RN-to-BSN Program

The Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) program prepares the graduate to:

1. Synthesize theory and concepts from the arts and humanities, natural and social sciences, and nursing as a professional holistic practice and scientific discipline.
2. Engage in professional, culturally sensitive, compassionate, and ethically congruent care that reflects the dignity and uniqueness of individuals and groups in diverse populations and settings that seek to understand their lived experiences and connections to others.
3. Utilize information processes and technology to improve communication, address health literacy, manage knowledge, reduce errors, and support decision-making that assists in delivering optimal care for diverse individuals, families, and communities.
4. Translate research findings to support evidence-based, competent, safe, and effective nursing care to individuals, families, and communities in diverse settings across the lifespan.
5. Demonstrate a commitment to professionalism and professional identity that embodies the values and characteristics of nursing while incorporating the concepts of self-reflection, well-being, and continuous learning.
6. Examine the interconnection amongst the healthcare delivery continuum, including collaborative activities among stakeholders that impact equitable health outcomes through systems thinking, health promotion, and ethical response initiatives.
7. Develop personal, professional, and leadership skills with a commitment to personal growth, expansion of professional knowledge and expertise, and emboldens leadership practice in the healthcare industry.
8. Analyze how social, cultural, and environmental determinants of health and social structure interact to affect access, provision of care, and health outcomes at local, regional, national, and global levels to improve population health while instilling a sense of global citizenship and ethical responsibility.

Applications for the RN-to-BSN program are individually reviewed, and the following minimum requirements must be met to be eligible to enter the nursing major:

Requirements:

• Meet ISU admission criteria for transfer students
  • Transcripts must be on file for all previous college work
• Congruent with the Iowa Action Coalition, RN-to-BSN Task Force Recommendations
  • Achievement of minimum "C" (not C-) for all prerequisite courses
  • Prerequisite courses must be completed before beginning the RN-to-BSN program (Note: most, and in some cases, all of these are required in the ADN curriculum)
    • Prerequisite Courses:
      • Introduction to Chemistry (ISU CHEM 163 or CHEM 1T equivalent)
      • English Composition I & II (ISU ENGL 150 and ENGL 250 equivalent)
      • Statistics (ISU STAT 101 or STAT 104 equivalent)
      • Introduction to Human Nutrition (ISU FS HN 167 equivalent)
      • Introduction to Sociology (ISU SOC 134 equivalent)
  • Minimum of 2.5 college GPA for all college coursework
  • Licensure as a Registered Nurse in Iowa or a compact state if applicable
  • License must remain current and unrestricted while enrolled in the ISU RN-to-BSN program

The practicum experience is an opportunity for nursing students to apply their theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. It provides students with a chance to participate in a local or domestic immersion experience, guided and designed by nursing faculty in the RN-to-BSN program. Students are required to complete at least 45 practicum hours to gain practical experience and enhance their skills.

RN-to-BSN Curriculum

To access individual course descriptions, please refer to Iowa State University's course catalog. 

You may access the course catalog here: https://catalog.iastate.edu/azcourses/nursing/

Prospective Student Resources

Below is a direct link to the program's frequently asked questions:

https://nursing.iastate.edu/faqs