2021-2022 Academic Catalog 
    
    Nov 26, 2024  
2021-2022 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing, R.N. to B.S.N.


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Overview and Accreditation

The BSN Program is a nationally accredited RN to BSN Program that is designed for the working registered nurse. This is a “2 + 2” nursing program in which AS nursing graduates can complete their BSN in 3 or 4 semesters.

All nursing classes are offered online and some courses require clinical experiences that may be completed in the student’s home county/state. Boot Camps are required days of class with faculty provided via “Live Streaming” to accommodate the online learner. Students have 3 options for attending the required classes: Attend live class on the Bluefield campus, attend live class virtually from their home computer, or watch the archived class video within one week from when the class was held. Students may complete support courses at Bluefield State College or at other colleges or universities. Completion of the BSN degree requires a total of 120 credit hours.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Bluefield State College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, D.C. 20001 (202) 887-6791.

Mission: The mission of the RN to BSN Program is to provide students an opportunity for quality baccalaureate nursing education that is both affordable and geographically accessible, and prepares students to meet the diverse health care needs of the community, state, and nation. The nursing faculty is committed to planning and implementing a quality baccalaureate program for registered nurses which promotes students’ intellectual, personal, ethical, and cultural development in a diverse and caring environment. The scope of professional nursing education is believed to be one that enables and empowers the student to recognize the ethical, legislative, economic, regulatory and political aspects that define the scope of professional nursing practice. The roles inherent in the status of the professional nurse include but are not limited to: provider of direct and indirect care, designer/manager/coordinator of care, member of a profession, patient/client advocate and educator, and life-long learner.

Goal: The goal of the BSN Program is to provide registered nurses with learning opportunities to acquire the knowledge base and skills to practice nursing at the professional level.

Student Outcomes

  1. Assess the health/illness status of individuals, families, and communities throughout the lifespan utilizing a holistic perspective.
  2. Recognize how components of diversity impact health and health care.
  3. Practice advocacy skills for the nursing profession and the patients/clients served.
  4. Employ critical thinking skills as a basis for professional nursing practice.
  5. Use effective communication skills and interprofessional collaboration consistent with the role of the professional nurse.
  6. Appraise nursing research for its applicability for evidence-based nursing practice.
  7. Use professional nursing management, leadership, and interprofessional education (IPE) skills to coordinate comprehensive health care.
  8. Apply an ethical decision-making framework incorporating the ANA Professional Code of Ethics, professional standards, and an awareness of personal values in nursing practice.
  9. Develop and implement health education programs for diverse populations in a variety of settings.
  10. Apply an increased depth and breadth of knowledge in managing patients/clients with acute complex health problems.
  11. Use evidence-based nursing strategies in planning care for patients/clients throughout the lifespan.
  12. Recognize the increased complexity of health, wellness, and health problems experienced by the older adult.

BSN Eligibility Requirements

  1. GPA of 2.5 from college courses.
  2. Meet general admission requirements of Bluefield State College.
  3. Have completed the English and Math general studies requirements.
  4. Be a graduate of a state-approved, ACEN accredited Associate Degree or Diploma Nursing Program .
  5. If not a graduate from Bluefield State College Associate of Science in Nursing program, official transcripts are required.
  6. Have a current, unrestricted U.S. RN license - BSN faculty will verify this online.
  7. Second year A.S.N. students may be accepted but enrollment is contingent upon passage of the NCLEX-RN licensure examination prior to the first day of class.
  8. Meeting minimal qualifications does not guarantee acceptance.

Application:

The application to the RN to BSN program is online (https://bluefieldstate.edu/form/bsn-application) and available year-round. Call Admissions at 304-327-4065 or 4066 with any questions.

The fall class will be accepted beginning in the spring semester of the year for which admission is sought.

*Out of state residents may qualify for “metro rate” tuition.

Program Requirements for BSN Degree


Lower Level Nursing Courses (A.S.N. Nursing)


Total Credit Hours: 40


*Students who have fewer than 40 nursing credit hours in their Associate Degree Nursing program will need to take additional electives to earn the required 120 credit hours for the BSN degree.

Basic Skills Component


Composition


Total Credit Hours: 6

Mathematics


Total Credit Hours: 3

Technology Literacy


Total Credit Hours: 3

Communication


Total Credit Hours: 3

Total Credit Hours: 15


Core Skills Component


Literature


Total Credit Hours: 3


Fine Arts/Humanities/Social Science


Required


Recommended


3rd course may be selected from


Total Credit Hours: 9


Health & Wellness


Physical Education


Total Credit Hours: 2-3


Physical & Biological Sciences


(Must include laboratory courses)

Remaining 4 credits of lecture/lab may be selected from


Biology

General Engineering Technology

Total Credit Hours: 8


Required


Elementary Statistics


Total Credit Hours: 3


Electives


Up to 10 credits as needed to reach 120 credits for graduation

3 hours 100-200 level


7 hours 200-400 level


Recommended

Total Credit Hours: 10


Total Credit Hours: 30


Total Credit Hours: 120


72 credit hours may be transferred from a community college. An additional 8 credit hours may be considered for transfer, evaluated on an individual basis.

Academic Plan of Study


Total Credit Hours: 11


Spring Semester - Junior Year


Total Credit Hours: 6


Fall Semester - Senior Year


Total Credit Hours: 6


Spring Semester - Senior Year


Total Credit Hours: 7


Total Credit Hours: 30


* Open enrollment course available to RNs and to qualified (GPA 3.0) current second year Bluefield State College A.S.N. students.

** Open enrollment courses available to RNs only.

 

Part-Time/Open Enrollment Option


RNs who wish to pursue the BSN degree may enroll in the 3 BSN open enrollment courses (if seats available) while awaiting full-time admission to the program. This option helps ease the transition to online learning and helps to lighten the academic load for the newly graduated RN as well as the experienced RN considering returning to school.

The 3 BSN open enrollment courses are:


  • NURS 301  - Advanced Health Assessment for Registered Nurses.  Credit Hour(s): 3*
  • NURS 303  - Complex Health Problems. Credit Hour(s): 3*
  • NURS 306  - Ethics and Issues in Professional Nursing. Credit Hour(s): 3*

 

To take these courses, students must complete the BSN application online and then email Jennifer Johnson, Senior Admissions Counselor (jjohnson@bluefieldstate.edu) and Carol Cofer RN to BSN Program Director (ccofer@bluefieldstate.edu) that the part-time/open enrollment option is desired.

*Students must complete BSN nursing courses within 5 years of enrollment in the program.  If a course is completed as an “open-enrollment” course, that course is valid for 7 years.

Three Semester Option


The 3-semester option is available to students admitted to the RN to BSN program who are currently enrolled in the Junior Year - Fall Semester. Applications are due by December 1 and will be reviewed by the BSN faculty. Students will be notified by the conclusion of fall semester if they have been accepted.

This option is academically demanding, requiring 20-30 hours of academic work each week, regular communication with nursing instructors, and is best suited to the mature student who can commit the time necessary to complete the demanding course work. Academic performance in the BSN Program is evaluated when faculty review applications. Space is limited in this track.

Academic Plan of Study - 3 semester Track


The semesters are as follows:

Total Credit Hours: 11

Junior Year - Spring Semester


Total Credit Hours: 9

Senior Year - Fall Semester


Total Credit Hours: 10

* NURS 412  is an independent, advanced practicum that requires exceptional time management and leadership skills.

Minimal Eligibility Requirements - 3 Semester Track


  1. Overall GPA 3.0 or greater.
  2. Bluefield State College overall GPA 3.0 or greater.
  3. Student’s grade in each BSN Nursing course must be a “B” or higher.
  4. Student must make a grade of “B” or higher on the oral presentation in NURS 300 .
  5. Student must make a grade of “B” or higher on the final paper in NURS 303 
  6. The candidate must show a mastery of APA skills as evidenced by his/her assignments in NURS 300   and NURS 303  . Oral and written communication skills from assignments in these 2 courses will be used to evaluate critical thinking and competency in APA, which is mandatory to succeed as a 3 Semester student.
  7. Completion of all support courses by the conclusion of the first semester in the BSN Program.*

 

*If a student has completed all the open enrollment BSN nursing courses (NURS 301  , NURS 303  , NURS 306 ), exceptions may be considered for completion of electives. All electives must be completed prior to starting the last (third) semester of the nursing program.

 

Transfer Students


Students transferring from RN to BSN nursing programs at other accredited institutions of higher education must complete a minimum of sixteen (16) credit hours of BSN nursing courses at Bluefield State College. Transfer applicants must meet the requirements for admission into Bluefield State College’s RN to BSN program. Students seeking transfer must submit official transcripts. Additionally, course descriptions and course syllabi for any nursing courses being considered for credit must be provided to the program director. Only nursing courses completed with a grade of “C” or better and completed within the last two (2) years will be considered. Transfer students will be evaluated on an individual basis. Students desiring to transfer into the RN to BSN program should contact the BSN program director.

School Nurse Program


The School Nurse Program is offered as an independent course of study that is not a required portion of the RN to BSN program. The school nurse is a registered professional nurse who has a commitment to lifelong learning. Educational preparation for the school nurse should be at the baccalaureate level, and the school nurse should continue to pursue professional development and continuing nursing education. School nurses typically practice independently and are called upon to assess student health, develop and execute plans for care management, act as first responders, and engage in public health functions such as disease surveillance, immunization compliance, and health promotion. The school nurse is a vital member of the school team that leads change to advance health and collaborates with school staff members, parents and community members to keep students safe at school and healthy to learn.

School Nurse Program Courses (2)


School Nurse Eligibility and Endorsement (Must have valid RN License)

These elective courses may be taken by BSN registered nurses and senior Bluefield State College BSN students.

Applicants who are not current Bluefield State College BSN seniors OR current school nurses must complete a background check with http://castlebranch.com.  All enrolled students must complete a drug screen. This information will be sent to you via email from the School of Nursing & Allied Health upon completion of the Special Student Application.

Registered nurses who have a BSN and have completed this School Nurse Program may apply to the West Virginia Department of Education for endorsement as a school nurse. The School Nurse program is approved by the West Virginia Department of Education.

These courses are offered in the spring only with instruction provided by Angelia Hopkins, MSN, RN, a WV certified school nurse. Students may register over the phone by calling the SNAH Office at 304-327-4136. The student who is not a current Bluefield State College student will need to register with Bluefield State College as a Special Student. The registration process should be completed by the end of November.

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