RN-BSN Pathway

The RN-BSN Pathway is designed for the student entering the nursing program who has completed the NCLEX and is employed as a registered nurse. The RN-BSN Pathway program operates according to the policies and schedule of the School of Professional Studies (SPS). All courses are taught online in accelerated eight-week terms. Students generally take 6 credit hours each term and the nursing courses may be completed in one calendar year. Clinical application is required to complete the pathway. The length of time to complete the program will depend on the number of courses the student needs to complete the core requirements. Previous education and clinical expertise are recognized through the opportunity to earn credit by validation and direct transfer of credit from equivalent courses from regionally accredited institutions. 

Registered nurses will receive 30 hours advanced placement credit for prior nursing education after successful validation of prior learning. Validation of prior nursing knowledge is carried out by the evaluation of work completed in the first nursing course, NURS 3312, Professional Nursing Role. Registered nurses will be able to enter the RN-BSN Pathway without validation testing if the following conditions are met:

• The registered nurse graduated from a Texas nursing education program approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON).
• The registered nurse graduated from a nursing education program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), and is currently employed in the role as registered nurse.
• Registered nurses who graduated from schools that were not ACEN accredited must show validation of successful completion of the NCLEX-RN and meet UIW's policy on credit from non-accredited schools.

Admission Requirements (RN-BSN pathway)

Students who plan to follow the RN-BSN pathway should apply directly to the School of Professional Studies (SPS) and then contact the RN-BSN faculty advisor, Dr. Maureen Rauschhuber (210-829-3995).

The RN-BSN pathway applicant must also submit evidence of current licensure to practice professional nursing in Texas. Military personnel may submit evidence of current licensure in the United States.

Core Curriculum and specific nursing requirements:                                    

         Hours
English (Rhetoric)*             6
Literature             3
Public Speaking*             3
Fine or Applied Arts             3
Second Language             6
Religious Studies and Philosophy (one course in Ethics) 9
History             3
Introduction to Psychology*             3
Lifespan Development*+             3
Mathematics (Statistics)*             3
Chemistry (Any college level chemistry course) with Lab* 4
Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab*             8
Microbiology with Lab (Any college level course with lab)* 4
Electives             6                     

*Prerequisite to admission to program with a minimum grade of C.

+Child Development and Adult Development may substitute for Lifespan Development.