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 Adult Degree Completion Program (ADCaP). Tuition is reduced and 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. 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. Students interested in the RN-BSN Pathway should apply directly to the ADCaP at http://ww.uiw.edu/adcap/adcapadmit.htm and contact the nursing advisor, Dr. Sarah Williams, at 210-829-6092.

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-3512'>NURS 3512, 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 accredited by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON).
  • The registered nurse graduated from a nursing education program accredited by 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 NLNAC accredited must show validation of successful completion of the NCLEX 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 ADCaP at http://ww.uiw.edu/adcap/adcapadmit.htm and then contact the RN-BSN faculty advisor, Dr. Sarah Williams (210-829-6092).

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:

Semester 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 (May substitute for Developmental Psychology courses) 3
* Mathematics (Statistics) 3
* General Chemistry (any college level chemistry course) 4
* Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab 6
* Microbiology with Lab (any college level course with lab) 4
* Nutrition 3
* Computer Literacy

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

Courses in the major (Alternate Pathway) 28 semester hours: (eight week terms)

Term I

NURS 3512Professional Nursing Role

Term II

NURS 3341Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

NURS 4313Health Assessment

Term III

NURS 4365Community Health Nursing

Term IV

NURS 4265Community Health Nursing Practicum

Term V

NURS 4331Research in Nursing

NURS 4332Nursing Leadership/Management

Term VI

NURS 3322Issues in Nursing

NURS 4362Nursing Leadership and Management Practicum