The RN to BSN degree program exists to provide students the opportunity to complete a degree.The schedule format of the program is designed to meet needs of the working nurse while responding to the ever changing marketplace. The curriculum is designed to build on the educational experience already achieved in preparing for the RN role. The program integrates Christian world view and is committed to continual improvement. 

Program Learning Outcomes

Inquiring Faithfully: Student will demonstrate knowledge, skill and behavior of the evidence-based practice of nursing which integrates growth in reasoning, analysis, decision-making and the application of theory with the goal of advocating for others and/or self. This includes holistic nursing skills and nursing process. 

• Initiates dialogue regarding current practice to improve healthcare
• Demonstrates the use of evidence-based practices as an advocate for self and others
• Promotes positive client outcomes using evidence-based data
• Provides holistic care by considering all of the client needs (e.g. physical, psychosocial, spiritual, environmental) including family in a multicultural community
• Engages in self-care practices that facilitate optimal care of clients

Leading Faithfully: The student will incorporate a foundational relationship with Christ and others and embrace a willingness to serve others in the midst of life circumstances (e.g. illness, injustice, poverty). The student will role-model the need for “Sabbath Rest” as a means of personal renewal, and true care of the self, so that service to others is optimally achieved. The student will incorporate the characteristics of a servant leader including:  humility, courage, forgiveness, discernment.

• Provides graceful service through compassionate responses to others’ needs
• Demonstrates the principles of a servant leader as a reflection of Christ’s love
• Exhibits patient advocacy that reflects sensitivity to diversity in a holistic manner.

Communicating Faithfully: The student will actively engage in the dynamic interactive process that is intrapersonal and interpersonal with the goal of advocating for others and/or self. This includes effective, culturally appropriate communication conveying information, thoughts, actions and feelings through the use of verbal and nonverbal skills.

• Engages in active listening to promote therapeutic relationships
• Demonstrates effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills to provide patient care
• Dialogs with members of the healthcare team, including the patient, to facilitate positive patient outcomes
• Advocates for patients/families and self
• Implements patient care while honoring the diversity of patients, families and communities.

Following Faithfully: Defined as claiming the challenge from Florence Nightingale that nursing is a “divine imposed duty of ordinary work.” The nursing student will integrate the ordinary work by complying with and adhering to regulatory and processional standards (e.g. ANA Code of Ethics, the California Board of Registered Nursing, Scope of National Practice, SON handbook.) This includes taking responsibility, being accountable for all actions and treating others with respect and dignity.

• Engages in a professional practice environment that promotes nursing excellence
• Provides patient care within the boundaries designated by regulatory agencies, professional practices and ethical standards of a Christian nurse
• Avails self of learning opportunities to cultivate the life-long learning process

Caring Faithfully: The student will embrace a calling to the ministry of compassionate care for all people in response to God’s grace, which aims to foster optimal health and bring comfort in suffering and death. 

• Demonstrates compassionate care to all people while mirroring Christ’s love for all.
• Partners with the community to establish a trusting relationship
• Demonstrates ethics and values consistent with the practice of professional nursing

Early Acceptance

Early Acceptance (EA) into the RN to BSN program allows students to apply to PLNU while they are in the first year of their Community College Nursing program. The student will go through the application process with PLNU to take WRT 3000 and SCL 3002 (upon successful completion of WRT 3000) before ADN graduation.

• Completion of at least two full semesters in ADN program or proof of admission into a regionally accredited LVN/ADN program
• 3.000 cumulative overall GPA for provisional admittance as EA RN-BSN
• To be granted full acceptance upon return, after ADN completion:
  • Complete EA course(s) with “C” or better
  • Maintain minimum 2.750 cumulative GPA for the remainder of ADN program

Advanced Standing

The RN to BSN Advanced Standing Program (ASP) allows students who have completed a baccalaureate degree in another discipline to waive six units of coursework within the RN to BSN program. These six units are comprised of the following two courses: WRT 3000 and SCL 3002.

Program Eligibility

With exception to the Concurrent Enrollment pathway (see below), each student applying to this program must have successfully completed at least 1 year of an ADN program.

Pathways for the RN to BSN program are as follows:

Concurrent Enrollment. Concurrent Enrollment into the RN to BSN program allows admission while concurrently enrolled in an approved ADN program as early as the second semester of ADN classes. This program/pathway allows ADN students to complete requirements for the BSN in 1-2 semesters following completion of their ADN program.

Early Acceptance. Early Acceptance (EA) into the RN to BSN program allows students to apply to PLNU while they are in the first year of their Community College Nursing program. The student will go through the application process with PLNU to take WRT 3000 and SCL 3002 (upon successful completion of WRT 3000) before ADN graduation.

• Completion of at least two full semesters in ADN program or proof of admission into a regionally accredited LVN/ADN program
• 3.000 cumulative overall GPA for provisional admittance as EA RN-BSN. To be granted full acceptance upon return after ADN completion:
  • Complete EA course(s) with "C" or better
  • Maintain minimum 2.750 cumulative GPA for the remainder of ADN program

Advanced Standing. The RN to BSN Advanced Standing Program (ASP) allows students who have completed a baccalaureate degree in another discipline to waive six (6) units of coursework within the RN to BSN program. These six (6) units are comprised of the following courses: WRT 3000 and SCL 3002.

Nursing Requirements

All 3000-level nursing courses need to be successfully completed with a C or better prior to registering for 4000-level courses.

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Required Courses
BST 3004 (B,C,J,L,N)	Biblical Perspectives (GE)	4
NRS 3050	Communicating and Following Faithfully	4
NRS 3051	Communicating and Following Faithfully Practicum	1
NRS 3060A	Inquiring Faithfully I: Nursing Research	1
NRS 3060B	Inquiring Faithfully I: Nursing Research	2
NRS 3080	Professional Development: Compassionate Clinical Reasoning	1
NRS 4020	Caring Faithfully in the Community	4
NRS 4021	Caring Faithfully in the Community Practicum	1
NRS 4030	Leading Faithfully in Diverse Health Systems	4
NRS 4031	Leading Faithfully in Diverse Health Systems Practicum	1
NRS 4040	Capstone Inquiring Faithfully II: Evidence-Based Practice	4
SCL 3002	Group and Organizational Behavior	3
SCL 4001	Cultural Influences in the Work Place	3
WRT 3000	Professional Writing	3
Total Units		36

Graduation Requirements

Thirty-six (36) units in residence at PLNU, or thirty (30) units for RN to BSN ASP students, are required for completion of this program. Additionally, there are core requirements listed for all Adult Degree Completion programs that need to be met in diverse areas to fulfill the PLNU liberal arts education model (i.e. communication/writing, humanities, mathematics, natural, social, and behavior sciences).

In order to earn or receive a baccalaureate degree in the RN-BSN program, credential, or certificate under the Adult Degree Completion Program, a student must satisfy all of the following:

• Complete all program requirements, with no course grade lower than "C" and minimum resident GPA of 2.000 for units completed in the Point Loma Nazarene University major program. If the minimum grade is not met, courses may be repeated prior to the last semester. Military-benefit students should inquire with Military Services for further information.
• Filing of an Application for Degree Candidacy.
• Satisfactory completion of all applicable academic and program requirements.
• Payment in full of all tuition, fees, and other financial obligations owed to the university, including a degree processing fee.

A minimum total number of 120 units is required for completion of the Bachelor of Nursing Science degree.