BSN Program Resources

Students often ask which courses would be beneficial to take during high school that will adequately prepare them for furthering their education at Duquesne University. The courses have been ranked as required, strongly recommended, or helpful. Courses marked "required" and "recommended" would be most beneficial to the serious student.

Required Courses
Algebra I (1 year)
General Science (1 year)
Biology (1 year)
Chemistry (1 year)
English (4 years)
Social Studies (3-4 years)
Foreign Language (2 years)

Recommended Courses
Anatomy & Physiology
Algebra II
Plane Geometry I
Trigonometry
Computer Science
Physics
Advanced Science
Oral Skills
Fine Arts

Helpful Courses
Calculus

Learn more about how a student can earn college credits while in high school.

View a complete list of Technology Requirements.

Nursing has become a highly specialized field. Nurses can specialize and work in a variety of fields. Here are just a few examples:

• Cardiac
• Critical Care
• Emergency Room
• Forensics
• Gastroenterology
• Geriatrics
• Home Health Care
• Hospice
• Long-term Care
• Medical Surgical
• Mental Health
• Military Nurse
• Neonatal
• Neurology
• Obstetrics
• Occupational Health
• Oncology
• Operating Room
• Outpatient Services
• Pediatrics
• Pulmonary
• Recovery Room
• School Nurse
• Trauma

Duquesne University has a number of nursing organizations that you can join. It is extremely important and highly beneficial to join student organizations.

• Alpha Tau Delta (ATD) is a national professional fraternity for nursing students. The Theta Chapter was chartered at the Duquesne University campus in 1938. Eligibility is limited to full-time students who have completed a minimum of one semester in the School of Nursing with a cumulative quality point average of 2.5.
• Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. is a professional organization open to all registered professional and student nurses (men and women) representing many cultures and diverse ethnic backgrounds. More than 8,000 Registered Nurses and Student Nurses hold memberships. 
• Duquesne University Student Nurses Association (DUSNA) is a professional organization interested in contributing to nursing education by volunteerism, thereby contributing to the community and university. The organization strives to keep abreast of the current health care issues and concerns, legislation and other prudent issues at a pre-professional stage by speaking out and attending various conventions and bi-annual legislative programs. Most importantly, each and every nursing student of DUSNA grows as a whole person by their individual dedication and collaboration in striving to make a difference. When you join DUSNA you also become a member of the national organization, the National Student Nurses' Association.
• National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) – the Western PA Chapter of NAHN is open to all professional and student nurses (men and women) who are interested in the promotion and advocacy of health and wellness in Hispanic communities. The Western Pennsylvania chapter is committed to the communities in Western Pennsylvania and the surround areas.
• Sigma Theta Tau International, the Honor Society of Nursing, is dedicated to promoting excellence in nursing education, practice and research. Duquesne University’s Chapter, Epsilon Phi, was inducted into this honor society in March of 1982. The stated purpose of the Duquesne chapter is to recognize superior achievement in nursing and to develop qualities of leadership among nursing professionals and students, to foster high professional standards of nursing practice, and to strengthen commitment to the ideals and purposes of professional nursing.

The NCLEX-RN is the National Certification Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. All nursing students are required by law to take the NCLEX-RN in order to become registered nurses. The NCLEX-RN is taken after you graduate from an accredited nursing program.

NCLEX preparation starts in your freshman year. All students use a software program to promote success in their courses as well as on the NCLEX. Faculty in all courses have made a commitment to teach active learning strategies that enhance critical thinking skills and NCLEX success. In addition, tests, which are constructed similarly to the NCLEX and NCLEX questions, are used during class time as a teaching strategy. Students take standardized clinical specialty exams and a comprehensive exam to prepare them for the NCLEX-RN exam. Duquesne employs the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI), a United States company that provides exams and other educational material designed to prepare student nurses for professional licensure and predict their likely success in tests such as the NCLEX-RN.

Students take two nursing courses in their senior year that focus on the NCLEX exam.