Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Registered Nurse (RN) to BSN Online Track (BSN)


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Lisa Levinson, Chair and Assistant Professor, Nursing Department
Health and Life Science Building, Office 264, 540-678-4374, llevinso@su.edu 

Fall Entry with Summer Immersion 

The RN to BSN track at Shenandoah University offers Registered Nurses the opportunity to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing online in synchronous and asynchronous coursework, with a face to face summer immersion. Completion of the BSN degree increases career options and broadens leadership opportunities for RNs. Throughout the course of study, communication, leadership, ethics, genomics, concepts of research and evidence based practice are included, along with community practice and emergency preparedness. The program begins with a late summer immersion seminar (N 201) that is delivered 3 days face-to-face, onsite in the classroom and online, and offers students the opportunity to meet faculty and adjust to technology requirements and complete requirements for physical assessment. Students should expect to meet on campus periodically throughout the program.

The School of Nursing offers advanced placement for RNs who hold an associate degree or a diploma in nursing. Students may receive transfer credit for required prerequisites, general education, and nursing courses from accredited institutions of higher education. Upon completion of prerequisite courses, students may complete the BSN degree in two semesters of full-time study, or four semesters of part-time study. The program, including transfer and prerequisite courses, requires a total of 121 credits. Applicants are strongly encouraged to meet with a nursing faculty advisor to review transcripts from previous academic institutions. Please call the School of Nursing at 540-678-4374 for more information.

Each student must have a personal laptop computer and will pay a technology fee. Minimum configuration requirements are required in order to successfully interface with the wireless technology available to all SU students. It is recommended that the student has an extended warranty and an up to date antivirus program. The laptop may be a PC or Mac with Windows platform added. For minimum configuration, please refer to the SON Student Handbook.

RN-BSN students must have access to a reliable, stable and efficient high-speed Internet connection at a place where they study and prepare assignments. Learning assignments often include materials and learning content that must be accessed on SU Web-based platforms and Internet sites. The student must have the capability to transfer large files of data and learning materials. This is not easily possible with a dial-up Internet connection.

Applicants seeking admission to the RN-BSN track must have completed or show evidence of the following in order to be considered for admission:

  1. An associate degree or diploma in nursing from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Nursing accreditation from ACEN, NLNAC, or CNEA accreditation state board approval required.
  2. A current Virginia or Compact license to practice as a registered nurse.
  3. Cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale of all undergraduate coursework.*
  4. Completion of all prerequisite courses before starting the RN-BSN track.
  5. Contact the Admission Office and the School of Nursing for details of the hybrid online
    program delivery.
  6. Non-Native English Speaking (NNES) applicants must submit official copies of Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. Applicants should request official scores be sent to the Shenandoah University Undergraduate Admissions office; the SU code is 5613. More information about TOEFL can be found at www.ets.org/toefl. The date of taking the TOEFL should not be more than 24 months prior to the date of enrollment. The minimum score acceptable for admission to the School of Nursing is 83 or higher for the Internet-based TOEFL. NOTE: applicants with successful completion of a higher education degree in the U.S. may not be required to take the TOEFL. Please consult with the Office of Admissions.

    *No grade lower than “C” will be transferred. All course credits for transfer are evaluated on an individual basis.

    Articulation Agreements between Shenandoah University and Community Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region are on file within the School of Nursing and the Office of Admissions. Please contact SU Admissions for further information.

Transfer Nursing Credits from RN program


Required Prerequisite Courses


  • English Composition Credit(s): 3
  • Principles of Public Speaking Credit(s): 3
  • Creative Expression Shen Ed general education course Credit(s): 3 
  • Statistics Credit(s): 3 (prerequisite to N 306 )
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I, II and Labs Credit(s): 8
  • Microbiology and Lab Credit(s): 4
  • College or General Chemistry and Lab Credit(s): 4
  • Cultural Understanding Shen Ed general education course Credit(s): 3
  • Psychology Credit(s): 3
  • Sociology Credit(s):3 (prerequisite to N 401 )
  • Cultural Understanding or Ethical Reasoning Shen Ed general education course Credit(s): 3
  • (Refer to SU General Education Requirements under “Academic Policies ”)

Subtotal: 40 credits


Other Transfer Credits (nursing or general education)


All transfer nursing courses from RN program, prerequisite courses and free electives must total 91 credits and be completed prior to enrollment.

Subtotal: 91 credits


Required RN to BSN Nursing Courses


Total: 30 credits


BSN Total: 121 credits


*Denotes a lab/clinical course with three clock hours to one lab/clinical credit hour.

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