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RN to BSN, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Professional Licensure Information

Wilmington University has determined that the Bachelor of Science in Nursing meets the educational requirements for licensure in Delaware and New Jersey. Wilmington University is reviewing other states and has not made specific determinations for those states. Prospective students seeking professional licensure outside of Delaware or New Jersey should verify state licensure requirements before applying. For state-by-state contact information for inquiring about individual state licensure requirements, please visit NC-SARA's Professional Licensure Directory.

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 (BSN) 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 BSN 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, Brandywine, Georgetown, and Dover campus sites in DE; 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 requirement 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.

Program Competencies

In addition to achieving the Wilmington University undergraduate graduation competencies given in the Academic Information section of this catalog, undergraduate students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program will achieve the following competencies: 

  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.

Program Policies 

Students are responsible for following all College of Health Professions policies and procedures, which are presented in NUR 303 and located in the program handbook.
It is mandatory that all nursing students complete a background check, drug screen, and submit a completed immunization record during NUR 303. Details are provided in the program handbook available through the BSN Student Program site. Please be advised there is a one-time outside vendor fee required to complete the mandatory credentialing. This one-time fee is the responsibility of the students. Previous screening results will not be accepted.

Minimum Grade Policy

The College of Health Professions sets a required minimum grade of "C-" for all nursing core courses.  Students receiving a grade lower than "C-" in any required program core course must retake that course. 

 

 

Curriculum

The number of transfer credits granted to entering RN students varies depending on basic nursing preparation. In addition,  the program of study will vary depending on transfer credits, part-time or full-time status, and credits earned in alternative ways. Students are encouraged to seek advisement with an academic advisor or nursing faculty member to plan their course sequence. 

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 and physiology, and microbiology). 

Free Electives

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

Nursing Elective (3 Credits)

Choose one (1) upper level nursing elective from the following: 

NUR, HLT, HIT, ISM 430, HSC 380

 

Upper Division Nursing Core (31 Credits)

NUR 303 Nurse as Professional

Prior to the completion of NUR 303, students must complete the mandatory 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

Mandatory pre-requisite: MAT 308 or approved course transfer

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.

General Education Requirements - Upper Division (15 credits)

Required for all BSN majors

ENG 310 Research Writing

MAT 308 Inferential Statistics

HUM Upper Level Humanities Elective (9 credits)

Choose three (3) upper level humanities electives from the following list: 

ART, BBM 319, CUL, DRA, ETN, HUM, LIT, MUS, PHI, REL, SPA, VFP 311, VFP 312, VFP 313

 

General Education Requirements - Lower Division (24 Credits) (for students without an associates degree)

RN to BSN degree students can transfer up to 90 credits towards lower division general education requirements. 



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

Accelerated Option - BSN to MSN

The purpose of this option is to offer eligible BSN students the opportunity to possibly take up to four selected MSN courses in lieu of undergraduate courses. A BSN degree is earned upon completion of the 120 credits. Courses taken at the graduate level while pursuing the BSN degree will fulfill requirements for both programs.

Students are identified as an undergraduate student until their BSN degree is conferred, at which time they will be eligible to continue on in the MSN program they have chosen and been accepted to.

 

Eligibility criteria for this option includes: 

1. Successful completion of 90 undergraduate credits, 

2. Completion of all required lower level courses, 

3. Completion of NUR 303; Nurse as Professional, 

4. Completion of ENG 310; Research Writing, 

5. Completion of MAT 308; Inferential Statistics or transfer equivalency, and 

6. GPA of 3.5 or higher

 

The BSN to MSN accelerated option intent form is located in the BSN Student Handbook and in the BSN Student Program Site. Upon submission of the BSN to MSN accelerated option intent form, students will be contacted by the Assistant Program Chair to review the appropriate course sequencing, advisement, and preparation for graduate course work. The accelerated course selection depends upon the selected graduate major. 

This information applies to students who enter this degree program during the 2020-2021 Academic Year. If you entered this degree program before the Fall 2020 semester, please refer to the academic catalog for the year you began your degree program.