RN to BSN Orange County Program

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Program Description

The RN to BSN program is for the Associate degree RN who wishes to further his or her education by obtaining a Bachelor's degree in nursing. Applicants must have completed a Registered Nurse (RN) program in an accredited community college. The degree is set up in such a way that it can be completed in as little as 15 months full-time, or two years part-time. A total of 36 units are required as nursing core courses. A total of 120 semester credits are required to earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which includes the transferred credits from the approved Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) program. This program requires the completion of general education courses, nursing cores courses and specific core required support courses.

This bachelor's degree program is designed to be flexible, allowing for part-time or full-time progression. With the exception of clinical days the nursing courses are scheduled generally one day per week. There is an online component to many courses in the program.

Required Core Nursing Courses

*Hybrid format course (some on-campus instruction with additional online content)

Scheduling of Courses

This program is designed with the working nurse in mind. Core nursing lecture courses are scheduled in a way so the student can attend classes one day per week. A portion of some courses, usually 1/3 of the course, are offered online. This allows the student some personal freedom to do work from home but continues to allow for the open face-to-face teaching of the traditional classroom. RN to BSN Orange County students are allowed to progress in a part-time or full-time fashion.

Sample Study Plan of Core Nursing Courses

Prerequisite Courses, Supportive Courses, and GE Requirements

Undergraduate courses previously taken may apply as credit towards some of the requirements below. Courses previously taken that an applicant wishes to be evaluated for application towards Concordia University Irvine GE requirements, prerequisite courses, or supportive courses are evaluated upon application to the program. Outside of those courses already taken, your prerequisite, GE and nursing supportive courses are as follows:

Prerequisites

Human Anatomy
Human Physiology
Microbiology

All prerequisites must be 4 units with laboratory. Grade of "C" or better required. Courses can be in progress at time of application, with admission pending grade in course. Exceptions may be made for applicants who have not completed one of the prerequisite courses at the time of application; contact RN to BSN Admission Counselor for details.

GE Requirements

The Associate Degree meets most of the general education requirements for the program. If a student does not have an Associate Degree, the university undergraduate GE requirements apply (see University Catalog).

Required Support Courses

Except for the two courses noted, any or all of these courses may be transferred in and applied toward your Bachelor's degree in the RN to BSN Program. They may be completed or in progress at the time of application, or they may be completed at any accredited institution concurrent with enrollment at Concordia and transferred in for credit toward the Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

* Offered 100% online at CUI
† Must be completed at CUI

GE Requirements

The Associate's Degree meets most of the general education requirements for the program. If a student does not have an Associate's Degree, CUI GE requirements apply (see University Catalog).

Progression

Students must maintain a GPA of C or better to stay in the program and not attain below a C in courses taken. Nurses who receive a grade of C- or lower in a nursing course may repeat the course once. During progression through the Bachelor's degree program, one semester can be dropped and still continue in the program.

NURS 300: Professional Nursing Practice & Higher Education must be the first nursing course taken. The statistics math requirement must be taken before or concurrent with Nursing Research.

Summary of Units to Graduate

• Total semester units required for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) = 120
• Transfer units from associate's degree nursing program - 64-80
• Core Nursing Course units - 34
• Required Support Course units - 6-22, as needed
• Electives - additional coursework if needed to complete 120 total units

Admission Requirements for the RN to BSN Program

1. Complete the application to Concordia University RN to BSN Orange County program
• Application to Concordia University
• Application fee - $50.00 (non-refundable)
• Statement of intent/background form
• Letters of recommendation
• Official sealed transcripts from all colleges or universities attended to date
• Prerequisite coursework completed; can be currently in progress during application but must show proof of enrollment and achieve a C or better to start program
• Background check form signed and returned
2. Submit a copy of your current California RN license or schedule to take NCLEX exam (must pass to continue in program)
3. Graduated from an Accredited Associate Degree Program or evaluation of diploma program for equivalency by an Accredited Associated Degree program
4. Overall GPA of 2.5 or better
5. Basic computer skills, access to a computer, online access, and email address
6. Before enrolling in clinically associated courses students must provide proof of:
• Malpractice insurance
• Updated copy of your current nursing license
• Health Care provider AHA CPR card
• Health clearance and up-to-date immunization (PPD, MMR, Hepatitis B, & Varicella titers, as well as any other documents judged by the agency as necessary for clinical placement. See Student Handbook for more information.)
• Proof of high school completion

Admission Deadline

Currently accepting applications for Spring 2013 and Fall 2013.

Application deadlines are not set at this time. However, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit all required documents at least 8 weeks prior to their intended start date to facilitate the timely processing of their applications.

Accreditation

• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

Information Sessions

Due to the complexity of transfer evaluations for the RN to BSN Program, we do not include the RN to BSN Program in our info sessions. Instead, we invite you to contact the RN to BSN Admission Counselor for a personal phone consultation or an individual or group conference. You may contact RN to BSN Program Admissions at (949) 214-3277 or RNtoBSN@cui.edu.

Mission Experience

Students may have the potential to participate in a service mission experience during their Leadership Clinical if they choose to participate. This experience will require an extra cost for travel expenses and will vary depending on the mission destiny in that particular academic year.

FAQ

Can I apply for the California Public Health Certificate after completing this program?
The Community Health Theory course and Clinical Rotation are designed to prepare graduates to apply for the California Public Health Certificate.

If I have already taken some of the required support courses elsewhere can I apply to have them credited towards my BSN degree?
Courses that meet the requirements can be evaluated and applied as credit towards Support Courses and prerequisites except for the two courses listed as "must be taken at CUI".

Can international students apply to the Nursing RN to BSN program?
International students with a California RN license will be considered through the Admission Counselor of the RN to BSN Program.

Does attaining a bachelor's degree through the RN to BSN program meet the requirements for nursing graduate school?
When designing this Bachelor's degree program general consideration was given to offering classes that would prepare undergraduate students who may wish to matriculate through a graduate program. It is advised to consult with particular institutions from which you plan to apply to graduate school.

Transportation Policy

Students are expected to provide their own transportation to, during, and from off–campus clinical labs.

Course Descriptions

All nursing theory courses and corequisite practicums are to be taken concurrently.
All assignments are completed in Microsoft WORD, using APA format to be eligible for grading.

Individual Course Descriptions

NURS 300: Professional Nursing Practice & Higher Education - 3 units (hybrid)

This course is designed to prepare the student to successfully matriculate through higher education. The course offers content related to time management, professionalism, learning and study skills. Included as well is information related to nursing informatics.

NURS 401: Health Assessment - 3 units (hybrid)

This course is designed to provide theory and clinical skills for complete advanced patient physical assessments utilizing a holistic examination of the client. Refinement of assessment skills includes interviewing, history taking, physical examination and appropriate documentation while considering the relationship to prevention and early detection of diseases in multicultural clients across the life span.

NURS 205: Pathophysiology - 2 units

This course is designed to provide an understanding of common physiological disruptions that contribute to an imbalance in homeostasis. Common disruptions that interfere with physical systems, their manifestations, and both their medical as well as nursing management will be discussed. An exploration of the role of nurses in optimizing patients' health status will also be presented. The student will be exposed to the elements that relate to pain, its management, and the nursing role in this management.

NURS 207: Pharmacology - 2 units

This course is designed to prepare the student to become knowledgeable about medications, medication administration, appropriate use of medications that are illness and disease specific, side effects and contraindications as well as nursing responsibilities. Administration techniques will be discussed including intravenous therapy.

NURS 402: Theoretical & Conceptual Foundations in Nursing - 3 units (hybrid)

This course provides the students with the tools necessary to synthesize theories and concepts into nursing practice. The focus includes exploration and comparison of nursing theories with particular attention placed on Watson's Philosophy and Science of Caring Model. Selected theories from nursing and related fields are also examined and evaluated with emphasis on teaching learning principles.

NURS 407: Cultural Care Competence - 3 units (hybrid)

This course will promote understanding about the influence of cultural values, beliefs, and practices on healthcare decision. Specific ethnic groups will be explored in terms of lifestyles, healthcare decisions, and cultural care modalities. Students will compare and contrast the beliefs that are common to various ethnic groups to the standard healthcare practices in the U.S. Students will enhance their abilities to plan nursing interventions that are culturally sensitive and incorporate each client's input.

NURS 404: Wellness - Alternative Therapies - 3 units (hybrid)

This course of study provides an analysis of health promotion and preventive care by preparing students to assess risk, facilitate lifestyle changes and look beyond disease management and towards the use of a holistic caring framework. This course explores avenues of holistic comprehensive nursing focusing on the mind, body and spirit. Content includes lifestyle changes related to cardiovascular risk reduction strategies, weight management, exercise, sleep and human vices. The student will also explore complementary and alternative therapies and their role in health care.

NURS 408: Professional Trends & Issues in Nursing - 3 units (online)

This course will assist students to explore current social trends and issues facing professional contemporary practices in nursing today. Analysis of the contemporary image of nursing and students own beliefs regarding nursing issues will be explored. Students will familiarize themselves with the requirements of the California Nurse Practice Act, ANA standards, and the JCAHO standards of practice. The course will also include factors and trends that influence health care in the U.S. and the world. Students will have the opportunity to analyze political, legislative, and regulatory policies.

NURS 400: Leadership & Management - Professional Practice Clinical - 2 units (lab)

Application of management and leadership theories and skills in student-selected and faculty approved clinical settings. Focus is on interaction and socialization into a selected aspect of the professional role. Theories and concepts of professional practice are applied to improve the quality of care and enhance patient outcomes.

NURS 406: Leadership & Management Practices - 3 units (hybrid)

This course explores organizational strategies, leadership management theories as well as the principles of effective leadership and management in nursing. The students will build on their existing skills to supervise various categories of healthcare workers, critically think, apply research and theory to their clinical practice.

NURS 403: Community/Public Health Nursing Theory - 2 units

Students will be prepared to assess the health needs of individuals, families, aggregates, and communities. Application of the nursing process will be discussed related to the present and potential diseases and illnesses that present themselves in communities. The goal of this course is to prepare students to understand the theories of communicable disease and be able to promote a community's health status. The analysis of relevant data will prepare the students to practice evidence-based nursing care. Healthy People 2020 Objectives will be threaded throughout the course.

NURS 494: Community/Public Health Clinical - 2 units (lab)

Students will utilize knowledge of community/public health concepts in the community. This course will provide the students with opportunities to apply community health theory to community /public health settings. The length of this clinical experience will be sufficient so that the student will be eligible to apply for a public health certificate in the state of California. Clinical experiences will be completed in public health departments, senior centers, community agencies, day care for children and older adults, and in schools. The experiences will be relevant to aggregates across the life span.

NURS 405: Nursing Research - 2 units

This course introduces the basic processes of conducting research with an emphasis on nursing research needs. Students will apply a conceptual framework to a group research proposal. The course will also allow for the comparison between the research and nursing processes. Application of relevant data to health problems and disease entities will also be presented. Methods of research utilization in practice will also be discussed.

PHI 467: Bioethics and Health Care Professionals - 3 units

An examination of ethical issues raised by modern advances in health care and biological research. We will examine both philosophical and theological approaches to ethics. Special attention will be given to contemporary developments in both religious and philosophical ethics and to possibilities for dialog today between philosophical theories, religious voices, and biblical ethics. Study of philosophical and theological approaches will be closely tied to study of a range of concrete cases and narratives likely to be encountered by today's health care professionals.

Program Outcomes

At the end of the RN to BSN program, the students will be prepared to:

1. Analyze bioethical dilemmas that present themselves in the practice setting and arrive at personal and professional decisions to advocate for the patients. Become familiar the principles of justice, autonomy and beneficence.
2. Develop and refine professional skills and strategies to support acquisition of additional proficiency in nursing practice.
3. Take on additional roles, such as public health nurse, parish nurse, manager, and clinical assistant instructor.
4. Provide healthcare education appropriate to learners of varying backgrounds, in a variety of settings.
5. Design a research topic and proposal, collect research data, access research findings and apply research findings to the practice setting.
6. Apply Watson's Clinical Carative Factors/Caritas Processes in all nursing care settings to enhance the health care encounters of all patients and clients.
7. Provide culturally-sensitive nursing care to a growing ethnically diverse population.
8. Discuss and analyze contemporary professional nursing issues that impact patients, the profession and communities.
9. Apply for the California Public Health Certificate.
10. Be accountable in nursing practice, resource management, and quality improvement by demonstrating leadership, critical thinking, organizing, delegating, implementing, and evaluating the delivery of nursing care in a variety of settings.
11. Demonstrate an awareness of health care prevention and wellness care for individuals and communities.
12. Develop a strong scientific knowledge base of content to build upon when caring for clients in the community and in preparation for graduate study.
13. Contribute to accountability in nursing practice through resource management and quality improvement and to be prepared for leadership and management roles.