Program Description
The R.N. to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (R.N. to B.S.N.) program is a degree-completion program for individuals licensed as a Registered Nurse (R.N.). The R.N. to B.S.N. program builds on the liberal arts and previous nursing education to further develop discipline-specific knowledge, skills and abilities. An emphasis is placed on scholarship and evidence-based practice, clinical decision-making, quality and safety, systems-based practice, and population health. By the end of the program, students are prepared to provide comprehensive nursing care to individuals, families and populations and to take on leadership and management roles to promote quality and safety in healthcare.
Admission and Retention Requirements
R.N. to B.S.N. Program
The R.N. to B.S.N. program is a degree completion program that provides flexible learning opportunities for licensed R.N.’s who have an associate degree or diploma to complete the baccalaureate degree. Classes are offered online to allow schedule flexibility while completing the B.S.N. degree. The program provides a foundation for professional nursing practice and prepares students for further opportunities such as graduate study and advance practice.
JMU will award R.N. to B.S.N. students up to 37 experiential learning credits for prior learning and practice experience as a R.N. (a minimum of 540 hours), as well as 40 transfer credits toward the General Education requirements for a B.S.N.
Six additional corequisite and thirteen general education credits will be required which may be taken concurrently at a local community college and transferred to JMU for credit. Students will complete 30 credits in the R.N. to B.S.N. program in three semesters of full-time study or five semesters of part-time study, completing a total of 120 semester hours for the baccalaureate degree. Students should apply to the R.N.to B.S.N program to initiate an academic transcript review. Additional program eligibility criteria include:
- Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing from an accredited college/university.
- Current unrestricted R.N. license in any state, Washington, D.C., or a U.S. possession or territory or an equivalent credential in another country.
- Employment as an R.N. for a minimum of four months and/or plans to practice concurrently with course work.
- Graduates of foreign nursing schools, who are licensed outside of the United States, are required to pass the Qualifying Exam of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) prior to application and include the exam report with their application materials.
- TOEFL minimum score of 81 (internet-based test) or IELTS minimum score of 6.5 for international applicants.
- Cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4-point scale.
- Completion of the General Education courses required for the Bachelor of Science. May be taken concurrently with nursing course work but must be completed prior to graduation.
- Completion of all prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “C.”
- Ability to meet the school’s technical standards for nursing practice (posted on the nursing website).
Admission to the program is contingent on admission to the university.
Once admitted to the program, the student must earn a minimum grade of “C-” or “Pass” in each required nursing course to remain in good standing in the nursing program. A grade of “D+/-“, “F,” “Fail” or “WF” (withdrawn failing) is considered a course failure. A student who for the first time receives a failure in a nursing course may, with school approval, repeat the course. A student who receives a failing grade in a nursing course may repeat one nursing course, with school approval. A student who receives a second failing grade in a nursing course will be ineligible to continue in the program.
