Online RN to BSN Degree Completion Program (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
Through UA Grantham’s online RN to BSN Degree Completion program, you can earn the bachelor’s degree you need to maximize your nursing potential in just a little over a year of coursework.
Standard and accelerated options are available, depending on your level of experience, the immediacy of your need to graduate and the time you’re able to devote to your studies each week. Both of these RN to BSN options arm you with current, relevant skills in leadership, community concepts, research and professional practice.
ONLINE RN TO BSN DEGREE STANDARD OPTION
UA Grantham’s RN to BSN Standard Option is perfect for nurses juggling work with studies who want to build upon their associate degree and expand their skills in general nursing. The program is evidence-based and developed according to best practices using the following professional standards: Quality and Safety in Education for Nursing Competencies and The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (AACN).
This undergraduate program incorporates both didactic and practice experience into the curriculum. Practice experiences use both direct human interface and indirect learning situations that allow the student to apply concepts in the course to clinical situations. All students are required to complete a capstone project in a clinical setting. Graduates are prepared to function as nurse generalists in a variety of healthcare settings.
ACCELERATED ONLINE RSN TO BSN DEGREE OPTION
Students in our RN to BSN Accelerated Option gain the same knowledge as with the Standard Option, but more quickly by taking more classes at one time.
This option is ideal for nurses who have been in clinical practice for at least two years and have:
- At least a 3.0 GPA in the entry-level RN coursework
- Limited outside responsibilities
- Consistent work schedules
- Motivation to devote 10 months to furthering their education
In the accelerated option, students are authorized to complete 6-9 credits per term. This authorization is revoked if the student is no longer making satisfactory academic progress as defined in the University Catalog and Student Handbook. A student who fails/withdraws or is withdrawn from a course may be placed into the standard option. A student may, at any time, place themselves into the standard option; however, the student may not move back and forth between the standard and accelerated options.
All RN to BSN-specific requirements apply to the accelerated option.
WHAT WILL I LEARN IN THE ONLINE RN TO BSN DEGREE COMPLETION PROGRAM?
Through the RN to BSN Degree Completion program (both options), you will gain the knowledge to:
- Assess effective communication in oral, written, interpersonal and electronic modes
- Evaluate clinical judgments based on evidence-based practice standards and ethical practices
- Ensure accountability when providing and ensuring safe, efficient, quality patient care
- Synthesize available resources to apply critical thinking to complex clinical situations
- Incorporate culturally competent care concepts for individuals and families across the lifespan
- Critique proficiency when caring for communities and populations
- Analyze opportunities for personal and professional growth
- Integrate clinical technologies and informatics in practice
ACEN and CCNE Accredited ONLINE RN TO BSN DEGREE
*The RN-BSN Degree Completion in Nursing and the Master of Science in Nursing and the four specializations master's degree programs in nursing at University of Arkansas Grantham are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
How much will THE ONLINE RN TO BSN PROGRAM cost?
The undergraduate rate is $295 per credit hour, or $250 if you’re a military member, a veteran, a certified or licensed patient care worker, first responder, or their spouse or child. UA Grantham also offers scholarships and financial aid for those who qualify.
What are the ONLINE RN TO BSN PROGRAM admission requirements?
This degree completion program builds on the foundation of previous nursing education at the associate degree level. To be admitted into this program (which meets the Kansas Articulation Model), you need to satisfy general requirements for undergraduate admissions, as well as provide proof of:
- High school graduation or its equivalent.
- An earned Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN/ASN/AAS) from an accredited nursing program with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Student’s that have earned a diploma in Nursing in the U.S. or have an atypical transcript will be reviewed on a case by case basis in order to validate the equivalence to an (ADN/ASN) degree.
- Current and unencumbered RN license as indicated by date of issue. If a student holds a current encumbered nursing license, the restriction will be reviewed by the College of Nursing Review Team. The decision of the Review Team will be communicated to the prospective student immediately upon the decision and will stand without appeal.
- Nurses educated outside the United States who are eligible must have an earned Degree in Nursing that equates to a U.S. ADN/ASN/Diploma. Practicing Nurses who are seeking admission to the nursing program and who hold a valid, unencumbered license in the United States but whose nursing transcript or transcript evaluation document does not show ADN/ASN equivalency must have their documentation reviewed by nursing administration for validation of equivalency and admission into appropriate nursing program.
Note: Certain states, such as Kansas, require CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) certification as part of the vetting process to earn a valid and current RN license. Please check with your state to determine requirements.
ONLINE RN TO BSN DEGREE START DATE
Courses begin frequently, so we’re ready when you are.
Call us at (888) 947-2684 to learn more about our accredited degree programs, financial assistance opportunities or enrollment process.
RN to BSN Degree Completion (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
Online RN to BSN Degree Completion Outcomes
After successfully completing the nursing courses in this program, you will be able to:
- Assess effective communication in oral, written, interpersonal and electronic modes
- Evaluate clinical judgments based on evidence-based practice standards and ethical practices
- Ensure accountability when providing and ensuring safe, efficient, quality patient care
- Synthesize available resources to apply critical thinking to complex clinical situations
- Incorporate culturally competent care concepts for individuals and families across the lifespan
- Critique proficiency when caring for communities and populations
- Analyze opportunities for personal and professional growth
- Integrate clinical technologies and informatics in practice
Nursing Core Professional Competencies
University of Arkansas Grantham prepares graduates to succeed in a variety of professional and civic settings by incorporating these critical life skills into the curriculum:
- Communication —
Formulating and expressing thoughts and ideas effectively using oral, written and non-verbal communication skills in person, in writing, and in a digital world. - Distributed Collaboration —
Working effectively across distributed locations and asynchronously to achieve a common goal through relationship-building, shared responsibility, empathy, and respect. - Professional and Social Responsibility —
Engaging in social responsibility through seeking justice, valuing diversity, respecting the environment; and demonstrating professionalism through integrity, mutual accountability, and ethical behavior. This includes considering the social and global impact of individual and organizational decisions, and an awareness of and adhering to regulations, professional standards, and industry best practices. - Critical Thinking/Problem Solving —
Using analytical reasoning when gathering and evaluating relevant information to effectively formulate possible solutions for an issue, problem, or a variety of issues; includes the ability to recognize potential consequences of a decision. - Data Aptitude —
Develop information literacy and the capacity to manage data with subsequent finding, structuring, evaluating, and interpreting, in order to provide meaningful analysis to accomplish a specific purpose.
RN to BSN Degree Completion (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
ONLINE RN TO BSN DEGREE CURRICULUM
At UA Grantham, online flexibility meets quality. As you consider your educational options for RN to BSN degree programs, bear in mind University of Arkansas Grantham’s coursework is online for the flexibility you need to succeed.
NOTE: Nursing courses must be taken in the sequence shown. Non-matriculating students holding a current and unencumbered RN license may take an individual nursing course.
| Students Entering With An Associate Degree in Nursing and RN License | Credit Hours | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Education and Licensing Completed* Prior to Matriculation at University of Arkansas Grantham: | |||
| Basic RN Program - credits for nursing coursework | 30 | ||
| General Education transferable credits from an appropriately accredited institution | 21 | ||
| Experiential Credit for RN practice | 30 | ||
| Required Courses to be Completed at University of Arkansas Grantham: | |||
| General Education | 6 | ||
| BSN Degree Completion | 33 | ||
| Total Hours | 120 |
* Licensure required for admission
| PROGRAM SNAPSHOT: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Core Credits: | 36 | ||
| General Education Core Credits: | 3 | ||
| Total Credit Hours: | 39 | ||
| Accreditation(s): | DEAC, ACEN, CCNE |
| Program Core: | 36 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Course: | Title: | Credits: | |
| Course: NUR302 | Title: Pathophysiology | Credits: 3 | |
| This course builds on the basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology to identify the disruptions in normal body functioning. Clinical practice hours occur via a virtual platform in which the student will analyze objective and subjective data from common health issues occurring in diverse populations. Factors impacting on the disruption in health pattern will be discussed. Integrated into the discussion of each health issue are assessment findings, diagnostic testing measures, and interventions including pharmacological therapy. Students will apply this knowledge to the virtual simulation patient scenarios. | |||
| Course: HSN310 | Title: Scholarly Writing for Healthcare Professions | Credits: 3 | |
| Scholarly Writing for Healthcare Professions is designed to combine the elements of evidence from research and critical thinking into an organized format that demonstrates scholarly academic writing. This course focuses on the skills necessary to develop professional writing that supports ideas and infers relationships. Students progressively expand their capability to produce clear, substantive written communication at the baccalaureate level of education, both in regard to classroom assignments and more globally in their chosen healthcare profession. | |||
| Course: NUR304 | Title: Culture and Justice in Global Health | Credits: 3 | |
| This course focuses on the need to prioritize social justice and inclusivity in the provision of health care. With the diversity of the global society, nurses must be cognizant of the need to provide culturally competent care based on best practices in the care of diverse individuals, families, groups, and communities. Ethically sound decisions regarding patient care are based on cultural knowledge for all patient populations, self-reflection of one’s own values, evidence-based practice, and a realistic view of the current population. Student will investigate their own personal biases impacting the provision of care and interprofessional relationships. The application of transcultural concepts is the key element of the course. The course utilizes a virtual platform with patients of various cultural backgrounds and health issues to emphasize the need for assessment of cultural needs and the implementation of nursing strategies to meet those needs. | |||
| Course: NUR306 | Title: Pharmacology | Credits: 3 | |
| This course establishes the principles upon which nursing management of drug therapy is based. Clinical practice experience in medication management will occur in a virtual world of patients with a variety of real health needs to synthesize an understanding of pharmacology with safe medication practices. Interaction with diverse patient avatars capable of responding to open-ended questions provides the opportunity to improve clinical reasoning skills through 45 hours of practice experience. Critical thinking is augmented by the integration of physiology and pathophysiology with mechanisms of drug action in pharmacotherapy. | |||
| Course: NUR402 | Title: Transition to Professional Nursing | Credits: 3 | |
| This course explores the traditional and less traditional roles of the professional registered nurse in addition to implications for future practice. The course addresses the added complexities that technological advances bring to the health care delivery systems, and includes topics such as critical thinking, socioeconomic issues, patient self-determination, cultural diversity, research and evidence-based practices and ethical issues in healthcare. There are clinical practice hours in the course in which the student investigates clinical practice sites and prepares for the capstone project that will be completed in the final course of the curriculum. | |||
| Course: NUR405 | Title: Health Assessment for Professional Nursing | Credits: 3 | |
| This course builds on the practical knowledge many RNs possess due to employment in healthcare agencies. The course provides a holistic approach to health assessment for the adult client with adaptations across the life span. Theories and competencies are needed to elicit a thorough and accurate assessment of the client under various health and wellness conditions. The student will apply concepts of health assessment focusing on a general systems approach and will complete 45 hours of practice experience (PE). Using a simulated patient encounter for clinical learning, students will conduct a general health assessment and formulate an individualized care plan. | |||
| Course: NUR410 | Title: Theoretical Concepts of Research in Nursing | Credits: 3 | |
| This course introduces the student to components of the research process with application to the theory and practice of professional nursing. Emphasis is on evidence-based practice utilizing the research process. Students will be introduced to several research methods with an emphasis on the use of these methods in solving patient care problems. Critiquing skills will be developed to assist the student in becoming an active consumer of research and a participant on the research team. | |||
| Course: NUR415 | Title: Introduction to Nursing Informatics | Credits: 3 | |
| Nursing Informatics will provide an overview of the basic concepts of nursing and healthcare informatics as well as their relevance to nursing practice. Course activities are designed to synthesize current nursing informatics applications and analyze the impact of nursing informatics on practice. The student will gain knowledge of the current state of the regulations, accreditation and major issues in research and evidence-based practice. The course includes clarification of the concepts of nursing, technology, and information management and comprises underpinnings of nursing informatics, the practice of nursing informatics, and current challenges in nursing and healthcare informatics. | |||
| Course: NUR417 | Title: Nursing Leadership and Management | Credits: 3 | |
| This course prepares the RN-BSN student for experiences in a leadership and management arena. Students will use a variety of learning methodologies to develop a foundation for decision-making, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. A continuation of the legal and ethical concepts as well as advocacy roles will be discussed throughout this course. This course includes practice experience (PE) totaling 22.5 hours | |||
| Course: NUR427 | Title: Population Health in the Global Community | Credits: 3 | |
| This course will introduce the principles of population health and epidemiology in individuals and family case studies as well as disaster scenarios. Students will discuss disease prevention in the context of emerging global diseases within the constraints of personal and national financial resources. This course includes practice experience (PE) totaling 22.5 hours. Students will conduct a virtual community health assessment and develop a plan for intervention for a specific community health need that reflects a global health issue. A teaching project reflecting a current health issue will be developed for potential implementation in a community. | |||
| Course: NUR441 | Title: Case Management Concepts | Credits: 3 | |
| This course explores professional nursing practice that focuses on innovative, integrated nursing case management models within the context of the current managed care delivery system. Roles of the case manager, resources and collaborative relationships that support the role, ethical/legal concerns in the role, and principles of case management are presented. Cost effective strategies and appropriate levels of care across the continuum of care will be examined in relation to current healthcare economics. Clinical practice experience is included in the course with the student developing case management plans and educational materials for presentation to culturally diverse groups of patients. | |||
| Course: NUR499 | Title: RN-BSN Capstone Project | Credits: 3 | |
| The capstone course in the RN-BSN program focuses on the synthesis of knowledge from past and current learning experiences to promote professional evidence-based practice that emphasize principles of career management. Collaboration with other healthcare providers to improve evidenced-based outcomes of clients, families and the community is emphasized. The student utilizes the competences gained throughout the curriculum to develop and implement a capstone project based on a clinical problem, issue, or concern. This clinical practice experience comprises a minimum of eight clinical practice hours. The learning of the concepts of the curriculum is embedded in Programmatic Outcomes for each course. The culmination of the RN-BSN program involves showcasing how these Programmatic Outcomes have been met with the presentation of the capstone project. | |||
| General Education: | 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Course: | Title: | Credits: | |
| Course: MA230 | Title: Mathematical Statistics I | Credits: 3 | |
| This course presents methods in making analytical decisions using statistics. The course focuses on the characteristics of numerical and categorical data, methods of presentation, and descriptive statistics. The course also introduces students to basic methods of sampling and of making inferences using one or two independent samples. NOTE: Credit may not be awarded for both MA215 and MA230. | |||
| RN to BSN Completion Accelerated Option | 120 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title: | Credits: | |||
| TERM 1 | ||||
| NUR402 | Transition to Professional Nursing | Credits: 3 | ||
| This course explores the traditional and less traditional roles of the professional registered nurse in addition to implications for future practice. The course addresses the added complexities that technological advances bring to the health care delivery systems, and includes topics such as critical thinking, socioeconomic issues, patient self-determination, cultural diversity, research and evidence-based practices and ethical issues in healthcare. There are clinical practice hours in the course in which the student investigates clinical practice sites and prepares for the capstone project that will be completed in the final course of the curriculum. | ||||
| NUR306 | Pharmacology | Credits: 3 | ||
| This course establishes the principles upon which nursing management of drug therapy is based. Clinical practice experience in medication management will occur in a virtual world of patients with a variety of real health needs to synthesize an understanding of pharmacology with safe medication practices. Interaction with diverse patient avatars capable of responding to open-ended questions provides the opportunity to improve clinical reasoning skills through 45 hours of practice experience. Critical thinking is augmented by the integration of physiology and pathophysiology with mechanisms of drug action in pharmacotherapy. | ||||
| HSN310 | Scholarly Writing for Healthcare Professions | Credits: 3 | ||
| Scholarly Writing for Healthcare Professions is designed to combine the elements of evidence from research and critical thinking into an organized format that demonstrates scholarly academic writing. This course focuses on the skills necessary to develop professional writing that supports ideas and infers relationships. Students progressively expand their capability to produce clear, substantive written communication at the baccalaureate level of education, both in regard to classroom assignments and more globally in their chosen healthcare profession. | ||||
| TERM 2 | ||||
| NUR302 | Pathophysiology | Credits: 3 | ||
| This course builds on the basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology to identify the disruptions in normal body functioning. Clinical practice hours occur via a virtual platform in which the student will analyze objective and subjective data from common health issues occurring in diverse populations. Factors impacting on the disruption in health pattern will be discussed. Integrated into the discussion of each health issue are assessment findings, diagnostic testing measures, and interventions including pharmacological therapy. Students will apply this knowledge to the virtual simulation patient scenarios. | ||||
| NUR405 | Health Assessment for Professional Nursing | Credits: 3 | ||
| This course builds on the practical knowledge many RNs possess due to employment in healthcare agencies. The course provides a holistic approach to health assessment for the adult client with adaptations across the life span. Theories and competencies are needed to elicit a thorough and accurate assessment of the client under various health and wellness conditions. The student will apply concepts of health assessment focusing on a general systems approach and will complete 45 hours of practice experience (PE). Using a simulated patient encounter for clinical learning, students will conduct a general health assessment and formulate an individualized care plan. | ||||
| NUR304 | Culture and Justice in Global Health | Credits: 3 | ||
| This course focuses on the need to prioritize social justice and inclusivity in the provision of health care. With the diversity of the global society, nurses must be cognizant of the need to provide culturally competent care based on best practices in the care of diverse individuals, families, groups, and communities. Ethically sound decisions regarding patient care are based on cultural knowledge for all patient populations, self-reflection of one’s own values, evidence-based practice, and a realistic view of the current population. Student will investigate their own personal biases impacting the provision of care and interprofessional relationships. The application of transcultural concepts is the key element of the course. The course utilizes a virtual platform with patients of various cultural backgrounds and health issues to emphasize the need for assessment of cultural needs and the implementation of nursing strategies to meet those needs. | ||||
| TERM 3 | ||||
| NUR410 | Theoretical Concepts of Research in Nursing | Credits: 3 | ||
| This course introduces the student to components of the research process with application to the theory and practice of professional nursing. Emphasis is on evidence-based practice utilizing the research process. Students will be introduced to several research methods with an emphasis on the use of these methods in solving patient care problems. Critiquing skills will be developed to assist the student in becoming an active consumer of research and a participant on the research team. | ||||
| NUR415 | Nursing Informatics | Credits: 3 | ||
| Nursing Informatics will provide an overview of the basic concepts of nursing and healthcare informatics as well as their relevance to nursing practice. Course activities are designed to synthesize current nursing informatics applications and analyze the impact of nursing informatics on practice. The student will gain knowledge of the current state of the regulations, accreditation and major issues in research and evidence based practice. The course includes clarification of the concepts of nursing, technology, and information management and comprises underpinnings of nursing informatics, the practice of nursing informatics, and current challenges in nursing and health care informatics. | ||||
| MA230 | Mathematical Statistics (from GE core) | Credits: 3 | ||
| This course presents methods in making analytical decisions using statistics. The course focuses on the characteristics of numerical and categorical data, methods of presentation, and descriptive statistics. The course also introduces students to basic methods of sampling and of making inferences using one or two independent samples. NOTE: Credit may not be awarded for both MA215 and MA230. | ||||
| TERM 4 | ||||
| NUR417 | Nursing Leadership and Management | Credits: 3 | ||
| This course prepares the RN-BSN student for experiences in a leadership and management arena. Students will use a variety of learning methodologies to develop a foundation for decision-making, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. A continuation of the legal and ethical concepts as well as advocacy roles will be discussed throughout this course. This course includes practice experience (PE) totaling 22.5 hours | ||||
| NUR427 | Population Health in the Global Community | Credits: 3 | ||
| This course will introduce the principles of population health and epidemiology in individuals and family case studies as well as disaster scenarios. Students will discuss disease prevention in the context of emerging global diseases within the constraints of personal and national financial resources. This course includes practice experience (PE) totaling 22.5 hours. Students will conduct a virtual community health assessment and develop a plan for intervention for a specific community health need that reflects a global health issue. A teaching project reflecting a current health issue will be developed for potential implementation in a community. | ||||
| TERM 5 | ||||
| NUR441 | Case Management Concepts | Credits: 3 | ||
| This course explores professional nursing practice that focuses on innovative, integrated nursing case management models within the context of the current managed care delivery system. Roles of the case manager, resources and collaborative relationships that support the role, ethical/legal concerns in the role, and principles of case management are presented. Cost effective strategies and appropriate levels of care across the continuum of care will be examined in relation to current healthcare economics. Clinical practice experience is included in the course with the student developing case management plans and educational materials for presentation to culturally diverse groups of patients. | ||||
| NUR499 | RN-BSN Capstone Project | Credits: 3 | ||
| The capstone course in the RN-BSN program focuses on the synthesis of knowledge from past and current learning experiences to promote professional evidence-based practice that emphasize principles of career management. Collaboration with other healthcare providers to improve evidenced-based outcomes of clients, families and the community is emphasized. The student utilizes the competences gained throughout the curriculum to development and implement a capstone project based on a clinical problem, issue, or concern. This clinical practice experience comprises a minimum of eight clinical practice hours. The learning of the concepts of the curriculum is embedded in Programmatic Outcomes for each course. The culmination of the RN-BSN program involves showcasing how these Programmatic Outcomes have been met with the presentation of the capstone project. | ||||
| Program Core + General Education Core | 39 | |||
| Basic RN program - credits for nursing coursework | 30 | |||
| General Education Transferable Credits | 21 | |||
| General Education Transferable Credits | 30 | |||
| TOTAL REQUIRED HOURS | 120 | |||
RN-BSN Capstone: Guide for Students
Clinical Practice Hours: Clinical practice hours are distributed throughout the RN to BSN Completion Program Curriculum. Each individual course syllabus will designate the number of clock hours that have been allotted to each clinical experience. Clinical experiences can be direct or indirect and can occur in a virtual environment or in actual face-to-face experiences. The student identifies a mentor, typically from their workplace, who can assist them in their clinical practice experience assignments, however the student is expected to be independent in completing the majority of the clinical practice experiences. The following chart identifies the courses in which clinical practice experience occurs and the number of clock hours comprising the experience.
Courses NUR402, NUR405, NUR410, NUR415, NUR417, NUR427, NUR441 & NUR499 may not be transferred in and must be taken in that order. Non-matriculating students holding a current and unencumbered RN license may take an individual nursing course. There may be a gap between terms. Non-matriculating student holding a current and unencumbered
RN license may take an individual nursing course. A variety of required direct care clinical experiences exist in courses as the student moves through the curriculum. Instructions for the clinical experiences are identified within the course syllabus and in specific course assignments.
Note: Prior post-secondary education transcripts will be reviewed for possible transfer of credit for EN361, MA230, NUR302, NUR304, and NUR306 for a maximum of 9 credits allowed for transfer.
Registered Nurses admitted to the RN to BSN Completion Program are granted 30 experiential credits for their nursing practice experience. By possession of an associate degree from an appropriately accredited institution, associate institution, associate degree RNs are assumed to be competent in professional communication, healthcare system dynamics and the use of technology in the clinical practice arena. Associate degree RNs are able to prioritize patient care needs based upon risk and acuity and are competent in ethical practices and basic conflict management.
Practice experience occurs throughout the program with both direct and indirect clinical experiences. Face to face, collaborative assignments including a capstone project are included in the direct experiences. Simulation and other clinically related experiences also assist the student to integrate the theoretical constructs learned in class with the clinical generalist role.