The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) is a programmatically accredited degree completion program designed to provide learners with education that helps them prepare to practice within complex healthcare systems. It is designed to advance their training to assume the roles of provider of care, manager and coordinator of care and a member of a profession while integrating their knowledge and skills into their professional nursing practice. This degree completion program offers a well-rounded education in theoretical and evidence-based practice and research, informatics, health promotion through the lifespan, leadership, ethics and policy, pathopharmacology and physical assessment, and community health.
CalSouthern’s RN-BSN program meets the California Board of Registered Nursing requirements to apply for Public Health Nurse (PHN) certification in California. Registered Nurses from other states, please check your home state’s specific requirements.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) degree program at CalSouthern is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Quick Facts:
- Credits required: 120
- Cost per credit: $395
- Program length: 1-3 years (full-time status)
- Max transfer credits: 90 credits
First Responders can save 15% on tuition. Required documentation and restrictions apply. See details.
University grants or scholarships are based on established criteria as published in the University Catalog or on its website and are awarded after verification that the conditions of eligibility have been met.
Time to degree completion can be shortened by accelerating completion of courses and through credits accepted in transfer.
Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible for transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
What you’ll study
Demonstrate interprofessional communication in the role of professional nurse to promote inter- and intra-disciplinary care to optimize healthcare outcomes across diverse populations.
Utilize empirical evidence and evidence-based frameworks/models/theories to promote critical thinking and clinical reasoning in professional nursing practice.
Model contemporary concepts of culture, diversity, equity, and inclusion to improve nursing and healthcare outcomes.
Implement evidence-based practice to support nursing practice when managing or leading across the healthcare continuum.
Integrate knowledge, skills and abilities with professional, legal, and ethical standards to promote caring and social justice in nursing practice.
Incorporate information and technology to communicate, mitigate error, and utilize knowledge to create a culture of quality and safety.
Potential career paths may be found in the following industries:
Ambulatory Health Care Services
Hospitals
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
Social Assistance
Hospitality
CalSouthern cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement.
RN-BSN Degree Requirements
| Degree Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education Courses | 36 |
| Required Core Courses | 36 |
| Nursing Elective Courses | 15 |
| General Elective Courses | 33 |
| TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED FOR THE BSN | 120 |
Courses + Credits
Below, you’ll find the required and elective courses for the RN-BSN degree program at CalSouthern. Be advised that the required core courses must be taken in the order that they are listed. Learners in the RN-BSN program must take 15 semester credits of elective courses related to nursing or areas related to the skills needed by nurses.
Required Core Courses
- NUR 3300 Professional Nursing Role Transition — 3-credits
- NUR 3302 Theoretical Foundations and Professional Values in Nursing — 3-credits
- NUR 3304 Collaborative Strategies for Nursing — 3-credits
- NUR 3306 Informatics for Nursing and Healthcare — 3-credits
- NUR 3308 Lifespan Health Promotion in Nursing — 3-credits
- NUR 3310 Pathopharmacology — 3-credits
- NUR 3400 Introduction to Nursing Leadership and Finance — 3-credits
- NUR 3402 Policy, Law and Ethics in Healthcare — 3-credits
- NUR 3404 Physical Assessment — 3-credits
- NUR 3406 Community and Population Health Nursing (practicum) — 3-credits
- NUR 3408 Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice — 3-credits
- CAP 3402 BSN Capstone — 3-credits
Nursing Elective Courses
- BUS 3414 Business Communications — 3-credits
- ENG 1406 Professional and Technical Writing — 3-credits
- LDR 4125 Leadership Communications — 3-credits
- LDR 1490 Nonverbal Communications in Leadership — 3-credits
- MATH 1305 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences — 3-credits
- NS 1106 Health and Nutrition — 3-credits
- NUR 3312 Cultural Care in Nursing Practice — 3-credits
- NUR 3314 Teaching and Learning in Nursing — 3-credits
- NUR 3410 Quality Management in Nursing and Healthcare — 3-credits
- NUR 3412 Gerontology Nursing — 3-credits
- NUR 3414 Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Healthcare — 3-credits
Download the University Catalog for full course descriptions, prerequisite information, and program details.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) degree program?
The Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) program
builds upon the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) education with a focus on
topics required in a generic BSN program that are either not developed or
under-developed at the ADN level. The RN-BSN program expands on theories
and concepts needed to practice within complex healthcare systems and to
help further develop knowledge, skills, and abilities of professional nursing
practice.
What will I study in the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) degree program?
The RN-BSN program is designed to help further develop skills that can
improve interdisciplinary care and communication of clients/patients,
aggregates, and populations. Learners explore theoretical and evidencebased models and frameworks that guide professional nursing care across
the healthcare continuum. Ethical and legal principles necessary for
advocacy, collaboration, diversity, equity, and inclusion as a professional
nurse are explored.
When and where can I begin my Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) degree program?
You can begin your education at CalSouthern now. Classes at CalSouthern
begin monthly and are delivered asynchronously online with practicum
requirements completed in your local community. Completion of the
applications and admissions processes will depend on how quickly you begin.
Speak to an Admissions Advisor over the phone (1-800-477-2254, ext. 47822) or
request information online. Once you have completed the online request, you
may hear from an advisor within 24 hours to discuss the next steps toward
starting your degree program.
How many credits are required to complete a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) degree?
CalSouthern’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) degree program requires a total of 120 semester credits, including credits earned in the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program. You may be eligible to transfer up to 90 semester credits from an accredited college/university and CLEP exams are accepted for some General Education coursework*. At least 30 credits of upper-level nursing courses must be completed at CalSouthern. An admissions advisor can provide more information. * Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
Why should I pursue a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) degree program?
CalSouthern’s Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) degree program may open the door to pursue additional opportunities. For example, graduates can receive knowledge and academic credentials to pursue a management or leadership career path in many practice settings.
Are the Nursing programs at CalSouthern accredited?
Yes! The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree programs at CalSouthern are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
As a practicing nurse, I find CalSouthern’s flexible online BSN program to be a perfect match with my busy work schedule. The ability to work at my own pace has made improving my career in nursing a reality.
– Millie S., BSN Program, 2020
Accreditation
California Southern University is a member of the American InterContinental University System. The System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree programs at CalSouthern are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Please visit the Accreditation & Licensure page to learn more.
CalSouthern cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all states. CalSouthern does not accept applications from residents of Massachusetts, New York, and certain foreign countries.
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