The RN-BSN plan of study offers the flexibility of online education.  This option allows registered nurses who are graduates of accredited associate degree or diploma programs to earn a BSN.

 

The RN-B.S.N. option is designed to offer registered nurses the opportunity to build on their nursing knowledge and experience by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Students in the RN-B.S.N. option take courses that focus on professionalism and patient safety, research, improvement of health systems, leadership, information technology, and community and public health. The RN-B.S.N. option allows registered nurses to earn a B.S.N. degree via flexible online education that is delivered primarily asynchronously with limited synchronous face-to-face assemblies for the gerontology and public health practicum experiences as well as the capstone seminar.

The RN-B.S.N. program option requires 31 semester hours of major study. The prospective RN-B.S.N. student must hold an active, unencumbered registered nursing license in their state of residence and have been conferred an Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program. Prospective students must complete the prerequisite course work before beginning work required for the major in nursing. The RN-B.S.N. plan of study provides a semester-by-semester conceptualization of the required coursework involved.

Students interested in applying for admission to the RN-B.S.N. option may fulfill the degree requirements for the entire program at Kentucky State University through course offerings in the various Colleges. A student may also transfer courses from an institution that offers comparable prerequisite or non-major courses that are approved by Kentucky State University and the School of Nursing. Once a student is admitted to the RN-B.S.N. option major, the student must complete all degree requirements within five (5) years from admission into the major.

All students must satisfactorily complete the minimum semester credit hours delineated in the B.S.N. pre- licensure plan of study, as well as any other requirements established by the School of Nursing, to qualify for degree candidacy. Students must also meet established School of Nursing grade requirements in all major courses for academic progression in the program. Information on admission, retention, progression, dismissal, or readmission can be found in the B.S.N. Student Handbook on the School of Nursing website. The School of Nursing is responsible for all components of the B.S.N. program pre-licensure option, including but not limited to, the selection, supervision, and evaluation of nursing students, and the curriculum. As such, The School of Nursing reserves the right to modify any academic provisions or academic requirements when such action will serve the interest of the client/patient, the nursing program, or its students.

Academic Advising

Kentucky State University students who have declared an interest in the RN-B.S.N. option and transfer students who are offered admission into the B.S.N. program shall be assigned a nursing faculty advisor who will assist with course and career planning. Mandatory advising is required each academic year as outlined in the B.S.N. Student Handbook.

Applicants with Foreign Education

Applicants to the B.S.N. program pre-licensure option whose first language is not English must score at least 550 (paper) or 80 (Internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Registered nurses educated outside of the United States are required to present verification of having passed the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) examination. In addition, liberal arts and general studies credits earned at institutions of higher learning outside of the U.S. must be evaluated by the World Education Service (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), or International Academic Credential Evaluators (IACEI) for determination of transferability prior to submitting an application for admission to the B.S.N. program.

Admissions

Minimally, the following criteria must be met for RN-B.S.N. admissions consideration:

• Admission to Kentucky State University.
• An earned diploma or associate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program.
• Official transcripts from all schools attended.
• Pre-requisite education courses completed and on the official transcript before beginning the nursing program at Kentucky State University.
• Overall GPA of at least 2.8 on a 4.0 scale on associate degree or diploma coursework.
• Verification of a current unencumbered license to practice nursing in the prospective student’s state of residence prior to enrollment in the first major course.
• Personal essay.
• One academic reference and one professional reference.
• Completed School of Nursing application.

Applications to the School of Nursing are processed through Nursing CAS, the centralized application service for nursing. All application materials must be received before the deadline established for the year the student desires to enter the RN-B.S.N. option. Applications are not transferrable from year to year. Applicants must reapply annually, by the submission deadline, for admission consideration.

Students are admitted in the fall and spring for the RN-B.S.N. option. The application deadline for fall admission consideration is May 1st. Visit www.nursingcas.org to start your application or log into an existing account.

Competitive Selection

A student must earn competitive admission to the School of Nursing once prerequisite course work is complete. Applications are ranked according to qualifiers including GPA and deficits. Deficits are pre-requisite courses which are not completed prior to application submission. Due to the competitive nature of the admissions process, deficits can significantly impact one’s chances for admission to the nursing major.

Please note that meeting the minimum requirements for admissions consideration does not guarantee admission. Each application is holistically reviewed by faculty who recommend to the administrative corpus the student applicants who appear to be best qualified. A personal interview may be required. Admission may be offered conditionally based on overall ranking and pending completion of all requirements. Applicants shall be notified in writing of the admissions decision. Visit the School of Nursing website or contact the School of Nursing for more details on admission criteria.

Alcohol and Controlled Substances

The use of alcohol and illegal use of controlled substances, including alcohol, can seriously injure the health of students, impair their performance of their responsibilities, and endanger the safety and well-being of fellow students and members of the general public. Students who are engaged in clinical work at a practicum site may be required to submit to random tests for illegal use of controlled substances as provided by the law or regulations of the contracting agency. Just cause for student disciplinary action includes, but is not limited to, use or unauthorized possession of intoxicants, controlled or illegal substances, or materials dangerous to public health and safety. It is not acceptable to use alcohol or illegal drugs prior to or during class or clinical. Immediate disciplinary action will be taken. Recognizing that substance abuse is a professional hazard, in addition to the Kentucky State University Substance Abuse, Alcohol and Drug Policies, the School of Nursing, has established a substance abuse and drug/alcohol testing policy. This policy applies to all students who have matriculated in the School of Nursing.

Background Check and Drug Testing

Participation in clinical experiences, rotations or fieldwork is a required part of the curriculum and a requirement for graduation. All students will be required to have a background screening and drug test upon admission. If the results of either requirement indicate that the student would not be eligible for placement at the school’s practicum agencies, the student’s admission will be rescinded. Students may be required to repeat either requirement (i.e., background screening and/or drug testing) should the practicum agency require more frequent monitoring. If at any time during the period of enrollment, the student’s background screen or drug test results preclude placement in a practicum agency, the student will be required to withdraw from the program. At the time of application for licensure, students will be required to submit to fingerprinting and criminal background check as a component of the Kentucky Board of Nursing licensure application process.

Technical Standards

Applicants to the School of Nursing are expected to be capable of completing the entire nursing curriculum and of earning a B.S.N. degree. Nursing is a practice discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective, and psychomotor performance requirements. The school's technical standards provide an objective measure on which to base informed decisions about whether individual students will be able to participate in the nursing program. Technical standards also help students determine whether they will need accommodations or modifications in order to participate. Exemplars of technical standards can be found in the B.S.N. Student Handbook available on the School of Nursing webpage. Students with disabilities who believe that they may need assistance in meeting the core performance standards should contact the Kentucky State University Office of Disability Resource Services.

Expenses

Nursing students are charged the same tuition rate and general fees as students enrolled in other University programs. However, students accepted into the nursing major incur additional expenses related to clinical uniform requirements, summative and formative testing, official ceremonial regalia, association membership, and practicum equipment and materials.

Retention, Progression, & Dismissal

Governing policies including policy on admission, retention, progression, dismissal and readmission for the School of Nursing B.S.N. program can be found online in the B.S.N. Student Handbook on the School of Nursing webpage.

Associate’s degree in Nursing required for admission + RN to BSN prerequisites

Prerequisites 

Semester One

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
NUR 321R	Professional Role Transitions	3
NUR 325R	Public Health Nursing	3
NUR 325RP	Public Health Nursing Practicu	1
NUR 322R	Nursing Assessment	3
NUR 301R	Info. Mgmt. & Tech.	3
NUR 302R	Gerontological Nursing	3

Semester Two