Are you a registered nurse looking to advance your career? Perhaps you are looking for a Bachelor’s in Nursing program that can, somehow, fit into your already busy schedule (which might involve 12-hour shifts at the hospital). An RN-to-BSN program may just be your answer. These bridge programs offer a fast and flexible route towards a BSN degree — without interfering with your daily life.
Continuing your nursing education is a great career move, especially in today’s competitive workforce. All over the country, healthcare employers are looking to staff a full BSN workforce by 2020. In fact, in Connecticut, more than 3 out of 4 employers prefer to hire nursing grads that hold a bachelor’s degree.
While earning a BSN requires more work and education, nurses who go for that extra degree certainly reap the rewards. Often times, BSNs experience more job offers, higher pay, and higher quality patient care. So how do you get that coveted RN-to-BSN degree? Let’s break down the requirements, so you can get on your way to enjoying an even more fulfilling career.
RN-to-BSN Licensing Requirements
As you embark on this exciting adventure, you’ll want to know where to start to break into an RN-to-BSN program, such as the one offered at Goodwin College. First, you will need to have taken and passed the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN), which will license you as a Registered Nurse (RN). Only then can you register for NUR 300-400 level courses and complete your bachelor’s degree in Nursing.
In addition to these licensing requirements, up to 35 nursing credits may be awarded through the Connecticut Articulation Agreement upon satisfactory (C+ or better) completion of NUR 300 Foundations of Professional Nursing.
RN-to-BSN Course Requirements
Along with the core requirements for the RN-to-BSN degree, all students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Goodwin College must complete a minimum of 46 credits in general education – 40 credits in the general education college core, and 6 credits in programmatic general education courses. Here is a breakdown of the specific nursing courses needed to complete the degree at Goodwin College:
- Foundations of Professional Nursing
- Health Assessment
- Introduction to Nursing Research (RE)
- Public & Community Health Nursing (MC)
- Clinical Nursing Leadership
- Introduction to Healthcare Policy and Advocacy
- Seminar in Professional Nursing Leadership
RN-to-BSN Graduation Requirements
In order to successfully complete the RN-to-BSN degree at an accredited school, such as Goodwin College, students must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and a minimum of a C+ in each of the nursing courses. Students must also meet all general graduation and college requirements as stated in the College catalogue. At Goodwin, a minimum of 30 credit hours, including all upper division nursing courses, must be completed.
Upon graduation and meeting the various RN-to-BSN requirements, you will be well-prepared for careers in a variety of settings, including leadership roles and positions that require a bachelor’s degree. These might include school nursing settings, military nursing roles, as well as positions in hospitals, physicians’ offices, and more. Learn what you can do with a BSN degree here.
For already-working RNs, the RN-to-BSN degree at Goodwin College may be completed part-time in just 16 months! And, the RN-to-BSN coursework is offered entirely online. This will help give your career the boost it needs, without slowing you down or deterring you from your work in your medical profession. You can continue helping and healing patients, as well as continue living your life, all while going back to school.
Call us today at 800-889-3282 to learn more about the RN-to-BSN requirements at Goodwin College, or to request more information about our RN-to-BSN degree program.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.