RN to BSN
Program Overview
The RN-BSN Program is designed to allow the Registered Nurse to advance their professional careers. The accelerated full-time program of study option includes:
- Three credit courses offered two classes per week in every seven-week semester. Two five-credit courses are offered in a full 15-week semester.
- The day option meets one day per week and is offered at SEU. A cohort of full-time students at Trinitas School of Nursing/ UCC offers classes in the evening twice per week.
- This option can be completed in one year (three semesters: e.g. Fall, Spring, Summer) depending upon individual academic needs.
Students can also go part-time. This is offered one evening per week. Most courses are offered in seven-week sessions. This takes an average of four to five semesters to complete.
Part-time cohorts are offered on campus at Saint Elizabeth University, and at several off-campus sites:
- Atlantic Health System – Chilton Medical Center, Newton Medical Center
- Carepoint Health Christ Hospital
- St. Joseph Hospital, Paterson
- Trinitas Hospital/Union County College
Most courses are generally scheduled in seven-week sessions, and classes meet just once a week. Accelerated format requires independent work outside of class (integrated learning). Clinical work supplements class time and is selected by students in collaboration with supportive faculty to meet their educational and professional needs. All of the nursing courses can be taken through full or part-time study.
Admission Requirements
Applicants for the program must submit the following:
- Licensed as a Registered Nurse or must pass NCLEX within four months of starting the program;
- Complete an application to the RN to BSN program FT or PT;
- Original transcripts; GPA 2.5 or greater;
- Current health information and immunization;
- Criminal background check.
- Copy of diploma if associate degree completed.
Credit Transfer
- Transcripts will be evaluated for acceptance of general education, lower and upper division requirements. A total of 90 credits may be transferred into Saint Elizabeth University toward the 120 required credits to graduate with a BSN degree.
- In general: All nursing credits are transferred in from Associate Degree Nursing Programs;
- Thirty-four (34) credits are awarded to graduates of diploma programs;
- Provide ACE, CLEP transcripts or any other document pertaining to college credits;
- All International educated nurses must have their education evaluated by World Education Services (WES) or the Commission on Graduates on Foreign Nursing schools (CGFNS) for transfer credits.
Requirements (120 credits)
Requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing for RN to BSN students: (28 credits)
| NURS300 | Writing for Professional Nursing | 3 |
| NURS310 | Concepts & Trends of Prof Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS320 | Communication Methods for Professional Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS330 | Health Assessment Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURS340 | Health Promotion Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURS350 | Evidence Based Research in Professional Nursing Practice for Licensed Nurses | 3 |
| NURS400 | Population Focused Community Health Nursing | 5 |
| NURS420 | Capstone: Strategic Leadership & Management Professional Nursing Practice | 5 |
Lower Division Requirements
Thirty-four (34) credits are awarded to graduates of diploma programs.
All nursing credits are transferred from Associate Degree in Nursing Programs.
All nurses educated in a foreign country must have their education evaluated by the World Education Services (WES) or the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing School for transfer of credits.
Related Requirements (14 credits)
Course Sequence for Upper Division Nursing: RN to BSN Full-Time
The nursing program is offered in a cohort model and each cohort’s schedule may vary due to requirements of the cohort. Students in the RN to BSN program typically take courses in the Winter Intersession and in the Summer to expedite completion. Many cohorts are offered on-site at partner organizations. Students must have an RN license within four months of starting the RN to BSN program.
Each student’s transcripts are individually assessed and an individualized plan is developed based on the accepted credits and cohort the student is entering. The plan outlined here reflects the credits required by the Nursing Major and associated requirements and assumes those are taken at SEU. A total of 120 credits is required for the degree and the last 30 credits should be completed at SEU.
Fall Semester (12 credits)
Session A (7 Weeks)
| NURS300 | Writing for Professional Nursing | 3 |
| NURS310 | Concepts & Trends of Prof Nursing Practice | 3 |
Session B (7 Weeks)
| NURS330 | Health Assessment Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURS350 | Evidence Based Research in Professional Nursing Practice for Licensed Nurses | 3 |
Spring Semester (8 credits)
Session A (7 Weeks)
| NURS340 | Health Promotion Across the Lifespan | 3 |
Full Semester (5 credits)
| NURS400 | Population Focused Community Health Nursing | 5 |
Summer Semester (8 credits)
Full Semester (8 Credits)
| NURS320 | Communication Methods for Professional Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS420 | Capstone: Strategic Leadership & Management Professional Nursing Practice | 5 |
Session A
Course Sequence for Upper Division Nursing: RN to BSN Part-Time
Semester 1 (6 credits)
| NURS300 | Writing for Professional Nursing | 3 |
| NURS310 | Concepts & Trends of Prof Nursing Practice | 3 |
Semester 2 (3 credits)
| NURS330 | Health Assessment Across the Lifespan | 3 |
Semester 3 (6 credits)
| NURS340 | Health Promotion Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURS350 | Evidence Based Research in Professional Nursing Practice for Licensed Nurses | 3 |
Semester 4 (5 credits)
| NURS400 | Population Focused Community Health Nursing | 5 |
Semester 5 (8 credits)
| NURS320 | Communication Methods for Professional Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS420 | Capstone: Strategic Leadership & Management Professional Nursing Practice | 5 |
Comprehensive Capstone Experience
Satisfactory attainment of the outcomes of each academic program is a degree requirement at Saint Elizabeth University. Nursing students meet this requirement by passing the comprehensive capstone experience and through meeting the requirements for NURS420 Strategies for Leadership and Management in Professional Nursing Practice.
The Capstone Project provides the senior baccalaureate nursing student the opportunity to integrate concepts learned in previous courses in the design of a culminating interdisciplinary change project in a clinical setting of their choice. Students work individually or in small groups, collaborating with members of the health team to identify an opportunity for improvement in their healthcare organization. After completion of an organizational assessment, a thorough review of the literature and collection of evidence-based data, the student participates in the development and implementation of a systematic strategy for improvement and change. An oral and a poster presentation of the process of change, its results, and a self-assessment of the role as a leader, advocate and change agent is presented at the end of the semester to SEU faculty, organization staff, and students. This project is used for the comprehensive exam.