OAKLAND UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING RN/BSN DEGREE COMPLETION SEQUENCE Please visit the School of Nursing website at: www2.oakland.edu/nursing/ ON-LINE PROGRAM AT IN-STATE TUITION RATES 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 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 profession. Because registered nurses are licensed and practicing in their field, the nursing course sequence includes only one non-traditional clinical course (see course description for details). Oakland University also offers the RN-MSN in Family Nurse Practitioner and the RN-MSN in Nursing Education. Please visit the School of Nursing website or call (28) 370-253 to request a packet of materials. All nursing programs are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 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 www.oakland.edu/iti/orientation. Click on the highlighted heading for the current semester On-line Orientation. This site provides introductory information including computer requirements, e-learner skills for success, a sample course, course login procedures, and technical tips and recommendations. After completing this orientation, students who are registered for an on-line course are given the opportunity to register for a live training session if needed. Both the on-line and live orientation sessions are provided at no cost to students. HOW ARE ASSIGNMENTS HANDLED ON-LINE? All assignments (e.g. papers, discussions) will be posted on the on-line course site and evaluated by the course faculty member. Students will submit assignments and receive grades/feedback electronically, e.g. via E-mail or posted on the course site. WHEN ARE COURSES OFFERED ON-LINE? All required nursing courses are offered on-line each Fall and Winter semester. One of the required nursing courses is offered each Spring term. The tentative schedule will be: NRS 355 Spring 2005 NRS 26 Spring 2006 NRS 50 Spring 2007 NRS 52 Spring 2008 NRS 30 Spring 2009 The non-nursing and general education required courses are offered on-line each year in the Fall, Winter and Spring. The tentative schedule will be: Fall CHM 10 non-nursing course requirement and natural science general education LIT 182 Literature general education PSY 225 non-nursing course requirement (2006) Winter ART 101 Arts general education CHM 201 non-nursing course requirement IS 260 International Studies general education PHL 103 non-nursing course requirement and Western Civilization general education Spring PHL 102 non-nursing course requirement and Math, Logic, Computer Science general education SPN 11 Language general education WHY DO I NEED TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL FOR A BSN? Healthcare is characterized by rapid change and increasing challenges. It demands a highly skilled and well-educated workforce. In order to be in an optimal position to take advantage of opportunities for advancement and maximize your prospects for exciting career moves outside traditional settings such as acute care facilities, a BSN provides the most accepted credential. Baccalaureate nursing programs emphasize critical thinking, sophisticated clinical judgments and autonomous function, all skills necessary to succeed in today s healthcare environment.
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 spring or 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 Graduate 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 Graduate 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 the courses listed in sections I-VI below fulfills BSN degree requirements. A total of 125 credits including transfer credits is required for the BSN. NRS 310 is taken as the first course and NRS 7/75 is taken as the last course in the sequence. I. Required Nursing Courses NRS 310 Conceptual Foundations of Practice () Examines conceptual foundations of baccalaureate nursing practice including the four roles of nurse (caregiver, advocate, leader and teacher). Students apply critical thinking skills to analyze scholarly literature as well as nursing research. PREREQUISITE: Admission to RN/BSN degree completion sequence. NRS 30 Health Promotion in the Community () Focuses on the development of nursing strategies for health promotion with diverse client populations over the life span, from the prenatal period through senescence. NRS 355 Nursing Leadership and Health Care Issues () Examine the influence of customer demands, characteristics of the healthcare workplace, reimbursement and outcome measures on the cost, availability, and quality of healthcare services. NRS 26 Nursing: Home and Community/RN () Focuses on the application of the nursing process with clients experiencing irreversible alternations of biological, psychological, development and/or environmental processes. Includes client-centered interventions for individuals, families and groups effected by these conditions. NRS 50 Nursing: Vulnerable Populations for the RN () Focuses on epidemiology, environmental health, community assessment, addressing community problems with nurses serving as advocate, caregiver, leader and teacher. Nursing interventions will be population-based. 2
NRS 52 Scientific Inquiry II () Emphasizes the salient points of the research process, critical appraisal of utilization of findings. Solidifies the relationship of nursing research with clinical practice. NRS 7 Nursing Synthesis for the RN () A seminar that addresses the application of the following to the clinical area: critical thinking, nursing process, clinical judgment, nursing theory, nursing research and information technology. PREREQUISITE: NRS 310. PREREQUISITE or COREQUISITE: NRS 30, 355, 26, 50, 52. NRS 75 Nursing Synthesis for the RN Clinical () Application of theory, research and client care skills of NRS 7 in the clinical setting. PREREQUISITE or COREQUISITE: NRS 7 NRS 75 is the only clinical course requirement. It compliments the last nursing course, Nursing Synthesis for the RN (NRS 7). Clinical assignments will be geared toward the community. The course is organized as a series of related written assignments, called deliverables, which are due on specified dates. The nature and due dates for each assignment is posted on the course web site. It is estimated that at least 168 clock hours will be required to complete all the assignments. Students can schedule interviews/visits/appointments necessary for the assignment at their own convenience. NRS 75 is a credit course. Students may take all credits of NRS 75 in one semester or 2 credits each for a total of credits in consecutive semesters. Classes can be cancelled without notice if enrollment does not meet minimum number established for undergraduate courses (10 students). II. Nursing Assessment Skills Nursing Assessment Skills must be validated before registering for NRS 7-75 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 GENERAL EDUCATION FIELD CATEGORIES CR TESTING AVAILABLE Arts Testing Requires Departmental Permission Literature Testing Requires Language CLEP* Western Civilization (PHL 101 OR 103) CLEP* Departmental Permission International Studies Testing Requires Departmental Permission Social Science (PSY 100 or 130) CLEP* Mathematics/Logic/Computer Science (PHL 102) CLEP* Natural Science and Technology (BIO 111/CHM 10) CLEP* TOTAL CREDITS 32 * 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. 3
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 NLN Competency Exam CHM 10 Introduction to Chemical Principles (Satisfies Natural Science and Technology General Education Requirement) CHM 201 Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry CLEP Testing Requires Departmental Permission PHL 101 Introduction to Philosophy Requirements) OR PHL 102 Introduction to Logic (Satisfies Math/Logic/Computer Science General Education Requirement) OR PHL 103 Introduction to Ethics Requirement) OR PHL 107 Introduction to Symbolic Logic (Satisfies Math/Logic/Computer Science General Education Requirement) OR PHL 20 Ancient Greek Philosophy Requirement) OR PHL 205 Medieval Philosophy Requirement) OR PHL 206 Early Modern Philosophy Requirement) None PSY 100 Foundations of Contemporary Psychology OR PSY 130 Psychology and Society (Satisfies Social Science General Education Requirement) CLEP PSY 225 Introduction to Life-Span Developmental Psychology None RHT 150 Composition I May submit portfolio of writing samples to place out RHT 160 Composition II May submit portfolio of writing samples to place out TOTAL CREDITS 37
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 minimum score of 50th percentile or above is required. Proficiency Exams Scoring Charge Anatomy & Physiology (BIO 121P) $0.00 Time Required Oakland University Courses Covered 3 Hours BIO 121 Clinical Anatomy and Physiology CR 5 Microbiology (BIO 307P) $0.00 3 Hours BIO 307 Intro. to Human Microbiology 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: Nursing Therapeutics I NRS 207P: Nursing Therapeutics I Lab 1 CR. NRS 210P: Nursing Therapeutics II 1 CR. NRS 211P: Nursing Therapeutics II Lab 1 CR. NRS 220P: Nutrition in Nursing Practice NRS 227P: Pathophysiology NRS 290P: Basic Nursing Knowledge/Skills TOTAL CREDITS 1 OR NRS 299P = 13 Credits 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 5 CR. 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 38P: Behavioral Responses to Illness TOTAL CREDITS 19 CR. OR NRS 399P = 19 Credits 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. Valid RN license. A grade point average of 2.50 or better in previous course work. Registered nurses may be admitted to pre-rn/bsn status occurs upon completion of a minimum of 12 non-nursing credits (applicable to the nursing program) at Oakland University with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. 5
Application Procedures 1. Submit an undergraduate application, a copy of your current RN license, and application fee, payable to Oakland University, to: Office of Admissions, 101 North Foundation Hall, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 8309-01. 2. Have official transcripts sent to Oakland University, Office of Admissions, from each college, university, or hospital you have attended. Transcripts must be mailed directly from the institution to the Admissions Office. 3. 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 new student orientation, a School of Nursing Academic Adviser is available to meet with you upon request in order to assist you with evaluating of transfer credits and developing a Plan of Study for the B.S.N. degree requirements. NOTE: Application for University readmission is required for students whose attendance at Oakland University has been interrupted for six years or more. Contact Academic Skills Center at (28) 370-215, 103 North Foundation Hall. All data in this document reflect information as it was available at the publication date. School of Nursing and Oakland University reserve the right to revise all information contained in the publication at its discretion and to make reasonable changes in requirements to improve or upgrade academic and non-academic programs. O:\rnbsn\flyer.doc /11/2007 6