R.N. to B.S.N. Pathway, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)
The baccalaureate nursing program is based upon the belief that preparation for professional nursing encompasses a broad liberal, general, and professional education. The mission of the School of Nursing is to educate nurses at the Associate, Baccalaureate, Masters and Doctorate levels who work in inter-professional environments to promote health and well-being for diverse populations across the Commonwealth, country and world.
RN to BSN Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the baccalaureate nursing program the BSN graduate will:
- Demonstrate self-care, professionalism, accountability, and competence in nursing practice with a commitment to advancing the profession of nursing and respecting clients’ rights to self-direction and decision-making.
- Synthesize communication, collaboration, critical thinking, research, leadership, and teaching/learning knowledge when functioning as a leader or member of an intra/inter-professional health care team.
- Evaluate safe effective, quality health care for complex clients.
- Examine the impact of ethical and legal issues on complex health care and nursing practice.
- Use the nursing process, evidence- based nursing practice, critical thinking, research methodologies, informatics, and health care technology to provide therapeutic interventions across levels of prevention, predict outcomes, and influence the care of patients with complex health problems.
- Synthesize knowledge of systems including sociopolitical, cultural, and epidemiologic systems, and health care economics when analyzing complex care situations.
- Advocate for improved care for complex care patients.
Admission and Progression Requirements (RN-BSN)
The School of Nursing offers the opportunity for Associate Degree registered nurses to earn a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Admission requirements include an Associate Degree in Nursing from a program accredited by ACEN or NLN CNEA (or 3 year diploma program), and a RN license from an approved state that is free and unrestricted, meaning that it has not been subject to reprimand, revocation, probation, suspension, restriction, limitation, disciplinary action, discretionary review/hearing or encumbrance nor had any type of complaint filed against it.
Protocol for Accepting RN-BSN Students as General Education Certified
Eastern Kentucky University will consider all RN-BSN applicants, who are currently licensed nurses with professional work experience, as General Education certified based on the following standards:
- Applicants will have completed an associate degree for which they have earned a minimum of fifteen (15) General Education credit hours.
- Applicants will have taken and passed the NCLEX RN licensure exam. Competencies demonstrated by this exam are sufficient to satisfy certain General Education competencies.
- Applicants have practical experiential learning that can be applied to the General Education competencies.
Note: Must have 120 total credit hours to complete BSN
Transfers from Other Colleges and Universities
Academic credits earned at other accredited colleges or universities are transferable upon approval of the appropriate department at Eastern Kentucky University. Official transcripts are to be submitted by the student to the Office of the Registrar. Credits more than eight years old must be approved.
Transfer students must submit copies of all transcripts along with their application to the program. These transcripts will be considered a part of the application process and are necessary to determine admission and placement.
Students wishing to transfer nursing courses from another accredited institution must have a grade equivalent of “C”/2.0 or better in any nursing course to be transferred. In addition, the applicant must submit complete course outlines and/or syllabi. This material should be submitted well in advance of expected matriculation to provide time for necessary evaluation.
Program Requirements
CIP Code: 51.3801
Summary Checklist for General Education
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Element 1 | ||
| A: Written Communication | 3 | |
| B: Written Communication | 3 | |
| C: Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Element 2 | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Element 3 | ||
| A: Arts | 3 | |
| B: Humanities | 3 | |
| Element 4 | ||
| Natural Sciences | 6 | |
| Element 5 | ||
| A: Historical Science | 3 | |
| B: Social Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| Element 6 | ||
| Diversity of Perspectives Experiences | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Students are expected to complete Elements 1 and 2 within their first 60 hours of college credit.
Major
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Graduation Requirements | ||
| General Education | 36 | |
| Student Success Seminar | ||
| HSO 100 | Student Success Seminar (waived for transfers with 30+ hrs.) | 1 |
| Upper division courses (42 hrs. distributed throughout Major/Supporting/Gen Ed/Free Electives categories) | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| NSC 381 | Perspectives in Professional Nursing I | 3 |
| NSC 383 | Perspectives in Professional Nursing II | 3 |
| 19 hours upon completion of NSC 385: | 19 | |
| NSC 385 | Perspectives in Professional Nursing III 1 | 4 |
| NSC 390W | Research for EBNP | 2 |
| NSC 440 | Leadership and Management | 3 |
| NSC 442 | Complex Health Systems | 3 |
| NSC 442C | Complex Health Systems | 2 |
| NSC 445 | Professional Role Transitions | 2 |
| NSC 486 | RN Public Health Nursing | 3 |
| NSC 386C | Adult Health Nursing II | 3 |
| Supporting Course Requirements | ||
| Choose one from the following: | 0-3 | |
| Social Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Reasoning (Element 2) G | ||
| Applied Statistics (Element 2) G | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| Choose from 36-39 hours of free electives | 36-39 | |
May be met with previous Associate Nursing degree courses. | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
Upon successful completion of NSC 385 Perspectives in Professional Nursing III, the RN is granted credit for NSC 380 Adult Health Nursing I, NSC 380C Adult Health Nursing I Clinical, NSC 386 Adult Health Nursing II, NSC 386C Adult Health Nursing II, NSC 484 Adult Health Nursing III, and NSC 484C Adult Health III Clinical (19 hrs.).
- G
Course also satisfies a General Education element. Hours are included within the 36 hr. General Education requirement above.
Specific Degree Requirements for Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree
In addition to the general requirements for the baccalaureate degree, students must earn a grade of “C”/2.0 or better in all nursing and supporting courses.