Nursing - BSN, RN to BSN Track

The RN to BSN track enables applicants who have earned an associate degree in nursing from an accredited college and hold a current, unencumbered Registered Nurse license to earn a baccalaureate degree in nursing.

This program is approved for delivery via asynchronous distance education technology. It is delivered asynchronously online to accommodate family and professional responsibilities of the working nurse while advancing their education. The upper division program is designed for working nurses and can be completed in 3 or 4 semesters of study.

ASCEND

The Aggie Student-Centered Express Nursing Degree track (ASCEND) is an RN-to-BSN option exclusively for Blinn College nursing students. The ASCEND program is offered to qualified students who have completed at least one semester of the associate degree nursing (ADN) program. Successful ASCEND students will earn a BSN within 1 or 2 semesters after earning their ADN.

Application for the ASCEND program must include a written attestation of program eligibility signed by the ADN program director.

Entry to the RN to BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) Program

Admission to the College of Nursing RN to BSN Program is competitive.

Admission decisions are based on multiple elements in the student’s academic and professional background.

Minimum requirements include:

Must graduate from a nationally accredited associate degree in nursing (ADN) program
- The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- The Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA)
- The State Board of Nursing (for select states)
Grade of C in each prerequisite course
Cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale); GPA associate degree in nursing course work grade point average of 2.5; ASCEND students must have earned a minimum of 3.0 GPA in Texas A&M College of Nursing prerequisite, nursing science, and Blinn College ADN coursework by the start of classes.
One professional reference from either a professor or the student's current supervisor
Professional resume
Limited number of course repeats, withdraws, or failures in academic history
The Undergraduate Admissions, Progression, and Graduation Committee may require select applicants to complete timed verbal and written assessments of the student’s experiences and attributes, to include community service, leadership, honors and awards and work experience.
Applicants who complete their Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) through an LVN to RN or Paramedic to RN bridge program must have earned a minimum of 35 transferable credits in their program to apply.

Minimum enrollment requirements for RN-BSN students:

Must hold a current, unencumbered RN license
New ADN graduates may be admitted to the RN-BSN program but must pass the NCLEX by the end of the first term in the program. Students who do not hold a valid RN license by the end of the first semester of enrollment will be dropped from the program.
ASCEND Program students must submit an attestation of ongoing program eligibility from the ADN program director prior to enrollment each semester.

Articulation Agreements

Blinn College, South Texas College, and Angelina College

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Semester Credit Hours
BIOL 107 or BIOL 111	Zoology or Introductory Biology I	4
PBSI 107	Introduction to Psychology	3
American history		3
Communication ¹		3
Life and physical sciences		1
	Semester Credit Hours	14
Spring
PBSI 225	Lifespan Development ^2,3	3
Select one of the following: ²		4
CHEM 106 & CHEM 116	Molecular Science for Citizens and Molecular Science for Citizens Laboratory
CHEM 107 & CHEM 117	General Chemistry for Engineering Students and General Chemistry for Engineering Students Laboratory
CHEM 119	Fundamentals of Chemistry I
CHEM 120	Fundamentals of Chemistry II
American history		3
Communication ¹		3
Mathematics ^1,2		3
	Semester Credit Hours	16
Second Year
Fall
BIOL 319 or VIBS 305	Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology I ^2,3,4 or Biomedical Anatomy	4
POLS 206	American National Government	3
Select one of the following:		3
NUTR 202	Fundamentals of Human Nutrition
NUTR 203	Scientific Principles of Human Nutrition
NUTR 222	Nutrition for Health and Health Care
Creative arts ¹		3
Mathematics ^1,2		3
	Semester Credit Hours	16
Spring
BIOL 320 or VTPB 405	Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology II ^2,3,4 or Biomedical Microbiology	4
PHIL 111 or PHIL 251	Contemporary Moral Issues or Introduction to Philosophy	3
POLS 207	State and Local Government	3
Select one of the following: ²		4
BIOL 206	Introductory Microbiology
BIOL 351	Fundamentals of Microbiology
VTPB 405	Biomedical Microbiology
	Semester Credit Hours	14
Third Year
Fall
Directed electives ⁵		15
	Semester Credit Hours	15
Spring
Directed electives ⁵		15
	Semester Credit Hours	15
Summer
NURS 460	Nursing Dimensions and Informatics for the RN	3
NURS 461	Application of Evidence Based Practice for the RN	3
	Semester Credit Hours	6
Fourth Year
Fall
NURS 462	Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for the RN	4
NURS 464	Health Promotion Across the Lifespan for the RN	3
NURS 467	Leadership and Management for the RN	5
	Semester Credit Hours	12
Spring
NURS 463	Health Assessment for the RN	3
NURS 465	Care of the Older Adult for the RN	2
NURS 466	Community Health for the RN	5
NURS 468	Professional Practice Issues for the RN	2
	Semester Credit Hours	12
	Total Semester Credit Hours	120

¹: Core Curriculum courses are listed on the University Core Curriculum page. STAT 201 is recommended to fulfill 3 hours of Mathematics, but is not required.
²: Indicates Nursing Science course.
³: These courses may be taken at a community college, but must be completed by the first day at the School of Nursing. Students may elect to place these courses anywhere in their schedule, though it is encouraged that these be completed over the summer.
⁴: Texas common courses BIOL 2401 and 2402 taken at any Texas accredited public institution will meet the requirement for BIOL 319 and BIOL 320.
⁵: Consult with an academic advisor for acceptable courses.

BSN students must make a minimum grade of C in all courses.