Bachelor of Science in Nursing Online Degree
RN to BSN Degree Completion Program
You’re ready to earn your BSN degree. And Colorado Technical University has the programmatic accreditation you want along with the flexible schedule designed to fit your needs. There are multiple program start dates available. You can even complete your clinical experiences in your community. It’s focused, rigorous and designed by nurses just like you.
* CTU programs are ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Online Programs.
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a 180-credit-hour program that is offered online. The program requires that a student have an unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the United States to enter the program.
As the largest group in the US healthcare workforce (BLS, 2019)*, nurses are challenged to make a significant difference in the health outcomes of individuals and populations. Nursing roles range from bedside care delivery to executive leadership in complex health systems. The RN to BSN degree completion program at Colorado Technical University is designed to help nurses acquire the knowledge and skills needed to expand their practice options for a variety of clinical and administrative leadership activities and to manage change in an increasingly complex and diverse environment. Building on a foundation of general education and core coursework, the nursing major courses range from a review of the challenges and trends in nursing care to a nursing capstone that will synthesize and apply prior learning. Students fulfill the program's clinical requirements in their own community during the population health, and health and wellness courses. The Colorado Technical University RN to BSN program furthers the mission of the University to teach real-world nursing that serves the needs of students, the population, and the healthcare industry and helps qualified professional nurses prepare at the bachelor's level.
* Source: The United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics:http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2020/registered-nurses-made-up-30-percent-of-hospital-employment-in-may-2019.htm
This program does not lead to additional licensure or certification. As such, CTU has made no determination regarding prerequisites for licensure or certification in any state or jurisdiction.
College of Nursing Mission Statement
Through an innovative curriculum and student-centered teaching, the nursing faculty teaches, supports, and inspires students to become competent, caring, and accountable professionals who serve a diverse client population within a dynamic health care environment.
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Courses
Courses: General Education | Credits | |
---|---|---|
ENGL220 | Written Communication for Nurses | 4.5 |
This course focuses on the skills and strategies necessary for the nurse to articulate concepts and ideas in a written logical and scholarly manner. Students are introduced to the research process through the development of information literacy skills needed to locate, analyze, apply, and cite information found in the literature, utilizing a variety of research techniques and resources.
| ||
GOVT201 | American Government and Public Affairs | 4.5 |
or | ||
HIST120 | Intro to American History: 1950 to the Present | 4.5 |
HSS261 | Ethics in Healthcare | 4.5 |
Total Credit Hours: | 13.5 |
Total Credit Hours: 180
Learning Outcomes
BSN Program Goals
- Care for complex needs of patients across the healthcare continuum and/or a variety of settings
- Be a leader in the profession of nursing
BSN Program outcomes:
- Assess the role of the nurse and the need for open communication, mutual respect and shared decision-making with other healthcare providers in the team’s efforts to achieve quality outcomes for patient-centered care
- Apply knowledge of healthcare policy, finance, regulation, accreditation and trends in healthcare to active participation in the profession of nursing serving as a patient advocate
- Evaluate information and technology resources to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error and support decision-making in the delivery of healthcare
- Identify patient preferences, values and needs while recognizing the patient or their designee as the source of control in providing compassionate and coordinated nursing care
- Design strategies using continuous quality improvement processes to improve the quality and safety of healthcare systems
- Analyze strategies to optimize system effectiveness and individual performance that will minimize the risk of harm to patients and providers
- Evaluate evidence-based practices within clinical expertise, patient preferences, and values for the integration of those practices in the delivery of quality healthcare
- Apply leadership and communication skills to improve the safety, quality, and cost of healthcare
Faculty
Dr. Rose Nieves
University DeanDr. Rose Nieves is the Dean of the College of Nursing for Colorado Technical University. In this role, she leverages her vast experience as a nursing leader, educator and healthcare provider to help assess, mold, develop and direct the College of Nursing.
Dr. Kelly White
Executive Program DirectorDr. Kelly White is the Executive Program Director of Nursing and Health Studies at Colorado Technical University. With more than 25 years of experience in nursing education and leadership, she has actively participated in the changing needs of nursing students, faculty and in the transforming healthcare arena.
For more faculty profiles please visit our Leadership and Faculty page.
For more information visit the College of Nursing.
Admission Requirements
Program Requirements
Admission to this program requires an unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the United States. Students must have graduated from an Associate Degree in Nursing or a Diploma Registered Nurse (RN) Program, or an educational transition program preparing students for eligibility to become licensed as a Registered Nurse.
Recently graduated students with a completed Associate Degree in Nursing or Diploma Registered Nurse (RN Program) but are pending successful completion of the NCLEX exam, may provisionally enroll into Colorado Technical University’s BSN program. A provisionally accepted student must provide evidence of the passed exam prior to the end of the first quarter of study. Students who do not complete or pass the NCLEX during the first quarter will be administratively withdrawn from the university.
International students must demonstrate proficiency in the English Language, as measured by a TOEFL score of 550 or above; 213 or higher on the computer based exam.
Notice to Registered Nurses
Every State's Nurse Practice Act has regulations pertaining to Online Nursing Degrees. Therefore, RN students need to be aware of the regulations in their own state. The Nurse Practice Act for each state is found on the website for that particular State's Board of Nursing. Contact information for each State's Board of Nursing is available on the website for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). www.ncsbn.org
At this time, Colorado Technical University cannot accept inquiries for the RN-BSN program from residents of the states of Alabama, Delaware, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
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FAQs
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) degree program is designed to help Registered Nurses with an unencumbered license that practice in the United States. Students will work to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to expand their practice options in various clinical and administrative leadership activities to manage change in an increasingly complex and diverse environment.
This Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) degree comprises 180 credit hours. Candidates may be eligible for transfer credit, which is evaluated on an individual basis. Students may be able to receive up to 28.5 credits toward degree completion for a valid RN license, 42-90 additional transfer credits for an Associate Degree in Nursing or Diploma Registered Nurse, as well as up to 4 credits for national nursing specialty certifications. Not all credits are eligible for transfer.
At CTU, we understand that licensed practicing nurses return to school with varying degrees of nursing knowledge and experience. Our courses are built around:
- Skip what you know. CTU’s adaptive learning technology, known as intellipath®, is similar to the computerized adaptive testing that all nurses use to enter the profession. Intellipath® allows nursing students to skip content they know and focus on developing new knowledge.
- A mix of assignments and simulations. Students will find faculty-led nursing courses infused with intellipath® assignments, writing assignments, discussion boards, virtual simulations, clinical experiences and journaling, among others.
- No assigned group work. There are no group project assignments in any of the courses since students experience interdisciplinary collaboration in their clinical courses.
All nursing students must complete clinical experiences, along with the mix of traditional assignments. RN-BSN students have clinical requirements in NRSG312: Population Based Nursing and NRSG410: Health and Wellness Assessment. In NRSG312: Population Based Nursing, students work with a community agency to deliver an in-person educational intervention to an at-risk population. In NRSG410: Health and Wellness Assessment, students work with a family in their community to complete an assessment and create a health & wellness plan for the family members. All clinical hours can be completed within a candidate’s local community. Clinical cannot be completed in a candidate’s current workplace.
The structure of the RN-BSN program is designed to help the working nurse to advance his/her degree while continuing to work within his/her community. We provide nurses the flexibility to attend classes while working, with 100% online classes and access to our handy mobile app. With an asynchronous (any time of day) classroom format, this allows students to formulate a study schedule that can be incorporated into their professional life. Instructors also provide synchronous chats to support varied adult learning needs.
The courses for the RN-BSN program follow a 5 week session schedule. Students have the option upon enrollment to choose one of three scheduling options: 2 courses per session, an alternating pattern of 1 course-2 courses per session, or 1 course per session. Students make this decision based on personal preference with input from the Financial Aid Department on impact of pacing and funding options.
CTU provides a variety of resources to support students including the Student Success Center, the Writing Center, the library, and access to tutoring/writing specialists via tutor.com. Your Student Success Coach and Faculty are also accessible via email, 2-way messenger, and phone to help you access these resources. We acknowledge that many nurses are apprehensive about their writing assignments so these resources are readily available in your classroom.
What Students Are Saying About Their CTU Experience
It's been a personal goal of mine to further my skills and advance in my career. CTU offered the flexibility and structure that worked with my current job and family life.
Jeniffer H. 2022 Graduate, Master of Science in Nursing
The most rewarding part of earning my degree is the development of thought, communication, and behavior. I have noticed a change in how I care for patients which is more refined.
Leigh F. 2023 Graduate, Master of Science in Nursing
CTU offered convenient online education that fit into my full-time work schedule.
JuliAnne M. 2023 Graduate, Master of Science in Nursing
Ways To Save
Cost of this degree may be reduced based on one or more of the following:
Active duty military status
Number of credits transferred and accepted from other institutions
Tuition Reimbursement (talk to your HR Manager)
Number of CTU Fast Track™ courses successfully passed
Eligibility for a Corporate Alliances Grant (check with your CTU Admissions Advisor)
Grants or scholarships at CTU
Students in CTU bachelor's degree programs may bring a wealth of knowledge to the classroom. CTU Fast Track™ lets students earn college credit for what they already know. As a result, students can complete their degree up to 30% faster.* Just as important, by passing multiple Fast Track exams, students can save up to 30% on time and money towards the full cost of a degree program with CTU Fast Track™. * There’s no additional cost for the exams and no penalty if a student fails to pass.
Take a look at the list of current Fast Track courses and see how many courses you may be able to earn credit for.
*The ability to reduce time in school and/or reduce tuition towards the full cost of a degree program depends on the number of CTU Fast Track™ exams successfully passed. Fast Track program credits are non-transferable. Not all programs are eligible for possible 30% reduction in time and money. Courses eligible are subject to change. Students should not rely on potential Fast Track savings or eligibility when making an enrollment decision.
Program Disclosure Information for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Employment and Completion Rates
Employment Rate: 77.00%*
Reporting Period: 1/1/2020 through 12/31/2020 program graduates
Date Submitted: 10/2024
Completion Rate: 85.00%
Reporting Period: 1/1/2020 through 12/31/2020 program entrants
Date Submitted: 10/2024
* Nursing Employment Rate Calculation:
Number of employed graduates/completers, divided by the number of eligible graduates/completers.
- This Employment Rate is calculated separately for each program; e.g. baccalaureate and master’s. In calculating this Employment Rate, CTU counts graduates/completers as “Employed” if they have any job and employment data is collected at the time of program completion or at any time within 12 months of program completion.
- This rate excludes graduates who have elected not to be employed.