Program Description
The RN to BSN program is for registered nurses (RNs) with an associates degree or diploma in nursing seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. All nursing courses in the RN to BSN program are offered as online courses.
The RN to BSN program assists registered nurses to gain new knowledge regarding roles and responsibilities of the professional nurse in a rapidly changing health care environment and to build on their previous education.
Graduates are prepared to apply for advanced degree programs. Learning focuses on enhancement of critical thinking, scientific basis for decision making, and development of leadership qualities and skills. Faculty members strive to maximize each student’s potential for professional development.
Required Nursing Courses
There are 30 required semester hours. After general education requirements (see below) have been completed, the required 30 hours can be completed in 11 months if done on a full-time basis. General education requirements can also be completed along with nursing courses.
Semester 1 – Fall (mid-August to December)
- NRN 333 Health Assessment and Promotion in Nursing Practice (5 credit hours)
- NRN 334 Research in Practice (3)
- NRN 445 Population-Focused Nursing Care (5)
Semester 2 – Spring (mid-January to May)
- NRN 302 Principles of Pathophysiology (3)
- NRN 448 Healthcare Policy Development (3)
- NRN 449 Leadership and Management in Nursing (5)
Semester 3 – Summer I (end of May to end of June)
- NRN 332 Professional Nursing and Nursing Practice (3)
- IPHC 450 Healthcare Informatics (3)
General Education Requirements
The General Education required of all students at FMU is designed to give students an introduction to the broad areas of knowledge essential to a successful life and career. The General Education program includes choices in the humanities, social sciences, laboratory sciences and basic communications. You can take these classes on campus at Francis Marion or you can transfer credit from an approved college or university to satisfy these requirements.
Students without a previous bachelor’s degree must complete the following courses:
- English 101 Analysis and Argument (3 credit hours)
or English 101E/L Analysis and Argument with Extended Studio (4 credit hours) - English 102 Rhetoric, Genre, and Research (3 credit hours)
- Speech Communication 101 Basics of Oral Communication (3 credit hours)
- Political Science 101 United States Government
or Political Science 103 Introduction to Political Science (3 credit hours) - Social Science Elective (3 credit hours)
- Psychology 334 Life Span Development
or Social Science Elective (3 credit hours) - Literature (3 credit hours)
- History (3 credit hours)
- Art 101, Music 101, or Theatre 101 (3 credit hours)
- Humanities Elective (3 credit hours)
- Mathematics 111/111E College Algebra II or higher (3 credit hours)
- Mathematics 134 Probability and Statistics (3 credit hours)
- Biology 205 Human Anatomy (4 credit hours)
- Biology 215 Microbiology for Healthcare Professionals
or Biology 311 Microbiology (4 credit hours) - Biology 236 Human Physiology for Healthcare Professionals (4 credit hours)
- Chemistry 111 and 111L General Chemistry I (4 credit hours)
Students with a previous bachelor’s degree are only required to complete the following courses:
- Psychology 334 Life Span Development
or Social Science Elective (3 credit hours) - Mathematics 134 Probability and Statistics (3 credit hours)
- Biology 205 Human Anatomy (4 credit hours)
- Biology 215 Microbiology for Healthcare Professionals
or Biology 311 Microbiology (4 credit hours) - Biology 236 Human Physiology for Healthcare Professionals (4 credit hours)
- Science Elective (4 credit hours)
A transfer guide for credits from SC technical colleges is available from the Registrar’s Office.
Requirements upon Acceptance
Upon acceptance into the RN to BSN program, learners must provide documentation of the following onto our online documentation system from CastleBranch:
- Satisfactory criminal background check and drug screen
- Health history per the Department of Nursing (Annual TB skin test, Hepatitis, Immunizations, Varicella)
- American Heart Association (AHA) CPR Certification at the healthcare provider level
- Malpractice Insurance
- Active RN license
- Actively working in a healthcare role
- 3 positive references