Curriculum: RN to BSN Online

Next Term Application Deadline

11.01.2024

Total Credits

27 Core nursing credits

Next Term Starts

01.13.2025

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Program requires the completion of an associate degree program. Have you earned an associate degree?*
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Program requires the completion of a BSN degree program. Have you earned a BSN degree?*
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*This program is now enrolling for Summer 2025.

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Curriculum at a Glance

UC College of Nursing’s RN to BSN Online Program Flexible Course Schedule and Support

Students can choose to complete the RN to BSN online program full time or part time. Full time students can complete the required nine nursing courses in 8 months (two semesters). Part time students can complete the program in either 12 months (three semesters) by taking three courses a semester or 20 months (five semesters) by taking two courses a semester.

For more details, view the Completion Options page.

All courses in UC’s RN to BSN online program last seven weeks (except for the 14-week capstone). The seven-week structure allows you to move through courses at your own pace. Each course is offered six times a year, which means, if you need to drop a course, you can pick it back up again in several weeks and continue your BSN without much delay.

In addition, UC’s RN to BSN online program faculty understand life happens. They offer support throughout your courses to ensure you get the help you need and stay on track in the program.

Option to Minor in Public Health

UC College of Nursing’s RN to BSN online program also offers the option to obtain your minor in Public Health by adding three required courses and three elective courses (18 credit hours) focusing on emerging issues in public health, the social and behavioral aspects of preventing disease, environmental health concepts, the changing U.S health care system and monitoring diseases in the community. One of the required courses and two of the elective courses are fulfilled through completion or RN to BSN Online program courses.

RN to BSN Online General Education Courses

Students complete most of the required general education courses as part of an associate degree program. If you have not already completed some or all of the courses, you are still eligible for admission.

Statistics*
Anatomy & Physiology (1 year)
Microbiology
Psychology and/or Sociology (6 credits)
Freshman English
Intermediate Composition
History Elective
Fine Arts or Humanity Elective
Cultural Diversity Elective

*Must be completed before taking NBSN 4062.

Successful completion of general education courses is required to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Many courses are offered online by UC; the College of Nursing also accepts transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions.
To look up how courses from other institutions transfer to UC, visit the Transfer Equivalency Database.

Learning Objectives

Apply relevant theories from nursing and related natural and behavioral sciences as a foundation for planning holistic care to enhance modify or support population focused health care in various environmental contexts.
Demonstrate clinical judgment while providing holistic care as a member of the interprofessional team in various environmental contexts.
Employ effective communication and collaboration for professional nursing practice utilizing information management and patient care technology.
Demonstrate leadership to effectively implement evidence-based interventions that promote patient safety and quality improvement initiatives within the context of the interprofessional team.
Apply nursing process to address the health of diverse populations in the provision of evidence-based, comprehensive nursing care.
Educate diverse populations in health promotion, disease prevention, maintenance, and health restoration.
Use scholarly inquiry to guide professional practice.
Demonstrate leadership in health policy, advocacy, and management of holistic care.
Apply professional standards of practice incorporating legal, ethical, and resource management.

RN to BSN Online Program Courses

Course	Title / Description	Credit
NBSN 3087	Health Issues of Vulnerable and Marginalized Populations Course: NBSN 3087 Credit: 3 This course provides students with the opportunity to examine the interplay between vulnerability, health status, and healthcare access and quality through an overarching framework of the social determinants of health. Physical, psychological, demographic, environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural issues influencing the health status of and health care delivery to vulnerable populations are examined. Students will develop essential skills needed for self-care, resilience, and working effectively as members of interprofessional teams promoting the health of diverse populations. Students will identify approaches to improve the quality of healthcare delivery and health outcomes for vulnerable and marginalized groups through cultural humility, cultural competence, and empathy.	3
NBSN 4060	Informatics for Professional Nurses Course: NBSN 4060 Credit: 3 This course focuses on the nurse’s role with patients, families, communities, and populations in technology-rich environments. It addresses the use of information science and technology to support patient care and provide leadership within healthcare systems. It focuses primarily on the use of information systems to evaluate plans of care, outcomes of care, and healthcare systems to inform patient safety and quality improvement. Ethical, legal, and financial issues surrounding information systems are also discussed.	3
NBSN 4061	Transition to Baccalaureate Education in Nursing Course: NBSN 4061 Credit: 3 This course explores the evolution of nursing as a profession and emphasizes the foundational knowledge and concepts requisite to transition to baccalaureate education in nursing. Students focus on nursing theory, ethics, legal practice, and professional nursing roles as they examine current issues impacting patient care in contemporary healthcare systems. The role of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), and their influence on healthcare delivery and clinical decision-making will be discussed. Students will engage in self-reflection and goal-setting as they demonstrate a commitment to foster personal health, resilience, well-being, and professional growth and development.	3
	Course: Credit:
NBSN 4062	Scientific Basis for Evidence-Based Practice Course: NBSN 4062 Credit: 3 This course introduces the student to the evidence-based practice process and establishes a foundation for understanding the scientific basis for nursing practice. With an emphasis on practical application, students will engage with credible sources to address pertinent practice questions, critically analyze research findings, and navigate the integration of evidence into practice using evidence-based practice models. Topics such as theory, ethics, and cultural sensitivity when providing evidence-based care for diverse populations will be discussed.	3
NBSN 4065	Nurse as Professional Leader and Manager Course: NBSN 4065 Credit: 3 This course will focus on introducing new concepts, developing new competencies, building upon and reinforcing previously learned knowledge, skills, and attitudes applicable to the leadership role in a constantly changing healthcare environment. Assessment of the student’s current leadership style, including the contribution of emotional competence to leadership effectiveness, is examined and areas for improvement identified. Emphasis is placed on learning strategies that facilitate the application of nursing knowledge in cultivating the concepts of clinical judgment, interprofessional communication, conflict management, evidence-based practice, and ethical and systems-based decision making.	3
NBSN 4067	Gerontological Nursing Practice Course: NBSN 4067 Credit: 3 This course focuses on the role of the nurse in person centered health care for the aging client and family using the nursing process framework. Emphasis is on understanding the unique needs of the aging population. Competencies will focus on strategies for health promotion and wellness in the older adult to promote self-care, while identifying variable responses of the older adult clients. Content will also focus on identifying changes of aging and potential comorbid, acute, and/or chronic conditions while promoting a level of function that facilitates quality of life within the context of diverse environments.	3
NBSN 4068	Capstone Experiences Course: NBSN 4068 Credit: 3 This course is designed as a culminating educational activity in which students synthesize knowledge gained in the RN-to-BSN program through reflection and integration of concepts from all course work. Students’ unique experiences form the context for the development of their capstone project and culminating professional portfolio. Emphasis is on the application of AACN competencies, ANA Standards, the Code of Ethics, person-centeredness, quality outcomes, population health, and evidence-based projects that are meaningful to the student’s learning within today’s complex healthcare systems. Students will utilize the nursing process and defined competencies to demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and attitudes reflective of the baccalaureate prepared nurse in the delivery of patient-centered, evidence-based care that improves health care outcomes and promotes health equity.	3
NBSN 4078	Learning with Technology Course: NBSN 4078 Credit: 3 In this course students will learn to cultivate a professional online identity, explore and analyze current technological trends, and utilize specific technologies. Through collaborative discussions and digital projects students will demonstrate personal and professional development by appropriately using and leveraging technology to effectively communicate in a technology-rich environment.	3
NBSN 4081	Focus on Community Course: NBSN 4081 Credit: 3 This course establishes the foundation for understanding and applying the concepts of population-focused, public health, and community health nursing practice across the lifespan through classroom and clinical learning experiences. Critical attributes and characteristics of communities are examined through the lens of the social determinants of health. Selected models and theories are used to identify health patterns of culturally diverse client systems and in the design of evidence-based interventions to promote community health. Health policy, finance, and research are emphasized as the context for community health advocacy, the pursuit of health equity, and the roles of the professional public health nurse.	3

FAQs

What courses do students take as part of the RN to BSN Online?

The program consists of nine core Bachelor of Science in Nursing courses. View a list of these courses, along with descriptions.
How long does it take to complete the RN to BSN Online program?

Our RN to BSN Online program is flexible with schemas that allow students to complete the program in two semesters (eight months), three semesters (12 months), or five semesters (20 months). Students can switch from full-time to part-time status, as needed.
Can I apply and start the RN to BSN Online program before I complete all prerequisites?

The RN to BSN Online program does not have prerequisite courses required for admission. Rather, the program includes general education courses that can be taken along with core coursework. Individuals can begin the program without first completing the general education courses; however, it could prolong the time it takes to earn your bachelor’s degree. Note: students must complete statistics before they can take Scientific Basis for Professional Nursing Practice.