R.N. to B.S.N., Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Purpose

Registered nurses who have completed basic nursing education with either a nursing diploma or an associate degree have the opportunity to continue their education at Wilmington University and earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree. The purpose of the program is to increase knowledge and skills as well as to provide opportunities to explore attitudes and values related to professional nursing practice.

Program of Study

The B.S.N. degree program is progressive and designed for today’s registered nurse. It promotes increased clinical and communication skills, problem solving, confidence, and leadership within a complex health care environment.

The course of study utilizes a variety of individual and group learning experiences. The program is offered at the New Castle campus and the Georgetown; Dover; Cumberland, Gloucester and Burlington, NJ sites; as well as 100% online. Nurses can pursue their education on a part-time or full-time basis.

In addition, the General Education requirements courses, required of all Wilmington University undergraduates, provide a well-rounded academic foundation.

Career Opportunities

Upon completion of the program, students are prepared to practice as generalists, caring for clients with complex health needs in both structured and unstructured health care settings. The curriculum provides a foundation for graduate education and for career mobility.

Curriculum

The number of transfer credits granted to entering R.N. students varies depending on basic nursing preparation. Therefore, a single plan of study cannot be prescribed. Students are encouraged to discuss their plan with their Academic Advisor or with nursing faculty members at their site.

Program Competencies

At the completion of the B.S.N. program, graduating students will:

1. Use critical thinking as a basis for identifying health-related needs of individuals, families, and communities.
2. Synthesize knowledge from the humanities and physical, behavioral, and nursing sciences to provide nursing care to clients across the life span in a variety of health care settings.
3. Incorporate theoretical perspectives into nursing practice.
4. Demonstrate skill and commitment in the role of teacher.
5. Apply research findings to nursing practice.
6. Provide leadership for the continuing development of the nursing profession.
7. Integrate ethical, legal, and economic accountability into professional nursing practice.
8. Participate in designing nursing roles to meet societal and community health care needs.
9. Demonstrate commitment to self-directed, lifelong learning to promote personal and professional development.
10. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication.
11. Access, use, and evaluate information effectively and appropriately. Use technology to effectively locate and communicate information.

Curriculum

Lower Division Requirements (for students without an associate degree)

Natural Sciences (12 credits)

A minimum of 12 credits in anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, physics and/or biology must be earned through course work, transfer credit, or testing (available for anatomy/physiology and microbiology).

General Education Requirements (24 credits)

CTA 206 Computer Applications

ECO 105 Fundamentals of Economics

ENG 121 English Composition I

ENG 122 English Composition II

ENG 131 Public Speaking

SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology

PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology

PSY 329 Lifespan Development

Upper Division Requirements (required for all B.S.N. majors)

General Education Requirements (6 credits)

ENG 310 Research Writing

MAT 308 Inferential Statistics

Upper level humanities electives (9 credits) Choose upper level courses from the following list:

RT, BBM 319, CUL, DRA, ETN, HIS 230, HUM, LIT, MUS, PHI, REL, SPA, VMG 311, VMG 312, VMG 313

Upper Division Nursing Core (31 credits)

NUR 303 Nurse as Professional

Before the final completion of NUR 303, students must complete the credentialing process.

NUR 313 Nurse as Decision Maker

NUR 323 Nurse as Teacher

NUR 333 Nurse as Leader

NUR 343 Nurse as Consumer of Research

NUR 363 Nurse as Caregiver: Chronic and Palliative Care

NUR 413 Holistic Health Assessment

NUR 423 Global Health Care

This is the first of two Nursing, Global Health Care courses, mandatory pre-requisites apply. This course is offered block one of all semesters.

NUR 433 Global Health Care Practicum

This is the RN to BSN Capstone course which includes a Community Learning Experience. Mandatory pre-requisites apply. This course is offered block two of all semesters.

Nursing Elective (3 credits)

Choose from the following:

NUR, HLT, HIT, ISM 430, POL 380

Free Electives

Choose free electives to complete degree requirements of 120 credit hours.

Program of Study

Students are urged to seek advisement in planning course sequence. The program of study will vary depending on transfer credits, part-time or full-time status, and credit earned in alternative ways.

This information applies to students who enter this degree program during the 2018-2019 Academic Year. If you entered this degree program before the Fall 2018 semester, please refer to the academic catalog for the year you began your degree program.