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.

180

Program Credits

5 Weeks

Course Length

Online

Location

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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 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.	Written Communication for Nurses	4.5

GOVT201 The decisions made by the government impact our lives every day. Learning about government empowers students to be active citizens who have a positive impact on their communities. This course provides the student with an overview of the framework and basic functions of the three branches of government, the role of political participation in American democracy, and the relationship between government and the rights of citizenship. Students will also explore the similarities and differences between national, state, and local governments.	American Government and Public Affairs	4.5
	or
HIST120 This course introduces students to the events, conflicts, key figures, and turning points in United States History from 1950 to the present. Emphasizing the relationship between history and peoples’ lived experiences, this course examines key events, social movements, and the changing roles of the United States in the world. Exploring how historians use evidence to better understand the past, this course will also examine how history is shaped by different contexts and perspectives. Throughout the course, connections will be made between issues and events of the past and those that we face today.	Intro to American History: 1950 to the Present	4.5

HSS261 This course focuses on the role of ethics in healthcare delivery. The student is introduced to basic ethical principles and its application while considering personal bias within the context of working with diverse individuals.	Ethics in Healthcare	4.5
	Total Credit Hours:	13.5

Courses: Core		Credits
NRSG310 The changing demographics of the US population, rapid growth in the use of technology, the diversity of the population and the pressure for cost containment pose challenges that impact nursing practice. In addition to these challenges, the profession faces a looming workforce demand that is currently unmet. This course is designed to prepare nurses for clinical and leadership roles that can effectively respond to the complexity and challenges in today’s health care delivery environment. Students will complete a change management project pertaining to nursing practice as a major assignment for this course. Students must earn a grade of C- (70%) or higher in all courses within the RN to BSN degree program to pass the course in the program.	Challenges and Trends in Contemporary Nursing	4
NRSG311 Nursing informatics has been defined by the American Nurses Association as the integration of nursing science, computer science and information science in identifying, collecting, processing, and managing data and information to support nursing practice, administration, education, research and the expansion of nursing knowledge. Using this definition as a framework, the course will explore the data sources and technological tools and methods used by nurses to further the quality and effectiveness of care delivery in today’s complex healthcare environment. Students must earn a grade of C- (70%) or higher in all courses within the RN to BSN degree program to pass the course in the program.	Nursing Informatics	4
NRSG312 Population based nursing expands the scope of nursing practice from the individual to groups ranging from families, to communities and to a global perspective. This course will introduce the student to concepts of public health science and blend these with an approach to nursing care as it is delivered to populations. Concepts will include epidemiology, levels of health promotion and disease prevention and the role of the public health nurse in a diverse global society. The course will include a real world clinical assignment with population-focused, community-based care delivery. All components of the didactic and clinical assignment must be completed to successfully complete the course. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will result in a course failure. Students must earn a grade of C- (70%) or higher in all courses within the RN to BSN degree program to pass the course in the program.	Population-Based Nursing (Clinical Course)	4
NRSG313 Many adults in the U.S. use some form of alternative or complementary intervention as part of their regular health care program. As our society grows and becomes more diverse, it is important that nurses are aware of the array of alternative and complementary forms of treatment available to patients and their families. This course will examine various forms of alternative treatment and consider how the nurse can evaluate their efficacy and safety and partner with patients and providers to incorporate them into holistic treatment plans. Students must earn a grade of C- (70%) or higher in all courses within the RN to BSN degree program to pass the course in the program.	Alternative and Complementary Interventions	4
NRSG314 Achieving patient care outcomes that are of a high quality and protective of patient safety and well being are paramount to nursing practice. This course will focus on the processes and practices of quality assessment and continuous quality improvement for a variety of healthcare indicators sensitive to nursing interventions. Additionally students will examine the issue of patient safety and create a model patient safety initiative for a clinical population. Students must earn a grade of C- (70%) or higher in all courses within the RN to BSN degree program to pass the course in the program.	Safety and Quality Improvement in Nursing Practice	4
NRSG410 As providers of care, nurses should be competent in conducting comprehensive assessments of the health and well-being of patients. Assessment includes completion of a systematic health history, a physical examination, a family and social and spiritual history, and a life style behavioral assessment. Students will learn the strategies for completing and recording a comprehensive patient assessment focused on health and wellness across the lifespan. Though a physical exam will be covered, this is not a physical assessment course. This course will include a clinical assignment. All components of the didactic and clinical assignment must be completed to successfully complete the course. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will result in a course failure. Students must earn a grade of C- (70%) or higher in all courses within the RN to BSN degree program to pass the course in the program.	Health and Wellness Assessment (Clinical Course)	4
NRSG411 The nursing profession is accountable to the public to deliver care based on evidence and best practice standards. This course will prepare students to access, evaluate and integrate nursing research findings in practice. Topics will include an overview of the research process, methods used to access and analyze research findings, and strategies used to move from knowledge development to knowledge use in clinical practice. Students must earn a grade of C- (70%) or higher in all courses within the RN to BSN degree program to pass the course in the program.	Evidence Based Practice and Applied Nursing Research	4
NRSG412 As the complexity and demand for health care expands, nurse leaders and managers must be prepared to plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate patient care delivery. In addition, the nurse leader needs to use resources such as time, money, equipment, and nursing manpower wisely to promote optimal patient outcomes. This course will prepare the nurse with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective leadership and management in today’s complex and diverse healthcare environment. Students must earn a grade of C- (70%) or higher in all courses within the RN to BSN degree program to pass the course in the program.	Leadership and Nursing Systems Management	4
NRSG413 Innovation is a vital concern in nursing. As healthcare moves increasingly to outpatient, patient-centered practice that is safe and effective, innovation in care delivery is essential. Consumers including payers, employers and patients are actively involved in making decisions about health care and lifestyle choices. This course is designed to support the nurse to systematically examine clinical practice issues such as workforce, manpower, collaborative care models, long term care, use of technology and undeserved populations, and to apply systems thinking to create innovative practice solutions. Strategies for creativity and innovation will be applied to nursing practice. Students must earn a grade of C- (70%) or higher in all courses within the RN to BSN degree program to pass the course in the program.	Innovation in Nursing	4
NRSG490 This course will provide students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate critical thinking skills in relation to competencies. The relationship between critical thinking and the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses competencies will be the focus. Students will be given virtual clinical experiences that reflect real world scenarios to demonstrate critical thinking associated with the identified competencies. This course will also correlate theory with clinical practice. Students must earn a grade of C- (70%) or higher in all courses within the RN to BSN degree program to pass the course in the program.	Nursing Theory, Critical Thinking and Competency	4
NRSG495 This is the final course in the BSN degree completion program. Students will complete individual assignments that build toward a final assignment that will encompass the program competencies and reflect a synthesis and application of their prior coursework. This course will require the student to demonstrate an understanding and application of the concepts associated with communication skills, leadership skills, healthcare policy, finance, regulation and accreditation, information and technology resources, patient preferences, values and needs, quality improvement processes, system effectiveness and individual performance factors, and evidence based practice. Students must earn a grade of C- (70%) or higher in all courses within the RN to BSN degree program to pass the course in the program.	Nursing Capstone	4
ELE	Select 4 credit hours of electives from the list provided	4
	Total Credit Hours:	48

Courses: RN License Transfer		Credits
RN	Registered Nurse License Transfer	28.5

Courses: Degree/Diploma Transfer		Credits
ADN/DRN	Associate Degree/Diploma in Nursing

Courses: Core Elective Choices		Credits
HCM307 This course introduces and describes the healthcare delivery system with an emphasis on its history, development and evolution in the United States. The roles of key stakeholders will be established, and students will discuss how the evolution of care and payer models has impacted consumers and providers. Students will be exposed to different types of provider organizations with a general orientation to the laws, regulations, and policies that govern the health care industry.	The Health Care Industry	4
HCM330 This course is a study of healthcare statistics and research including statistical principles, descriptive and inferential statistics, and research methods. Statistical concepts are related to the operations of a healthcare organization. Emphasis is on defining healthcare statistics and their application to decision making, trend analysis, benchmarking, and resource allocation for financial, clinical, and quality management. Students will have an opportunity to formulate and ask questions, locate, collect, and evaluate healthcare statistics and data resources, summarize, display, report, and interpret information, and explore the limitations in statistical inferences. Manual and software assisted methods of computing, presenting, and reporting statistical data is also covered.	Healthcare Statistics and Research	4
MGM316 This course is designed to enhance students’ knowledge of cultures, traditions, and value systems as they apply in international, multinational, and global business settings. Students explore topics such as language and other forms of communication, traditions, values, norms, cultural diversity, cultural influences on communication and the negotiation process, and ways to improve communications with people whose first language is something other than English.	International Business Communications	4
MGM355 In this course students examine the international business environment and how it influences management. The course examines the issues and implications involved in the application of modern management practices and principles within the global business environment.	International Business Practices	4
MGM365 This course examines the nature of the legal system in which society functions, including business agreements, business entities, and government regulations. Using frameworks for ethical decision-making, students will explore the ethical issues that confront business organizations and individuals.	The Legal and Ethical Environment of Business	4
MGMT345 This course examines the principles and techniques of managing operations processes in manufacturing and service industries. Students will explore the interrelationships between operations concepts, such as forecasting, planning products, technologies, facilities, demand, inventory, productivity, quality, and reliability.	Operations Management	4
HCI300 This course will provide the fundamentals of Healthcare Informatics including the roles of healthcare information and management systems professionals, the organizational structures in which they work, and fundamentals of IT project management and implementation techniques. Tools for optimizing electronic access and analysis of health information for improving outcomes of patient care will be emphasized. Topics of discussion will include current IT tools being used in the healthcare industry as well as emerging trends and the IT Future of healthcare and how to manage these within the healthcare environment.	Introduction to Health Informatics	4
HCI310 This course introduces database design, and implementation and database management systems (DBMS) with a focus on healthcare. Databases in healthcare form an integral part of electronic health records (EHRs) and health information systems (HIS) as well as important tools for decision making. Students will learn basic, conceptual, logical database design, and the file/data acquisition process. With the constraints on healthcare IT staff (ICD 10, HIS implementations, meaningful use, etc.), understanding these processes is extremely valuable. In addition, topics will include implementing these designs using a database management system and developing healthcare applications that access these databases.	DBMS for Healthcare	4
HCI380 This course provides a survey of several Health Information Systems (HIS) for securing healthcare data. These types of systems collect and store data then process it into information used by decision makers. Storing health information in electronic form raises concerns about patient privacy and data security. Adequate protection of the confidentiality and integrity of patient information needs to be insured for HIPAA/HITECH & compliance while keeping the patient information readily available to authorized healthcare personnel. This course’s focus will be on the conceptual foundations around utilizing health information system applications for securely storing, retrieving health information and processing it in business intelligence formats.	Security of Electronic Health Information	4
HCI400 Students will understand how to provide historical, current and predictive views of business operations using Business Intelligence. In this course, students investigate the process of planning, designing, building, populating, and maintaining a successful Data Warehouse (DW). Students focus on the implementation of a Data Warehouse as an essential decision-support tool needed for healthcare. Students examine various forms of graphical modeling methods, including business modeling, entity relationship diagramming, dimensional modeling, physical modeling, and Warehouse metadata management.	Health Analytics and Business Intelligence in Healthcare	4

Up to 90 quarter credits may be accepted as transfer credit with the required incoming Associate Degree in Nursing, Diploma Registered Nurse, or an educational transition program preparing students for eligibility to become licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Total Credit Hours: 180

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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 Dean

Dr. 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 Director

Dr. 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

What is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN)?

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.

How many credits are required to graduate from this nursing degree program?

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.

Why should I pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at CTU?

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.

Where and when do the clinical experiences take place?

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.

Can I work full time and go to school?

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.

What resources are available to help me with my coursework?

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.

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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.