Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-B.S.N.) Program
Congratulations on your decision to continue your nursing education. Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) will help advance your career options. As you read more about our programs, don’t forget to check out these helpful links:
Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-B.S.N.) Program
Welcome full- or part-time students!
The RN-B.S.N. program is designed for registered nurses who have earned an associate degree in nursing.
Baccalaureate education builds and enhances clinical scholarship and prepares graduates to advance to an area of specialized nursing practice. Our RN-B.S.N. completion program was the first fully integrated online program for RNs in Texas, and now allows busy nurses to complete their upper-level core nursing courses in as little as 12 months.
All of our nursing course instruction is provided via the Internet for the adult learner – with online course materials, syllabi, assignments, discussion groups, e-mail and exams. Online class participation is asynchronous for the students’ convenience.
Admission Criteria and Selection: RN-B.S.N. Program
Pre-Acceptance Requirements
- Entrance into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree program requires admission to both the university and the College of Health and Human Services. The educational experience of each registered nurse will be evaluated on an individual basis.
- NOTE: Due to a recent revision to the ASU transfer course policy, grades on all coursework taken elsewhere and transferred into ASU must be a C or better to meet prerequisite requirements. Please see the transfer office if you have any questions about this policy.
- Students who have completed the A.A.S.N. program at Angelo State University and are applying for the RN-B.S.N. program are not required to reapply to the university as long as there is no break in enrollment during a long semester. However, they still need to complete the RN-B.S.N. program application packet below.
- The applicant must have a current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in Texas or the state where the applicant will conduct clinical practice.
- The applicant must have completed an NLNAC-accredited associate degree in nursing program from a school that is either recognized or accredited by SACS.
- The applicant must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) on all college work. Petitions for provisional admission will be considered on an individual basis by the B.S.N. faculty and the head of the Nursing and Rehabilitation Sciences Department. Applicants who are given provisional admission will be on probation, with the requirement that they achieve at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average on all work until they have completed 10 semester credit hours of work in the B.S.N. program at ASU. Provisional admission will only be granted on a “space available” basis. No applicant who has a cumulative grade point average below 2.25 will be granted provisional admission.
- A criminal background check must be completed through an agency contracted with the ASU nursing program.
NOTE: RN-BSN applicants are only required to submit for a background check. Please use the appropriate codes when making your purchase. See the link above for an instruction sheet and codes.
- Two professional letters of reference and a photograph are required. See the admission application for details.
| Application | Requirements |
|---|---|
| B.S.N. Application | Submitted with the application packet (send transcripts to the Office of Admissions) |
| Criminal Background Check | Through the nursing program’s contracted agency |
| Two Professional Letters of Reference | See application checklist on Page 2 of the application for details |
Meeting pre-acceptance requirements does not guarantee admission to the B.S.N. program.
Selection Process
- A student must be accepted into the RN-B.S.N. program before enrolling in required nursing coursework. A number of factors, including regulatory agencies’ requirements and university resources, dictate the number of candidates who can be accepted into the B.S.N. program for each semester. As a result, meeting pre-admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the RN-B.S.N. program. In addition, acceptance to the B.S.N. program does not guarantee enrollment in required nursing courses for any specific semester.
- Applications are not considered complete until all pre-acceptance requirements have been met. Only completed applications will be evaluated for admission to the program.
- Special permission to take non-clinical B.S.N. courses may be granted to qualified A.A.S.N. students who have junior standing at ASU (minimum of 60 semester credit hours) and are in good standing in their A.A.S.N. course of study. Interested A.A.S.N. students should submit two recommendation letters from A.A.S.N. faculty. (See the Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook.)
- Deadlines for initial and final review of completed applications are as follows:
-
- Summer/Fall: Rolling admission from March 1 through July 1 or until spaces are filled
- Spring: Rolling admission from September 1 through December 1 or until spaces are filled - CLOSED
- Candidates meeting all pre-admission requirements, but who are not accepted after the final review for a specific semester, will have their applications automatically reviewed (using the same process) during the initial review period for subsequent semesters. Candidates are responsible for ensuring their applications are current.
- If candidates do not gain admission within one academic year, they will need to complete a new application form.
RN-B.S.N. Advising Plans
RN-B.S.N. Advising Plan, Effective fall 2011
RN-Bachelor of Science in Nursing (53 semester credit hours)
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| Nursing 3301, 3304, 4302, 4344, 4407, 4349, 4403 | 23 |
| Upper Division Nursing Elective | 3 |
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| Communication 2301 | 3 |
| English 1302, English Literature (2000 level) | 6 |
| Political Science 2301 and 2302 | 6 |
| History 1301 and 1302 | 6 |
| Mathematics 3321, Psychology 2321, Nursing 2337 or Nursing 4337 | 3 |
|
Visual and Performing Arts: Art 1301, 1302, 1305, 2301, 2302 Drama 1311, 1351 Music 1310, 1341, 1342, 1351, 1361, 1375, 1376 Honors 2302 |
3 |
For the student who has completed ASU’s associate degree nursing program, the above plan meets all core curriculum and general requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. All RN-B.S.N. students are also required to have completed all academics for an A.A.S.N. degree and Pathophysiology. Please see the above Advising Plan or speak to an ASU pre-nursing advisor for a list of these courses.
Standards for Progression in the RN-B.S.N. Program
The following standards must be maintained by each student in order to progress in the B.S.N. program to graduation:
- Compliance with all rules and regulations outlined in the B.S.N. Student Handbook and the Undergraduate University Catalog
- A minimum 2.25 overall grade point average (GPA) at the completion of each semester to register for the next set of nursing courses
- A minimum 2.25 overall grade point average to graduate
- Successful completion of each nursing course with a grade of C or above
- Demonstration of safe performance in the clinical laboratory at all times
- Adherence to the rules and regulations as defined in the current Nurse Practice Act for the State of Texas, and the Code of Ethics of the American Nurses Association while in the performance of duties in the B.S.N. program
- Compliance with the Angelo State University Honor Code
RN-B.S.N. Program Frequently Asked Questions
- How long will it take me to complete the B.S.N.?
- Do you provide an orientation program?
- Will I ever be required to come to ASU during my course of study in the B.S.N. program?
- Do I have to get all of my academics at ASU?
- Does ASU offer any online academic courses?
- What course numbers at local colleges transfer for ASU credit?
- Does ASU accept credit by exam for academic courses?
How long will it take me to complete the B.S.N.?
Students who have completed all of their core academic courses could complete the program in 12 months or two long semesters, provided they are full-time students. However, degree plans are individualized to meet your needs. Part-time students can complete the program easily in less than two academic years.
Do you provide an orientation program?
Yes. Program orientation materials are available to you through the Undergraduate Information on the nursing program website. Course orientations are also available to you through each course in Blackboard, the course management system.
Will I ever be required to come to ASU during my course of study in the B.S.N. program?
No. You are not required to come to campus during your course of study in the online RN-B.S.N. program. However, meeting with your professors and/or seeing the campus will enhance your college experience.
Do I have to get all of my academics at ASU?
No. A maximum of 66 hours from accredited two-year colleges may be used toward ASU degree plans. ASU requires 30 semester credit hours to be taken in residence to receive a bachelor’s degree from ASU. We often have students who take the academic courses in their home communities while taking the online nursing courses at ASU. Local junior colleges offer excellent opportunities for core curriculum requirements. Please keep in mind that a student should be approved for admission before the Office of Transfer Student Services can evaluate transcripts.
Does ASU offer any online academic courses?
Yes. During the academic year, several core academic courses are offered online, including the following: Communication 2301, Political Science 2301 and 2302, Math 1302, Nursing 2337 and Psychology 2304. Visit the Distance Education website for more information. You can also check the Class Schedule to learn more about when specific courses are offered. Online classes will be indicated by the term “Online Course” in the schedule.
What course numbers at local colleges transfer for ASU credit?
Review the information on admission requirements for transfer students and the Texas Junior College Equivalency Tables, which will give you the course equivalencies for many community colleges in Texas. If in doubt, contact the Office of Student Transfer Services at (325) 942-2041, ext. 242.
Does ASU accept credit by exam for academic courses?
Yes. ASU offers several mechanisms for earning course credit based upon ACT/SAT I scores and/or through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). This link provides more information on the specific requirements, time frames and test registration deadlines.
Readmission
Students who have an interruption in the normal progression of their nursing studies as a result of withdrawal from a nursing course(s) in more than one semester, earning a grade lower than C in a required nursing or science course, or not being in compliance with other progression standards will no longer be enrolled in the B.S.N. program. Individuals who request and are approved for readmission to the B.S.N. program may be reinstated only once. Recommendation from the nursing faculty and an overall grade point average of 2.5 or better are required for readmission. Readmission is on a “space available” basis. Please complete and submit the B.S.N. Readmission Application to begin the readmission process.
