University General Course Catalog 2025-2026 (DRAFT)
Nursing, R.N. to B.S.N. (Online)
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Return to: Programs in the Orvis School of Nursing
This is an online program.
The RN to BSN program is designed to provide the graduate of an associate degree program in nursing with the opportunity to obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing. The bachelor’s degree is the basic preparation for professional nursing practice and leadership positions in nursing. After completing the program, the graduate is qualified for nursing positions in public health agencies, schools, hospitals, and leadership positions. Baccalaureate graduates may also earn commissioned status in the US armed forces, as well as admission to graduate education. The RN to BSN degree program is completed in three to five semesters. Students may begin the RN to BSN major in spring, summer or fall. Students in the RN to BSN program may complete Core Curriculum requirements concurrent with the required RN to BSN courses.
The baccalaureate degree program is approved by the Nevada State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
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Program Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- apply quality improvement principles, standards, methods, and strategies to identify health and systems problems and support evidence-based change in practice settings.
- implement a safe, systematic process across settings using evidence-based strategies and standards to promote a just culture of safety and prevent or minimize risk to self, patients, and the environment.
- demonstrate communication strategies, leadership, and teamwork to intentionally collaborate with interprofessional teams, individuals, groups, and populations across a range of sociocultural settings and to advocate for diverse, equitable, and inclusive care in professional environments. (C)
- use a systematic approach to clinical reasoning based on best evidence, research, and knowledge from nursing and other disciplines to make decisions that optimize the health of populations, the delivery of care across a range of sociocultural settings, and the advancement of the nursing profession. (CT)
- deliver person and population-centered care that is respectful of differing sociocultural needs based on best evidence, clinical judgment, and sound legal/ethical principles to promote plans of care and maximize health for diverse individuals, groups, and populations.
- model a professional identity through personal and professional advocacy that promotes the needs of self, individuals, groups, populations, and the nursing profession while improving the healthcare system.
- use health care technology, data, and information literacy while considering risks and ethical requirements to plan, implement, and evaluate person and population-centered care and assist in system-wide best practice decisions in various settings. (QR)
Contact Information
Lisa Thomas, PhD, RN, CNE, FAAN
RN to BSN Program Track Leader
(775) 682-7155
lmthomas@unr.edu
Transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno
Use the transfer agreement and the degree planner (available by clicking on at the top right of the screen) to build your plan for graduation with your advisor. Course substitutions not identified on the transfer agreement require UNR advisor approval.
If a major-to-major transfer agreement is not available for your transfer institution, please check the General Core agreement if available. If neither is available, access established transfer course equivalencies to assist in your planning.
Admission Requirements
Post-licensure admission to the RN to BSN major requires
The RN to BSN post-licensure program is available to students who are currently licensed as a registered nurse. Post-licensure applicants must meet the following requirements to apply to the post-licensure RN to BSN program.
- Graduation from a nationally and regionally accredited program of nursing with a minimum of 24 transferrable college credits
- A current and unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in the United States.
- A 2.0 GPA in all previously completed coursework
- Completion of the anatomy & physiology and microbiology requirements with a minimum grade of “C” in each course
Concurrent ADN/AAS Enrollment
The RN to BSN concurrent enrollment program allows students to work toward the baccalaureate degree while actively enrolled in an associate degree in nursing program. Concurrent enrollment requires:
- Completion of at least 24 transferrable college credits
- Enrollment in the 3rd or 4th semester of nursing coursework at a nationally and regionally accredited associate degree in nursing program.
- Advisor approval confirming good academic standing in an ADN/AAS program with no grade less than a “B” in any nursing course.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all previously completed coursework.
Graduation Requirements
- Total Units | 120
- Cumulative GPA | 2.0
- University GPA | 2.0
- Major GPA | 2.0
- Residency Requirement | 30 Upper-Division Units at UNR
- Major Residency Requirement | 15 Upper-Division Units in the major at UNR
- Upper-Division Requirement | 60 Upper-Division Units
RN to BSN Program Graduation Requirements
- Completion of all second-year nursing courses
- Completion of University Additional Core requirements not met through Associate Degree coursework
- Completion of the RN to BSN Portfolio requirement by the end of the student’s second semester of coursework. The RN to BSN portfolio awards 30 academic units for completion of an associate degree nursing program and successful completion of the NCLEX-RN exam.
To earn RN to BSN Portfolio credits, the student must submit
- completed credit by exam form;
- documentation of an unencumbered RN license;
- resume showing nursing education and nursing employment;
- letter of intent; and
- payment of $250 credit by exam fee.
Contact the department for additional instructions.
I. Core General Education Requirements (25-28 units)
NOTE: Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter of this catalog for information regarding the ” Core English and Math Completion Policy.”
Students in this major must meet all Core Objectives (CO1 through CO14). Courses satisfying Core Objectives are designated (e.g., CO9) in General Catalog curricula and course descriptions.
A. Composition & Communication; Critical Analysis & Use of Information (3-6 units) - CO1, CO3
B. Quantitative Reasoning (3 units) - CO2
Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO2 courses.
C. Physical & Natural Phenomena (6 units) - CO4, CO4L
Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO4/CO4L courses.
D. Cultures, Societies, & Individuals (3 units) - CO6
Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO6 courses.
E. Artistic Composition, Interpretation, & Expression (3 units) - CO7
Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO7 courses.
F. History & Cultures; Constitution (6 units) - CO5, CO8
Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog. II. Additional Core Requirements (0 units maximum)
Students must take courses that satisfy the following Core Objectives. Some or all of these Core Objectives may be satisfied in the Major Requirements (Section IV). Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.
A. Science, Technology & Society - CO9
B. Diversity & Equity - CO10
C. Global Contexts - CO11
E. Capstone Integration & Synthesis - CO13
III. Additional College Requirements (12 units)
A. Pre-Major Natural Science Courses (12 units)
Complete the following natural science courses with a grade of “C” or better.
V. Minor Requirements (0 units)
No minor is required for this program. VI. Electives (0-23 units)
Elective course work is required only by students who have not completed enough units to satisfy the university residency requirement, the upper-division unit requirement, and/or the total credit requirement. VII. Recommended Schedule
A. Full-Time Enrollment
Students may begin the full-time RN to BSN program in the Fall, Spring, or Summer.
First Year, Fall Semester
First Year, Spring Semester
B. Part-Time Enrollment
Students may begin the part-time RN to BSN program in Fall, Spring, or Summer.
First Year, Fall Semester
First Year, Spring Semester
Second Year, Fall Semester
Second Year, Spring Semester
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Return to: Programs in the Orvis School of Nursing
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