Nursing, RN to BSN, BSN

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (RN to BSN) is designed for students with an associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited college or nursing program. The RN-BSN Program curriculum expands students’ knowledge and skills in evidence-based practice, community health, professional communication, leadership, and health information technology (HIT), as well as healthcare systems and policies. Learning experiences are focused on individuals, families, groups and communities. Students complete a scholarly project over their last two quarters that demonstrates learning in leadership and management.

Learning Outcomes

Degree recipients will possess the following skills and abilities to:

• Evaluate and apply evidence-based research to clinical practice
• Appraise protective and predictive factors, including genetics, which influence the health of individuals, families, groups, communities and populations
• Develop and implement creative strategies to enable systems to change
• Negotiate and resolve conflicts to support professional, positive working relationships
• Utilize intra- and inter-professional resources to resolve ethical and other practice dilemmas
• Assess and fully utilize sophisticated healthcare information management systems to maximize patient outcomes

Program Eligibility

Individuals must have:

• Earned thirty-five nursing credits (quarter system) from an associate degree or diploma nursing program at a regionally and/or nationally accredited institution
• An associate degree or diploma in nursing from a regionally and/or nationally accredited institution.
• Current unrestricted license as a registered nurse in Washington State. (Students in the final year of an approved nursing program may be admitted, but must take and pass the NCLEX before the BSN degree is awarded. The successful passing of NCLEX earns the equivalent of 45 college credits.
• At least one year of clinical experience as a nurse (ADN clinical within the past two years may be applied for this requirement)
• Completed thirty-five credits (quarter system) of general education requirements
• A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in all college coursework
• Earned a minimum grade of 2.0 in each of the required nursing courses

Degree Requirements

(a total of 180-185 credits*)

Credits for prior learning are awarded to RN-BSN students as follows:

• 90 credits for earning an A-AST (ADN) or diploma in nursing
  (Must include at least 35 quarter credits in nursing with an earned grade of 2.0/C or better in each course.)
• 45 credits for successfully passing NCLEX
   

Credits earned in the BC RN-BSN Program are:

NOTE: Bellevue College requires that 45 credits of course work required for any degree (residency requirement) be completed at Bellevue College. This restricts any substituting courses for required courses for the RN-BSN Program. At least 30 credits of the program must be upper-division courses (300-400 level courses).

Application Process

To be considered for the bachelor of science in nursing degree, prospective students must submit the following:

• Completed general Bellevue College admission form
• Nonrefundable general admission fee of $75 will be added when you register for your first course
• Completed RN-BSN application form (submission method TBA)
  • Official transcripts from previous degree(s)
  • Three letters of recommendation on an official recommendation form
  • Personal essay
  • Resume/CV