This program requires the completion of general education courses and nursing courses. Courses are delivered in an online format.
The RN to BSN degree completion program is a specialized program of study designed specifically for the Registered Nurse (RN) with an Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing. A total of 120 semester credits are required to earn the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.
The mission of the College of Nursing is to provide evidence-based and innovative nursing education to culturally diverse learners; preparing nurses to provide quality and compassionate care that is responsive to the needs of the community and the global society.
RN-BSN Transfer Credit Evaluations
To achieve the graduation requirement of 120 credits, all students must complete 39 credits of general education courses (which may be awarded as Transfer Credit or completed at WCU), 30 credits of Upper-Level Nursing to be completed at WCU and to students who attended an institutionally accredited institution may be awarded 51 transfer credits for an active, unencumbered license. All general education credits must fall into one of the general education category areas below. Students may request to satisfy general education credit requirements through transfer credit per university policy.
- The standard transfer credit evaluation process will be followed for coursework from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, as referenced below.
- Coursework from a non-accredited institution must proceed through the process for Approval of Non-Accredited Institutions. If approved, the standard transfer credit evaluation process will be followed. If an institution is not approved, no transfer credits may be awarded from that institution.
The University does not require programmatic accreditation of a pre-licensure nursing program for transfer credit evaluation if the institution holds institutional accreditation or if the programmatic accreditation is not required by the state where the program was offered.
Official transcripts are required for a transfer credit evaluation to be completed and final credits to be awarded. In addition to official transcripts, copies of course descriptions, school catalogs, and course syllabi may be requested for transfer credit evaluation purposes. Transfer credit evaluations are final and not subject to appeal.
A grade of C- (1.7) or better is required in any general education course in order for transfer credit to be evaluated. Applicants who fail to demonstrate competencies through transcript review are required to complete equivalent course(s) during their program enrollment to meet the graduation requirements. However, where transfer credit is required as part of the admission requirements, a student who is unable to transfer in the required credits will not meet admissions requirements and not be eligible for the program.
Students are advised that not all transfer credit evaluations result in the awarding of the same number of credits, either nursing or general education credits. Transfer credit is in the sole discretion of the receiving institution. All determinations must be made prior to the end of the add drop period, and a lack of determination will also result in the withdrawal of the student. If an institution is not approved, the student will be withdrawn from enrollment. Withdrawals associated with non-approved programs will result in a full refund of all tuition and fees and a cancellation of the enrollment agreement.
Applicants submitting non-U.S. or non-English transcripts should refer to the International Admissions section of the catalog for policies governing translation and evaluation of foreign credentials.
All determinations must be made prior to the start of the term or an evaluation resulting in a non-approved institution result in inadmissibility into the program and a cancellation of the enrollment agreement.
General Education Requirements
Prior to Spring I 2024
| |
RN-BSN General Education Requirements |
|
| Category and Requirements |
WCU Course Requirements |
Transferable / Options |
A1- Written Communication
(3 Semester Credits Minimum)
|
Written communication courses cover the use of writing as a means of conveying information. In these courses, students will utilize discussions, papers, essays, research, etc. to examine, analyze, and transmit information in an appropriate academic or professional manner. (Transferable courses will generally have ENG, JRN, or COM prefix)
|
Any course that meets the General Education category and requirements. |
A2. Oral Communication
(3 Semester Credits Minimum)
|
Oral communication courses cover the use of language and speech as a means of conveying information. In these courses, students will utilize language and speech to disseminate information to audiences as appropriate.
(Transferable courses will generally have SPE, COM, JRN, ENG, or BUS prefix) |
Any equivalent courses that meet the
General Education categorical requirements.
|
A3. Critical Thinking
(3 Semester Credits
Minimum)
|
Critical thinking courses provide the skills necessary to make complex decisions. In these courses, students will utilize complex thinking, logic, and other skills to analyze decision making processes. (Transferable courses will generally have PHI, LOG, or COM prefixes |
Any equivalent courses that meet the General Education categorical requirements.
|
A4. Quantitative Reasoning
(3 Semester Credits Minimum)
|
Quantitative reasoning courses provide the skills to process, analyze, and interpret data. In these courses students will utilize math to solve problems. (Transferable courses generally have MAT or STAT prefixes)
|
Any equivalent courses that meet the
General Education categorical requirements.
|
B1– Social and Behavioral Sciences / Cultural
Diversity, Tradition
(3 Semester Credits Minimum)
|
Social and behavioral science, cultural diversity, and tradition courses cover a broad range of humanities disciplines. Courses in this competency may cover social interactions, human behavior, cultural diversity, aesthetic awareness, art appreciation and creation, history, civic duty, and other areas in the field. (Transferable courses generally have SOC, SSC, PSY, ART, HIS, LIB, ENG, ANT, REL, POL, LNG, CRJ, or related prefixes) |
Any course that meets the General Education category and requirements. |
B2. Life and Physical
Sciences
(4 Semester Credits Minimum)
|
Life and Physical Science courses cover vary disciplines within the scientific field. Courses in this field may cover any scientific discipline within life and physical sciences. (Transferable courses generally have BIO, CHEM, PHYS, ENV, NRM, or SCI prefixes) |
Any course that meets the General Education category and requirements.
|
Effective Spring I 2024
A complete list of General Education Competency Outcome requirements and a complete list of WCU General Education Course Offerings are available on the General Education Page.
| Category and Requirements |
WCU Course Requirements |
Transferable / Options |
| A. Written Communications (3 semester credits minimum) |
Any competency area A WCU course
|
Any college level course meeting competency area A outcomes |
| B. Oral and Interpersonal Communications (3 semester credits minimum) |
Any competency area B WCU course |
Any college level course meeting competency area B outcomes |
| C. Critical Thinking and Ethical Reasoning (3 semester credits minimum) |
Any competency area C WCU course |
Any college level course meeting competency area C outcomes |
| D. Quantitative Literacy (3 semester credits minimum) |
Any competency area D course |
Any college level course meeting competency area D outcomes |
| E. Social and Behavioral Sciences Awareness (3 semester credits minimum) |
Any competency area E WCU course
|
Any college level course meeting competency area E outcomes |
| F. Historical, Cultural, and Aesthetic Recognition (3 semester credits minimum) |
Any competency area F WCU course |
Any college level course meeting competency area F outcomes |
| G. Scientific Reasoning (4 semester credits minimum) |
Any competency area G WCU course |
Any college level course meeting competency area G outcomes |
If a post-licensure nursing student cannot provide appropriate documentation evidencing general education transfer credit eligibility at the time of enrollment, the student will be scheduled for General Education classes at West Coast University.
*As of April 2019, this course will be delivered online, asynchronously, through the institution's Learning Management System except where otherwise authorized by the Program Dean/Director.
RN to BSN Online Curriculum
Applicants who have successfully completed a pre-licensure nursing program and who have an active, unencumbered license may be awarded up to 90 credit hours of transfer credit. The transfer credit is comprised of up to 51 credits awarded for lower level nursing and an unencumbered license and up to 39 general education credits. Applicants who fail to demonstrate competencies through transcript review are required to complete equivalent course(s).
Students who request transfer credits for courses must submit sealed official transcripts to the Registrar’s Office from originating institutions prior to their first day of class. If students are unable to submit transcripts or transcripts are unavailable at admission, students may submit unofficial transcripts by the first day of the student's first course. Official transcripts must be received by the end of the first term In addition to official transcripts, copies of course descriptions, school catalogs, and course syllabi may be requested for evaluation purposes. All nursing transferred courses in which a grade of B- or better was received will be evaluated for transfer credit. A grade of C- (1.7) or better is required in general education courses.
RN to BSN (Online) Progression Requirements
- An active, unencumbered license is required for degree completion and will be verified throughout the program.
- All course and clinical educational program requirements must be successfully completed to meet graduation requirements. All course and practicum requirements are published in the course syllabi and expanded upon in the Post-Licensure Nursing Student Handbook. Students will have access to course syllabi one week prior to the term start date. Students will have access to the Post-Licensure Nursing Student Handbook after acceptance into the nursing program.
- Students in good standing are required to meet the academic progression standards as stated in the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy. Failure to meet the SAP standards will result in dismissal from the nursing program.
- Students in the RN-BSN program must earn a B- or better in all 400 level or below post-licensure nursing courses. Students will be required to repeat any 400 level or below nursing course for which they scored less than a "B-" the next term the course is offered. Students in the RN-BSN program must earn a B or better in all 500 or 600 level post-licensure nursing courses. Students will be required to repeat any course for which they scored less than a "B" the next term the course is offered. Probationally admitted students are required to adhere to the Probational Admission Policy. Fully admitted students who receive a third non-passing grade in a nursing course will be dismissed from the nursing program. A grade of C- (1.7) or better is required in general education courses.
- Student Conduct from a Clinical Site.
- Students in clinical sites will be held to the University’s Student Conduct Code. Incidents reported to the student’s Program Dean will be reported to the Campus Director of Student Affairs for investigation and potential adjudication and disciplinary sanctions.
| BSNR 300 | Principles of Leadership for Healthcare Organizations | 3 |
| BSNR 305 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| BSNR 310 | Resiliency, Professionalism, & Career-Long Learning | 3 |
| BSNR 315 | Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| BSNR 400C | Community & Public Health Nursing I | 3 |
| BSNR 405C | Community & Public Health Nursing II | 3 |
| BSNR 410C | Health Literacy & Nursing Capstone | 3 |
| MSNC 500 | Nursing Roles in Policy, Ethics, & Finance | 3 |
| MSNC 510 | Advanced Nursing Technologies & Collaborative Care | 3 |
| MSNC 515 | Health Promotion and Disease Management | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 30 |
Credit Distribution
Required at WCU
|
30.0
|
Awarded for college-level, General Education courses
|
39.0
|
Awarded for Unencumbered RN Licensure and lower-level nursing courses
|
51.0
|
| Degree Total
|
120.0
|