Curriculum: RN to BSN Online

Next Term Application Deadline

03.15.2025

Total Credits

27 Core nursing credits

Next Term Starts

05.12.2025

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Program of Interest*
Program requires the completion of an associate degree program. Have you earned an associate degree?*
- Yes (*includes in-progress degree)
- No
Program requires the completion of a BSN degree program. Have you earned a BSN degree?*
- Yes (*includes in-progress degree)
- No
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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 In this interdisciplinary course, students will have the opportunity to examine the interplay between vulnerability, health status, and health care access and quality. 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 to work effectively as members of interprofessional teams and explore ways to improve the quality of health care delivery and health outcomes for vulnerable and marginalized groups.	3
NBSN 4060	RN-BSN Informatics for Professional Nurses Course: NBSN 4060 Credit: 3 This course focuses on the nurse's role in utilizing healthcare informatics to improve patient outcomes. 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	RN-BSN Transition to Baccalaureate Education in Nursing Course: NBSN 4061 Credit: 3 This course is designed for registered nurses who are pursuing a Baccalaureate of Nursing Science (BSN). Emphasis is placed on foundational knowledge, including nursing history, nursing theory, ethics and legal practice, professional nursing roles, and the social, cultural, politicaland economic factors influencing the nursing profession.	3
	Course: Credit:
NBSN 4062	RN-BSN Scientific Basis for Professional Nursing Practice Course: NBSN 4062 Credit: 3 The course introduces the student to the research process and establishes a foundation for understanding the scientific basis for practice and the role theory plays in the development of nursing knowledge. Students analyze research reports, access credible sources in response to identified clinical questions, and discuss the integration of evidence into practice using evidence-based practice(EBP)models.	3
NBSN 4065	RN-BSN Nurse as Professional Leader and Manager Course: NBSN 4065 Credit: 3 This course content focuses on the knowledge and skills essential to effective nursing leadership and introduces the managing role of the leader within varied nurse practice settings. Managerial concepts and leadership skills needed to promote high quality evidence-based nursing care delivery outcomes are examined. Emphasis is placed on strategies that facilitate quality improvement and the professional practice of self and others as members of the health care organization.	3
NBSN 4067	RN-BSN Gerontological Nursing Practice Course: NBSN 4067 Credit: 3 This course emphasizes essential concepts necessary to provide quality care for the older adult. This course focuses on the role of the nurse implementing best practices in the care of older adults.	3
NBSN 4068	RN/BSN Senior Capstone Course: NBSN 4068 Credit: 3 This course is a capstone experience for the RN/BSN student to synthesize coursework and current evidence into professional practice. Students' unique experiences provide a context in which to demonstrate the role of the professional nurse in the improvement of health care outcomes.	3
NBSN 4078	Learning with Technology Course: NBSN 4078 Credit: 3 This course is designed for students interested in increasing knowledge and skill in using technology enhanced learning. The course will cover current trends, learning theories, active learning strategies, criteria for selection of specific technologies, leveraging web 2.0 learning tools and social media to engage students, rationale for use of the Quality Matters rubric, strategies and best practices for content delivery, and how to effectively communicate in a technology enhanced environment.	3
NBSN 4081	RN-BSN Focus on Community Course: NBSN 4081 Credit: 3 This course is designed to facilitate the transition of the RN student to the role of professional nurse in the community through project-based learning experience. Students have opportunities to apply community/public health competencies in the design of a community-focused intervention plan with a community partner. Students use the core public health functions to promote health and reduce risk across the life span.	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.