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 ethics to make informed care decisions; caring for the whole person (body, mind, spirit).
- PLO 2: Apply health promotion strategies and prevention principles in the planning of care and education for individual patients, families, and communities.
- PLO 3: Analyze data, research, nursing theory, and models in relation to patient care planning and nursing practice.
- PLO 4: Apply information and medical technology tools and processes to deliver quality patient care.
- PLO 5: Evaluate effective inter-professional communication and collaboration to improve quality, patient-centered care.
- PLO 6: Plan for ongoing contribution to one’s nursing practice through lifelong learning and demonstrated competence in the nursing profession.
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 | ||
| ARTS 110 | Introduction to Art | 3 |
| Humanities | ||
| ENGL 115 | Introduction to Literature | 3 |
| or PHIL 205 | Introduction to Philosophy | |
| or PHIL 210 | Introduction to Ethics | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| STAT 280 | Applied Statistics | 3 |
| Behavioral Sciences | ||
| ECON 203 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| or PSYC 105 | Introduction to Psychology | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| HIST 202 | World Civilizations | 3 |
| or HIST 204 | U.S. History from 1865 | |
| or HIST 420 | 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 Evidence Translation | 3 |
| NURS 350 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURS 360 | Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Healthcare | 3 |
| NURS 400 | Evidence-Based Thinking and Informatics in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 410 | Patient Outcomes: Quality Care and Safety | 3 |
| NURS 420 | Healthcare Communication and Collaboration | 3 |
| NURS 430 | Cultural and Spiritual Diversity in Healthcare | 3 |
| NURS 470 | Nursing Leadership and Management Planning | 3 |
| NURS 475 | Nursing Leadership and Management Strategies | 3 |
| NURS 480 | Community and Public Health Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 485 | Community and Public Health Nursing Practicum | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Electives Requirement 2 | 38 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
7 credits of the 34-credit GS Core are fulfilled within the Program Requisites.
- 2
Students may choose from any course in the catalog. If students wish to complete a concentration, they may complete a maximum of two concentrations.
Students may also earn up to 30 credits of electives via Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).