Challenge Exams

Students enrolled in the RN-BS, RN-MS and Post-Baccalaureate RN-MS programs have the opportunity to challenge courses through which they have gained knowledge through continuing education, life experiences or academic course work. The following courses are available for challenge to students who meet the criteria as specified for each course. Students MUST be officially enrolled in the course they wish to challenge. Specific requirements for each course are listed below.

Nurs 3612: Introduction to Nursing Research *

Requirements (submit ONE of the following):

• A minimum of one year of fulltime experience as an RN within the last 5 years, and
• A prior college research course taken within the last 5 years and received a minimum grade of 'C’.

*Course not available for challenge for RN-MS or Post-Baccalaureate RN-MS students

Nurs 3614: Nursing Assessment Across the Life Span *

Requirements (submit ONE of the following):

• A college assessment course taken within the last 5 years and received a minimum grade of 'C', OR
• A minimum of one year of full-time experience as a Registered Nurse within the last 5 years, and 10 hours of continuing education within the last 2 years that focused on assessment skills.

*Course not available for challenge for RN-MS or Post-Baccalaureate RN-MS students

Nurs 3804: The RN Nursing Experience with Families and Groups

Requirements (submit ONE of the following):

• Certified Family Life Educator OR
• Degree in Family Science, OR
• Eighteen (18) hours in the Family Sciences

Nurs 4612: Promoting Wellness in the Aging Family

Requirements (submit ONE of the following):

• National certification as a Gerontological Nurse OR
• A minimum of two years of fulltime experience as a gerontological nurse within the last 5 years, and 10 hours of continuing education within the last 2 years that focused on gerontology.

Nurs 4803: The Nursing Leadership and Management Experience

Requirements (submit ONE of the following):

• National certification in healthcare administration (e.g. ANCC Certification), OR
• A minimum of two years of fulltime experience in lower to upper management (e.g. head nurse, unit coordinator, Director of Nursing) in a health care facility within the last 5 years, and 10 hours of continuing education within the last 2 years that focused on management and leadership skills, OR
• A college level leadership/management course taken within the last 5 years and received a minimum grade of 'C'.

Nurs 4813: The RN High Acuity Nursing Experience

Requirements (submit ONE of the following):

• Current AACN Certification for Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN), OR
• A minimum of two years of full time experience in an intensive care unit within the last 5 years, and 10 hours of continuing education within the last 2 years that focused on critical care.

Application Process

1. The application to challenge a course must be submitted to the program coordinator.
2. Students that meet the criteria for challenge will receive notification of their eligibility one month in advance of the examination date by faculty.
3. Students will also be notified of the place and time of the examination or the deadline for submitting the required assignment.
4. All assignments and notification of results for challenge examinations must be completed by the end of the first week of class during each semester.

Exam and Scoring

Faculty in the College of Nursing will select and administer the exam. A score of 72% (out of a possible 100%) on the examination is required to receive course credit. Students who score 72 and above will receive the grade made on the challenge examination at the end of the semester. Students who score less than 72 on the challenge examination may either complete the course in the semester in which they are enrolled or withdraw and re-enroll in the course during a later semester. Additional information is available on the challenge exam application. The letter grade will be as follows:

Additional information on exam scoring and content of each exam is available on the Challenge Exam Application.

Application Deadline

To challenge a course, you must submit the application form to the Program Coordinator by the deadline. The mailing address is located at the bottom of the application.