RN to BS Program - Frequently Asked Questions
The faculty of the Department of Nursing at Western Connecticut State University believe that qualified Registered Nurses (RNs) who have graduated from associate degree (AD) and hospital-based diploma programs in nursing should have the opportunity to continue their formal education toward the baccalaureate degree in nursing. The Department offers these nurses a course of study leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science (BS) in nursing within its Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)-accredited program.
Who is eligible to apply for admission?
Graduates of AD and hospital-based diploma programs who hold current RN licensure in any state may apply for admission. Following admission a student will be required to obtain RN licensure in CT. Study may be pursued on a full- or part-time basis. There is no age limit for enrollment in the program.
What are the requirements for the degree?
RN students must meet the academic requirements of the University and the Department of Nursing in order to be awarded a BS degree in nursing. Retention and graduation requirements are published in the University catalog, which can be obtained from the Admissions Office at Western (203.837.9000) or by going to the website at www.wcsu.edu/admissions/ugrad.asp. Candidates for the degree must earn a minimum of 30 credits from WestConn, of which 28 are required NUR labeled credits, in addition to completing other requirements for the degree.
The maximum number of credits that may be transferred from a community college when an applicant holds an AD is 75. The total number of credits that may be transferred from a four-year college is 90. The maximum number of credits that may be transferred into any of Western’s degree programs is 90. The final 30 credits must be completed at WestConn prior to graduation. Once a student is admitted with an AD from a community college, additional transfer credits will only be granted from a four-year college.
Because RN students enter the program with very varied academic backgrounds, academic advisement is essential from the beginning of the program to ensure efficient progress toward the degree. The RN-BSN Coordinator can assist you in course selection and in planning your curriculum.
Can I get credit for non-nursing course work completed elsewhere?
Students who have completed course work at other accredited institutions of higher education may apply for transfer of credit to the University. Acceptance of earned credit for transfer, and application of those credits to specific course requirements, is determined by the Office of Admissions. Transcript evaluation is done upon formal application for admission to the University. All RN students are urged to apply for admission early in their studies in order to obtain official acceptance of credit offered in transfer. The evaluation of transfer credit takes several weeks to complete, after which the student will receive a program plan indicating how transfer credit has been applied toward program requirements. The RN-BSN Coordinator can complete an informal evaluation, using unofficial transcripts, to guide initial course selection.
Only courses in which you have earned a grade of C or better can be accepted for transfer credit. Science courses must have been completed in the last 10 years to be accepted for transfer credit.
What about my nursing courses?
Western Connecticut State University is a participant in the Connecticut Articulation Model for Nurse Educational Mobility. Under the model, RN graduates of AD and diploma-nursing education programs may be eligible for up to 30 advanced placement credits in nursing and 30 credits in general education. Grades of C or better are required in each course offered for transfer and/or advanced placement credit.
Can I earn credit by examination?
The University and the Department of Nursing provide opportunities for students to earn credit by examination in a variety of courses.
Credit by examination can be earned for certain foundational courses required for the Nursing major. These include Anatomy and Physiology (BIO 105-106) for 8 credits, Microbiology (BIO 215) for 4 credits, and Nutrition and Health (HSC 205) for 2 credits. For these subject areas, the Nursing Department administers the National League for Nursing (NLN) subject matter examinations in Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, and Normal Nutrition. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. A non-refundable fee for each examination is payable when registering for the examination. Checks or money orders should be made payable to Western Connecticut State University. Students are informed by letter regarding their successful completion of an examination. Each examination may be repeated once. Study guides for each examination are available.
Credit by examination can also be earned for Survey of Chemistry I and II (CHE 120-121) for 8 credits, by taking the American Chemical Society (ACS) exam, which is offered through the Chemistry Department at no fee, provided a student has had at least one college level chemistry course. A study guide is available.
It is possible to complete degree requirements in two years of full-time study. Many RN students choose to pursue the degree part-time, at least in the beginning. There is no limit on the number of years to complete degree requirements.
An application for admission may be obtained from the Admissions Office, Western Connecticut State University, 181 White Street, Danbury, CT 06810 (203.837.9000) or from the WestConn at Waterbury Office in Founders Hall 129 (203.598.8777). RN students may apply for full- or part-time study in the day college or evening division. Your application for admission also can be submitted on-line from http://www.wcsu.edu/admissions/ugrad.asp.
RN students may begin studies at the University to complete general education and prerequisite courses in either the Fall or Spring semester, or during the summer. Courses taken prior to full admission are fully applicable toward degree requirements. The attached “self-advisement guide” will help you in making some initial decisions before meeting with an advisor.
I’m a Registered Nurse, but have completed a bachelor’s degree in another field? Will I need to earn the bachelor’s of nursing in order to move on for my MSN at Western?
No! RNs who hold a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited college or university may move directly into the Master of Science in Nursing program at Western upon completing the following “bridge program” courses:
- NUR 221, Physical Assessment Across the Life Span (or equivalent, such as a substantive continuing education course in physical assessment that includes a lab component)
- NUR 230, Principles of Community Health (or an equivalent course; students with substantial community health experience may elect to take the National League for Nursing achievement test in Community Health Nursing)
- MAT 115, Introduction to Biostatistics or MAT 120, Elementary Statistics (or an equivalent course)
- NUR 361, Research Process in Nursing (or an equivalent course)
“Bridge program” requirements may be completed on the midtown (Danbury) or Waterbury campus, another program, or on-line.
The MSN program at WestConn offers preparation as an Adult Nurse Practitioner or as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. Courses are offered in the evening on the midtown (Danbury) campus. Contact Kathy Barber, Nursing Department secretary at (203) 837-8556
