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 BSN or RN to BSN/MSN 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 BSN Track
The RN to BSN program of study is specifically designed for the registered nurse student to earn a bachelor’s degree. The program consists of 68–70 semester hours of lower-division coursework and 25 semester hours of upper-division coursework. Lower-division studies include courses that meet University Core Curriculum requirements for a bachelor’s degree. All lower-division hours must be successfully completed prior to enrolling in upper-division courses.
| UA LOWER DIVISION REQUIREMENTS | |
| Upon admission to the University as an RN to BSN 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 |
| CS 102 Microcomputer Applications | 3 |
| 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 151, 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 |
| ¹Literature or History | 9 |
| Statistics (BER 345, PY 211, or ST 260) | 3 |
| Total: 68–70 | |
| ¹All students are required to complete a 6-credit-hour sequence in either History or Literature. Students opting to enroll in the literature sequence must also complete an approved 3-credit-hour history course. Students opting to enroll in the history sequence must also complete two approved 3-credit-hour literature courses or one approved literature course and one additional approved humanities course. | |
| REQUIRED NURSING COURSES | |
| NUR 319 Nursing Informatics (CS) | 3 |
| NUR 329 Inquiry for Evidence-Based Practice (W) | 3 |
| NUR 348 Role Transition in Baccalaureate Nursing (W) | 4 |
| **NUR 449 Community Health for Registered Nurses | 5 |
| **NUR 455 Leadership and Management Roles for Registered Nurses | 5 |
| **NUR 465 Complex Client Systems for Registered Nurses | 5 |
| Total: 25 | |
| **Clinical Course | |
| Total credit hours required for graduation: 128 semester hours | |
Each of the courses above requires time in addition 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 BSN 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 April 15 prior to each fall semester.
Promotion Criteria: RN to BSN 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 (grade of C or higher)
- 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
- graduation from an NLN-AC accredited school of nursing
RN to BSN/MSN Track
The RN to BSN/MSN program of study is an accelerated option for the experienced, highly qualified RN who holds an associate degree or diploma in nursing. RNs who meet MSN program admission criteria can apply for early admission to the Graduate School while completing the BSN requirements. The RN to BSN/MSN track decreases the time required to complete both the BSN and MSN degree programs. The program of study includes 6–8 semester hours of credit in each of the six semesters required of the track. The BSN degree is awarded after completion of all BSN requirements in the fourth semester. The MSN degree is awarded after completion of all MSN requirements. Two options are available for the RN to BSN/MSN student: nursing case manager or the clinical nurse leader.
Promotion to Upper Division
The most qualified applicants will be selected each year for promotion to upper division for the RN to BSN/MSN 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 April 15 prior to each fall semester.
Promotion Criteria: RN to BSN/MSN 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
- an unencumbered RN license in the state where clinical course requirements will be completed
- graduation from an NLN-AC accredited school of nursing
Admission to Graduate School
By October 15 of fall I of the program of study, students can apply for early, expedited admission to the MSN program, contingent on completion of the first semester of BSN coursework with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and completion of all undergraduate core requirements.
| LOWER-DIVISION COURSES – RN TO BSN/MSN 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 |
| CS 102 Microcomputer Applications | 3 |
| 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 151, 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 History¹ | 9 |
| Statistics (BER 345, PY 211, or ST 260) | 3 |
| Total: 68–70 | |
| ¹All students are required to complete a 6-credit-hour sequence in either history or literature. Students opting to enroll in the literature sequence must also complete an approved 3-credit-hour history course. Students opting to enroll in the history sequence must also complete two approved 3-credit-hour literature courses or one approved literature course and one additional approved humanities course. | |
| UPPER-DIVISION AND MSN CURRICULUM – RN TO BSN/MSN TRACK |
|
| Fall I | |
| Courses | Semester Hours |
| NUR 319 Nursing Informatics (CS) | 3 |
| NUR 348 Role Transition in Baccalaureate Nursing | 4 |
| NUR 449 Community Health for Registered Nurses | 5 |
| Total: 12 | |
| Spring I | |
| Courses | Semester Hours |
| NHM 580 Research and Statistics for Health Professionals | 3 |
| CHS 520 Basic Epidemiology | 3 |
| NUR 502 Issues in Community-Based Care for Rural Populations | 2 |
| Total: 8 | |
| Summer I | |
| Courses | Semester Hours |
| ¹NUR 580 Fiscal Resource Management | 3 |
| NUR 505 Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| Total: 6 | |
| Fall II | |
| Courses | Semester Hours |
| NUR 501 Theoretical Models | 3 |
| ¹NUR 522 Human Relations Management (W) | 3 |
| ²NUR 5___ Pathophysiology | 3 |
| Total: 9 | |
| Spring II | |
| Courses | Semester Hours |
| NUR 520 Evidence Based Practice or | 4 |
| NUR 525 Evidence Based Practice for CNL | 4 |
| NUR 595 Issues in Pharmacotherapeutics | 3 |
| Total: 7 | |
| Summer II | |
| Courses | Semester Hours |
| NUR 530 Case Management Practicum or | 6 |
| NUR 535 Clinical Immersion Experience | 6 |
| Total: 6 | |
| Upper-Division and MSN Curriculum Total: 48 | |
| ¹Courses count toward completion of BSN and MSN degree requirements. ²These courses may be taken at UAB or UAH if available and transferred to UA. |
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