Dec 13, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing, R.N. to B.S.N.


Available exclusively in a fully-online format.

The registered nurse to Bachelor of Science in nursing RN to BSN provides career mobility for the registered nurse. The coursework blends scientific and humanistic theories with nursing theories to provide graduates with a foundation for professional nursing practice. Graduates are prepared to function in primary, secondary, and tertiary care settings and in roles that are dependent, interdependent, or independent according to the level of care required. They are able to lead and influence colleagues and coworkers for the enhancement of their knowledge and skills, thereby effecting change to promote quality nursing care for clients in any health setting. The Bachelor of Science in nursing BSN is designed to provide a foundation for higher degree programs in nursing.

Special opportunities for our students: The RN to BSN provides career mobility for R.N.s who need the high flexibility that distance education can provide. Students are eligible for awards including membership in Sigma Theta Tau Rho Theta Chapter (honor society for nursing).

Accreditation: The RN to BSN track is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Admission requirements: To be admitted to the program, an applicant must:

  • Be fully admitted to NKU as a degree-seeking student.
  • Submit to the Office of Admissions:
    • Official transcripts from an associate degree or diploma program in nursing.
    • Official transcripts from all postsecondary work completed.
  • Hold current, unrestricted RN licensure within first semester of admission to RN-BSN track.  Proof of R.N. licensure in state of practice is mandatory prior to enrollment in any nursing course.

Admitted students must:

  1. Complete Introduction to Statistical Methods (STA 205  OR STA 205R ) prior to enrolling in NRP 472 , Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice.
  2. Complete one full year of anatomy and physiology with labs (BIO 208 , BIO 208L , BIO 209 , BIO 209L ) and Microbiology for Health Professionals with Laboratory (BIO 202 /BIO 202L ) prior to enrolling in NRP 476 Impact of Genetics and Genomics on Health (2 credits) .
  3. Complete the following courses with a minimum grade of C in each course prior to graduation.
    1. One full year of English composition (ENG 101  and ENG 102 ).
    2. Introduction to Psychology (PSY 100 ).
    3. Lifespan Development - OR - Human Growth and Development (PSY 321  – OR – EDU 300 ).
    4. Health Care Ethics - OR - Ethics (PHI 220  – OR – PHI 200 ).
  4. Meet all requirements for a bachelor’s degree as stated in this catalog.

NKU College of Health and Human Services policies:

Progression: To progress in the RN to BSN track, students must achieve a grade of C or higher in all required nursing and support courses. Students withdrawing from the nursing program for any reason are requested to have an exit interview with the program director or faculty advisor. Students may repeat only one semester of nursing.

You should also know: Students entering the RN to BSN track may have transfer credit hours that will satisfy some of the requirements of the program. Additionally, you are eligible to receive credits for prior learning through the NCLEX exam in the Industrial Credentials program.  Your adviser can tell you more about this program.

Degree Requirements (78 credits)


♦  Indicates prerequisite.

Health Care Industry Certification Examinations - NCLEX-RN


A requirement for admission to the RN to BSN track is an active registered nursing license. In order to obtain a nursing license nurses must take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Since 1994 the NCLEX has been a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States. The examination is developed and owned by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN). The NCSBN administers these examinations on behalf of its member boards which consist of the boards of nursing in all 50 states. Scores for passing the exam are issued to the board of nursing. The blueprint testing plan for the exam is updated every three years to reflect current, entry-level nursing competency. Validation for passing the exam will be to verify a current license with the state board of nursing in which the student is licensed.

To assure content validity a testing plan is developed every three years. The test plan is reviewed and approved by the NCLEX Examination Committee. They use recent practice analysis of registered nurses, expert opinions of the Examination Committee, NCSBN content staff, and boards of nursing (NCSBN’s Member Boards) to ensure that the test plan is consistent with state nurse practice acts. A thorough and comprehensive listing of content for each client needs category and subcategory is outlined in the test plan (2019 Detailed NCLEX-RN Testing Plan.)

Based on the above information 23 credit hours are available with proof of licensure for RN to BSN students. These credits are for students needing credits to meet the requirement of 120 credits to graduate.

EXAMINATION

PRE-REQUSITE

MINIMUM SCORE

EQUIVALENT NKU COURSES

SEMESTER CREDITS

Active registered nursing license via NCLEX.

ADN or Diploma

Pass

  • NRS 330 Principles of Psych& Mental Health Nursing (3)
  • NRS 330P Psych& Mental Health Nursing Practicum (2)
  • NRS 360 Principles of OB& Newborn Nursing (3)
  • NRS 360P OB& Newborn Nursing Practicum (2)
  • NRS 415 Principles of Pediatric Nursing (3)
  • NRS 415P Pediatric Nursing Practicum (2)
  • NRS 450 Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing (3)
  • NRS 450P Advanced Medical-Surgical Practicum (2)
  • SCI 100 G (3)

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