Overview
RN to BSN Program
Program Handbook
The baccalaureate program of study is further based on sound principles of adult education progressing from simple to complex, familiar to unfamiliar, and general to specific. The Program provides students with the opportunity to achieve program objectives through the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, and competencies necessary to function as professional nurses who meet the healthcare needs of individuals across the lifespan.
Program Learning Outcomes
The following student learning outcomes emphasize Christian values, critical thinking, clinical competence, and professional development:
- Integrate knowledge from nursing and other disciplines as the basis for clinical judgement.
- Apply quality improvement strategies to promote a culture of safety.
- Incorporate evidence-based practice to ensure effective nursing care.
- Use informatics and healthcare technologies to manage and improve the delivery of nursing and health care services.
- Demonstrate leadership strategies within the complex healthcare system to recognize and influence health policies and laws.
- Collaborate in interprofessional partnerships to optimize health.
- Provide health promotion and disease prevention interventions to improve population health outcomes.
- Incorporate professional and ethical behavior, the commitment to lifelong learning, and professional values into nursing practice.
- Provide holistic care to diverse populations across the lifespan.
Admission Requirements
- Verification documentation of an active and unencumbered RN license.
- Submit all official transcripts of previous coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a conferred Associate degree in nursing, or diploma in nursing, from a program accredited by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) (formerly NLNAC), or the Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA).
- See conditional admission criteria if a non-accredited nursing program but the institution is approved/accredited by a recognized accreditor and a regional accrediting organization recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Conditional Admission
Applicants to the RN to BSN completion program from institutions that are accredited as indicated above must complete the following to ensure standards set forth by ACEN and/or CNEA have been met:
- Office of Admissions will send requests to the RN to BSN Completion Program Director for consideration.
- Students must successfully complete NUR 304 and NUR 324 with a grade of “C” or better.
Conditional admission will be granted to qualified candidates based on seat availability. After students successfully complete NUR 304 and NUR 324 with a grade of “C” or better, they are removed from conditional status.
Block Credit
Applicants may receive blocked credit for a previously earned college degree or diploma from an accredited program. The Office of Student Records will review the transcript and determine the number of blocked credit hours that will be granted ranging from 32- 39 credit hours for previous nursing coursework in an associate degree or diploma program.
Degree Requirements
To earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Post-licensure Degree students must complete all college requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree including:
General Education Requirements
Complete All of The Following Courses:
Oral and Written Communication (GCOM) - 6 minimum
Math, Statistics, and Logic (GMSL) - 3 minimum
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSBS) - 6 minimum
Arts, Humanities, Culture, and Diversity (includes Religious Studies) (GAHD/GAHR) - 9 minimum
Note: Mercy College students must complete 2 religious study courses.
Natural Sciences, Technology, and Innovation (GNSI) - 6 minimum
Additional hours from one or more of the above categories - 6 minimum
| BIO 210 | Microbiology | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 36 |
Required Nursing Post-Licensure Program Course Requirements
Complete All of The Following Courses:
| NUR 304 | Transitions in Professional Nursing | 3 |
| NUR 324 | Nursing Informatics | 3 |
| NUR 374 | Population Health Assessment | 3 |
| NUR 384 | Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| NUR 414 | Current Issues in Nursing | 3 |
| NUR 434 | Community Health Nursing | 3 |
| NUR 444 | Global Focused Nursing Care | 3 |
| NUR 494 | Nursing Leadership | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 24 |
Credit Hour Requirements
| Total Required Bachelor of Science General Education Credit Hours |
36 |
| Total Required Nursing – Post-licensure Program Credit Hours |
24 |
| Free Elective Credit Hours |
60 |
| Total Credit Hours for Graduation |
120 |
Students may be required to take additional free elective credits to reach the 120 credit hours required for graduation. Free elective credit may be satisfied through prior coursework and transfer credit. See academic advisor for more details.
To complete college requirements students must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours of 300 to 400 level coursework.
Progression
To progress in the nursing program, a grade of “C” or better is required in all nursing theory, clinical, and laboratory courses, as well as required non-nursing support courses, and required elective hours. Once admitted into the nursing program, a student must maintain an overall cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above. If the GPA falls below 2.0, the student will be dismissed from the nursing program. Additional program progression requirements are available in the program handbook.