Program Overview

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Introduction to the RN-to-BS Nursing Program

The Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing is the flagship nursing school of The City University of New York. The undergraduate nursing program combines liberal arts and professional education with a humanistic and comprehensive approach to health care, leading to a bachelor of science (BS) degree.

About the Program

The RN-to-BS program is open to individuals who already have an associate's degree in nursing and a New York State RN license. The program may be completed on a part-time or full-time basis. Admission to the program occurs in the fall and spring semesters. The undergraduate program also provides a strong foundation for graduate study at the master's and doctoral levels, of which programs are offered at the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing.

Program Structure

The RN-to-BS program consists of two parts:

• Liberal arts and general education requirements (in-person or hybrid)
• Professional nursing education (online)

Admission Requirements

• A cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher (all undergraduate courses from all schools) is required.
• Completion of a minimum of 36 credits in liberal arts & sciences.
• Earned associate degree in nursing from a regionally accredited college, completing the equivalent of 24 credits in nursing. A maximum of 24 credits may be transferred for credit to the nursing major.
• License to practice as a RN in New York State.
• Liberal arts credits must be from a regionally accredited college/university.

U.S. Citizenship or Residency Status

In order to advance into nursing clinical, students must provide documentation of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status. International applicants who need an F-1 or J-1 Visa currently are not eligible for this program.

How and When to Apply

To apply to the RN-to-BS program, complete a transfer application with the University Application Processing Center. The fall application priority deadline is February 1, and the spring application priority deadline is September 15.

Course of Study

A minimum of 120 credits in liberal arts & sciences and in professional nursing are required to complete the BS degree. Course descriptions are available in the undergraduate course catalog.

RN-to-BS Prerequisite Courses

• English Composition
• Math/Quantitative Reasoning: Introduction to Statistics or higher equivalent
• Social Sciences: General Psychology and Human Development
• Life and Physical Sciences: General Chemistry with lab or higher equivalent
• 12.5 additional credits in other science or mathematics

Foreign Language Requirement

Students pursuing a BS in nursing are exempt from Hunter College's foreign language requirement.

Significant Writing Requirement ('W' Courses)

Hunter's general education requirements include up to 3 writing-enhanced (W) courses, depending on the number of transfer credits a student successfully applies towards their degree.

RN-to-BS Nursing Major Requirements and Policies

• Admission to the program may be for the fall or spring semester.
• All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the second semester of the RN-to-BS program.
• Technical competence and computer literacy is an expectation of the program.

RN-to-BS Nursing Major Courses (30 credits)

Courses will generally be offered on the following schedule:

• NURS 200: Introduction to Nursing (2 cr) - Fall
• NURS 240: Foundations of Genetics for Nurses (2 cr) - Fall
• NURS 334: Pathopharmacology (4 cr) - Spring & Summer
• NURS 379: Nursing and Societal Forces (3 cr) - Fall & Spring
• NURS 380: Nursing Research and Theory (3 cr) - Fall & Winter intersession
• NURS 381: Health Assessment Throughout the Lifespan (3 cr) - Fall & Spring
• NURS 423: Foundations of Ethics and Palliative Care (3 cr) - Winter intersession & Spring
• NURS 480: Promotion of Wellness in the Community (4 cr, 45 clinical hours) - Spring & Summer session
• NURS 482: Roles and Relationships in Professional Nursing (3 cr) - Fall & Spring
• NURS 491: Gerontology for Nurses (3 cr) - Fall & Spring

Sample Plan of Study

Full-Time

• Fall Semester:
  • NURS 200: Introduction to Nursing (2 cr)
  • NURS 240: Foundations of Genetics for Nurses (2 cr)
  • NURS 379: Nursing and Societal Forces (3 cr)
  • NURS 380: Nursing Research and Theory (3 cr)
  • NURS 381: Health Assessment Throughout the Lifespan (3 cr)
• Spring Semester:
  • NURS 334: Pathopharmacology (4 cr)
  • NURS 423: Foundations of Ethics and Palliative Care (3 cr)
  • NURS 482: Roles and Relationships in Professional Nursing (3 cr)
  • NURS 491: Gerontology for Nurses (3 cr)
• Summer Session:
  • NURS 480: Promotion of Wellness in the Community (4 cr, 45 clinical hours)

Part-Time

• Fall Semester:
  • NURS 200: Introduction to Nursing (2 cr)
  • NURS 240: Foundations of Genetics for Nurses (2 cr)
• Winter Session:
  • NURS 380: Nursing Research and Theory (3 cr)
• Spring Semester:
  • NURS 379: Nursing and Societal Forces (3 cr)
  • NURS 381: Health Assessment Throughout the Lifespan (3 cr)
• Summer Session:
  • NURS 334: Pathopharmacology (4 cr)
• Fall Semester:
  • NURS 482: Roles and Relationships in Professional Nursing (3 cr)
  • NURS 491: Gerontology for Nurses (3 cr)
• Winter Session:
  • NURS 423: Foundations of Ethics and Palliative Care (3 cr)
• Spring Semester:
  • NURS 480: Promotion of Wellness in the Community (4 cr)

Tuition and Fees

As a tax-supported public institution, Hunter College can keep tuition rates and fees relatively low.

Baccalaureate Academic Program Outcomes

The program prepares graduates to:

1. Synthesize knowledge from nursing and the arts and sciences to provide a theoretical framework for a humanistic, caring, and comprehensive approach to promotion of wellness, prevention of illness, and holistic management of health problems across the life span.
2. Use the nursing process as a guide in providing the range of health promotion, maintenance, and restoration activities needed to assist clients in achieving optimal wellness.
3. Use appropriate teaching strategies in educating clients for knowing participation in their own health and wellness.
4. Demonstrate computer and information literacy, beginning proficiency in the use of electronic health records.
5. Use nursing research as a basis for improving nursing care and advocating for changes in health policy.
6. Participate in inter-disciplinary activities to plan, implement, and evaluate health care for all client systems.
7. Demonstrate personal and professional accountability in providing global health care to people from diverse backgrounds.
8. Evaluate management and leadership processes with individuals, families, groups, and communities in a comprehensive approach to health promotion and holistic management of health problems (across the life span).
9. Demonstrate activism and advocacy in health care and health care policy on behalf of human and environmental health.
10. Continually demonstrate commitment to personal growth and lifelong learning through the active pursuit of knowledge and diverse life experiences.