RN-BSN Program
The baccalaureate program for registered nurses (RN-BSN program) prepares registered nurses for leadership roles in a variety of health care settings. The curriculum provides an academic background which serves as the basis for graduate education and continued personal and professional growth. The program builds from a liberal arts foundation, integrating nursing knowledge with the humanities, and behavioral and social sciences. Registered nurses who choose to complete the baccalaureate degree are prepared for career advancement in the clinical setting of their choice. Course content in research, leadership and management, and community health nursing introduce students to leadership and management roles and nursing positions in the community Graduates are prepared to make an impact on the current and future health care of society.
The RN-BSN Program is offered in a 20 month online format. All courses are offered in a web-based format via the Internet. Twelve credit hours are completed every 16 weeks. Two classes (six credit hours) are taken every eight weeks. Cohort groups start each fall and move through the curriculum together. The curriculum provides a flexible program of study, recognizing the registered nurse’s previous knowledge and clinical expertise.
Program Goals
The faculty have prepared program goals which flow from the conceptual threads. By completion of the program, graduates will be prepared as nurse generalists and will be able to:
- Integrate concepts of the holistic person and a multidimensional definition of health into nursing practice.
- Integrate critical thinking and evidence-based practice to promote safe, patient centered care into nursing care for individual clients, families, groups, and communities across the life span in a variety of settings.
- Synthesize knowledge from humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and life and physical sciences with nursing theory and practice.
- Foster a caring presence through modifying communication techniques and establishing therapeutic relationships with individuals, families, groups and communities.
- Collaborate with members of the health teams to promote clients’ health and welfare in an ever-changing practice environment.
- Assume a leadership role in directing nursing activities and initiating change to improve health care delivery integrating information and health care technologies within a diverse world.
- Demonstrate legal, and ethical and social responsibility and accountability as a professional nurse.
- Implement a plan for professional growth and development as a member of the nursing profession.
- Evaluate research and integrate evidence based findings to improve nursing practice.
Curriculum Plan
- Download a copy of the 20 Month Curriculum Plan as a pdf.
Clinical Requirements
In order to participate in clinical experiences, clinical requirements as set by the Department of Nursing and clinical agencies must be met.
Students are required to obtain qualified RN preceptors for various clinical experiences. Students are responsible for submitting documentation of preceptor credentials and contact information to appropriate nursing faculty. Times and days for clinical hours are negotiated between the student and the clinical preceptor. Clinical experiences must be completed in the state in which the student is licensed.
Career Advancement
The BSN degree offers students the education mobility to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing degree. USF offers a Family Nurse Practitioner track. To find out more, call the Office of Admissions at 260-399-8000 or 800-729-4732.