University of Virginia School of Nursing: Undergraduate: RN to BSN Program

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RN to BSN Program

The RN to BSN program at the University of Virginia includes a uniquely tailored curriculum for students who are graduates of community college and hospital schools and are licensed registered nurses (RN). The program can be completed in 21 months part-time. Classes are offered one day a week to allow students to maintain employment while completing the BSN. The program provides a foundation for professional practice and for further education such as graduate study for advanced practice or preparation as a clinical leader or teacher.

Students enroll in 30 credits at the University of Virginia, and upon completion of selected courses, receive 41 credits for prior learning as an RN. Courses in the program include graduate level classes in nursing theory and evidence-based practice, health policy, and epidemiology. Students must meet prerequisite general education requirements prior to admission, thus completing a grand total of 120 semester hours for the baccalaureate degree. Once admitted, students work with a faculty advisor to create a plan of study to best meet their academic and professional goals.

Note: RNs with an undergraduate degree in another subject (non-nursing area) may apply for the Clinical Nurse Leader program; this awards a MSN degree after the completion of 41 credits. You may learn more about the Clinical Nurse Leader program here.

Transfer of Credit

On presentation of a school transcript, students accepted for transfer to the School of Nursing will be granted transfer credit for academic course work taken at an accredited institution if the grade earned was a C or higher, and if the courses correspond to ones offered at the University. Questions regarding acceptability of specific courses for transfer should be referred to the Office of Admissions and Student Services in the School of Nursing. Prospective applicants are encouraged to meet with the Admissions Counselor to discuss how your prior credit would apply to the University’s general education requirements.

Clinical Practicum

There is one practicum that is a part of the RN-BSN curriculum. This practicum occurs in the fall semester of the second year of the program. Practicum experiences can be met in a variety of settings for this course. The School has a number of existing clinical contracts with facilities in Virginia.

Prerequisites

Nursing Prerequisites: Pharmacology, Health Assessment, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Lifespan Development or Developmental Psychology and statistics are all required for admission to the program. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions (hyperlinked) for more information about these course equivalencies.

General Education Requirements

General Education Requirements: Students are required to satisfactorily complete 49 credits in the following general education courses prior to enrollment:

English Composition - 3 credits - required for students except for those who are exempt. You are exempt if you scored 750 or higher on the SAT II Subject Test in Writing or 5 on the English AP test. (Students who are exempt from English Composition must take an additional 3 credit elective.) If you are attending a college with a two semester composition course, you must complete both semesters to satisfy this requirement. For example, in the Virginia Community College System, we require ENG 111 and ENG 112. UVA also has a second writing requirement. This requirement is fulfilled within the RN-BSN curriculum.

Natural Science and Math - 12 credits - Anatomy and Physiology and statistics are required. Other acceptable courses include mathematics, chemistry, physics, genetics, environmental science, geology, and ecology. Statistics must be completed before enrolling in the RN-BSN program.

Social Science and History - 9 credits - acceptable courses include history, government, psychology, sociology, economics, western civilization, political science, and anthropology. Special note: While you are required to take lifespan development, it cannot count towards your social science credits, because it is part of the 41 credits we give you for your previous nursing courses.

Humanities and Fine Arts - 9 credits - acceptable courses include philosophy, ethics, art, religion, music, drama, and foreign languages.

Electives - 16 or more credits to total 49 credits. Note: Three courses (up to 7 credits) in physical education or skills courses such as studio art or music performance may be counted toward these elective credit requirements.

Advanced Standing

Forty one credits of advanced standing will be awarded to students for prior nursing courses and experience, including the required lifespan, pharmacology, and assessment credits. These 41 credit hours will be awarded after the completion of all required courses and successful evaluation of a portfolio of validating assignments developed during the program of study.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the School of Nursing is competitive and based on evaluation of all portions of the application. Applications for admission will be considered through the University of Virginia undergraduate admission process with initial review in the School of Nursing.

To be considered for admission to this program, applicants must submit a completed application and:

Have an associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited school of nursing.
Possess an unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the United States (a copy of your current nursing license must be submitted with your application).
Have completed all 49 credits towards the prerequisite general education courses.
Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on all college/university courses completed prior to admission.
Submit one satisfactory academic or professional recommendation (no form needed, just a letter).
Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to meet with the Admissions Counselor, Lynn Coyner, to review transcripts received from previous academic institutions.

The deadline for submitting applications is March 1 for Fall entry.

Downloads, Programs of Study, and Links

Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid as the School of Nursing has a strong alumni base generous in scholarship support. Applicants should send their FAFSA report to the University of Virginia. You will be emailed the School of Nursing financial aid application after students have been admitted

For More Information

For additional information on admission to and programs of study at the UVa School of Nursing, please fill our online form. You are also welcome to contact the Office of Admissions at (434) 924-0141 / (888) 283-8703.

RN to BSN Program

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