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:
- Two three credit courses offered in every seven-week session. Two five-credit courses are offered in a full 15-week semester.
- 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. Most courses are offered in seven week sessions. This takes an average of four to five semesters to complete.
A 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 health care organization. Students may need to complete a clinical clearance process depending on agency requirements.
Admission Requirements
Applicants for the program must submit the following:
- Licensed as a Registered Nurse
- Complete an application to the RN to BSN program FT or PT
- Original transcripts; GPA 2.5 or greater
- 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 Accelerated Full-Time
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.
A 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 health care organization. Students may need to complete a clinical clearance process depending on agency requirements. 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.