RN-to-B.S.N. Pathway
School of Health Sciences

The RN-to-B.S.N. pathway is designed for working RNs and provides for flexible course scheduling. To qualify for admission, applicants must have graduated from an accredited or state-approved associate degree or diploma program with a GPA of 2.5 or better and hold a current unrestricted RN license. Applications must include official RN program transcripts.

The curriculum consists of 132 semester hours: 38 hours of required supporting courses, 55 hours of advanced placement nursing credit, and 39 hours of upper-division nursing courses. Students who do not successfully complete all requirements outlined under the traditional program are required to complete additional coursework in any area of deficiency as determined by the program director. Coursework can be completed through traditional or team learning courses or through such alternative means as transfer credit; independent study courses; proficiency examinations; and prior learning credit for certificates, licenses or diplomas, noncollegiate or corporate instruction, experiential learning, and contract learning. Clinical courses can be completed in a convenient location provided that the available health care facilities can provide the clinical experiences necessary to successfully complete all learning outcomes. Program clinical preceptors supervise all clinical experiences. Clinical rotations and preceptors must be approved by the nursing program.

Supporting Coursework
Students can complete supporting coursework through traditional study or such other means as transfer credit; independent study courses; proficiency examinations; and prior learning credit for certificates, licenses or diplomas, noncollegiate or corporate instruction, experimental learning, and contract learning.

Advanced Placement Credit
Students with a current unrestricted RN license receive 55 hours of advanced placement credit for nursing program courses upon the successful completion of a 5-hour transition course, NURS 350. Advanced placement credit is granted for the following courses:

Upper-Division Nursing Courses
Students complete upper-division nursing courses through independent study, with
up to four months to complete each course with a faculty mentor, or through team learning. You may also be eligible to complete credit through such prior learning assessment methods as challenge testing and portfolio development; consult with the nursing course faculty member and a faculty advisor before registering for the independent study class.

Before beginning clinical courses each student must identify someone willing to serve as a preceptor. Preceptor selections are subject to the program director’s approval; application packets are available in the nursing program office. 

Program delivery and progression are subject to change pending direction by the National League for Nursing and the West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Professional Nurses.