Nursing RN–BS
Online Program

Nursing: RN–BS—Academic Program Coordinator

Katrina Einhellig
katrina.einhellig@unco.edu
(970) 351-2269

This 30-credit-hour program consists of 10 courses taken completely online in about 20 months. Nurses are able to work full time while completing the program. Students take one online course at a time (two courses per semester). Semester five courses require clinical preceptors at a facility set up by the student and faculty for a total of 180 practicum hours. There is a one-day orientation on campus in Greeley, Colorado for admitted students at the beginning of the program.

Semester 1

• NURS 303 Transition to Baccalaureate Nursing (3)
• NURS 305 Professional Nursing Concepts (3)

Semester 2

• NURS 329 Health Assessment - RN/BSN (3)
• NURS 380 Research and Evidenced Based Practice (3)

Semester 3

• NURS 382 Patient-Centered Care Concepts Across the Lifespan (3)
• NURS 383 Current Issues in Health Care - RNs (3)

Semester 4

• NURS 405 Theory and Principles of Public Health Nursing: Population-Based Practice (3)
• NURS 406 Clinical Practice of Public Health Nursing: Population-Based Practice (3)

Semester 5

• NURS 480 Professionalism in Practice: Leadership and Management (3)
• NURS 470 Clinical Practice: Professionalism in Practice (3)

Admission Requirements

• Graduate of a state accredited ADN or Diploma Nursing Program
• Had a minimum of 2.5 grade point average at graduation
• Active license as a registered nurse
• Recommended: 1,000 hours RN practice in last 3 years (exception for new ADN grads)

Eligibility by State

UNC has secured approval from almost every state, as required by new federal regulations, so that students are eligible to apply to online programs at UNC. However we are unable to accept applications at this time for our online programs from students residing in a few select states because their requirements, particularly application fees, for such approval are prohibitive. Please verify your Eligibility by State before applying.

Note: All international students residing outside of the United States are eligible to apply to our online programs. Students attending online while residing outside of the United States do not need student visas for admission.

Transfer Credit

Credit earned in your diploma or ADN program (approximately 40 credits) will be awarded to you upon successful completion of the first 12 credits earned at UNC. This process is called giving credits in escrow and is in accordance with the Colorado Articulation Model. There is no need to test out of or challenge this previous nursing coursework.

Prerequisites

Courses Required Before Entry into the Nursing: RN-BS Online Program (Listed with Community College Equivalents)

• BIO 245 Anatomy and Physiology I—or BIO 201 at CC
• BIO 246 Anatomy and Physiology II—or BIO 202 at CC
• BIO 251 Allied Health Microbiology
• ENG 123 College Research Paper—or ENG 122 at CC
• FND 357 Nutrition in Health and Illness—or NLN Challenge Exam
• PSY 230 Human Growth and Development—or CLEP Exam
• STAT 150 Introduction to Statistical Analysis—or MAT 135 at the CC

Required Liberal Arts Courses (40 hours—Many of Which Will Transfer in if Taken as Part of Your ADN or Diploma Degree Program)

1. Composition: ENG 122 (3 credits) & ENG 123 (3 credits)
2. Mathematics: STAT 250 (or 150) (3 credits)
3. Arts & Humanities: 6 credits (2 courses from different subcategories)
4. History: 3 credits (one course)
5. Social & Behavioral Sciences: 6 credits (2 courses from different subcategories)
6. Physical and Life Sciences: 7 credits (CHEM 281 & BIO 101)
7. International Studies: 3 credits
8. Multicultural Studies: 3 credits

* One extra course from areas 1-8 may be needed to meet the total 40 hour requirement.

Taking Prerequisites or Liberal Arts Courses Online

• To find online prerequisite or liberal arts courses offered online through UNC, please use the Individual Courses Online Course Search.
• The Colorado Online and Distance Education site lists a variety of online and independent study courses offered in Colorado. You can visit http://highered.colorado.gov/cocode for a list of courses.

Tuition

This program is offered through the UNC Office of Extended Studies, which means a flat per-credit tuition rate for all students in the program. There are no student fees. Certain courses may carry specific course fees for additional services and materials.

Tuition rates are set each academic year (which begin each Fall semester). The tuition rate for the 2012-13 school year for this program is $405 per credit hour.

Financial Aid

Students who cannot pay for tuition alone are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid. Students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA priority filing date for each academic year (which begins each August) is March 1. Late submissions of the FAFSA are still accepted but may not be considered for the maximum amount of aid.

Bachelor’s students require enrollment in a minimum of 6 credits per academic term for financial aid eligibility. Full time enrollment is based on 12 credits.

To apply for federal financial aid assistance
Fill out the FAFSA form at www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Extended Studies degree seeking students may contact Aimee Rogers in Financial Aid for more specific help at (970) 351-2502 or visit UNC Financial Aid website.

Students can also find information in the Guide to Federal Student Aid at studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html

Admitted students can begin this program each Fall or Spring term. Students will be admitted twice a year via a competitive admission process, and class size is limited.

Completed applications are due by:

• April 15 for Fall semester start
• September 15 for Spring semester start

The application process and necessary forms are available on the School of Nursing–RN–BS Application page.

Take the Next Step—Begin the Application Process