R.N. to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The R.N. to B.S.N. completion program serves as an instrument for advancing the nursing practice of registered nurses. The R.N. to B.S.N. education will result in increased nursing professionalism and a higher quality of nurse-delivered health care, especially in a rural setting. The program is composed of courses and field experiences that will provide registered nurses with added knowledge and the development of higher level thought processes. The resulting maturation will allow integration of current health care models and evidence based practice to the daily delivery of nursing care. To complete the R.N. to B.S.N. degree, students transfer in their A.D.N. (Associate Degree in Nursing or diploma degree) coursework and complete general education and upper-division nursing courses at Adams State University.

Admissions Requirements

Students applying to the R.N. to B.S.N. program must have R.N. licensure and a cumulative GPA of 2.5. Students should apply for admission after or near graduation from an A.D.N. program.

Admission Process:

  1. Apply online for admission to Adams State University.
  2. Request all previously attended postsecondary institutions to submit unofficial transcripts directly to Adams State University, School of Nursing, 208 Edgemont Blvd. Suite 2250, Alamosa, CO 81101.
  3. Minimum of 2.5 GPA required after completion of all general education courses and nursing pre-requisites.
  4. Minimum grade of C in all biology courses (if needed and post-A.D.N. degree) and PSYC 211.
  5. A 500-word autobiographical essay.
  6. Curriculum Vitae to include current R.N. license information (state/license number/expiration date).
  7. Two letters of recommendation.
  8. Background check including drug screen and fingerprinting.
  9. Submit the completed R.N.-B.S.N. application to the School of Nursing along with a non-refundable $35 application fee (money order or checks only).

Conditional Admission:

With the approval of the program director, a student may be allowed to take up to 9 credit hours of nursing coursework prior to full admission into the program. A final letter of admission will be sent to the student once all conditions for admission are met.

Admission Requirements:

The following needs to be completed within 30 days of admission to the program to allow participation in clinical settings. See clinical requirements section of handbook for more information.

  1. Current physical exam.
  2. Documentation of updated immunizations
  3. Current American Heart Association CPR certification
  4. Proof of malpractice insurance

Admission materials and guidelines are available online at nursing.adams.edu.

1. Specific Courses Required for this degree

Communications – 6 credit hours required

  • ENG 101: Communication Arts I GT-C01 (3 hours)
  • ENG 102: Communication Arts II GT-C02 (3 hours)

Social and Behavioral Sciences – 9 credit hours required

  • PSYC 101: Introduction to Psyc GT-SS3 (3 hours)
  • PSYC 233: Lifespan Dev for Nurses (3 hours)

Spring semesters

  • SOC 201: Soc Imagination GT-SS3 (3 hours)

History Course – 3 credit hours required

  • HGP 110: Development of Civ GT-HI1 (3 hours) OR HGP 111: Development of Civ GT-HI1 (3 hours) OR HIST 202: American Hist to 1865 GT-HI1 (3 hours) OR HIST 203: Amer Hist 1865-Present GT-HI1 (3 hours)

Arts and Humanities – 6 credit hours required

  • AR 103: Art Appreciation GT-AH1 (3 hours) AND/OR ENG 203: Major Themes in Lit GT-AH2 (3 TO 6 hours) AND/OR MUS 100: Intro to Music Lit GT-AH1 (3 hours) AND/OR THTR 180: Intro to Theatre GT-AH1 (3 hours) AND/OR PHIL 201: Intro to Philosophy GT-AH3 (3 hours) AND/OR COMM 255: Fndmntls of Media Comm GT-AH2 (3 hours)

Quantitative Thinking – 7 credit hours required

  • PSYC 211: Intro to Stats Lecture/Lab (4 hours)
  • *required for nursing
  • MATH 104: Finite Mathematics GT-MA1 (3 hours) OR MATH 106: College Algebra GT-MA1 (3 hours) OR MATH 120: Calculus I GT-MA1 (5 hours)

Required Program Nursing Courses:

  • BIOL 125: Nutrition (3 hours)
  • BIOL 205: Human Anatomy & Physiology (4 hours)

Fall semesters

  • BIOL 206: Human Anatomy & Physiology (4 hours)

Spring semesters

  • CHEM 105: Intro to Gen, Org, & Bio Chem (4 hours)

Fall semesters

  • CHEM 105L: Intro to Gen, Org, & Bio Chem (1 hours)
  • BIOL 215: Microbiology for Non-Majors (4 hours)

Spring semesters

  • Pre-req BIOL 205 & CHEM 105/105L

Completion of Required Nursing Courses (must be admitted to the nursing program):

  • NURS 302: Nursing Informatics (3 hours)
    • Course delivered online only.
  • NURS 305: Transcultural Nursing (3 hours)
    • Course delivered online only.
  • NURS 320: Nursing Ethics (3 hours)
    • Course delivered online only.
  • NURS 325: Geriatric Nursing (3 hours)
    • Course delivered online only.
  • NURS 330: Nursing Leadership (3 hours)
    • Course delivered online only.
  • NURS 340: Financial Mgmt in Nursing (3 hours)
    • Course delivered online only.
  • NURS 350: Global Health Nursing (3 hours)
    • Course delivered online only.
  • NURS 410: Nursing Research (3 hours)
    • Course delivered online only.
  • NURS 420: Intro to Managed Health Care (3 hours)
    • Course delivered online only.
  • NURS 430: Hlth Assmt Experienced Nurse (3 hours)
    • Hybrid delivery format (online/face-to-face/clinical)
  • NURS 440: Prof Pct Role Devl Nursing (3 hours)
    • Course delivered online only.
  • NURS 450: Intro to Case Management (3 hours)
  • NURS 460: Community Health Nursing (3 hours)
    • Course delivered online only.
  • NURS 470: Nursing Capstone (3 hours)
    • Hybrid delivery format (online/face-to-face/clinical)

When to take these courses

Degree Maps

2. All Requirements for this degree

Graduation Requirements