COLLEGE of NURSING Texas A&M Health Science Center

From RN to B.S.N.

What it Offers•���Web-based�curriculum

•���Online�course�delivery�methods�including�

Blackboard,�Webinars,�Second�Life�learning�

systems

•��Two-day�on-campus�orientation�offered�on�both�

Bryan�and�Round�Rock�campuses

•��Faculty�support�available�both�online�or�on�site�

at�either�TAMHSC-CON�campus�location

(Round�Rock�or�Bryan)

•��30�credit�hours�of�nursing�course�work�to�

complete�B.S.N.�degree

•���Students�given�option�of�completing�course�

work�in�12�months�(full-time�option)�or�

24�months�(part-time�option)

•���Practicum�experiences�arranged�by�students

Knowledge

The�RN-to-B.S.N.�program�is�an�opportunity�for�registered�nurses�who�hold�an�associate�degree�or�diploma�to�pursue�the�Bachelor�of�Science�in�Nursing�degree.�The�TAMHSC-College�of�Nursing�offers�an�innovative,�integrated�curriculum�designed�to�both�enhance�learning�and�facilitate�timely�completion�of�the�program.�Students�may�complete�the�course�of�study�in�only�12�months�or�may�opt�for�a�24-month�part-time�plan�of�study.��The�RN-to-B.S.N.�program�allows�working�nurses�to�balance�career,�education�and�other�responsibilities.

The Program

Knowledge

•���Real-life�work�experiences�applied�to�

course�work

Innovative CurriculumEngagement in:•��Self�discovery

•��Exploration�of�emerging�technologies�

in�nursing

•���Empowerment�of�families

•�Application�of�evidence-based�practice

•�Case�management�of�individuals�and�families

•��Public/community�health�nursing-focused�

populations

•�Leadership�experiences�for�career�development

•��Debating�issues�pertinent�to�nursing�and�the�

current�health�care�agenda

Students�are�admitted�into�the�program�one�time�

per�year�in�the�summer�term.�Applications�open�

on�November�1st�with�a�deadline�of�February�

1st.�Students�will�be�notified�of�their�admission�

status�in�March�with�classes�beginning�in�

the�summer�term.�The�first�two�days�of�class�

will�be�on�campus�and�include�an�intensive�

orientation�to�the�program�and�courses.

Admission�requirements�may�be�found�on�the�

TAMHSC-CON�website.�For�more�information,�

contact�an�advisor�at�(979)�436-0110�or�by�

email�at�conadmissions@tamhsc.edu.�

Eligibility and Admission Requirements for RN-to-B.S.N.•���Graduation�from�an�NLN-accredited�program�

leading�to�the�diploma�or�associate�degree�

in�nursing.�Exceptions�to�this�requirement�

can�be�made�in�certain�circumstances

•��Current�licensure�as�a�registered�nurse

•���TAMHSC-College�of�Nursing�Application�

(https://portal.nursingcas.org).�Payment�of�

associated�fee,�submission�of�official�college�

transcripts,�personal�essay(s),�references�

and�other�required�documents�to�Nursing�

Central�Application�Service�(CAS)

•���Supplemental�application�form�and�fee�(a�

nonrefundable�processing�fee)

•���Completion�of�25�credits�in�nursing�

science�prerequisite�courses�prior�to�entry

•���Completion�of�core�curriculum�prerequisite�

courses�in�basic�courses,�such�as�English�

composition,�U.S.�history,�government,�etc.�

These�courses�may�be�taken�concurrently�

with�the�nursing�course�of�study�but�must�

be�completed�by�the�final�semester

•��Recommended�minimum�GPA�of�2.75

Upon�application�to�Nursing�CAS,�applicants�

will�receive�an�email�that�directs�them�to�the�

TAMHSC-CON�admissions�portal.�Additional�

information�will�be�requested�at�that�time.�

“It is our commitment to

students to offer courses

that will engage them

in the learning process.

In addition, we want to

serve as the facilitators

of and resources for their

learning experiences as

they engage in these

unique course offerings.”

Karen KincaidAssistant Professor,

Ph.D., RN, College of Nursing

NURS 450 Engaging in Self-Discovery (6 credits)Students�who�are�graduates�from�associate��

degree�or�diploma�programs�will�conduct�self-

assessments�related�to�personal�and�professional�

growth,�self-awareness�in�nursing�practice,�

philosophies�of�professional�nursing�and�

perspectives�of�holistic�care.�Nursing�theories�

that�provide�a�foundation�for�the�practice�of�

nursing�will�be�explored.�These�explorations�

will�be�accomplished�utilizing�communication�

technologies,�such�as�the�Blackboard�Learning�

System,�the�Internet�and�webinars.�Information�

technology�resources�will�be�employed�to�

demonstrate�electronic�communications�that�are�

essential�to�professional�nursing�practice�and�that�

require�basic�competencies�in�nursing�informatics.��

NURS 451Engaging in Empowerment (6 credits) Nurses�engaging�in�evidence-based�practice�to�

manage�and�coordinate�care�that�empowers�

individuals�and�families�will�be�emphasized.�

Students�will�demonstrate�the�ability�to�integrate�

the�concepts�of�pathophysiology,�pharmacology,�

psychosocial�behavior�and�cultural�diversity�in�the�

coordination�of�high�quality�care�in�a�variety�of�

settings.�Prerequisite:�NURS�450,�RN�licensure�

required.

NURS 452 Engaging in Inquiry (3 credits)Students�will�study�the�principles�and�

methodologies�of�inquiry�in�professional�

nursing�practice�and�research�with�emphasis�

RN-to-B.S.N. Program Course Descriptions

discovery

on�evidence-based�practice.�By�learning�the�

process�of�developing�well-constructed�research�

questions,�students�will�discover:�methodologies�

and�processes�to�identify�evidence�of�whether�

a�treatment�is�effective,�strategies�to�use�in�

evaluating�the�validity�and�reliability�of�studies,�

and�mechanisms�for�selecting�appropriate�

interventions�for�and�in�collaboration�with�the�

patient.�Prerequisite:�RN�licensure�required.

NURS 453 Engaging in Interactive Assessment (3 credits)The�concepts�and�principles�underlying�

assessment�of�the�health�status�of�individuals�

will�be�presented.�An�emphasis�is�placed�on�

reviewing�and�renewing�cognitive,�affective�and�

psychomotor�skills�in�obtaining�health�histories�

and�the�physical�and�psychosocial�findings�in�

the�well�person.�Students�will�obtain�health�

histories�and�perform�physical�and�psychosocial�

assessments,�establish�baseline�data�and�formulate�

initial�nursing�care�plans.�Successful�completion�

of�the�course�will�require�passing�a�modified�

health�assessment�examination.�Prerequiste:�RN�

licensure�required.

NURS 454 Engaging in Accountability for Global Health (6 credits) Students�will�be�introduced�to�public/community�

health�nursing�practice�and�the�role�of�systems�

in�the�care�of�populations.�The�role�of�the�

professional�nurse�in�health�promotion,�disease�

prevention�and�management�of�chronic�health�

problems�in�community�settings�will�be�explored.�

Students�will�develop�and�implement�projects�

that�positively�impact�the�quality�of�life�of�

populations�within�communities.�Group�projects�

will�be�employed�that�

include:�assessments�

of�communities�to�

identify�aggregates�

or�populations�with�

specific�needs,�in-depth�

assessment�of�issues�

or�concerns�within�

these�populations,�

strategic�planning�in�

collaboration�with�

formal�and�informal�

leaders�within�these�populations�to�address�the�

selected�issues,�implementation�of�the�plans,�

and�formative�and�summative�evaluation�of�the�

process.�Prerequisite:�NURS�451,�RN�licensure�

required.

NURS 455 Engaging in Strategic Innovations (6 credits) Theories�and�principles�of�human�behavior�in�

organizations�will�be�examined,�including�an�

exploration�of�leadership�roles�in�professional�

nursing�practice.�Students�will�learn�and�

apply�nursing�case�management�concepts�with�

individuals�and�families�with�complex�and/or�

chronic�health�needs�in�acute�care�settings�and�

in�the�home.�Students�will�analyze�elements�

that�reflect�the�progressive�development�of�the�

professional�nurse�with�a�focus�on�the�role�of�a�

leader�as�advocate�and�change�agent.�Issues�related�

to�political�action,�socio-legal�concerns,�cultural�

diversity,�and�ethics�and�morals�in�professional�

nursing�practice�will�be�debated�with�emphasis�

on�the�advocacy�role�of�the�professional�nurse.�

Prerequisite:�NURS�450,�451,�RN�licensure�

required.

discovery

Core Requirements and Curriculum

Semester/Term Course Number Credit Hours Course Name

1/Summer NURS 450 6 Engaging in Self-Discovery

2/Fall NURS 451 6 Engaging in Empowerment

2/Fall NURS 452 3 Engaging in Inquiry

2/Fall NURS 453or required elective

3 Engaging in Interactive Asssessment

3/Spring NURS 454 6 Engaging in Accountabilty for Global Health

3/Spring NURS 455 6 Engaging in Strategic Innovations

TOTAL 30

RN-to-B.S.N. Full-time Program Option (1 year)

service

*Courses in art, music, dance, or drama or equivalent.**Introduction to Ethics course recommended-or other philosophy, literature, or language course.

Semester/Term Course Number Credit Hours Course Name

1/Summer I NURS 450 6 Engaging in Self-Discovery

2/Fall I NURS 451 6 Engaging in Empowerment

3/Spring I NURS 454 6 Engaging in Accountabilty for Global Health

4/Summer II NURS 453**option of taking course in fall II

3 Engaging in Interactive Asssessment

5/Fall II NURS 452 3 Engaging in Inquiry

5/Fall II NURS 453or required elective

3 Engaging in Interactive Asssessment

6/Spring II NURS 455 6 Engaging in Strategic Innovations

TOTAL 30

RN-to-B.S.N. Part-time Program Option (2 years)

service Course Course Number Credit Hours Course Name

English ENGL 1301 3 Composition I

English ENGL 1302 or 2311 3 Composition II

History HIST 1301 or 2301 3 U.S. History I or Texas History

History HIST 1302 or 2301 3 U.S. History II or Texas History

Government GOVT 2305 3 Federal Government

Government GOVT 2306 3 Texas Government

Psychology or Sociology

PSYC 2301SOCI 1301 3 General Psychology or

Introduction to Sociology

Psychology PSYC 2314 3 Lifespan Growth and Development

Humanities** Elective of your choice 3

Visual and Performing Arts* Elective of your choice 3

Math MATH 1342 3 Elementary Statistical Methods

Nutrition BIOL 1322 or HECO 1322 3 Nutrition and Diet Therapy

Biology BIOL 2401 4 Anatomy and Physiology I

Biology BIOL 2402 4 Anatomy and Physiology II

Chemistry CHEM 1411 4 General Chemistry I with lab

Biology BIOL 2420 or 2421 4 Microbiology

TOTAL 52

RN-to-B.S.N. Prerequisite Course Work

8447 State Highway 47Bryan, TX 77807-3260

(979) 436-0110nursing.tamhsc.edu

Knowledge·Discovery·Service

30185 08/11