RN to BSN Program

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Mission Statement

The mission of the RN to BSN Program at the Southside College of Health Sciences is to educate nurses who embrace the role of the professional nurse as progressive and innovative leaders in an increasingly complex and technological society.

Program Objective

The RN-BSN degree completion program provides a flexible, affordable and practical learner-centered pathway for registered nurses to acquire the academic knowledge and skills necessary to advance in their profession and practice to the fullest extent of their education and training. Attainment of program and course outcomes leads to an enhanced ability to provide care to diverse populations with complex healthcare needs.

Admission Criteria

• High school diploma or GED (General Equivalency Diploma)
• Graduate of an accredited nursing program (e.g. ACEN, CCNE, NLN) leading to an associate degree or hospital diploma
• Unrestricted registered nursing license in the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Two (2) professional recommendation questionnaires; one from an employer or faculty member
• Applicants who are not a U.S. citizen by birth must provide immigration or citizenship documentation (the school does not participate in the SEVIS program)
• Completion of college courses below from an accredited institution with “C” or better and minimum 2.5 GPA (Grade Point Average).
  • Anatomy & Physiology I (w/lab) – 4 credits
  • Anatomy & Physiology II (w/lab) – 4 credits
  • Microbiology (w/lab) – 4 credits
  • Chemistry (w/lab) – 4 credits
  • Nutrition – 3 credits
  • English Composition I – 3 credits
  • English Composition II – 3 credits
  • Intro/general Psychology – 3 credits
  • Developmental Psychology – 3 credits
  • Statistics – 3 credits
  • Sociology – 3 credits
  • Fine Arts – 3 credits
  • Humanities – 3 credits
  • Ethics– 3 credits
  • Total number of transfer credits – 46 credits
• 36 life/work experience credits awarded

Classes Begin

January 2020

3 Semesters Online Program

Application Deadline

October 15, 2019
Early acceptance and completion of admission requirements by October 1 will qualify student for a one-time $200 reduction of tuition/fees.

RN-BSN Program Outcomes

At the completion of the program, students will:

• Synthesize knowledge and theories from liberal arts, sciences and the nursing profession to deliver high quality nursing care for individuals, communities, and populations across the lifespan. (Essential I)
• Apply critical thinking, decision making, and clinical reasoning skills in providing quality nursing care. (Essential II)
• Practice nursing based on inquiry and evidence-based practice methods. (Essential III)
• Utilize information systems and patient care technology to improve nursing practice, enhance decision making and deliver high quality patient-centered care. (Essential IV)
• Apply leadership skills and knowledge of the healthcare, financial, and regulatory systems to advance high quality, safe professional practice. (Essential V)
• Provide leadership within the discipline of nursing and interprofessionally through education, communication, and collaboration to improve practice and patient health outcomes. (Essential VI)
• Demonstrate proficient nursing care by using evidence-based practices to guide health education to promote health, prevent disease and injury, and manage illness across the lifespan. (Essential VII)
• Integrate professional values and ethical, moral, and legal aspects of nursing into practice. (Essential VIII)
• Demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge and translate research evidence in the management of acute and chronic conditions to promote high quality patient outcomes. (Essential IX)

Program of Studies

	Course Number	Course Name	Credit Hours	Theory Hours	Skills Lab	Clinical Hours	Simulation Hours
Semester 1
1st 8 weeks	RNURS300	Transition to Professional Nursing	3	45	0	0	0
	RNURS310	Information Management in Nursing	3	45	0	0	0
2nd 8 weeks	RNURS315	Critical Inquiry- Research in Nursing	3	45	0	0	0
	RNURS325	Advanced Assessment and Health Promotion	3	60	0	0	0
		Semester Totals	13	195	0	0	0
Semester 2
1st 8 weeks	RNURS400	Resource Acquisition and Management	3	45	0	0	0
	RNURS410	Gerontological Nursing	3	45	0	0	0
2nd 8 weeks	RNURS415	Interprofessional Teamwork and Communication	3	45	0	0	0
	RNURS420	Community Health Nursing & Case Management	5	60	0	45	0
		Semester Totals	13	195	0	45	0
Semester 3
1st 8 weeks	RNURS425	Leadership in Nursing Practice	5	75	0	0	0
2nd 8 weeks	RNURS430	Professional Nursing Synthesis	6	30	0	180	0
		Semester Totals	11	105	0	180	0
Program Totals			38	495	0	225	0