RN MOBILITY
Registered nurses who enroll at The University of Alabama may opt to pursue one of two tracks toward the completion of a higher degree or degrees. Students may enroll in either an RN to B.S.N. or RN to B.S.N./M.S.N. track. Both programs of study allow students to continue working and to complete the majority of required coursework, on the Web, or by other means of distance education.
RN TO B.S.N. TRACK
The RN to B.S.N. program of study is specifically designed for the registered nurse student to earn a baccalaureate degree. The program consists of 65–67 semester hours of lower-division coursework and 27 semester hours of upper-division coursework. Lower-division studies include courses that meet University Core Curriculum requirements for a baccalaureate degree. All lower-division hours must be successfully completed prior to enrolling in upper-division courses.
UA CORE REQUIREMENTS
Upon admission to the University as an RN to B.S.N. student, credit for 38 hours of NUR courses is awarded.
| Courses | Credit Hours |
| BSC 215 and BSC 216 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II | 8 |
| BSC 242 Microbiology and Man | 4 |
| CH 104 Introductory Chemistry with laboratory | 4 |
| CH 105 Introductory Organic Chemistry with laboratory | 4 |
| EN 101 and EN 102 English Composition I and II | 6 |
| HD 101 Human Development | 3 |
| MATH 110 Finite Mathematics or MATH 112 Precalculus Algebra | 3 |
| NHM 101 Introduction to Nutrition | 3 |
| PHL 204 Medical Ethics or PHL 200 Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| PY 101 Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology or ANT 102 Introduction to Anthropology | 3 |
| Arts (ARH 252, ARH 253, or ARH 254; MUS 121; NEW 212; TH 114; or TCF 112) | 3 |
| Computer science or foreign language | 6 or 8 |
| Literature or history* | 9 |
| Statistics (BER 345, PY 211, or ST 260) | 3 |
| Total: 65–67 | |
REQUIRED NURSING COURSES
| NUR 314 Human Pathology for Registered Nurses | 3 |
| NUR 309 Nursing Infomatics (CS) | 3 |
| NUR 323 Pharmacology for Registered Nurses | 3 |
| NUR 328 Introduction to Nursing Research (W) | 3 |
| ***NUR 342 Health Assessment for Registered Nurses | 3 |
| NUR 343 Role Transition in Baccalaureate Nursing (W) | 3 |
| **NUR 449 Community Health for Registered Nurses | 4 |
| **NUR 455 Leadership and Management Roles for Registered Nurses | 5 |
| Total: 27 | |
***Laboratory Course
| Total credit required for graduation = 128 semester hours |
Each of the courses above requires time additional to class meeting times (e.g., library work, clinical time, or meetings with faculty and student groups).
Promotion to Upper Division
The most qualified applicants will be selected each year for promotion to upper division for the RN to B.S.N. track. The number of applicants promoted is dependent on the educational resources available to support this track. Every effort will be made to promote all applicants who meet the criteria. The application for promotion is due in the Office of Nursing Student Services no later than June 15 prior to each fall semester.
Promotion Criteria: RN to B.S.N. Track. To be eligible for promotion to the upper division, a registered nurse student must have the following:
- satisfactory completion of all lower division requirements
- an overall grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale on the required lower division courses
- an overall grade point average of 2.0 on all required science courses
- an unencumbered RN license in the state where clinical course requirements will be completed
RN TO B.S.N/M.S.N. TRACK
The RN to B.S.N./M.S.N. program of study is an accelerated option for the experienced, highly qualified RN who holds an associate degree or diploma in nursing and who wants to obtain an advanced degree in nursing. RNs who meet M.S.N. program admission criteria can apply for early admission to the Graduate School while completing the B.S.N. requirements. The RN to B.S.N./M.S.N. track decreases the time required to complete both the B.S.N. and M.S.N. degree programs. The program of study includes six to eight semester hours of credit in each of the six semesters required of the track. The B.S.N. degree is awarded after completion of all B.S.N. requirements in the fourth semester, and the M.S.N. degree is awarded after completion of all M.S.N. requirements in the sixth semester.
Promotion to Upper Division
The most qualified applicants will be selected each year for promotion to upper division for the RN to B.S.N./M.S.N. track. The number of applicants promoted is dependent on the educational resources available to support this track. Every effort will be made to promote all applicants who meet the criteria. The application for promotion is due in the Office of Nursing Student Services no later than June 15 prior to each fall semester.
Promotion Criteria: RN to B.S.N./M.S.N. Track. To be eligible for promotion to the upper division, a registered nurse student must have the following:
- satisfactory completion of all lower division requirements
- an overall grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on the required lower division courses
- an overall grade point average of 2.0 on all required science courses
- graduation from an accredited school of nursing
- an unencumbered RN license in the state where clinical course requirements will be completed
- two years of clinical nursing experience
Admission to Graduate School
By October 15 of fall I of the program of study, students can apply for early, expedited admission to the M.S.N. program, contingent on completion of the first semester of B.S.N. coursework with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and completion of all undergraduate core requirements.
LOWER-DIVISION COURSES—RN TO B.S.N./M.S.N. TRACK
| Courses | Credit Hours |
| BSC 215 and BSC 216 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II | 8 |
| BSC 242 Microbiology and Man | 4 |
| CH 104 Introductory Chemistry with laboratory | 4 |
| CH 105 Introductory Organic Chemistry with laboratory | 4 |
| EN 101 and EN 102 English Composition I and II | 6 |
| HD 101 Human Development | 3 |
| MATH 110 Finite Mathematics or MATH 112 Precalculus Algebra | 3 |
| NHM 101 Introduction to Nutrition | 3 |
| PHL 204 Medical Ethics or PHL 200 Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| PY 101 General Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 101 or ANT 102 Introduction to Sociology or Anthropology | 3 |
| Arts (ARH 252, ARH 253, or ARH 254; MUS 121; NEW 212; TH 114; or TCF 112) | 3 |
| Computer science or foreign language | 6 or 8 |
| Literature or history* | 9 |
| Statistics (BER 345, PY 211, or ST 260) | 3 |
| Lower-Division Total: 74–76 | |
UPPER-DIVISION AND M.S.N. CURRICULUM—RN TO B.S.N./M.S.N. TRACK
| Fall I | |
| Course | Semester Hours |
| NUR 343 Role Transition in Baccalaureate Nursing | 3 |
| NUR 449 Community Health for Registered Nurses | 4 |
| Total: 7 | |
| Spring I | |
| Course | Semester Hours |
| 1NUR 5__ Advanced Nursing Research | 3 |
| CHS 520 Basic Epidemiology | 3 |
| NUR 502 Issues in Community-Based Care for Rural Populations | 2 |
| Total: 8 | |
| Summer I | |
| Course | Semester Hours |
| 1NUR 580 Fiscal Resource Management for Case Managers | 3 |
| NUR 505 Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| Total: 6 | |
| Fall II | |
| Course | Semester Hours |
| NUR 501 Theoretical Models for Advanced Nursing Practice with Rural Populations | 2 |
| 1NUR 522 Human Relations Management | 3 |
| 2NUR 5___ Pathophysiology | 3 |
| Total: 8 | |
| Spring II | |
| Course | Semester Hours |
| NUR 520 Case Management Role and Processes | 4 |
| NUR 592 Clinical Research Practicum | 3 |
| Total: 7 | |
| Summer II | |
| Course | Semester Hours |
| NUR 530 Case Management Practicum. | 6 |
| Total: 6 | |
| Upper-Division and M.S.N. Curriculum Total: 42 | |
2These courses may be taken at UAB or UAH if available and transferred to UA.
See your faculty advisor for other options.