Registered Nurse (RN to BSN) Option
Graduates of state-approved diploma and associate degree programs in nursing are eligible to apply for admission to the baccalaureate program in the Registered Nurse Options. The program is designed to be flexible and responsive to individual students’ needs as possible within the constraints of curriculum, university and accreditation requirements, and quality educational theory. Classes are held in the afternoon and evening to accommodate the work schedules of registered nurses.
The program is designed to be 15-months (four semesters) long, but the time in the program may vary dependent upon the option chosen, amount of acceptable transfer credit; success in completion of CLEP, proficiency, and nursing examinations; and part-time or full-time status.
The RN student may be admitted to the program with various amounts of non nursing course credits to complete. However, the student will not be allowed to begin nursing courses unless s/he has no more than nine (9) non nursing credits of to complete.
Admission Requirements include:
- graduation from a state-approved diploma or associate degree nursing program;
- completed application with application fee;
- photocopy of current, active Florida RN license;
- official transcripts from division of nursing and all colleges attended;
- cumulative college GPA of at least 2.7; and
- professional liability insurance;
- compliance with Health and Regulatory Requirements.
Alternatives to Earn Credit
Requirements of the program are met through CLEP, nursing mobility and achievement examinations or their equivalents, proficiency examinations, transfer, correspondence courses, or by enrolling in courses at Barry University. To be accepted, transfer credit must have been completed with at least a grade of C at a regionally accredited college or university. Refer to the transfer credit policies in the catalog for complete information. Student may not earn credit through the School of Adult and Continuing Education.
Proficiency exams are available in Biochemistry, Human Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, and Nursing Research. Registered nurses who are graduates of accredited associate degree programs in the state of Florida will be awarded 32 credits towards their bachelor's degree after successfully completing 21 credits of nursing courses at Barry and submission of a portfolio. There is a $35 per credit fee for each credit awarded. Those RNs who do not meet these criteria earn 32 nursing credits through examination by taking the nursing mobility exams through Excelsior College.
To register for the Excelsior College examinations and obtain study guides for these examinations, please contact Excelsior College directly at (518)464-8500 ext.16. Registered Nurse students may take these exams in any order they choose. It is advisable to begin testing as early in the program as possible. These exams may be repeated once; after the second failed attempt, the student will be asked to enroll in the corresponding course or a tutorial for that course. Tutorials may be taken for credit/no credit only. There is a $35 per credit fee for each credit by examination awarded.
Prerequisites
| T=Transfer | E=Enrollment in the Course |
| P=Proficiency Exams | C=CLEP Exams |
| I=Independent Study |
| Course | Title | Credits |
| T-P-E | Human Anatomy & Lab | 4 |
| T-P-E | Human Physiology & Lab | 4 |
| T-P-E | Microbiology & Lab | 4 |
| T-P-E | Biochemistry & Lab | 4 |
| T-I-E | Statistics | 3 |
| T-C-I-E | English Composition | 6 |
| T-E | Speech | 3 |
| T-C-I-E | Social/Behavioral Science electives | 9 |
| T-C-I-E | Humanities and Arts electives | 9 |
| T-I-E | Philosophy elective | 3 |
| T-I-E | Theology elective | 3 |
| T-E | Bio-Medical Ethics | 3 |
| T-C-I-E | Computer elective | 3 |
| T-C-I-E | Open elective | 4 |
Nursing Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NUR 301 | Research in Nursing | 3 |
| NUR 303 | Professional Processes | 3 |
| NUR 481 | Community Health Nursing | 6 |
| NUR 483 | Health Assessment | 3 |
| NUR 488 | Health Care Trends and Politics for Nurses | 3 |
| NUR 493R | Nursing Leadership | 3 |
| NUR 510 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 4 |
| NUR 520 | Nursing Informatics | 3 |
The nursing courses for the RN-BSN option may be completed in four semesters (15-months).
