the nursing major include:

  • A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) for college courses taken at Luther College of 2.75.

  • A minimum grade of C in all courses required for the nursing major.

  • Repetition of any single course required for the major no more than once.

  • Repetition of a total of no more than two courses required for the major.

Continued progression in the nursing major:

Decisions affecting continued progression in the major after admission to it are made at the end of each semester. Students must continue to meet all admissions requirements. Additionally, a minimum grade of C is required for all nursing courses as well as satisfactory completion of the clinical components. No courses required for the major can be repeated more than once.

All other policies regarding grading, withdrawal, and graduation are in accordance with general college policy and can be found elsewhere in the college catalog.

Clinical participation is not allowed by persons who have been denied licensure by the Iowa Board of Nursing or whose license is currently suspended, surrendered, or revoked in any country or U.S. jurisdiction due to disciplinary action.

Students must be able to provide their own transportation to clinical facilities. They must also pay for their own uniforms and stethoscopes, as well as costs for CPR certification and state background checks (required by clinical agencies). Nursing courses in the junior year are taken off campus in Rochester, MN.

Required for a major: NURS 234, 235, 236, 237, 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 376, 377, 378, 382, 384, 386, 388, 390, 420, 421, 425, 480, 490. Writing requirement completed with NURS 384 and 390.

Correlative requirements: BIO 115, 116, 190; HES 125; SCI 240, 250; PSYC 130, 240. A course in statistics is recommended for nursing majors who intend to pursue graduate studies.