Nursing, B.S.N (RN-BSN)

Phyllis King, Ph.D., MSN, RN, Chair of the RN-BSN Track

The Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (RN-BSN) at Palm Beach Atlantic University specifically seeks to meet the education and preparation needs of registered nurses who have an associate degree (should we include Diploma?) in nursing for professional practice in the expanding healthcare community.  The program will provide graduates with qualities that professional nurses need to be leaders in the complex and ever-changing global health care environment; encouragement for professional development in a nursing career; as well as broader job opportunities in hospital, community/ public health, school or parish nursing, pharmaceutical and medical device sales, or research. The program also provides preparation for a streamlined pathway to graduate studies (MSN or DNP).

Program Features

• 28 nursing credits plus applicable General Education courses.
• Completely online delivery
• Flexible course offerings with multiple entry points
• Part and Full time available.
• Streamlined pathway to MSN and DNP (Family Nurse Practitioner programs)
• Guaranteed entry to nursing graduate programs at PBA if GPA is 3.5 or greater (other graduate admissions requirements still apply).

Program Structure

The required curriculum for the major is composed of three and four-credit hour courses offered during seven-week subterms or 14 week semesters. Online courses are delivered electronically through eCollege. Attendance at a minimum of two synchronous online sessions is required in each online nursing course. The specific days and hours for these meetings will be scheduled by the instructor during the first week of each course. Online students should pay particular attention to the Online Attendance Policy. Students enrolled in the B.S. in Nursing program take many of their General Education core requirements from the Catherine T. MacArthur School of Leadership.  Online general education courses are usually eight weeks long.

To qualify for graduation, students must earn a minimum of 120 credits, including a minimum of 42 upper-level credits (courses numbered 3000 and above). The curriculum is divided between the General Education requirements, Nursing major requirements, and Nursing Electives.

Capstone RN-BSN Practicum This comprehensive clinical course is the culmination of the baccalaureate nursing curriculum, integrating broad liberal education, nursing knowledge, technical skills, and core Christian worldview values in preparation of a professional career in a changing 21st century health care environment. This course should be taken as near as possible to the final term of study at Palm Beach Atlantic University.