RN-BSN Degree Completion Requirements

Students are admitted to the RN-BSN Degree Completion program after they have completed the Associates Degree in Nursing or Diploma in Nursing, receive an unencumbered RN license, and any prerequisites or admission requirement.

The RN-BSN Degree Completion requires a total of 128 credit hours. Thirty-two semester hours must be earned through Saint Joseph’s College.

General Education Requirements - 39 credits

 Core Nursing Requirements

Electives

Saint Joseph’s College Online RN-BSN Degree

Requirements for Progression in the RN to BSN Program

Students enrolled in the online RN to BSN program must follow a prescribed curriculum sequence as directed by their academic advisor and meet all prerequisites identified in the online course catalog and course descriptions.

Student who receive less than a C+ grade (78) in a nursing course may not progress to the next nursing courses until a grade of C+ (78) is achieved, this may mean that the student needs to repeat a course.  Student must achieve a 78 average on test scores in nursing courses including the final exam, before other grades, such as papers, projects or nursing care plans, are averaged in.  Students may only repeat a nursing course once.  Failure to successfully complete the course on the second attempt at any institution or fail a second nursing course will result in dismissal from the program.

Matriculated students will have five (5) years to complete the program.
 

RN to BSN Precept ed Clinical Guidelines

(see Practica Guidelines in Nursing Student Handbook)
 

Incomplete Grades

Incomplete grades are generally given only in cases of illness or emergency.  It is the responsibility of the student to request an incomplete course grade from the faculty member teaching the course.  Forms may be obtained from the Office of Academic Affairs.  A request for an incomplete grade form signed by the faculty member, the student, and the Associate Dean of Nursing must be submitted to the Office of Registrar in order for an “I” grade to be assigned.  A grade of Incomplete reflects an agreed upon course of action between a faculty member and a student to complete the course within the designated time frame.  course work must be completed six weeks from the last day of class.  if course work is not completed within this time, a grade of F will automatically be assigned.  Under special circumstances, students may petition the Associate Dean of Nursing to extend the time limit in which course work may be completed.

Admission Requirements

1. Applicants must be graduates of a Diploma or Associate degree in Nursing, accredited at the time of graduation by CCNE or ACEN.
2. Diploma or Associate degree in nursing program must have been completed with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
3. Applicants are required to hold an active, unrestricted RN license.  RNs are to provide their license number to Saint Joseph’s College for verification.

Note:  Applicants who have had license sanctions must be without restrictions during the two years prior to Saint Joseph’s application.

Additional RN-Bacholor of Science in Nursing program policies can be located in the Nursing Student Handbook.

International Applicants

International applicants must be graduates of nursing programs equivalent to ACEN or CCNE-accredited baccalaureate nursing degrees. International applicants educated in countries other than the United States, must contact the Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (COGFNS) for credentialing at:  Commission of Foreign Nursing Schools, 3600 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651 USA.  Applicant Inquiries:  215-349-8767.  Graduates of foreign nursing schools must submit an official report from the COGFNS.

Criminal Background Check and Drug Screening Policy

Students who will be participating in clinical must complete a criminal background check and drug screening (see Nursing Student Handbook).

• Criminal Background Check - CertifiedProfile is a secure platform that allows students to order a background check through a web-based secure platform.
• Drug Screen Testing - Drug testing is purchased with the CertifiedProfile package.