OAKLAND UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF NURSING
RN/BSN DEGREE COMPLETION SEQUENCE
3027 Human Health Building
2200 N. Squirrel Road, Rochester MI 48309-4401
(248) 370-4253
/ www.oakland.edu/nursing
ON-LINE PROGRAM
AT IN-STATE
TUITION RATES
/ nrsinfo@oakland.edu
Oakland University School of Nursing offers all required degree completion sequence, non-nursing, and general education
courses for RNs on-line. This allows Registered Nurses to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree with
maximum convenience, reduced travel to campus or other locations, and at significant savings by paying in-state
(resident) tuition rates.
OU’s degree completion course sequence recognizes the RN’s prior education and experience. Courses are designed to
add value to this base and to promote continued advancement in the nursing profession.
The Oakland University nursing programs are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY DO I NEED TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL FOR A BSN?
Healthcare is characterized by rapid change and increasing challenges, and it demands a highly skilled and well-educated
nurse workforce. In order for a RN to be in an optimal position to take advantage of opportunities for career
advancement, and further educational upward mobility, a BSN degree provides the most accepted academic credential.
Baccalaureate nursing programs emphasize critical thinking, clinical reasoning, health informatics, and the skills and
knowledge necessary to succeed in today’s healthcare environment.
WHAT SUPPORTS ARE OFFERED TO FACILITATE MY SUCCESS WITH ON-LINE COURSES?
There is a student orientation for On-line Learning that everyone is welcome to review at
http://www2.oakland.edu/elis/SO_index.cfm. This site provides introductory information including computer
requirements, e-learner skills for success, course login procedures, and technical tips, recommendations and a demo
MOODLE course. MOODLE is the software that Oakland University uses to deliver its online courses. To experience the
demo MOODLE course go to the above link. In the top box titled ‘Welcome to e-Learning Student Online Orientation’
click on demo course and follow the instructions.
WHEN ARE COURSES OFFERED ON-LINE?
All required nursing courses are offered on-line each Fall and Winter semester. At least one of the required nursing
courses is offered each Summer term.
The non-nursing and general education required courses are offered on-line each year in the Fall, Winter, and Summer.
The tentative schedule is:
Fall
CHM 104
LIT 182
PSY 225
non-nursing course requirement and Natural Science & Technology general education
Winter
ART 101
CHM 201
IS 260
PHL 103
Arts general education
non-nursing course requirement
Global Perspective general education
non-nursing course requirement and Western Civilization general education
Summer
PHL 102
SPN 114
non-nursing course requirement and Formal Reasoning general education
Foreign Language & Culture general education
Literature general education
Knowledge Application general education
HOW ARE ASSIGNMENTS HANDLED ON-LINE?
All assignments (e.g. papers, discussions) are submitted via the on-line course website and evaluated by the course faculty
member. Students submit assignments and receive grades/feedback electronically, e.g. posted on the course MOODLE
site.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO FINISH?
The amount of time needed to complete the program varies with the individual student. The minimum time needed is two
years, excluding summer. This assumes that the student has previously completed all non-nursing requirements and takes
two to four courses per semester. Registered Nurses employed full-time generally attend classes on a part-time basis and
complete the program in three to four years.
WHAT COURSES CAN TRANSFER FOR CREDIT?
Associate Degree RN’s
Graduates from a regionally accredited associate degree-nursing program may receive direct transfer of 13 nursing credits and
50 credits applied toward required non-nursing and general education categories.
In addition, a maximum of 19 nursing credits will be granted through a course competency process. This process includes:
A. Successful completion of the NCLEX-RN examination.
B. Evidence of a valid RN license.
C. Course registration.
Diploma RN’s
Graduates from a NLN accredited diploma program will be granted the equivalent of 32 nursing credits through a course
competency process. This process includes:
A. Successful completion of the NCLEX-RN examination
B. Evidence of a valid RN license
C. Course registration.
WHAT COURSES WILL I NEED TO TAKE FOR THE RN/BSN DEGREE COMPLETION SEQUENCE?
Completing all of the courses listed in sections I-VI below fulfills the BSN degree requirements. A total of 125 credits,
including transfer credits, is required for the BSN.
NRS 310 must be taken as the first course in the RN/BSN sequence. NRS 475 must be taken in the final semester of BSN
degree coursework.
I. Required Nursing Courses
NRS 221 Nursing Informatics
This course involves the application of healthcare informatics’ topics, tools, and techniques appropriate to
professional nursing practice.
(2)
NRS 310 Conceptual Foundations of Nursing Practice
This course examines the conceptual foundations of professional nursing practice.
PREREQUISITE: Admission to RN/BSN degree completion sequence.
(4)
NRS 340 Health Promotion in the Community
(4)
This course focuses on the development of nursing interventions for health promotion with diverse client populations
across the lifespan.
PREREQUISITE or COREQUISITE: NRS 310.
NRS 355 Nursing Leadership and Health Care Issues
(3)
This course presents the principles of nursing leadership and management, health policy, and legal and ethical issues
in professional nursing practice.
PREREQUISITE or COREQUISITE: NRS 310.
NRS 426 Community Nursing
This course focuses on the professional nurse’s role in the community.
PREREQUISITE or COREQUISITE: NRS 310.
(4)
NRS 450 Nursing Care of Populations with Health Disparities
(4)
This course focuses on the provision of professional nursing care to patient populations across the lifespan with health
disparities. Satisfies the university general education requirement in U.S. diversity.
PREREQUISITE or COREQUISITE: NRS 310.
NRS 452 Research Basis of Nursing Practice
(3)
This course focuses on the research process and evidence-based practice as they relate to professional nursing.
Satisfies the university general education requirement for a writing intensive course in the major. Prerequisite for
writing intensive: completion of the university writing foundation requirement.
PREQUISITE or COREQUISITE: NRS 310.
NRS 474 Nursing Synthesis
This course analyzes issues impacting health care delivery and professional nursing practice.
PREREQUISITE: NRS 310.
PREREQUISITE or COREQUISITE: NRS 340, 355, 426, 450, 452.
(4)
NRS 475 Nursing Synthesis Clinical
(4)
This course is the capstone experience for the nursing curriculum. Must be taken in the final semester of degree
coursework. Satisfies the university general education requirement for capstone experience.
PREREQUISITE or COREQUISITE: All RN-BSN courses including Gen Ed and NON-NRS.
Students may take all 4 credits of NRS 475 in one semester or 2 credits each for a total of 4 credits in consecutive semesters.
OU reserves the right to cancel classes without notice if enrollment does not meet the minimum number
established for undergraduate courses (10 students).
II. Nursing Assessment Skills
Nursing Assessment Skills must be validated before registering for NRS 474 using one of the following methods:
a. completion of a health assessment course equivalent to OU SON health assessment course
OR
b. supervision verification from current (or most recent supervisor) validating assessment skills AND practice as
an RN performing health assessment skills within the last 3 years [download form from
www.oakland.edu/nursing click advising, click important forms, listed under heading for RN-BSN Degree
Completion Sequence]
III. General Education Degree Requirements (40 cr)
GENERAL EDUCATION FIELD CATEGORIES
CR
TESTING AVAILABLE
WRITING FOUNDATION (WRT 160)
4
Testing Requires Departmental Permission
FORMAL REASONING (PHL 102/107)
4
Testing Requires Departmental Permission
ARTS
4
Testing Requires Departmental Permission
FOREIGN LANGUAGE and CULTURE
4
CLEP*
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
4
Testing Requires Departmental Permission
LITERATURE
4
CLEP*
NATURAL SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY (CHM 104)
4
CLEP*
SOCIAL SCIENCE (PSY 100)
4
Testing Requires Departmental Permission
WESTERN CIVILIZATION (PHL 101)
4
Testing Requires Departmental Permission
KNOWLEDGE APPLICATION (PSY 225)
4
Testing Requires Departmental Permission
* For a complete statement of policies regarding credit by examination, competency testing and the College-level Examination
Program (CLEP), see the current Oakland University Undergraduate Catalog.
IV. Required Non-Nursing Courses
REQUIRED NON-NURSING COURSES
CR
TESTING AVAILABLE
BIO 121
Clinical Anatomy and Physiology
5
NLN Competency Exam
BIO 307
Introduction to Human Microbiology
4
NLN Competency Exam
4
CLEP
CHM 201 Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry
4
Testing Requires Departmental Permission
PHL 101 Introduction to Philosophy
4
None
CHM 104 Introduction to Chemical Principles
(Satisfies Natural Science and Technology General Education Requirement)
(Satisfies Western Civilization General Education Requirement)
OR
PHL 102 Introduction to Logic
4
(Satisfies Formal Reasoning General Education Requirement)
OR
PHL 103 Introduction to Ethics
4
(Satisfies Western Civilization General Education Requirement)
OR
PHL 107 Introduction to Symbolic Logic
(Satisfies Formal Reasoning General Education Requirement)
4
PSY 100 Foundations of Contemporary Psychology
(Satisfies Social Science General Education Requirement)
PSY 225 Introduction to Life-Span Developmental Psychology
4
CLEP
4
None
(Satisfies Knowledge Application General Education Requirement)
V. Competency Examinations Process for Required Biology Courses
Refer to the University catalog for an explanation of academic policies and procedures regarding course competency.
SCORING: A normalized percentile score of 50 or above is required.
Proficiency Exams
Scoring
Charge
Anatomy & Physiology (BIO 121P)
$40.00
Microbiology (BIO 307P)
$40.00
Time
Required
Oakland University
Courses Covered
CR
3 Hours
BIO 121 Clinical Anatomy and
Physiology
5
3 Hours
BIO 307 Intro. to Human
Microbiology
4
VI. Process for Earning Nursing Credits by Competency Registration
Diploma Graduate RN’s: Register for the following 200 and 300 level nursing courses for a total of 32 hours of
competency credit.
200 level
NRS 206P: Introduction to Professional Nursing I
NRS 207P: Nursing Therapeutics I
NRS 210P: Nursing Therapeutics II
NRS 211P: Nursing Therapeutics II Lab
NRS 220P: Nutrition in Nursing Practice
NRS 227P: Pathophysiology
NRS 290P: Basic Nursing Knowledge/Skills
TOTAL CREDITS
OR
NRS 299P = 13 Credits
2 CR.
1 CR.
1 CR.
1 CR.
2 CR.
3 CR.
3 CR.
13 CR.
Associate Degree Graduate RN’s: Register for the following 300 level nursing courses for a total of 19
hours of competency credit.
300 level
NRS 308P: Pharmacology in Nursing
NRS 326P: Acute Health Needs
NRS 328P: Acute Health Needs II
NRS 336P: Acute Care Clinical: Adult
NRS 337P: Acute Care Clinical: Child
NRS 338P: Acute Care Clinical: Family
NRS 348P: Behavioral Responses to Illness
TOTAL CREDITS
OR
NRS 399P =19 Credits
3 CR.
5 CR.
3 CR.
2 CR.
2 CR.
2 CR.
2 CR.
19 CR.
Note: Registration for these credits may be spread out over several semesters or completed at one time (see chart above).
HOW DO I APPLY FOR ADMISSION AND REGISTER FOR CLASSES?
Requirements for Admission
 Satisfactory completion of a Diploma or Associate Degree in Nursing program.
 Valid RN license.
 An overall grade point average of 2.50 or better from Diploma or ADN program.
Registered Nurses who do not meet these minimum requirements for admission may be admitted as a pre-RN-BSN. Upon
completion of 12 credits from required non-nursing or general education courses with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, the student
will be eligible for full RN-BSN admission.
University Application Procedures
Submit an undergraduate application and a copy of your current RN license via the website www.oakland.edu/apply
Have official transcripts sent to Oakland University, Office of Admissions, from each college, university, or Diploma
program you attended. Transcripts must be mailed directly from the institution to the Admissions Office, 101 North
Foundation Hall, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48309-4401.
When your application file is complete, the Admissions Office will forward it to the School of Nursing for review. A
School of Nursing adviser will review your application, including previous college or university course work, and verify
your RN license.
Upon admission to the University, you will receive information regarding a new student orientation to Oakland
University at which time a School of Nursing Academic Adviser will assist you in selecting courses. After the new
student orientation, a School of Nursing Academic Adviser will be available to meet with you upon request in order to
assist you with evaluating transfer credits and developing a Plan of Study for the B.S.N. degree requirements.
*******
All data in this document reflect information as it was available at the publication date. The School of Nursing and
Oakland University reserve the right to revise all information contained in this publication at its discretion and to
make reasonable changes in requirements to improve or upgrade academic and non-academic programs.
NOTE: Application for University readmission is required for students whose attendance at Oakland University has been
interrupted for six or more years. Contact the Academic Skills Center at (248) 370-4215, 103 North Foundation Hall.
RN to BSN Degree Completion FAQs
How do I apply to the RN/BSN degree completion sequence?
You need to submit an undergraduate application via the Oakland University website –
www.oakland.edu/apply. When you apply, apply as major code 7040 - RN to BSN completion student. There
are no application fees to apply to Oakland University.
I’ve taken many classes already. How many credits can I transfer in to OU?
You may transfer in up to 63 credits from, a community college to OU. There is no time limit on the
number of transfer credit from another university. There is no time limit on transferable credits from another
college or university.
Is there a grade point requirement that I need to meet to be admitted to OU?
A minimum of 2.5 cumulative grade point average in your previous coursework is required.
Do I receive transfer credit for the nursing courses that I have taken in my A.D.N. program?
OU grants 19 competency credits for successfully passing your NCLEX-RN exam (ADN graduates
transfer 13 credits from the community college). These credits are granted at a reduced tuition rate; currently
$50/competency credit. The 19 competency credits do not count as part of the 63 maximum credits that you
may transfer from the community college level. You are required to have registered for all competency credits
before you register for NRS 475.
Can I take some of the non-nursing and general education courses at a community college?
RN to BSN students may complete some of the non-nursing courses at a community college as long as
they do not exceed the maximum number of 63 credits that can be transferred from the community college level
to OU.
Are there any clinical courses that I will need to take?
No
How long does it take to earn my BSN from OU?
Once you are admitted to the RN/BSN degree completion sequence, it is possible to complete the
program in a minimum of two (2) years. All required nursing courses are offered in the Fall and Winter
semester. At least one required nursing course is offered each Summer semester.
RN/MSN Option
- Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
The RN/MSN option is designed for high achieving Registered Nurses who are already admitted to the Oakland
University School of Nursing (SON) RN/BSN Degree Completion Sequence and who want to pursue a Master of Science
in Nursing in Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner or Family Nurse Practitioner after completing the BSN degree. The
RN/MSN option allows RN/BSN students to take two graduate level courses, NRS 515 and NRS 516, while still an
undergraduate and pay undergraduate tuition rates. NRS 515 and NRS 516 replace NRS 355 and NRS 450 in the
RN/BSN curriculum and two graduate courses, NRS 521 and NRS 610, will be waived after the student begins the
graduate nursing program.
To be eligible for the RN/MSN option, students must:
1. Have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher in their Associate Degree in Nursing
educational program AND have completed the following courses with a minimum over-all grade point average of
3.0 or better to be eligible to transfer to the RN/MSN option:
CHM 104
CHM 201
BIO 121
BIO 307
WRT 160
NRS 310
NRS 340
Introduction to Chemical Principles
Organic and Biological Chemistry
Clinical Anatomy and Physiology
Introduction to Human Microbiology
Composition II
Conceptual Foundations of Practice
Health Promotion in the Community
2. Be fully admitted to the RN/BSN Degree Completion Sequence.
3. Request a change in program status from RN/BSN to the RN/MSN.
When a student admitted to the RN/MSN option is enrolled in their final OU course for the BSN degree, he/she may
formally apply for admission to one of the following graduate specialty tracks: Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner or
Family Nurse Practitioner. Besides the BSN degree, all other graduate program admission requirements must be fully
satisfied. Meeting the minimum requirements for graduate admission does not guarantee admission to a graduate
program.
ADMISSION TO THE SON GRADUATE PROGRAM
Refer to the Oakland University Graduate Catalog online for a complete list of program application requirements.
WHEN ADMITTED TO THE SON GRADUATE PROGRAM
When a student is officially admitted to the SON graduate program, he/she will receive a graduate Plan of Study outlining
the courses and the sequence necessary for completing the MSN degree, will be subject to graduate tuition rates, and must
adhere to SON graduate policies. Information about the SON graduate programs can be obtained by going to
http://www4.oakland.edu/?id=16061&sid=166
O:\RN to BSN\Flyer\RN BSN Complete Flyer w_NEW RN MSN Options 8.24.12HHB