The RN-B.S.N. option is designed to offer registered nurses the opportunity to build on their nursing knowledge and experience by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Students in the RN-B.S.N. option take courses that focus on professionalism and patient safety, research, improvement of health systems, leadership, information technology, and community and public health. The RN-B.S.N. option allows registered nurses to earn a B.S.N. degree via flexible online education that is delivered primarily asynchronously with limited synchronous face-to-face assemblies for the gerontology and public health practicum experiences as well as the capstone seminar.

The RN-B.S.N. program option requires 31 semester hours of major study. The prospective RN-B.S.N. student must hold an active, unencumbered registered nursing license in their state of residence and have been conferred an Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program. Prospective students must complete the prerequisite course work before beginning work.

required for the major in nursing. The RN-B.S.N. plan of study provides a semester-by-semester conceptualization of the required coursework involved.

Students interested in applying for admission to the RN-B.S.N. option may fulfill the degree requirements for the entire program at Kentucky State University through course offerings in the various Colleges. A student may also transfer courses from an institution that offers comparable prerequisite or non-major courses that are approved by Kentucky State University and the School of Nursing. Once a student is admitted to the RN-B.S.N. option major, the student must complete all degree requirements within five (5) years from admission into the major.

All students must satisfactorily complete the minimum semester credit hours delineated in the B.S.N. pre-licensure plan of study, as well as any other requirements established by the School of Nursing, to qualify for degree candidacy. Students must also meet established School of Nursing grade requirements in all major courses for academic progression in the program. Information on admission, retention, progression, dismissal, or readmission can be found in the B.S.N. Student Handbook on the School of Nursing website. The School of Nursing is responsible for all components of the B.S.N. program pre-licensure option, including but not limited to, the selection, supervision, and evaluation of nursing students, and the curriculum. As such, The School of Nursing reserves the right to modify any academic provisions or academic requirements when such action will serve the interest of the client/patient, the nursing program, or its students.

Academic Advising

Kentucky State University students who have declared an interest in the RN-B.S.N. option and transfer students who are offered admission into the B.S.N. program shall be assigned a nursing faculty advisor who will assist with course and career planning. Mandatory advising is required each academic year as outlined in the B.S.N. Student Handbook.

Applicants with Foreign Education

Applicants to the B.S.N. program pre-licensure option whose first language is not English must score at least 550 (paper) or 80 (Internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Registered nurses educated outside of the United States are required to present verification of having passed the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) examination. In addition, liberal arts and general studies credits earned at institutions of higher learning outside of the U.S. must be evaluated by the World Education Service (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), or International Academic Credential Evaluators (IACEI) for determination of transferability prior to submitting an application for admission to the B.S.N. program.

Admissions

Minimally, the following criteria must be met for RN-B.S.N. admissions consideration: