Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
Research over the past decade has consistently shown that registered nurses with baccalaureate-level nursing degrees are able to provide higher-level skills than those with an associate degree in nursing. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RNBSN) program is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of registered nurses in critical areas such as evidence-based practice, assessment, data analysis, nursing leadership, and public and community health. This program is for those who are already licensed as registered nurses and desire to complete the BSN degree.
Students who complete the RNBSN program are typically already working as nurses but are seeking career advancement opportunities in the form of advanced nursing practice skills or nursing leadership roles. Graduates of the program may also pursue advanced studies in nursing or a related field.
Applicants are required to submit a copy of their valid RN licenses and to maintain the licenses in an unexpired status with the state in which they intend to complete the practicum experiences throughout the program. The program is open to registered nurses with an associate degree in nursing from an accredited institution or with an RN diploma from a hospital school of nursing.
There are five requisite courses for the program. In most cases, these requirements will have been met in the process of completing the associate degree in nursing. If students do not have the requisite courses completed at the time of admission, then they must pass these courses prior to registering for the program courses for which these courses are prerequisites. Students must complete each of the following courses, or their equivalents, with grades of C- or higher:
| Requirement | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 225 | Microbiology/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 230 | Anatomy and Physiology I/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 240 | Anatomy and Physiology II/Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 115 | Chemistry for Health Sciences/Lab | 4 |
| STAT 280 | Applied Statistics | 3 |
In most cases, these requirements will have been met in the process of completing the associate degree in nursing.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLO) for the B.S. Degree in Nursing
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing program will be able to:
- PLO 1: Integrate a Christian worldview, professional values and personal ethics to make informed care decisions; caring for the whole person (body, mind, spirit).
- PLO 2: Apply critical thinking, reasoning, assessment, and clinical decision making in providing quality care and education to individual patients, families, and communities.
- PLO 3: Analyze data and incorporate theories and concepts from arts, humanities, and sciences in professional nursing practice.
- PLO 4: Manage information technology in a variety of settings as an adjunct in the delivery of quality patient care.
- PLO 5: Demonstrate effective interprofessional communication and collaboration to achieve delivery of patient centered care.
- PLO 6: Demonstrate competence in one's professional role; contributing to nursing practice and the nursing profession through a process of lifelong learning.
The Los Angeles Pacific University Core comprises the General Education requirements and the LAPU Distinctives. Students are encouraged to complete the Core before beginning their major requirements. General Education requirements may be met by transfer work. The LAPU Distinctives are required for all undergraduate degrees at LAPU.
| Requirement | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 25 | |
| LAPU Distinctives | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 34 | |
General Education
| Requirement | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English Communication | ||
| COMM 105 | Public Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 105 | Introduction to Academic Research and Writing | 3 |
| Arts and Humanities | ||
| ARTS 110 | Introduction to Art | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Literature | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| STAT 280 | Applied Statistics | 3 |
| Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Social Sciences | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| World Civilizations | ||
| U.S. History from 1865 | ||
| United States History and the Constitution | ||
| Physical and Biological Sciences | ||
| CHEM 115 | Chemistry for Health Sciences/Lab | 4 |
| Total Credits | 25 | |
LAPU Distinctives
| Requirement | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIBL 100 | Introduction to Biblical Literature: Exodus/Deuteronomy | 3 |
| BIBL 230 | Introduction to Biblical Literature: Luke/Acts | 3 |
| ISTU 101 | Success in the University 1 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
| 1 | Must be taken at LAPU. |
In order to earn the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, students must complete the following degree components:
| Requirement | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core 1 | 27 | |
| Program Requisites | 19 | |
| Major Requirements | 36 | |
| Electives | 38 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
| 1 | 34 credits total; 7 credits are counted below in Program Requisites. |
In order to earn the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, students must complete the following required courses while achieving a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.0 in their major courses and grades of C- or higher in the program requisites.
| Requirement | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| Core Requirements 1 | 27 | |
| Program Requisites | ||
| BIOL 225 | Microbiology/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 230 | Anatomy and Physiology I/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 240 | Anatomy and Physiology II/Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 115 | Chemistry for Health Sciences/Lab | 4 |
| STAT 280 | Applied Statistics | 3 |
| Major Requirements | ||
| NURS 320 | Health Assessment | 3 |
| NURS 330 | Nursing Research and Statistics | 3 |
| NURS 350 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURS 360 | Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care | 3 |
| NURS 400 | Evidence-Based Thinking and Informatics in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 410 | Improving Patient Outcomes: Quality Care and Safety | 3 |
| NURS 420 | Healthcare Communication and Collaboration | 3 |
| NURS 430 | Cultural and Spiritual Diversity in Health and Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 470 | Nursing Leadership and Management | 3 |
| NURS 475 | Nursing Leadership and Management Practicum | 3 |
| NURS 480 | Community and Public Health Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 485 | Community and Public Health Nursing Practicum | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Electives Requirement | 38 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
| 1 | 7 credits of the 34-credit GS Core are fulfilled within the Program Requisites. |