Nursing MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
NURSING - RN to BSN OPTION
PATRICIA MARSHALL, M.S.N., R.N., CCRN, Undergraduate Program Director
The Villa Maria School of Nursing, in agreement with the Pennsylvania Nursing Articulation
Model, believes that a common core of knowledge exists between accredited basic nursing
programs and should be recognized without the requirements of special testing. The goal of
the Pennsylvania Nursing Articulation Model is to provide an appropriate path of articulation
between RN and BSN programs, which eliminates duplication of content. Villa Maria School
of Nursing has created an option including the use of transfer credits, articulation credits,
challenge exams and validation by portfolio which all aid in eliminating duplication of
content. Transfer credits are awarded in accordance with the University guidelines and
policies. Villa Maria School of Nursing provides articulation credits for basic nursing
knowledge gained from an accredited RN program. Up to thirty-two (32) credits of nursing
are granted, during the final semester of study, for articulation credit.
Nursing knowledge gained through professional experience, which demonstrates attainment
of professional nursing course outcomes may be validated through portfolio. Students
admitted to the RN to BSN Option may choose to create a portfolio for qualifying professional
nursing courses. The process for creation of and validation of course outcomes by portfolio is
presented, practiced and refined in the Transition to Professional Nursing course (NURS 203).
The student, who believes that specific required courses would involve repetitive learning,
may have an opportunity to challenge the course by examination. Students may also earn
credits through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Students must receive
academic advisement regarding course credits approved for challenge examinations and
CLEP exams from their advisor.
NLN Achievement testing may demonstrate a student's knowledge in specific subjects, such
as nutrition.
NLN Achievement testing may be required for students who have not graduated from an
accredited nursing program.
All RN to BSN Option students must earn
128 credits to graduate with the BSN.
Registered
Nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) may qualify to obtain the BSN
through the next-step program.
Next-Step Program
BSN Option for Graduates of Two Year Colleges (ADN)
- Acceptance of up to 64 credits from the accredited
ADN program, which includes a maximum of 32 nursing articulation credits.
- The student must take 18 credits of the Core of
Discovery after completion of the Associate of Science in Nursing degree.
(Numerals in front of courses indicate credits)
| 3 | Sacred Scripture/LTHE 121
or Theology II Series/LTHE |
| 3 | Invitation to Philosophy/LPHI 231 or Philosophy
II Series/LPHI |
| 3 | Literature Series/LENG |
| 3 | Fine Arts Series/LFIN |
| 3 | Theo/Phil III Series/LTHE or LPHI |
| 3 | Capstone Seminar/NURS 404* |
| 18 | Credits |
*NURS 404 as the approved Liberal Studies capstone course for
the nursing major. If achieved through portfolio, the student must attend a
scheduled seminar to fulfill the LBST 383 requirements.
- Completion or transfer equivalent of 25 credits of
nursing pre-requisites:
| 8 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II/ BIOL 115, 116, 117, 118 |
| 4 | Physiologic Chemistry and lab/CHEM 105 and 108 |
| 4 | Microbiology/BIOL 106 & 107 |
| 3 | Human Growth and Development/PSYC 222 |
| 3 | Nutrition/DIET 202 |
| 3 | Statistics/PSYC 211 or SOCI 351 |
| 25 | Credits |
- Nursing Credits required:
| 5 | Transition to Professional Nursing/NURS 203 (required) |
| 3 | Nursing Research/NURS 308 (required) |
| 3 | Nurse Power Politics/*NURS 404 (validation by Portfolio available) |
| 5 | Promoting Healthy Communities/NURS 414(validation by Portfolio available) |
| 3 | Management and Leadership in Nursing/NURS 408
(validation by Portfolio available) |
| 19 | Credits |
*If achieved through portfolio, the student must attend a
scheduled seminar to fulfill the LBST 383 requirements.
- Elective Credits:
| 14 | Free electives |
| 9 | Nursing electives |
| 23 | Credits |
The student must earn 128 credits to
complete the Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing degree. The RN to BSN student
will have a total of 60 credits in nursing through the combination of
articulation credits and those nursing courses taken at Gannon in pursuit of the BSN.
Registered Nurses with a hospital diploma in nursing may
qualify to obtain the BSN through the completion of the following courses.
- Acceptance of a maximum of 32 nursing articulation credits from the accredited RN diploma program..
- The student must take 39 credits in the Core of Discovery.
(Numerals in front of courses indicate credits)
English:
| 3 | College Composition/LENG 111 |
| 3 | Critical Analysis and Comp/LENG 112 |
| 3 | English Literature Series/LENG |
Theology:
| 3 | Sacred Scriptures/LTHE 121 |
| 3 | Theology II Series/LTHE |
Philosophy:
| 3 | Philosophy I/LTHE 231 |
| 3 | Philosophy II Series/LPHI |
Ethics:
| 3 | Theo/Phil III Series/LTHE or LPHI |
Social Science:
| 3 | Intro Psychology/PSYC 111 |
| 3 | Basic Sociology/SOCI 110 |
Fine Arts:
Liberal Studies:
| 3 | Hist of West & World/LHST 111 |
| 3 | Capstone Seminar/NURS 404 (LBST 383)* |
| 39 | Credits |
*NURS 404 fulfills LBST 383 if taken in person. If NURS 404 is achieved through portfolio, the student must attend a scheduled seminar to fulfill the LBST 383 requirements.
- Completion of 25 credits of nursing pre-requisites:
| 8 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II/BIOL 115, 116, 117, 118 |
| 4 | Physiologic Chemistry and lab/CHEM 105 and 108 |
| 4 | Microbiology/BIOL 106 & 107 |
| 3 | Human Growth and Development/PSYC 222 |
| 3 | Nutrition/DIET 202 |
| 3 | Statistics/PSYC 211 or SOCI 351 |
| 25 | Credits |
- Nursing Credits required:
| 5 | Transition to Professional Nursing/NURS 203 (required) |
| 4 | Nursing Research/ NURS 308 (required) |
| 3 | Nurse Power Politics/*NURS 404
(validation by Portfolio available) |
| 5 | Promoting Healthy Communities/ NURS 414
(validation by Portfolio available) |
| 3 | Management and Leadership in Nursing/ NURS 408
(validation by Portfolio available) |
| 19 | Credits |
*If achieved through portfolio, the student must attend a scheduled seminar to fulfill the LBST 383 requirements.
- Elective Credits:
| 10 | Free electives |
| 9 | Nursing electives |
| 19 | Credits |
The student must earn 128 credits to complete the Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing
degree. The RN to BSN student will have a total of 60 credits in nursing through a combination
of articulation credits and those nursing courses taken at Gannon in pursuit of the BSN.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
NURS 203: Transition to Professional Nursing
This internet course is designed to provide learning opportunities for RN to BSN
or RN to MSN students to broaden their perspectives of the professional nursing
role in health care delivery. This course introduces the major concepts of
Person, Society, Health, and Nursing. The process for creation of and validation
of course outcomes by portfolio is presented, practiced and refined.
Prerequisites: PSYC 111, 222, DIET 202, BIOL 115, 116, 117, 118, CHEM 105, 108,
LENG 111. Internet
5 credits, Fall or Spring
NURS 400 : Portfolio for NURS 404
Students ready to complete a portfolio for NURS 404 Nurse Power Politics
register for this portfolio course in the semester the portfolio is to be
completed. Portfolio process and criteria are published in the Villa Maria
School of Nursing Handbook. The assigned course (NURS 404) credits may be
included in the student’s credit load and applied toward financial aid. The
credits for the course are posted to the transcript upon completion of the
portfolio and payment of appropriate fees.
Prerequisite: NURS 203
0 credits, Fall, Spring or Summer
NURS 401 : Portfolio for NURS 408
Students ready to complete a portfolio for NURS 408 Management and Leadership in
Nursing register for this portfolio course in the semester the portfolio is to
be completed. Portfolio process and criteria are published in the Villa Maria
School of Nursing Handbook. The assigned course (NURS 408) credits may be
included in the student’s credit load and applied toward financial aid. The
credits for the course are posted to the transcript upon completion of the
portfolio and payment of appropriate fees.
Prerequisite: NURS 203
0 credits, Fall, Spring or Summer
NURS 402: Portfolio for NURS 414
Students ready to complete a portfolio for NURS 414 Promoting Healthy
Communities register for this portfolio course in the semester the portfolio is
to be completed. Portfolio process and criteria are published in the Villa Maria
School of Nursing Handbook. The assigned course (NURS 414) credits may be
included in the student’s credit load and applied toward financial aid. The
credits for the course are posted to the transcript upon completion of the
portfolio and payment of appropriate fees.
Prerequisite: NURS 203
0 credits, Fall, Spring or Summer
NURS 414NU: Promoting Healthy Communities
This hybrid internet course provides RN to BSN or RN to MSN option students a perspective
of professional nursing at the community level of practice. Course content will provide an
overview of specific issues and societal concerns that affect community health nursing
practice; epidemiological applications in community health nursing; educational theories,
models, and principles applied in community health nursing; risk factors and health problems
for defined populations across the lifespan; issues and approaches in providing for the health
care of defined populations in the community; specific health care needs and issues for
populations at risk; communicable disease risk and prevention; and the diversity in the role of
the community health nurse. Students apply previous knowledge and the nursing process in
maximizing the health status of individuals, families, and defined populations within the
community. Adult learning teaching strategies are employed in this courses. The RN student
participates in faculty guided-independent clinical experiences.
Prerequisite: NURS 203
5 credits, Fall or Spring
For course descriptions of NURS 309 and 404 refer to the
undergraduate curriculum section.
Refer to the School of Nursing Handbook for policies related to the RN to BSN student.
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