Nursing Student Computing Requirements

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The School of Nursing requires all students, except for those enrolled in fully online programs, to have a laptop and use it for specific educational purposes during their program.  

Minimum Microsoft Windows Laptop Specifications 

  • Intel Core i5 processor 2GHz or better.
  • 16 GB RAM recommended. 8 GB minimum.   
  • 250 GB minimum drive storage.  A solid-state drive (SSD) is highly recommended for optimal performance.  Mechanical hard drives may cause significant performance issues and extended support times with Windows.
  • A wireless network adapter that supports 802.11n or higher.
  • Screen resolution of 1280x768 or higher.

Required Software 

  • Before you arrive on campus, you must update your virus protection software and operating system to its latest service pack using Windows Update.
  • PCs must have Microsoft Windows 11 (Update 24H2 or later) Home or better. Windows 11 Professional is recommended.
    • Genuine, U.S.-English versions of Windows Operating Systems.
    • Important: Windows S edition cannot be used.
    • CPU Processor: Non-ARM processor supported by your operating system.
  • A reputable virus protection software (e.g., Windows Defender).
  • Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome web browsers.
  • Current version of Microsoft Office 365. Microsoft Office can be downloaded as part of your Office 365 license.
  • As a part of your education, you will be required to install various applications to participate in certain required and elective courses. Examples are Java for Blackboard and Adobe Reader to access PDFs, and Examplify for examinations.

Web Camera and Microphone 

  • A compatible web camera and microphone are required. If the laptop has a built-in webcam, a separate one is not required.
  • A headset or headphones with a microphone is recommended.

Recommended Warranty Coverage 

It is highly preferred that you obtain an extended warranty that will cover your laptop while in your program at the School of Nursing.  If an accidental damage warranty is available, it is recommended to add that as well. 

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What if I Want to Use a Mac?  

The minimum Apple Mac laptop requirements are: 

  • 16 GB RAM recommended. 8 GB minimum.
  • 250 GB minimum drive storage.  A solid-state drive (SSD) is highly recommended for optimal performance.  Mechanical hard drives may cause significant performance issues and extended support times with MacOS.
  • A wireless network adapter that supports 802.11n or higher.

Required Mac software: 

  • macOS 14 (Sonoma) or Later – Intel or Apple Silicon (M1-M5) Processor - earlier versions are NOT compatible.
  • Current version of Microsoft Office 365 for Mac. Microsoft Office can be downloaded as part of your Office 365 license.

Software used in certain classes may require you to be able to run Windows. Apple’s official recommendation is to run additional software called Parallels, as well as a separate ARM based copy of Windows 11 Pro (purchased separately). 

What if I want to use a tablet? 

The only compatible tablet is the Microsoft Surface Pro (or similar Windows tablet), with full Windows 11 24H2 or later operating system installed on it. 

  • Any tablets running Windows RT or S edition, Android tablets, and iPads (all models) with iOS are NOT compatible.

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