Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
30 Semester Credits/ 3 Semesters / 12 Months/ 120 Credits Total
Delivery Mode: Online
The RN to BSN program is designed for the associate degree or diploma prepared registered nurse to build on the leadership and management skills introduced in previous nursing programs while expanding the art and science of nursing into the baccalaureate level. This program is based on the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) (2008) and is grounded in a Caring Science Theory to teach theoretical and the evidence-based practice of nursing.
The RN to BSN program is offered fully online, and may be completed in approximately 12 months. Students will complete a 90 hour community experience that can be completed near their residences with a focus on community health.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Use information and technologies to monitor and provide quality patient care.
- Demonstrate culture competency in nursing practice.
- Provide competent, evidence-based nursing care.
- Document nursing information and activities in support of safe patient care.
- Speak clearly and concisely in conveying healthcare information.
- Collaborate effectively with healthcare team members.
- Apply empirical research to nursing practice.
- Apply the Code of Ethics for Nurses in professional nursing practice.
- Objectively analyze and evaluate data to inform decision-making in nursing practice.
Degree Requirements
The BSN degree requires a minimum of 120 semester credits where students must complete at a minimum 30 semester credits with United States University. Students will receive a block transfer of 60 semester credits from previous completed nursing programs that resulted in a current, unencumbered registered nursing license. Students may transfer additional general education courses completed beyond the 60 block transfer, not to exceed 90 semester credits. Please refer to the Transfer Credit Policy for more information.
Where transfer credits do not satisfy the remaining 30 semester credits of general education requirements, USU recommends general education courses that can act to prepare students for the nursing courses. Examples include, but are not limited to, MAT241 Introduction to Statistics and Probability; NUR300 Physical Examination and Health Assessment; HUM499 Senior Seminar: Humanities; or SSC499 Senior Seminar: Social Sciences. After a transfer credit analysis is conducted by the Registrar’s Office, an academic advisor will work with individual students to ensure they are appropriately scheduled for those courses if needed. These courses will be completed prior to beginning the first course in the completion program’s course sequence.
Students who are residents of the State of Tennessee MUST complete an additional physical exam and health assessment course as part of their RN-BSN program. Tennessee students may opt to transfer an equivalent physical and health assessment course.
Curriculum Requirements for the RN-BSN
Core Requirements
| NUR300 | Physical Examination and Health Assessment | 3 |
| NUR370 | Transitions and Issues of the Professional Nursing Role | 3 |
| NUR371 | Foundations of A Caring Science | 3 |
| NUR372 | Evidence Based Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NUR373 | Healthcare Policy, Regulation, and Finance | 3 |
| NUR374 | Managing System Change and Improving Patient Outcomes | 3 |
| NUR375 | Inter-professional Communication and Collaboration for Improving Healthcare | 3 |
| NUR376 | Innovation in Patient Care Technology and Information Management | 3 |
| NUR377 | Cultural Diversity, Spirituality, and Ethics in Healthcare | 3 |
| NUR378 | Global and Community-Based Nursing | 3 |
| NUR499 | Capstone in Evidence-based Professional Nursing Practice | 3 |
NUR300 - Tennessee Students Requirement. Adding 3 semester credits and one session to program length.
NUR499 - To be taken as last course.