RN-to-BSN Program, B.S.

The RN-to-BSN program was granted initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in February 2016, valid through December 31, 2021. The ABSN program, which was offered for the first time in Fall 2019 per CCNE is included under this initial BSN accreditation. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for Spring of 2021. For additional information, please contact CCNE at 655 K Street, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001 or call 202-887-6791.

Baccalaureate Nursing Education

Baccalaureate nursing education prepares the nurse to practice in a variety of settings by providing them with knowledge and skills, generalizable and transferable to multiple settings. A liberal education grounds the student, ensuring nurses practice with a skilled, broad base of knowledge. The faculty believe that baccalaureate nursing education is built upon a foundation in the arts and sciences, providing an appreciation for diverse perspectives and experiences. Baccalaureate education facilitates scholarship, and service to promote safe, quality care through evidence-based practice. Students are introduced to content including organizational and systems theories for management, information technology, policy, and leadership qualities which, may have direct influence on healthcare outcomes.

Baccalaureate nursing education facilitates the development of professional values and value-based behaviors; principles which guide nurse’s interactions with patients, families, peers, and society. This education emphasizes social justice, and concepts for the provision of ethical, holistic, culturally sensitive and compassionate care. The baccalaureate nurse demonstrates a concern for the human dignity, a respect for culture, their profession, and the welfare of all populations. Only students with a current unencumbered RN license may register for NUR 300-400 level courses.

Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to:

1. Hold a current unencumbered Registered Nurse license in the state where they practice nursing*;
2. Complete the application for admission into Goodwin University (applicants to the nursing program must first meet the requirements for admission and be accepted into Goodwin University);
3. Complete the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program Application; and
4. Attend an academic advising session with the Nursing Department Academic Advisor.

*Secondary to the delay in ADN gradates being able to take the NCLEX related to COVID 19, graduates from the Associate Degree Program at Goodwin University only, may be admitted to the RN-BSN track and take NUR 300  and NUR 310  without an RN license. This interim policy became effective for the April 2020 graduates and will remain in place until NCLEX testing centers resume their regular scheduling processes.

Accepted Students

All university-required immunizations and requirements must be completed before the start of the program.

Students are required to maintain current certification in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (Health Provider or Professional Rescuer by the American Heart Association or the Red Cross).

Students are required to maintain unencumbered RN license during tenure in the program.

BSN Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Program are prepared to practice professional nursing as a generalist with skills that are applicable across all healthcare settings. They are also prepared to enter graduate study.

At the completion of the program, the graduate will be able to:

1. Practice professional nursing from a holistic, visionary, culturally-competent, fiscally-responsible base, as they design, manage, and coordinate care for individuals, families, groups, communities and populations;
2. Synthesize and apply knowledge from nursing theory, practice, research, and the liberal arts and sciences to professional nursing practice;
3. Integrate and demonstrate beginning leadership and management skills utilizing critical and creative thinking, ethical decision making, and evidenced-based practice;
4. Design, manage and coordinate care to patients, families, groups and communities utilizing communication skills honed by self-awareness and self-evaluation;
5. Advocate for patients, families, groups and communities based on a respect for cultural diversity and an understanding of the impact of political and regulatory process on health care;
6. Collaborate and communicate, using a variety of modalities, with patients, families and interdisciplinary team members to maximize patient’s level of wellness; and
7. Value the practices of lifelong learning while building and leading inter-professional healthcare teams.

Nursing Department Policies

Policies specific to the RN-BSN track may be found in the RN-BSN Nursing Student Handbook.

Graduation Requirements

The following requirements must be met in order to graduate from the nursing program:

1. Completion of the course requirements. General education courses and open electives must be completed with a “C” or better
2. Completion of each RN-BSN nursing core course with a a grade of C+ as well as an academic average of 2.3 within the maximum time frame (no greater than nine (9) semesters or three years)
3. Fulfillment of all financial obligations to the University.
4. A minimum of thirty (30) credit hours at the 3XX or 4XX levels, including all upper division nursing courses.