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 across the Commonwealth, country and world.

RN to BSN Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate nursing program the BSN graduate will:

1. Graduates will apply integrated nursing knowledge, clinical judgment, and evidence‑based practice to provide safe, quality care across the lifespan. 

2. Graduates will provide evidence based, person-centered care to support shared decision making and optimize health outcomes across the lifespan.

3. Graduates will apply population health principles to promote health, prevent disease, and improve outcomes.

4.  Graduates will engage in scholarly inquiry and integrate best evidence into nursing practice.

5.  Graduates will apply quality improvement principles and safety standards to enhance care processes, minimize risk, and improve client outcomes.

6.  Graduates will collaborate with interprofessional teams to enhance client and population health, emphasizing communication, teamwork, and systems-based practice to deliver quality care across the continuum.

7.  Graduates will evaluate systems-based principles to coordinate resources and support safe, quality care within healthcare environments.

8.  Graduates will utilize informatics and healthcare technologies to support clinical decision making, enhance communication, and improve client care.

9.  Graduates will demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and ethical responsibility, upholding legal, regulatory, and professional standards to ensure person-centered care.

10.  Graduates will appraise their personal and professional development to foster self-care and lifelong learning.

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 regionally accredited school and an 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

Major

¹

Waived for students who hold an associate's degree in nursing, however students may be required to complete additional coursework to meet the minimum requirement of 120 hours for a bachelor's degree.

²

Upon admission to the RN to BSN track and a current, valid, unencumbered RN license from an approved state, credit for prior learning will be granted for NSC 330 Clinical Drug Therapy, NSC 332/NSC 332L Health Assessment and Promotion II/Lab, NSC 350 Pathophysiology, NSC 380/NSC 380C Adult Health Nursing I/Clinical, NSC 386/NSC 386C Adult Health Nursing II/Clinical, NSC 392/NSC 392C Mental Health Nursing/Clinical, NSC 396/NSC 396C Family Health Nursing, NSC 484/NSC 484C Adult Health Nursing III/Clinical (39 credit hours)

E

Course also satisfies an Essential Education element. 3 hours are included within the Essential 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.

Key:

E

Course satisfies an Essential Education element.

*

Course must be taken in semester indicated.

Upper division courses: All students are required to have a minimum of 39 hrs. upper division (300-level or above) courses distributed throughout Major/Supporting/Essential Ed/Free Electives categories.

R.N. to B.S.N. Pathway