Curriculum | RN to BS

What is the difference between a BS and a BSN?

A BS is a degree offered by the College as a whole. It offers bachelor's degrees in a variety of different majors but each program is governed by the school as a whole. In most cases the faculty/administrator in each department has a title such as "director" or "chair." A "dean" is then over multiple departments.

A BSN is offered by a professional school that is a separate entity unto itself. If the school of nursing is part of a larger university, there will be connections between the larger school and the school of nursing but the school of nursing will have its own "dean" and more political independence.

Program Length

Because our program is tailored to fit your previous education and the needs of your personal life, the length of the program can vary. Most nurses complete the program in 2-4 semesters. 

Learning Outcomes

The RN to BS Online Nursing Track has been designed to build on your knowledge as a registered nurse. Through this program, you will realize central concepts and broaden your knowledge base through a curriculum that is unique from the program taught at the associate degree level.

The program is designed to achieve the following learning outcomes:

  1. Synthesize knowledge from nursing, the arts and sciences and the Benedictine values in the holistic practice of professional nursing
  2. Demonstrate professional values and behaviors consistent with professional standards
  3. Demonstrate competence for entry level professional practice
  4. Advocate for health care that is sensitive to the needs of clients, including those from vulnerable populations
  5. Assume responsibility for ongoing professional development in an ever-changing health care environment

Graduation Requirements

128 semester credits are required for graduation. The credits may be gained in a number of ways:

  • Transfer credits from a previous four-year college/university or community college
  • CLEP or challenge exams
  • Documentation of prior learning
  • Independent study
  • Taking courses

Course descriptions

Note: PSY 2335 can be waived if you have previously taken a statistics course that includes inferential and difference statistics.

Expand and Collapse Required Courses

Expand and Collapse NSG 3125 - RN toBS Nursing Introduction

This non-credit, mandatory orientation course presents an overview of the process of learning in an online environment. It will introduce the online RN to BS nursing student to all aspects of the online program, including college and nursing program information, WebCT (online course format), St. Scholastica G-mail, CSS distance library services, and other necessary information to be successful in the online RN to BS nursing program. Co requisite: Acceptance into the RN to BS Online Nursing Program. Mandatory completion prior to the beginning of RN to BS online nursing program.

Expand and Collapse NSG 3355 - Research, Evidence-Based Pract

This course emphasizes the role of the nurse as a critical consumer of research findings for the purpose of improving nursing practice. Students explore the relationships between nursing research and evidence-based practice, as well as the impact that information technology has on nursing practice. An opportunity to utilize an electronic medical record will be provided during this course.

Expand and Collapse NSG 3361 - Dimensions Professional NSG

This course presents an overview of professional nursing practice, focusing on the roles and characteristics of the baccalaureate nurse. Theory and philosophy of nursing will be emphasized. Historical perspectives that have had an impact on the profession will be explored. Other areas of study include the use of processes guiding the professional practice of nursing, professional nursing in a changing health care delivery system, family nursing theory and teaching-learning theory.

Expand and Collapse NSG 4472 - Leadership in Nursing

This course provides an analysis of historical and current issues affecting aspects of professional nursing practice. Professional nursing in a changing health care delivery system is examined from a leadership perspective. A personal, issue-related action plan will be developed and implemented.

Expand and Collapse NSG 4570 - Community Health Nursing

In this theory course, RN students will apply public health principles to nursing practice from a population-based individual, community and system level. This course examines public health from a local, national and global perspective. This course does not meet Minnesota Board of Nursing requirements for certification as a public health nurse. Certification requires the additional 1 credit clinical course, NSG 4571.

Expand and Collapse NSG 4571 - Community Health NSG Clinical

This independent clinical course provides the RN student with a precepted clinical experience in a community-based agency. Successful completion of this clinical course, combined with NSG 4570 or public/community health theory based equivalent course, will meet the MN Board of Nursing requirements for certification as a public health nurse. (Optional)

Expand and Collapse NSG 4580 - Holistic Assessment in Nursing

This course builds on assessment information from the associate degree/diploma level of nursing education. The holistic health assessment needs of culturally diverse, rural and unique populations are examined. Family assessment and environmental assessment are introduced.

Expand and Collapse NSG 4590 - RN to BS Portfolio Introduction

The RN to BS Nursing Portfolio allows the RN student an opportunity to obtain nursing credits for the major based on prior RN experience. Graduation requirements mandate the completion of 20 credits for the nursing portfolio. This course will introduce the RN student to the nursing portfolio guidelines and provide faculty guidance for completion of the first 4 objectives of the nursing portfolio.

Expand and Collapse NSG 4990 - RN to BS NSG Portfolio Continu

This course allows the RN student to maintain active student status, until the RN to BS Nursing Portfolio is complete and all graduation requirements have been met. A course fee will be attached to this course

Expand and Collapse NSG 4998 - RN to BS Nursing Portfolio

The RN to BS Nursing Portfolio allows the RN student an opportunity to obtain nursing credits for the major based on prior RN experience. Graduation requirements mandate the completion of 20 credits for the nursing portfolio.

Expand and Collapse PSY 2335 - Statistics for Profl Practice

Introduction to statistical concepts and methods useful in evaluating and applying results of research studies done by others. Students learn to construct frequency distributions and simple graphs, to compute measures of central tendency, variability, transformed scores, correlations and simple regression, and to carry out hypothesis tests (t-tests, analysis of variance, chi-square) using hand calculators and MS-Excel. Taught with a strong focus on numeracy (understanding and using numbers in decision-making) and the correct evaluation and interpretation of research results reported in the public press and professional journals.

Expand and Collapse TRS 3311 - Rel Prspctvs Health Care Ethic

Explores a variety of concrete biomedical ethical problems within our society and the healthcare system from a religious and ethical perspective. This course examines the role of new technologies, the threat of dehumanization, the questions of euthanasia, patients' rights, genetic engineering, transplantation and fetal research from Catholic and Protestant ethical thinkers.
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Jay ParsonsJay Parsons
Admissions Counselor
(877) 287-8750
jparsons@css.edu

Accreditation

CCNE SealThe baccalaureate nursing program at The College of St. Scholastica is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington DC 20036, (202) 887-6791.