Nursing (RN-to-BSN), BSN

Department of Health and Community Studies, Woodring College of Education

45 credits

Introduction

The Nursing (RN-to-BSN), BSN degree is a BSN completion program that includes 45 upper division credits to be completed at WWU. As an exclusively transfer degree at this time, it builds on and provides credit for previous GUR and nursing credits completed in an Associate Degree Pre-licensure program along with WWU credits.

The RN-to-BSN program is specifically designed for nurses who have completed an Associate’s or Diploma nursing program, have their RN license already or who will take the NCLEX-RN exam and are successfully licensed as a Registered Nurse by the end of their 2nd quarter of study. It has been designed to meet the most recent AACN Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (2008) through a collaborative career pathway that incorporates both prior learning from your pre-licensure nursing education along with RN-to-BSN course work. It is structured with classes meeting one day per week in order to allow returning nurses to balance their continued professional education along with ongoing work and personal responsibilities.

The innovative 5 quarter program of full-time study (8-9 quarters part-time) will prepare nurses with the professional competencies necessary for the increasing complexities of healthcare. It has been guided by national standards for nursing as well as WWU Student Learning Objectives:

1. AACN Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (2008): http://www.aacn.nche.edu/education-resources/essential-series
2. Quality and Safety Education in Nursing (QSEN) Competencies: http://www.qsen.org/
3. QUAD Council Competencies for Public Health Nursing: http://quadcouncilphn.org
4. WWU General Education Requirements: Student Learning Objectives: http://www.wwu.edu/vpue/gened/index.shtml

WWU RN-to-BSN Program will prepare graduates to:

• Assimilate theories and concepts learned through the sciences and humanities into professional nursing practice.
• Access, appraise and synthesize credibility of varied sources of evidence to inform clinical judgment and organizational decision-making for optimal healthcare delivery.
• Promote a culture of evidence-based practice by integrating clinical expertise and diverse perspectives that support patient-centered care and optimal health outcomes.
• Advocate for access to and delivery of equitable health care services with an understanding of the influences of individual, socio-cultural, legal and policy factors.
• Apply principles of leadership, systems theory, quality improvement, and interdisciplinary communication to promote patient safety and quality care in a variety of settings.
• Advocate for and practice health promotion and disease prevention strategies to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, communities and populations.
• Coordinate the delivery of healthcare services through effective professional communication, patient care technology, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Provide BSN generalist care within the context of evolving professional standards and a commitment to life-long learning.

Why Consider an RN-to-BSN in Nursing?

 

Contact Information

Miller Hall 360-650-6700 bsn.info@wwu.edu

Sample Careers

Community Health Nursing | Public Health Nursing | Outpatient Clinic Services | Leadership and Management | Pathway to graduate programs including Nurse Practitioner

Major/Career Resources

http://www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Admission requirements

• Associate degree (A.D.N.) or diploma in nursing
• Completion of at least 90 transferrable quarter-system credits including the following nursing pre-requisite courses:
  • English Composition (5 credits)
  • Chemistry with lab (5 credits)
  • Anatomy & Physiology with lab (10 credits)
  • Microbiology (5 credits)
  • Life span psychology (5 credits)
  • Statistics (5 credits)
  • Humanities elective (5-10 credits)
• Applicants must show evidence of good academic standing with a grade of 2.0 or higher for each RN-to-BSN program pre-requisite and a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
• Successful completion of NCLEX-RN examination: http://www.ncsbn.org/nclex.htm.
  NOTE: Pre-licensure nursing students may apply if graduating before the RN-to-BSN program start date each year. New graduates may be offered conditional admission pending successful NCLEX examination and RN licensure. Successful completion of the NCLEX examination provides 30 upper-division credits and 15 lower-division elective credits awarded towards the BSN degree only.
• Verification of current licensure to practice as a registered nurse in Washington State.
  NOTE: Applicants licensed in other U.S. sates or in other countries will need to visit the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance (NCQAC) web site for information on how to become licensed in Washington State: www.doh.wa.gov/AboutUs/ProgramsandServices/HealthSystemsQualityAssurance/Nursing

Application process

Priority consideration for program acceptance will be given to applicants submitting all of the following requirements by the priority deadline:

• WWU Transfer Application and non-refundable application fee:
  http://admissions.wwu.edu/transfer/t_instructions.html
• Official transcript from all colleges and universities attended
• Nursing Program Application including goal statement and resume
• Academic and professional references (3)
• FAFSA application submitted by applicable deadline: www.fafsa.ed.gov

Major Declaration Process

Offers of admission to Western Washington University will include a major declaration card that the student must complete and submit to the Nursing Program with acceptance of admission.

Upon Acceptance and Continuation in Nursing Major

• Declaration of all Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended immunizations for Health Care Provider (HCP):
  • Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR)
  • Hepatitis B
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (TD)
  • Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox)
  • Influenza
  • And annual testing for tuberculosis (PPD or IGRA)
• CPR for Health Care Provider
• Conviction/Criminal Background Check
• Malpractice/Liability Insurance
• Personal Health Insurance
• Essential Functions Agreement to maintain nursing professional behaviors for admission, progression and graduation
• Drug Screening
• Additional requirements for clinical practice placement will be completed during the first quarter of the program.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C or better is required for a Nursing student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.