RN to BSN Overview
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing program may be just right for those registered professional nurses who hold an associate degree or diploma in nursing and a current license to practice in their state of residence and want to quickly move up to the next level.
The curriculum recognizes past college coursework in nursing by awarding advanced standing. In addition, some general college education credits may transfer. For your convenience, our BSN program is available online. Busy working RNs can now advance their education in a unique, professional setting with masters and a doctor prepared faculty.
The BSN Nursing education program is accredited by the:
National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission,
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850,
Atlanta, GA 30325.
(404) 975-5000
For more information about this program, please see the program description in the University Catalog. RN to BSN Program Description
What You Can Learn in RN to BSN
With our BSN Nursing program, you can learn how to:
- Lead and manage for innovation.
- Promote physically safe and healthy environments.
- Read, critique, and apply research to practice.
- Solve problems using critical thinking and evidence-based practice.
- Apply legal and ethical concepts and theory to improve professional practice.
- Incorporate issues and trends in nursing into current practice.
- Advance your career by selecting an elective that allows you to investigate nursing roles in education, informatics, or case management.
Where You Can Go In RN to BSN
The BSN-prepared graduate is eligible for roles in leadership and management, community health, informatics, and specialty bedside practice. Nurses holding a BSN degree may pursue advanced life-long learning opportunities that may lead to specialized practice
Degree Objectives
Program Purpose
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (RN to BSN) will provide a smooth transition for Registered Nurses furthering their education and careers. Advanced standing credits may be awarded for past nursing course work. The program is delivered full-time over 45-weeks in an online format, with one required campus meeting.
Program objectives include:
Nurses who study for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (RN to BSN) learn leadership and management concepts that prepare them to manage nursing operations in many kinds of healthcare facilities. They learn to use advanced technologies and techniques to provide care to patients and their families, and they contribute to the nursing profession by mentoring other nurses. Students learn to share their knowledge and skills in educational roles. They learn current, advanced nursing techniques, and they develop an advanced understanding of human anatomy and pathophysiology.
The RN to BSN program builds on the fundamental knowledge and skills acquired in associate degree and diploma nursing programs. The BSN graduate is prepared to care for individuals as well as families, groups and communities The BSN graduate will be prepared to serve in the roles of healthcare leader, care manager, community collaborator, and contributor to the profession of nursing. Students are also prepared to continue their nursing studies at a graduate level upon successful completion of the program.
Program Requirements
- High School Diploma or GED
- Admissions test with passing score – RN to BSN Applicants are Exempt from this
Other Requirements:
The Nursing program requires applicants to have an associate degree or diploma in nursing from a state board of nursing approved registered nurse program. All applicants must hold a valid, unencumbered license to practice registered professional nursing in their state of residence, and have a 2.5 GPA or better in the past nursing program. Students who do not meet the 2.5 GPA requirement may apply for admission to the Nursing program on a provisional status. Upon successful completion of the first semester of the nursing curriculum, a student may apply for a change of status from provisional admission to the full admission.
Core Curriculum
| DEGREE | Bachelor of Science |
|---|---|
| PROGRAM | Health Science |
| CONCENTRATION | Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
| SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS | 120 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG 110 | College Composition I | 3 | |
| ENG 120 | Advanced Composition | 3 | |
| BIO 111/L | Anatomy & Physiology I (with Lab) | 4 | |
| BIO 116/L | Anatomy & Physiology II (with Lab) | 4 | |
| BIO 105/L | Microbiology (with Lab) | 4 | |
| CHM 115/L | General Chemistry (with Lab) | 4 | |
| HLT 101 | Nutrition | 3 | |
| SOC 101 | Introductory Sociology | 3 | |
| PSY 105 | Introductory Psychology | 3 | |
| PSY 300 | Human Growth & Development | 3 | |
| MTH 131 | College Algebra | 3 | |
| MTH 140 | Statistics | 2 | |
| COM 110 | Principles of Communication | 3 | |
| HUM 205 | Culture & Diversity | 3 | |
| ECO 201 | Macroeconomics | 3 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSA 128 | Computer Applications | 2 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NUR 150 | Pharmacology I | 4 | |
| NUR 163 | Concepts of Nursing II | 3 | |
| NUR 241 | Medical Surgical Nursing I | 5 | |
| NUR 245 | Acute Care Nursing | 5 | |
| NUR 242 | Maternal/Newborn Nursing | 4 | |
| NUR 243 | Parent/Child Nursing | 4 | |
| NUR 267 | Psychiatric Nursing | 4 | |
| NUR 271 | Dimensions in Nursing | 4 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NUR 301 | Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice | 3 | |
| NUR 320 | Nursing Research & Evidence-based Practice | 3 | |
| NUR 330 | Pathophysiology | 3 | |
| NUR 331 | Health Assessment | 3 | |
| NUR 380 | Critical Thinking & Clinical Reasoning in Nursing | 3 | |
| NUR 401 | Nurse as Educator | 3 | |
| NUR 420 | Community Health Nursing | 3 | |
| NUR 420L | Community Health Nursing Practicum | 1 | |
| NUR 422 | Managing Crisis in the Community | 3 | |
| NUR 430 | Leading & Managing for Innovation | 3 | |
| NUR 452 | Senior Practicum | 3 | |
| NUR 490 | Nursing Capstone | 2 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NUR 431 | Simulations in Nursing | 3 | |
| NUR 440 | Introduction to Nursing Informatics | 3 | |
| NUR 451 | Case Management | 3 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
1The certifications listed in the "Potential Certifications" column are the actual certification exams that students may be prepared to take following achievement of student learning outcomes from a course or a set of courses. Some certifications may require additional outside preparation prior to taking the exams; and receipt of one or more certifications is not guaranteed. Students are strongly encouraged to take all appropriate certification examinations for their program of study. To facilitate student access to the certifications, ECPI offers its students access to the certification exams at a significant discount. Some programs may require the student to obtain one or more certifications as part of the curriculum.
Future Possible Careers for This Program
| 51.3801 | Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | |
|---|---|---|
| 11-9111.01 | Clinical Nurse Specialists | |
| 29-1111.00 | Registered
Nurses |
|
| 29-1111.01 | Acute
Care Nurses |
|
| 29-1111.03 | Critical
Care Nurses |
|
Success
Time frame: July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 Award Year 2011-12
Q
How long will it take to complete this program?
A
The program is designed to take 12 months to complete.
45% of graduates from this program finish in this time.*
The median time for graduates to complete this program is 15 months.*
Q
What percentage of students that graduated got jobs?
A
The following are the employment rates as reported to the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) for the 2009-2010 period.
- Virginia Beach, VA – 100%*
- Newport News, VA – 100%*
*Newer program with a small number of graduates
Cost
Q
What is the total cost of this program for me?
A
At ECPI University, programs are competitively priced and are designed to help you achieve your goals. Through our year-round schedule, you could earn your Bachelor's degree in 2.5 years. That can give you the edge over students at other colleges who might still be attending class.
| Program Cost/Tuition Chart | |
|---|---|
| Books & Supplies | $1,046.00 |
| Tuition and Fees | $33,140.00 |
| Total Tuition | $36,525.00 |
Foundation course requirements can result in additional costs and increase the time to graduation. Actual cost may vary depending on actual time to graduate, and subject to any necessary tuition increases. (for all programs and schools)
Financing
Time frame: July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 Award Year 2011-12.
Q
What are my financing options to pay for the program?
A
In addition to any grant and scholarship aid for which they are eligible, graduates used loans to finance their education. The median debt for program graduates is:
| Loan Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal Median Loans | $34,758.00 |
| Private Median Loans | $0.00 |
| Institutional Median Loans | $0.00 |
