RN to BSN, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (5014)
Program Coordinator
The RN to BSN program is designed for students who are registered nurses (RN) wanting to complete their bachelors degree. Students can be admitted in any semester (fall, spring, or summer) and will complete three semesters of nursing course work (30 hours) with the option to earn additional credit through completion of a portfolio or demonstrating competency in advanced topics. Students must also complete any additional hours needed to meet degree requirements for WKU.
Students admitted pending passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX) will be permitted to enroll in nursing courses for one semester. If unsuccessful on the NCLEX, the student will not be allowed to progress in additional nursing courses until earning the RN licensure.
A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.
Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.
Admission requirements for the RN to BSN program include:
- Be admitted to WKU.
- Hold a completed ASN degree from an accredited college or university.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above for all college course work.
- Complete application by designated date.
- Hold unencumbered RN licensure at the time of application; OR if pending passing the NCLEX will be permitted to enroll in nursing courses for one semester. If unsuccessful on the NCLEX, the student will not be allowed to progress in additional nursing courses until earning the RN licensure.
Curriculum requirements for the RN to BSN program include completion of:
Program Requirements (54-60 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 346 | Health Assessment Skills Across the Lifespan for the Registered Nurse | 3 |
| NURS 347 | Concepts in Pharmacology for the Registered Nurse | 3 |
| NURS 348 | Concepts of Disease for the Registered Nurse | 3 |
| NURS 349 | Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Diverse Populations for the Registered Nurse | 3 |
| NURS 350 | Leadership and Management Concepts for the Registered Nurse | 3 |
| NURS 427 | Introduction to Research and Evidence-Based Practice for the Registered Nurse | 3 |
| NURS 446 | Public Health Concepts for the Registered Nurse | 3 |
| NURS 447 | Application of Public Health Nursing Concepts for the Registered Nurse | 3 |
| NURS 452 | Care of the Critically Ill Patient for the Registered Nurse | 3 |
| NURS 491 | Professional Issues for the Registered Nurse | 3 |
| HMD 211 | Human Nutrition | 3 |
| ENG 300 | Writing in the Disciplines | 3 |
| PSY 220 | Introduction to Lifespan Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| or PSYS 220 | Introduction to Lifespan Developmental Psychology | |
| SWRK 344 | Social Work Statistics and Data Analysis | 3 |
| or PH 383 | Biostatistics in the Health Sciences | |
| Students will need 12-18 hours of Electives or credit earned by Experiential Learning | 12-18 | |
| Electives | ||
| Complementary Health Care | ||
| Local to Global Healthcare Issues | ||
| World History I | ||
or HIST 102 | World History II | |
| Chemistry for the Health Sciences | ||
| Introduction to Literature | ||
Or other Advisor approved electives | ||
| Experiential Credit Options | ||
| Prior Learning Portfolio for Registered Nurses | ||
| Advanced Topics for Registered Nurses | ||
| Total Hours | 54-60 | |
Experiential Credit Options
Portfolio: Students may elect to enroll in NURS 498 for variable credit. This option will allow students to earn credit by completing a professional nursing portfolio under the guidance of faculty. The portfolio will allow the student to demonstrate competency in various program objectives through written exemplars. Enrollment in NURS 498 will require instructor permission. Individual portfolio requirements will be determined by the instructor and student, with the instructor determining the hours of credit to be awarded. No more than 12 total credit hours of NURS 498 may be listed on the student's program.
Verified Credit: Students admitted to the RN to BSN Program may apply to receive credit for successful completion of a nationally recognized specialty certification(s) or designation(s) through a national certification body. Those approved will receive up to six (6) hours of credit for NURS 499 for a single specialty or national certification. To be eligible to receive credit, students must document that they:
*have been admitted to the RN to BSN Program; and
*hold a current nationally recognized specialty certification or designation.
The student must submit an application form to the RN to BSN Program Coordinator, who will review the application and determine the number of NURS 499 hours to credit to the student's program. These hours may not substitute for required courses in the program, and not more than 12 total credit hours of NURS 499 may be listed on the student's program.
This is an accelerated program for students that have already earned an Associate of Science in Nursing.
NURS prefix courses can be completed in one calendar year. Additional WKU degree requirements apply.
| First Year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| NURS 349 | 3 | NURS 452 | 3 | NURS 346 | 3 |
| NURS 350 | 3 | NURS 491 | 3 | NURS 347 | 3 |
| NURS 427 | 3 | NURS 446 | 3 | NURS 348 | 3 |
| NURS 447 | 3 | ||||
| 9 | 12 | 9 | |||
| Total Hours 30 | |||||
For more details and courses offered in the Colonnade General Education program visit the Colonnade website (WKU Colonnade Program | Western Kentucky University).
World Language Requirement: Language Proficiency of novice-high before completing 60 credit hours is required (or completion of 2nd level of a language). Two credits (or equivalent) of a single world language in High School satisfies this WKU requirement.
Total Credit Hours: up to 60 credit hours (30 upper division nursing courses and up to 18 hours experiential credit). Total credit hours and upper-division credit hours needed may vary depending on associate degree requirements and general education credits. Must meet WKU requirements for graduation. Total Credit Hours for Degree: minimum of 120 (credit hours for major, additional general education and upper-division credit hours as needed, portfolio credit and transfer credit hours).