Academic Catalog

2022-2023 Edition

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 225Microbiology/Lab4
BIOL 230Anatomy and Physiology I/Lab4
BIOL 240Anatomy and Physiology II/Lab4
CHEM 115Chemistry for Health Sciences/Lab4
STAT 280Applied Statistics3

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 Requirements25
LAPU Distinctives9
Total Credits34

General Education

Requirement Title Credits
English Communication
COMM 105Public Communication3
ENGL 105Introduction to Academic Research and Writing3
Arts
ARTS 110Introduction to Art3
Humanities
ENGL 115Introduction to Literature3
or PHIL 205 Introduction to Philosophy
or PHIL 210 Introduction to Ethics
Quantitative Reasoning
STAT 280Applied Statistics3
Behavioral Sciences
ECON 203Principles of Microeconomics3
or PSYC 105 Introduction to Psychology
Social Sciences
HIST 202World Civilizations3
or HIST 204 U.S. History from 1865
or HIST 420 United States History and the Constitution
Physical and Biological Sciences
CHEM 115Chemistry for Health Sciences/Lab4
Total Credits25

LAPU Distinctives

Requirement Title Credits
BIBL 100Introduction to Biblical Literature: Exodus/Deuteronomy3
BIBL 230Introduction to Biblical Literature: Luke/Acts3
ISTU 101Success in the University 13
Total Credits9
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 127
Program Requisites19
Major Requirements36
Electives38
Total Credits120
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 127
Program Requisites
BIOL 225Microbiology/Lab4
BIOL 230Anatomy and Physiology I/Lab4
BIOL 240Anatomy and Physiology II/Lab4
CHEM 115Chemistry for Health Sciences/Lab4
STAT 280Applied Statistics3
Major Requirements
NURS 320Health Assessment3
NURS 330Nursing Research and Evidence Translation3
NURS 350Pathophysiology3
NURS 360Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Healthcare3
NURS 400Evidence-Based Thinking and Informatics in Nursing3
NURS 410Patient Outcomes: Quality Care and Safety3
NURS 420Healthcare Communication and Collaboration3
NURS 430Cultural and Spiritual Diversity in Healthcare3
NURS 470Nursing Leadership and Management Planning3
NURS 475Nursing Leadership and Management Strategies3
NURS 480Community and Public Health Nursing3
NURS 485Community and Public Health Nursing Practicum3
Electives
Electives Requirement 238
Total Credits120
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).