Introduction
The RN to BSN program is designed to provide Registered Nurses the opportunity to obtain a Bachelor in Science Degree in Nursing in preparation for professional leadership and career enhancement. Acceptance and validation of credits will be gained through performance in specified courses.
This program builds upon previous education and experiences of Registered Nurses and features personalized advisement, support and convenient course scheduling, allowing students to continue to work while they pursue their educational objectives.
Admitted students meet with a faculty advisor who will help them develop a plan of study that is based on their individual transcripts. Most of our students shorten their plan of study by transferring prerequisite and elective courses from other accredited colleges and universities, challenging courses, holding a nursing certification, and/or through prior learning assessments.
Students must complete 40 credit hours at the College. Although most of our RN to BSN students work full-time and choose to take classes on a part-time basis, some students opt to be full-time students. All students must complete the program of study within five years of beginning upper division nursing courses.
Additional Program Requirements
This program has additional program-specific admissions requirements, click here for the listing.
Program Accreditation
The Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530 Washington, DC 20036, Phone: 202-887-6791). The pre-licensure BSN program has received preliminary approval by the Virginia Board of Nursing (6603 West Broad St., 5th Floor, Richmond, VA 23230-1712, Phone 804-662-9909)
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the RN to BSN program will be able to:
1. Synthesize current knowledge from nursing science, the humanities, social and natural sciences into nursing practice.
2.Provide comprehensive nursing care utilizing critical thinking skills through application of the nursing process.
3. Practice within the ethical, legal, and regulatory frameworks of nursing and standards of professional practice, demonstrating accountability for nursing practice.
4. Utilize teaching and learning processes to promote and maintain health.
5. Model caring, culturally competent behaviors in the delivery of comprehensive nursing care.
6. Integrate effective communication skills consistent with the roles of the professional nurse.
7. Apply leadership, management and learning theories to enhance the development of nursing practice in the diverse context of healthcare delivery
8. Coordinate the delivery of comprehensive healthcare by demonstrating leadership in collaboration with other disciplines.
9. Incorporate contemporary technology into nursing practice.
10. Incorporate evidence-based findings from nursing and health-related research to improve health outcomes.
11. Examine the impact of social, economic, legal and political factors on nursing and the health care system.
12. Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning and professional development.
Prerequisites
· Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing
· RN Licensure (Virginia)
Transfer Credit
We will award 54 credit hours for courses you took in your AD or diploma program. RN to BSN students receive credit for their basic nursing preparation. This works by a process of knowledge validation that is linked to completion of three specific courses with a grade of "C” or better.
- Students who successfully complete NSG 318 - Assessment of Human Responses to Illness, will be awarded 12 advanced placement credits for anatomy and physiology and microbiology. This means that you will not have to repeat your basic science courses at JCHS.
- Students who successfully complete NSG 315 - Health, Health Promotion and Framework for Practice, will be awarded 12 advanced placement credits for psychology, human growth and development, sociology and ethics, meaning that these courses will not be required again for the RN to BSN program.
- Students who successfully complete NSG 420 and 420C - Community Health Nursing and Practicum, will be awarded an additional 30 advanced placement credits in nursing. Transferring courses that were not part of your nursing preparation RN to BSN students often transfer courses from other regionally accredited colleges and universities to meet their general education elective requirements.
Requests for transfer credit must be submitted in writing to the Registrar's office. Official transcripts from the college or university are required before transfer credit is considered.
Challenge Credit
RN to BSN students who did not have specific nutrition and pharmacology classes in their AD or diploma program may wish to challenge these courses. Students are encouraged to do this during their first semester of courses as they serve as prerequisites for certain nursing courses and must be taken if the challenge is not successful.
There is a fee for each challenge exam and the successful student will be charged a fee of $100 per credit hour for these courses. The nursing secretary can help you schedule your exam.
Credit for Certification
Many RN to BSN students hold certifications in specialty areas of nursing practice. The Nursing Department recognizes that certification represents the attainment of significant knowledge in areas of nursing beyond basic practice. Students who certified by one of the following agencies may receive credit for certification.
1. American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
2. American Association of Critical Care Nurses
3. American College of Nurse Midwives Certification Council
4. Association of Rehabilitation Nurses
5. Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists
6. National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses
7. National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties
8. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
A written request for elective credit with evidence of current certification must be submitted to the Department Chair. Students are eligible for only one certification/3 credit elective. Students certified by other agencies may petition for consideration of elective credit.
Policies
Policies (progression and retention. suspension, dismissal, re-admission, graduation) pertaining to students enrolled in the RN to BSN Program are published in the RN to BSN Program Student Handbook. Students have access to the handbook in the RN-BSN Student Blackboard site. A copy is available in the LRC. Copies may also be requested by contacting the Nursing Department Secretary. |
