The post-licensure RN to BSN nursing major is designed for the practicing Registered Nurse who holds an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing and wishes to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The curriculum is developed to provide an online format with some clinical components to enhance the practical application of knowledge gained in the student's course of study throughout the nursing program.
The purpose of the Emory & Henry College RN to BSN program is to educate and prepare baccalaureate level nurses to be professional leaders in healthcare in Southwest Virginia and surrounding areas. The nursing curriculum is built with the underpinnings of liberal arts, sciences, and nursing which focuses on the nursing process to enhance the pedagogical attainment of nursing knowledge, clinical skills, and a devotion to the nursing profession.
The mission of the RN to BSN Nursing Program is to provide a holistic approach to educating the future professional nurse in a collaborative, interprofessional culture in preparation for lives of promoting client-centered healing and health to culturally diverse individuals and populations in our communities. The BSN-RN will be prepared to actively engage and contribute to the advancement of the nursing profession through lifelong learning, leadership, scholarship and service.
The undergraduate RN to BSN program at Emory & Henry College has a provisional membership with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and is seeking accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Program Outcomes
At the completion of the baccalaureate program, the student will demonstrate the following:
- Apply knowledge from the liberal arts and sciences to professional nursing practice.
- Analyze and apply evidence from research and other information sources as a basis for nursing practice.
- Apply knowledge and skills in using information systems and a range of patient-care technologies to facilitate the delivery of safe, quality patient care.
- Advocate for financial and regulatory healthcare policies, processes, and environments that improve the nature and functioning of the healthcare delivery system and nursing practice.
- Collaborate and communicate effectively with healthcare professionals to promote positive working relationships, improve patient health outcomes, and deliver safe, quality patient care.
- Apply knowledge and skills of organizational and systems leadership, quality improvement, and patient safety in promoting safe, quality care for diverse patients across healthcare systems and environments.
- Assess factors that influence health and apply culturally appropriate health promotion and disease prevention to diverse individuals and populations.
- Demonstrate consistent application of nursing's professional standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct.
- Integrate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes expected of baccalaureate-prepared nurses to provide professional nursing care to diverse patients and populations across the lifespan, healthcare setting, and healthcare environments.
Admission Requirements
- Students must apply and receive acceptance into E&H and the Post-Licensure RN to BSN program.
- Be a graduate* of an accredited Associate Degree Nursing program or Diploma school. * Emory & Henry College has Concurrent Admission Agreements with several community colleges to provide a transfer pathway for students to earn four-year degrees. Students who are concurrently admitted to E&H, may take RN-BSN coursework while completing their Associates Degree.
- Hold a current unencumbered RN license in the state in which they practice. Upon application to the nursing program, each student provides proof of current, unencumbered, unrestricted and valid licensure (RN and/or APRN) in the state(s) in which they plan to complete their practicum courses. If at any point during the program, a student's license (RN and/or APRN) becomes encumbered or restricted, the student is obligated to inform the Program Director and Dean of the School of Nursing immediately. Under no circumstances will a student with an encumbered or restricted license be permitted to enroll in a course with a practicum component. Failure to report an encumbered or restricted license to the Program Director and Dean will result in dismissal from the nursing program. An active registered nurse advanced practice credential (if applicable in the state (jurisdiction) where employment and/or clinical practice will be completed shall be maintained while in the nursing program.
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended.
- For entry into the program, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher is required and is to be maintained throughout the program. Applicants who do not meet the admissions requirements may apply for conditional admission consideration.
- Complete clinical clearance requirements 30 days after admission and prior to starting any clinical experience.
- Students may transfer in up to 75 credits - 39 credits from Diploma or ADN nursing courses.
Clinical Clearance/Credentialing
No student may start clinicals without clearance from course faculty via our credentialing vendor.
Students are required to purchase a credentialing packet, complete and submit the following via the current credentialing vendor:
- Background Check - This is a criminal background check and is essential for our clinical placements.
- 12-Panel Drug Test - Tests for Cocaine, Marijuana; PCP; Amphetamines; Opiates; Benzodiazephines; Barbiturates; Methadone; Propoxyphene; Quaaludes; Ecstasy/MDA; and Oxycodone/Percocet.
- eLearning - Annual required training.
RN to BSN Graduation Requirements
Academic graduation requirements include the following:
- Completion of 120 semester hours and all required courses. RNs must successfully complete both the general education and required nursing courses. Elective hours make up the remaining hours needed to graduate.
- Grade of B (80%) or better in all nursing courses.
- A cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher for all courses taken at Emory & Henry College.
Progression, Retention, Dismissal Guidelines
All Nursing students must maintain the required 80% (B) average in nursing courses. If a student fails ("F") a nursing course, they will be dismissed from the nursing program. If a student does not successfully pass a nursing course with an 80% or above, they will be allowed to retake the course one time. A second failure (79% or below) of any subsequent nursing course will result in dismissal from the nursing program. If a student fails a Pass/Fall portion of the course, the maximum grade that can be obtained will be 79%. The student will be required to repeat the course.
First-time students in the nursing course will be given precedence over a student repeating the course. If there is a second failure of the same nursing course*, from the previous attempt, will not be acceptable.
Pursuant to VA BON 54.1-3007 A student will receive a failing "F" clinical and didactic course grade and be dismissed from the program for any of the following:
- Fraud or deceit in procuring or attempting to procure a license, certificate, or registration;
- Unprofessional conduct;
- Willful or repeated violation of any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;
- practicing in a manner contrary to the standards of ethics or in such a manner as to make his practice a danger to the health and welfare of patients or to the public;
- Use of alcohol or drugs to the extent that such use renders him unsafe to practice, or any mental or physical illness rendering him unsafe to practice;
- The denial, revocation, suspension, or restriction of a license, certificate, registration, or multistate licensure privilege to practice in another state, the District of Columbia, or a United States possession or territory; or
- Abuse, negligent practice, or misappropriation of a patient's or resident's property.
Summer Credit Hour Policy
Students enrolled in the nursing program may only register for a total of 8.0 credit hours during the summer term(s). Students who wish to enroll in more than 8.0 credit hours during the summer must receive permission from their nursing advisor.