RN to BSN Prerequisites: A STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO BECOMING A NURSE
The profession is greatly fulfilling and there are plenty of employment options for persons in the nursing field. A step up within this area is to attain a BSN after receiving the RN license. Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing after being licensed as a Registered Nurse. The program offered to every learner, the RN to BSN program, assists nurses in upgrading their skills and rendering their employment opportunities better. However, one must take time and meet some important details before enrolling in any RN to BSN program. This article will also go through the requirements needed in different programs for RN to BSN, and the specific ones needed for famous universities like Capella University, Texas Tech, Chamberlain, etc.
Overview of The RN to BSN Programs
This knowledge should be added to the fact that the healthcare industry is dynamic, and nurses to be productive need to update themselves regularly. For the RNs who wish to have a promotion in their career path, getting a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, (BSN) is the best way forward. It also creates a way through which nursing skills can be improved, leadership skills learned and better jobs secured through the RN to BSN pathway.However, it is important to know the and The courses in the Direct Entry MSN are as follows: Basic Pathophysiology, Health Assessment, Statistics, Nursing Research, Evidence-based Based Practice, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Childbearing Families, Community Health, Gerontology, Leadership and Management, Health Care Policy, and Technology. These prerequisites differ from institution to institution but common ones include specific academic credentials, licenses, and at times, practice experience. This way you will know what to do to meet the admission requirements to be granted a chance to join.
General RN to BSN Prerequisites
Any given RN to BSN program has much in common with its counterparts. While each school has unique admission requirements, the following are general criteria you’ll likely encounter:
- Current RN License: Licensure requirements state that one must meet an active and unencumbered registered nurse license.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): Employment usually requires completion of an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a diploma in nursing.
- Minimum GPA: Most programs have cut off on GPA, normally starting from 2.5 to 3.0.
- Transcripts: Official transcripts from the prior nursing education are required and must be submitted.
- Clinical Experience: Some programs have genre and/or require the candidate to have specific experience in clinical nursing.
- General Education Courses: Passing all general education courses including English, Mathematics, and Science among others may be a necessity for full program admission.
Texas Tech RN to BSN Prerequisites
- The course below in Texas offers a direct way for registered nurses to pursue a BSN. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) has developed a working nurse RN to BSN program to accommodate working nurses. The prerequisites for this program include:
- Active RN License: Current unencumbered licensure as a Registered Nurse
- Minimum Education: Associate Degree in Nursing, or diploma from an accredited RN nursing program.
- Minimum GPA: The candidate should have a minimum grade point average of 2.5.
- General Education Requirements: It is also necessary to complete certain coursework in such related fields as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, etc.
Capella University RN to BSN Prerequisites
Earning a BSN degree at Capella University is easier through the RN to BSN program that includes the FlexPath. The prerequisites for Capella University’s RN to BSN program include:
- Unencumbered RN License: There is a legal requirement for an active and valid RN license.
- ADN or Nursing Diploma: They should also need to have completed an accredited associate degree in nursing or possess a nursing diploma.
- Minimum GPA: For a student to be admitted to the FlexPath option of Capella, he or she should have an overall GPA of 2.8 and above.
- General Education Credits: Specific requirements depend on the particular college/university, so all general education courses, including English, communication, etc, must be completed.
The RN to BSN with No Prerequisites is a Unique Online Nursing Program
That is why for those who are worried about strict requirements for entering, some RN to BSN programs have loose conditions. These programs may not entitle a student to comprehensive general education courses or have the lowest GPAs.Some institutions can even admit that nurses can skip some of the pre-requirements due to their experience or license. However, it is flexible and always consults general details of each program as this can defer a lot.
UTA RN to BSN Prerequisites
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) offers an RN to BSN program with the following prerequisites:
- Current RN License: An active, unimpaired license as a Registered Nurse in the state of practice is mandatory.
- ADN or Nursing Diploma: To be a registered nurse one has to graduate from an accredited Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a nursing diploma.
- GPA Requirement: UTA expects card-carrying members to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
- General Education Courses: Applicants must re-credit English, history, political science, and other basic courses before full admission, although these courses may be taken before making an application. The RN to BSN offered by UTA is widely recognized and completely online so that students can work at the same time.
MSU RN to BSN Prerequisites
Mississippi State University (MSU) offers an RN to BSN program with a set of prerequisites, including:
- Current RN License: As of the date of application, and throughout the program, an active, un-restricted RN license is mandatory.
- Associate Degree in Nursing: Having passed an accredited Associate Degree in Nursing program.
- GPA Requirement: In general, MSU has a minimum requirement for the student’s GPA which ranges from around 2.5.
- General Education Requirements: The students are required to take basic subject classes which include: anatomy, physiology, and microbiology.
Capella University RN to BSN Admission Requirements Handout
In addition to the prerequisites mentioned earlier, Capella University’s RN to BSN program requires applicants to submit the following for admission:
- Application Form: Fill out an online form on the Capella website.
- Official Transcripts: Ensure that they attach official transcripts from all Post Secondary Institutions they have attended.
- Proof of RN Licensure: You need to submit evidence of an active RN license.
GPA Verification: Of course, make sure that your transcripts show that your cumulative GPA is 2.8 or higher.
FAQs
While some programs might offer conditional admission, most require the students to complete general education courses to graduate. FlexPath is a learning model at Capella University used by a few select programs. FlexPath is an example of a self-learning technology that enables students to fulfill course requirements in their own time, so this option will benefit working students.
Some universities may have probationary admission or recommend students to carry extra courses to boost results.
Clinical experience is not mandatory for all programs, however, having this practical experience will only be beneficial to your application and your chances of getting accepted in the said programs.
Yes, the accredited RN to BSN online programs are reputable, and employers accept graduates from the program as they do for students from campus-based programs.
