Program Overview

Introduction to the RN-to-BSN Program

The RN-to-BSN program is a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN completion for graduates of an associate degree registered nursing (ADN) program. Students apply to Western and the program as transfer students in the final year of their associate degree or as licensed registered nurses. The program includes GUR courses and 48 upper division major credits allowing students to complete four quarters full-time of nursing program courses to earn their BSN.

Program Overview

The RN-to-BSN program is specifically designed for registered nurses who have completed an Associate’s or Diploma nursing program (Nursing DTA/MRP preferred), currently have their RN licensure or are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam and become licensed as an RN before the start of quarter two of the program. The program is not able to admit students new to nursing or those with a pre-nursing degree.

The innovative program of study will prepare nurses with the professional competencies necessary for the increasing complexities of healthcare and has been guided by national standards for nursing, including:

• AACN Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (2008)
• Quality and Safety Education in Nursing (QSEN) Competencies
• QUAD Council Competencies for Public Health Nursing

Student Resources

• Department website: Health and Community Studies
• Department Advising: GO to the RN-to-BSN webpage for more information
• Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• Sample Careers: Community Health Nursing, Public Health Nursing, Outpatient Clinic Services, Leadership and Management, Pathway to graduate programs including Nurse Practitioner

Admission and Declaration Process

The RN-to-BSN Program uses a cohort model and admits students once a year in the fall. Students apply as transfer students to the university and the program in the same application. Students in the final year of their associate degree registered nursing program are welcome to apply as long as they can become licensed as an RN before the start of Winter quarter.

Admission Requirements

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or diploma in nursing, Nursing DTA/MRP preferred
• Completion of at least 90 transferrable quarter-system credits including the following nursing prerequisite courses:
  • English Composition (5 credits)
  • Chemistry with lab (5 credits)
  • Anatomy & Physiology with lab (10 credits)
  • Microbiology (5 credits)
  • Introduction to Psychology (5 credits)
  • Life span psychology (5 credits)
  • Statistics (5 credits)
  • Humanities electives (12 credits)
• Applicants must show evidence of good academic standing with a grade of 2.0 or higher for each RN-to-BSN program prerequisite and a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher
• Successful completion of NCLEX-RN examination
• Verification of current licensure to practice as a registered nurse in Washington State
• Official transcript from all colleges and universities attended
• Nursing Program Application including goal statement questions, professional expectations, criminal history disclosure, and resume
• Academic and professional references (2)

Registration for Program Courses

After students are admitted to Western Washington University and the RN-to-BSN program and prior to registration for practice experience courses, students must meet RN licensure and practice experience agency placement requirements. No RN-to-BSN student will be allowed to register for subsequent quarters without being in full compliance with all practice experience agency requirements for placement.

Practice Experience Agency Placement Requirements

• WA state Registered Nurse license or compact state license
• Background check, including self-disclosure showing no disqualifying crimes
• Negative urine drug screen
• American Heart Association (AHA) BLS Provider CPR or AHA ACLS certification
• Personal Health Insurance
• Malpractice/Liability Insurance
• Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR)
• COVID 19 vaccination
• Hepatitis B
• Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)
• Influenza (current flu season)
• Annual tuberculosis (TB) screening 2-step PPD or IGRA blood test

Grade Requirements

A grade of C or better is required for a Nursing student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Program Requirements

The program requires 48 credits, including:

• NURS 301 - Information Literacy to Support Academic Discourse (5 credits)
• NURS 305 - Social Justice and Healthcare (5 credits)
• NURS 307 - Writing Across the Curriculum (1 credit, students must take for a total of 3 credits or receive a waiver from the program director)
• NURS 401 - Transitions in Professional Nursing Practice (1-2 credits, students must take for a total of 5 credits)
• NURS 402 - Translational Research for Evidence-Based Practice (4 credits)
• NURS 403 - Translational Research for Evidence-Based Practice-Practice Experience (1 credit)
• NURS 412 - Policy, Leadership and U.S. Healthcare (5 credits)
• NURS 422 - Organizational Change for Quality and Safety in Healthcare (4 credits)
• NURS 423 - Organizational Change for Quality and Safety in Healthcare Practice Experience (1 credit)
• NURS 432 - Community-Based Care for Vulnerable Populations (4 credits)
• NURS 433 - Community-Based Care for Vulnerable Populations Practice Experience (1 credit)
• NURS 442 - Interdisciplinary Care Coordination (4 credits)
• NURS 443 - Interdisciplinary Care Coordination Practice Experience (1 credit)
• NURS 452 - Global Health Inequities and Interventions (5 credits)

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement