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Online Nursing Classes: Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

RN-BSN Nursing Online

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Go from an RN to BSN with online nursing courses

A strong foundation for a cutting-edge career as a nurse includes a blend of critical thinking and caring. This online RN to BSN degree program is offered to those who already have an RN license and hold either an associate degree or diploma in nursing. By obtaining their BSN, graduates are prepared as nurse generalists to function as providers, designers, and managers, of patient care across the healthcare continuum. They are responsible for delegation to and supervision of supportive healthcare works and for collaboration with other members of the healthcare team.

The RN to BSN program offers all core nursing courses online and is designed for the working nurse. Start at any time, with program launches in the fall (August), spring (January), and summer (May) semesters.

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I worked my way up as an aide, LPN, RN, to my BSN.

I now hold the title of Director of Nursing, which still seems a bit surreal, but also a blessing, that I get to be the type of leader that I always wanted. I get to have a seat at tables to be a voice. I am focused on becoming the best DON I can be, to become more versed in a world, where I can truly make a difference.”

Jonnelle Ballard

RN to BSN ‘22

Program Overview

 

The following student learning outcomes emphasize Christian values, critical thinking, clinical competence, and professional development:

  • Integrate knowledge from nursing and other disciplines as the basis for clinical judgement.
  • Apply quality improvement strategies to promote a culture of safety.
  • Incorporate evidence-based practice to ensure effective nursing care.
  • Use informatics and healthcare technologies to manage and improve the delivery of nursing and health care services.
  • Demonstrate leadership strategies within the complex healthcare system to recognize and influence health policies and laws.
  • Collaborate in interprofessional partnerships to optimize health.
  • Provide health promotion and disease prevention interventions to improve population health outcomes. 
  • Incorporate professional and ethical behavior, the commitment to lifelong learning, and professional values into nursing practice. 
  • Provide holistic care to diverse populations across the lifespan.
     
  1. Verification documentation of an active and unencumbered RN license.
  2. Students who do not have an RN license can be admitted to the college to take general education courses but are not allowed to take nursing courses until they have an active RN license and are admitted to the RN to BSN Completion program.
  3. Submit all official transcripts of previous coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a conferred Associate degree in nursing, or diploma in nursing, from a program accredited by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) (formerly NLNAC), or the Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA).
  4. See Conditional Admission criteria if applicant graduated from a non-accredited nursing program but the institution is approved/accredited by a historically regional accreditor.

Conditional Admission

Applicants to the RN to BSN Completion program from institutions that are non-accredited as indicated above must complete the following to ensure standards set forth by ACEN and/or CNEA have been met:

  1. Office of Admissions will send requests to the Director, Online Nursing Education for consideration.
  2. Students must successfully complete NUR 304 and NUR 324 with a grade of “C” or better.
  3. Students must meet with the Director of Retention and Success Strategies to develop and follow an Academic Success Plan.

Conditional admission will be granted to qualified candidates based on seat availability. After students successfully complete NUR 304 and NUR 324 with a grade of “C” or better, they are removed from Conditional Admission status.

Block Credit

Applicants may receive blocked credit for a previously earned college degree or diploma from an accredited program. The Office of Student Records will review the transcript and determine the number of blocked credit hours that will be granted ranging from 32- 39 credit hours for previous nursing coursework in an associate degree or diploma program.

To earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Post-licensure Degree students must complete all college requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree including:

General Education Requirements

 

Complete All of The Following Courses:

Oral and Written Communication (GCOM) - 6 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
ENG 101 English Composition I 3
ENG 102 English Composition II 3

Math, Statistics, and Logic (GMSL) - 3 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
MTH 140 Introduction to Statistics 3

Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSBS) - 6 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology 3
PSY 201 Lifespan Psychology 3

Arts, Humanities, Culture, and Diversity (must include 6 credit hours in Religious Studies) (GAHD/GAHR) - 9 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
REL 290 Medical Ethics 3
SOC 211 Cultural Diversity 3

Natural Sciences, Technology, and Innovation (GNSI) - 6 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
BIO 220 Anatomy and Physiology I 4
BIO 221 Anatomy and Physiology II 4

Additional hours from one or more of the above categories - 6 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
BIO 210 Microbiology 4

Required Nursing Post-Licensure Program Course Requirements

Complete All of The Following Courses:

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
NUR 304 Transitions in Professional Nursing 3
NUR 324 Nursing Informatics 3
NUR 374 Population Health Assessment 3
NUR 384 Evidence-Based Practice 3
NUR 414 Current Issues in Nursing 3
NUR 434 Community Health Nursing 3
NUR 444 Global Focused Nursing Care 3
NUR 494 Nursing Leadership 3

Program At A Glance

All nursing core courses are 100% online

flexible and convenient for the working nurse

One year completion

for students enrolled full-time

Start anytime

fall, spring or summer semester

Receive 32-39 credit hours for RN

put your credits to use

711,900 new RN jobs

projected for 2020

Opportunity to earn graduate credits

up to 6 credit hours at undergraduate tuition rate

MSN Fast Track

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree now also have the option to take one or more (maximum of six credit-hours) 500 level graduate courses at the undergraduate tuition rate. The course options are part of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. More information about the MSN fast-track option is below.

MSN Fast Track Information


The baccalaureate program of study is further based on sound principles of adult education progressing from simple to complex, familiar to unfamiliar, and general to specific. The Program provides students with the opportunity to achieve program objectives through the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, and competencies necessary to function as professional nurses who meet the healthcare needs of individuals across the lifespan. The following student learning outcomes emphasize Christian values, critical thinking, clinical competence, and professional development:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of liberal education (Arts and sciences) in making clinical judgments for diverse populations with complex health problems.
  2. Demonstrate leadership skills, quality improvement, and patient safety in caring for populations with complex health problems.
  3. Demonstrate ability to participate in basic nursing research by sharing evidence-based nursing practices with the inter-professional healthcare team.
  4. Employ knowledge and skills of information management in patient care technology.
  5. Apply principles of legal, ethical and economic policy related to influencing healthcare delivery and practice.
  6. Effectively communicate and collaborate with interdisciplinary professionals to deliver evidence based, patient-centered care.
  7. Provide therapeutic nursing interventions that assist populations, communities, groups, and individuals across the life span whose lives are affected by, illness, distress, disease, disability or death.
  8. Incorporate professional behavior, the commitment to lifelong learning, and professional values, including legal and ethical aspects into the practice of nursing.
  9. Integrate holistic care to a diverse population in a variety of healthcare settings.

Program Outcomes

  • Document .pdfRN-BSN Online Completion


    Program outcomes data for RN–BSN online completion

    Download

Attend an RN-BSN Program Online Information Session

part of Healthcare Worker Wednesday at Mercy College

Learn more or sign up for the next online session

Career Outlook

Employment Growth

Overall job opportunities for Registered Nurses are expected to be excellent, but may vary by employment and geographic setting. Employment of RNs is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2020. In fact, registered nurses are projected to generate approximately 711,900 new jobs, among the largest number of new jobs for any occupation.

Admission Requirements

Verification documentation of an active and unencumbered RN license.

Submit all official transcripts of previous coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a conferred Associate degree in nursing, or diploma in nursing, from a program accredited by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) (formerly NLNAC), or the Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA).

See conditional admission criteria if you are a graduate of a non-accredited nursing program.

Conditional Admission
Graduates of non-regionally accredited nursing programs seeking admission to the RN to BSN completion program must complete the following to ensure that standards set forth by ACEN and/or CNEA have been met:

  1. Office of Admissions will send requests to the RN to BSN Completion Program Director.
  2. Students must successfully complete NUR 304 and NUR 324 with a grade of “C” or better.
  3. Admission will be granted to qualified candidates on a “space available” basis.

Block Credit
Applicants may receive blocked credit for a previously earned college degree or diploma from an accredited program. The Office of Student Records will review the transcript and determine the number of blocked credit hours that will be granted ranging from 32- 39 credit hours for previous nursing coursework in an associate degree or diploma program.