RN to BSN, Nursing (BSN)
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Major: Nursing
Concentration: RN-BSN Option
Program Code: 3613
About This Major . . .
The Registered Nurse to Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). This program is designed for Associate degree and Diploma RNs. Up to 38 credits from the Associate or diploma degree may transfer toward this BSN degree. The program provides educational experiences to prepare a professional nurse generalist to practice in a variety of health care settings. The program integrates nursing theory, practice, and science with a broad liberal arts education. The program has been developed to prepare a highly competent professional with the education necessary to meet the increasing need for quality health care in society today and provides students with the foundation for graduate study in nursing.
Colorado Mesa’s BSN nursing program started in 1988 and has been fully accredited since its inception. The RN-BSN program began originally in 1979 and currently provides all nursing courses in an online format to provide better access to registered nurses.
For more information on what you can do with this major, visit Career Services’ What to Do with a Major? resource.
All CMU baccalaureate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, quantitative fluency, communication fluency, critical thinking, personal and social responsibility, and information literacy. In addition to these campus-wide student learning outcomes, graduates of this major will be able to:
- Construct a practice-based performance/project drawing on knowledge, skills, and attitudes specific to the discipline of nursing. (Specialized knowledge)
- Employ quantitative reasoning in making judgements and reaching conclusions. (Quantitative fluency)
- Make and defend assertions about a nursing practice topic in a well-organized evidence-based document or presentation. (Communication fluency)
- Demonstrate critical thinking behaviors as a basis for practice. (Critical Thinking)
- Utilize information from relevant sources to improve health among diverse populations. (Information Literacy)
- Engage in ethical reasoning to provide optimal nursing care. (Personal and Social Responsibility)
Each section below contains details about the requirements for this program. Select a header to expand the information/requirements for that particular section of the program's requirements.
To print or save an overview of this program's information, including the program description, learning outcomes, requirements, suggested course sequencing (if applicable), and advising and graduation information, scroll to the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu and select "Print Options." This will give you the options to either "Send Page to Printer" or "Download PDF of This Page." The "Download PDF of This Page" option prepares a much more concise presentation of all program information. The PDF is also printable and may be preferable due to its brevity.
Institutional Degree Requirements
The following institutional degree requirements apply to all CMU baccalaureate degrees. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.
- 120 semester hours minimum.
- Students must complete a minimum of 30 of the last 60 hours of credit at CMU, with at least 15 semester hours in major discipline courses numbered 300 or higher.
- 40 upper-division credits (an alternative credit limit applies to the Bachelor of Applied Science degree).
- 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU coursework.
- A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
- No more than six semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree.
- Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships, cannot exceed 30 semester credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 15 of the 30 credits may be for cooperative education, internships, and practica.
- Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
- Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Degree Requirements.
- The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and degree requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
- See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.
Essential Learning Requirements
(31 semester hours)
See the current catalog for a list of courses that fulfill the requirements below. If a course is an Essential Learning option and a requirement for your major, you must use it to fulfill the major requirement and make a different selection for the Essential Learning requirement.
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| English 1 | ||
| ENGL 111 | English Composition I-GTCO1 | 3 |
| ENGL 112 | English Composition II-GTCO2 | 3 |
| Mathematics 1 | ||
| MATH 110 | Mathematical Investigations-GTMA1 | 3 |
| History | ||
| Select one History course | 3 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Select one Humanities course | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | ||
| PSYC 150 | General Psychology-GTSS3 | 3 |
| PSYC 233 | Human Growth and Development-GTSS3 | 3 |
| Fine Arts | ||
| Select one Fine Arts course | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| Select one Natural Sciences course with a lab 2 | 4 | |
| Select one Natural Sciences course | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 31 | |
- 1
Must receive a grade of “C” or better and must be completed by the time the student has 60 semester hours.
- 2
Other Lower Division Requirements
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness Requirement | ||
| KINE 100 | Health and Wellness | 1 |
| Select one Activity course | 1 | |
| Essential Learning Capstone 1 | ||
| ESSL 290 | Maverick Milestone | 3 |
| ESSL 200 | Essential Speech | 1 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 6 | |
- 1
Essential Learning Capstone must be taken after completion of the Essential Learning English and Mathematics requirements, and when a student has earned between 45 and 75 hours.
Foundation Courses
(15 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 209 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| BIOL 209L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 210 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| BIOL 210L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 241 | Pathophysiology | 4 |
| STAT 200 | Probability and Statistics-GTMA1 | 3 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
Program Specific Degree Requirements
(31 semester hours, must pass all courses with a grade of “C” or higher and maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher in coursework in this area.)
Prior RN nursing coursework will be awarded up to 38 semester credit hours.
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| NURS 300 | Developing the Baccalaureate Role | 3 |
| NURS 320 | Health Assessment and Promotion for the Nurse | 3 |
| NURS 320L | Health Assessment and Promotion for the Nurse Laboratory | 1 |
| NURS 408 | Health Information Systems | 3 |
| NURS 409 | Quality Assessment and Improvement in Health Care Settings | 3 |
| NURS 410 | Population Health Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 410L | Population Health Nursing Laboratory | 1 |
| NURS 426 | Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| NURS 430 | Leadership for the RN | 3 |
| NURS 430L | Leadership for the RN Laboratory | 1 |
| NURS 418 | Gerontological Nursing and Chronic Illness | 3 |
| NURS 432 | Capstone Leadership for the RN | 4 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 31 | |
General Electives
(9 upper-division semester hours)
All college level courses appearing on your final transcript, not listed above that will bring your total semester hours to 120 hours.
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select upper-division electives | 9 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 9 | |
In addition to the courses indicated below, accepted prior RN nursing coursework will bring the total hours above the minimum of 120 semester credit hours required for graduation.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Semester Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 111 | English Composition I-GTCO1 | 3 |
| Essential Learning - Natural Science with Lab 1 | 4 | |
| PSYC 150 | General Psychology-GTSS3 | 3 |
| KINE 100 | Health and Wellness | 1 |
| Essential Learning - History | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ENGL 112 | English Composition II-GTCO2 | 3 |
| Essential Learning - Natural Science | 3 | |
| PSYC 233 | Human Growth and Development-GTSS3 | 3 |
| Essential Learning - Humanities | 3 | |
| KINA Activity | 1 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BIOL 209 & 209L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory | 4 |
| Essential Learning - Fine Arts | 3 | |
| MATH 110 | Mathematical Investigations-GTMA1 | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIOL 210 & 210L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 241 | Pathophysiology | 4 |
| ESSL 290 | Maverick Milestone | 3 |
| ESSL 200 | Essential Speech | 1 |
| STAT 200 | Probability and Statistics-GTMA1 | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| NURS 300 | Developing the Baccalaureate Role | 3 |
| NURS 408 | Health Information Systems | 3 |
| NURS 320 & 320L | Health Assessment and Promotion for the Nurse and Health Assessment and Promotion for the Nurse Laboratory | 4 |
| Upper Division Nursing Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| NURS 409 | Quality Assessment and Improvement in Health Care Settings | 3 |
| NURS 410 & 410L | Population Health Nursing and Population Health Nursing Laboratory | 4 |
| NURS 426 | Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| Upper Division General Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| NURS 418 | Gerontological Nursing and Chronic Illness | 3 |
| NURS 430 & 430L | Leadership for the RN and Leadership for the RN Laboratory | 4 |
| NURS 432 | Capstone Leadership for the RN | 4 |
| Upper Division General Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 95 | |
- 1
BIOL 250 encouraged
Advising Process and DegreeWorks
Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a degree. The suggested course sequencing outlines how students could finish degree requirements. Some courses are critical to complete in specific semesters, while others may be moved around. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and altering the suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for their intended degree(s).
DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a degree and determine eligibility for graduation. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.
Graduation Process
Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements:
- Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
- Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed. The advisor must approve the final plan.
- Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
- Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.
Submission deadlines and commencement details can be found at http://www.coloradomesa.edu/registrar/graduation.html.
If a student’s petition for graduation is denied, it will be their responsibility to consult the Registrar’s Office regarding next steps.