The purpose of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is to enhance the professional competency of the Registered Nurse within a Christian-oriented environment. The RN to BSN Completion Program is designed for Registered Nurses who are graduates of diploma or associate degree nursing programs, who have already taken the NCLEX- RN or are anticipating taking the NCLEX-RN examination. The primary goal of the RN to BSN Completion Program is to prepare graduates to integrate values, skills, knowledge, and ethical standards of the nursing profession into their nursing practice. The graduates will develop and enhance their expertise to deliver healthcare to individuals across the lifespan, families, and community groups in a wide range of healthcare environments. Based upon transfer credits and completion of general education and nursing courses, students can complete the program in as little in 1 year if desired, or longer if more time is needed. Courses are all online in an asynchronous delivery format..
The BSN program is summarized by the following nine outcomes expected of our graduates. Upon graduation the RN to BSN nursing student will be able to:
- Demonstrate a solid base in liberal education - humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences - to inform generalist nursing practice.
- Assume an ethical leadership role to improve quality and safety of clients’ care within a variety of healthcare settings.
- Integrate reliable evidence to inform practice and make clinical judgments.
- Demonstrate skills in information technology and client care technologies to facilitate ethical and safe care.
- Recognize local, state, national, and global trends in health policy and regulation and their effect on nursing practice.
- Use professional communication and collaboration skills to deliver safe and evidence-based, client-centered care.
- Use evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion practices across the life span.
- Demonstrate professional standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct.
- Synthesize core knowledge and skills for generalist nursing practice across the life span in a variety of healthcare settings.
The RN to BSN Completion Program adopts the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics, CCNE Baccalaureate Essentials, and the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing Professional Conduct Standards as guides for professional nurse behavior. These standards are based on an understanding that to practice nursing as an RN, the student agrees to uphold the trust that society has placed in the nursing profession. The statements of the Code and Standards provide guidance for the RN student to develop ethical foundations for practice and assist in the holistic development of the nurse. The curriculum reflects current national recommendations to increase diversity, safety, technology, and evidenced-based practice for the purpose of improving healthcare outcomes.
The baccalaureate in nursing program at Alvernia University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). (https://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Admission Requirements
Students are admitted to Alvernia University and are fully accepted in the RN to BSN Completion Program when the following documentation is submitted:
- RN to BSN Completion Program application
- Official transcript of college(s) and/or diploma school
- Students may be admitted to the RN to BSN Completion Program prior to passing the NCLEX-RN examination; however, students are not permitted to progress and register for the two clinical courses (NUR 403 and NUR 405 ) without a current and valid Pennsylvania RN license.
Course Sequence
Courses are usually 7 or 14 weeks in lenth and are predominantly designed to be taken non-sequentially. However, it is strongly recommended that students take 300 before 400 level nursing courses because generally 400 level courses build on knowledge and skills obtained in 300 level courses. Students typically plan to take the two clinical courses (NUR 403 and NUR 405 ) back-to-back in consecutive semesters.
Progression Policies
- 123 credits are required for Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
- 33 of the last 60 credits must be taken at Alvernia University. Up to 90 transfer credits may be accepted.
- Minimum of 30 Alvernia credits at the 300/400 level.
- RHSHS and JMSON 3+1 Dual Enrollment-RN to BSN students only: Minimum of 25 Alvernia credits at the 300/400 level.
- Community service and human diversity requirements met in major.
- Both theoretical and clinical components of the professional nursing courses must be satisfactorily completed.
- A grade of “C” or better in all nursing courses is required to progress in the RN to BSN Completion Program.
- Some liberal arts courses may be challenged by the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
- Adhere to the Alvernia University Catalog, Student Handbook, and Nursing Department RN to BSN Completion Program Student Handbook policies.
Curriculum Overview
Each student will be personally advised on what applies to Alvernia University’s graduation requirements.
Credit Breakdown:
- Diploma or ADN up to 90 transfer credits may be applied.
- Alvernia’s Course Elective - include 65 credits if needed.
