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Nursing (BSN)


2023-2024 UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES CATALOG

Effective 1 June 2023 through 31 May 2024

Please see the Undergraduate Catalog Archives for PDF versions of past catalogs.

This program offered by the College of Science and Health/Nursing Department and is only available online.

Program Description

The bachelor of science completion program in nursing (RN to BSN) program is designed for the registered nurse who wishes to advance his or her knowledge in nursing, the sciences and the liberal arts, and to achieve a bachelor's degree. The program helps the registered nurse develop analytic and communication skills for professional excellence.

The RN to BSN curriculum focuses on holistic health promotion for the individual student, the profession, the individual client, the family, groups and the community. There is a strong emphasis on the nurse's personal development, the needs and future of the profession and the broad, accountable nursing role that is needed and expected by today's health care consumer. The program prepares the registered nurse for generalist nursing practice. A variety of faculty members, student experiences and learning environments are used to meet program and individual student goals.

This online program is tailored to working adults, offering part-time enrollment and eight-week terms. Typically, students complete the core nursing curriculum in 2 to 2.5 years depending on if courses are taken in the summer. Frequently, students must take additional Global Citizenship Program and/or elective courses to fulfill degree requirements. Nursing faculty advisors discuss additional requirements during the admission interview.  

The baccalaureate nursing program at Webster University located in Saint Louis, Missouri is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 400
Atlanta, GA 30326
404-975-5000
www.acenursing.org

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the baccalaureate nursing program is continuing accreditation. 

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be able to:

  • Demonstrate professionalism in nursing practice.
  • Apply leadership skills to promote a culture of quality care and patient safety.
  • Discuss research and evidence as it applies to professional nursing practice.
  • Describe the role of information technology in professional nursing practice. 
  • Demonstrate basic understanding of the impact of health policy, finance, social, political and regulatory processes on the healthcare system.
  • Advocate for the client's needs in a diverse, global environment. 
  • Collaborate with clients and other healthcare professionals to promote quality care. 
  • Apply principles of health promotion and prevention to individuals and populations.

Degree Requirements

For information on the general requirements for a degree, see Baccalaureate Degree Requirements under the Academic Policies and Information section of this catalog.

  • 27 credit hours in upper division nursing coursework
  • 3 credit hours in the required Global Keystone Seminar
  • 26 credit hours in designated University Global Citizenship Program hours, with accommodations for the nursing RN-BSN, and prerequisite courses
  • 32 credit hours of lower-division nursing coursework
  • Elective hours

RN-BSN students are required to take at least 30 credit hours at Webster University.

Prerequisites

All registered nurse (RN) applicants must successfully establish college credit hours in the following areas:

  • English (3 hours)
  • General Psychology (3 hours)
  • General Sociology (3 hours)
  • Physical Sciences (PNW) (8 hours)
  • Statistics* or other quantitative literacy (QL) course (3 hours)
  • Humanities (3 hours)
  • Second language study or arts appreciation (3 hours)

*Statistics is recommended for students who want to pursue graduate level studies.

Prerequisites may be utilized to fulfill the Global Citizenship Program requirements as described below.

Global Citizenship Program for Nursing RN-BSN

  • GLBC 1200 Global Cornerstone Seminar (satisfied by an Associate Degree in Nursing, an Associate in Applied Science Degree, or a Diploma in Nursing)
  • 3 credit hours from courses designated ‘Roots of Cultures’ (satisfied by prerequisite Humanities course)
  • 6 credit hours from courses designated ‘Social Systems & Human Behavior’ (satisfied by prerequisite Psychology and Sociology courses)
  • 3 credit hours from courses designated ‘Global Understanding’ or ‘Arts Appreciation’ (satisfied by prerequisite course in second language or arts appreciation)
  • 3 credit hours from courses designated ‘Physical & Natural World’ (satisfied by prerequisite Physical Science courses)
  • 3 credit hours from courses designated ‘Quantitative Literacy’ (satisfied by prerequisite Statistics or other 'Quantitative Literacy' course).
  • KEYS 4XXX: Global Keystone Seminar

NOTE: Except where specified otherwise, the above courses must not also satisfy major requirements. GCP skills requirements are satisfied in meeting the requirements for the major.

Curriculum

 Required Nursing Core Courses

  • NURS 3010 Concepts of Professional Nursing (3 hours)
  • NURS 3020 Lifespan Health Assessment for RNs (3 hours)
  • NURS 3270 Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses (3 hours)
  • NURS 3410 Health Promotion and Education (3 hours)
  • NURS 4110 Interprofessional Collaboration (3 hours)
  • NURS 4240 Organizational and Systems Leadership (3 hours)
  • NURS 4250 Population Health: Clinical Prevention with Families and Communities (3 hours)
  • NURS 4460 Disaster Management: A Global Perspective (2 hours required/optional +1 hour elective)
  • NURS 4410 Health Care Policy, Finance, and Regulatory Environments (3 hours)
  • NURS 4800 Capstone Portfolio (1 hour)

Special Requirements

To progress through the program, nursing courses (NURS) must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher. In addition, in courses with a clinical component, students must receive a grade of “Satisfactory” in the clinical portion of the course in order to pass the course. Unsatisfactory completion of the clinical component of the course results in automatic failure of the course. Students may repeat a specific nursing course only one time, and no more than two nursing courses may be repeated during the program.

Admission

Students who are interested in applying to this degree program should see the Admission Section of this catalog for general requirements and review the Special Admission Requirements listed below specific for RN-BSN program.

Special Admission Requirements

RN-BSN applicants must also:

  • Provide proof of current unencumbered U.S. registered nurse license or be eligible for licensure as an RN and have a scheduled NCLEX exam within three months of beginning the program. Progression through the program is contingent on maintenance of an unencumbered nursing licensure.
  • Provide transcripts from nursing schools and all colleges from which academic credit has been granted.
  • Demonstrate a cumulative GPA of 2.5 on 4.0 scale in previous scholastic work.
  • Complete the Webster University undergraduate application and submit the application fee.
  • Submit a résumé.
  • Complete an advising consultation with a faculty member.
  • Use the third-party compliance documentation program to successfully and satisfactorily complete a drug screen and criminal background check, plus submit other required documents including, but not limited to, a health history; a vaccination/immunization profile (influenza, HepB, TDap/Td, MMR, Covid-19, and varicella); annual TB test/screen; evidence of American Heart Association CPR certification; a copy of current personal health insurance card; and a signed student contract.  Full admission and continued admission is contingent on completion and maintenance  of all compliance documentation requirements.

Dual admission ADN to BSN applicants, who wish to take BSN curriculum courses while completing an ADN, must complete all GCP, prerequisite and elective credit hours prior to taking nursing courses. Given the prelicensure status of dual admission students, ADN students may only enroll in NURS 3010 and NURS 3020. Enrollment in additional nursing curriculum courses is contingent on successful completion of the ADN, submission of proof of current unencumbered U.S. registered nurse licensure, and successful completion of a drug screen, criminal background check and other compliance documents.

Send all supplemental application materials to:

Office of Admission
470 E. Lockwood Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63119-3194

or submit electronically to: admit@webster.edu

Transfer Credit for the RN to BSN Program

Webster University may accept up to 90 lower-division credit hours, including lower-division credit hours earned beyond the first associate degree and for credit by examination, for registered nurse (RN) students seeking a bachelor of science in nursing. This may include credit hours advanced by the community college for licensed practical nurse (LPN) advanced placement. Please refer to the nursing department for more information.