RN -to- BSN Completion: HOMESTEAD ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

I'm already an RN, Why should I pursue BSN?

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has recommended that healthcare organizations increase their bachelor's prepared RN staff to 80% by 2020*. It is also a documented fact that RNs with BSN commit far fewer medical errors than RNs with no advance degree. Precisely for this reason many hospitals, especially those designated "magnet" hire only the RNs with BSN degree. Needless to say, with a BSN you'll improve your employability and earnings. You'll be able to take your rightful place in the healthcare field while providing the highest level of care to your patients.

* Institute of Medicine (2010). The future of Nursing: Leading change, Advancing Health. Washington, DC: National Academics Press.

Can you describe your program?

The Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) completion program is designed to be taught in five semesters provided that students transfer in required credits. The program is open to licensed registered nurses (RN) who have completed their associate degree in nursing or a diploma in nursing from a nationally or regionally accredited nursing program. The goal of the program is to graduate nurses that will be ready to advance their educational career and that can understand the concept of holistic praxis, think critically, and serve as change agents or leaders in any healthcare and nursing environment.

What is the mission and philosophy behind your program?

Mission

The mission of the RN to BSN program is “ to prepare quality praxis-driven professional nurses that can function with strong critical thinking and leadership skills as providers of care, designers-managers-coordinators of care and members of a profession.” The above statement supports Homestead Mission: “to develop men and women imbued with necessary academic excellence, skills, and virtues to address the health care needs of individuals, families, groups, and community.”

Philosophy & Goal

The nursing program’s vision is to prepare quality professional nurses who can think critically from a praxis perspective to promote equity and quality health care. The goal of the program is to graduate nurses that will be ready to advance their educational career and that can understand the concept of holistic praxis, think critically, and serve as change agents or leaders in any health care and nursing environment.

Is your program online or classroom?

Tracks for degree completion for the RN-BSN program:

1. Residential: Offered face-to-face on campus in Torrance

2 .Blended: Mixture of online and residential courses as elected by the student. The same courses will be offered both online and on campus.

Program Objectives

Upon graduation from the RN-BSN completion program, the graduate will be able to:

1. Integrate critical thinking skills and theoretical concepts from nursing and other disciplines in clinical or leadership decision making.

2. Synthesize evidenced based practice and research in providing holistic nursing care to individual, families, groups, and communities.

3. Incorporate a holistic, caring, culturally appropriate nursing approach that contributes to the wellness and the health of individuals, groups, and vulnerable populations.

4. Utilize technology and information resources to communicate effectively with diverse patient's population and other health care multidisciplinary team.

5. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in leadership and management concepts in the management of care at the local, state, national, and global levels.

6. Applies concepts of professionalism and leadership in designing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating nursing care from a health promotion and disease prevention approach at various levels of population care.

7. Provide safe, high quality, culturally competent, patient-centered nursing care for individuals across the health-illness continuum and across life span in a variety of settings.

8. Develop a praxis change project (teaching or policy) to assist individuals or communities achieve their holistic health promotion goal.

9. Conduct comprehensive and focused assessments of health and illness parameters in individuals, groups, and vulnerable populations.

10. Communicate effectively with all members of the healthcare team, including interdepartmental and interdisciplinary collaboration for quality outcomes.

11. Assume accountability for one's own and delegated nursing care.

12. Engage in continuous professional development

Admission Requirements "Only California residents are admitted to the online nursing program"

What are the admission requirements for the RN-BSN program?

Current and active RN license to practice nursing.

Possess an associate degree in nursing or a diploma in nursing.

Minimum of 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale in their Associate Degree in nursing or their Diploma. International students' transcripts must be evaluated with United States equivalent and may be required to take an additional English writing course.

Complete the required online orientation before enrolling in the first nursing course if enrolled as an online students.

All students must complete the program orientation module prior to beginning the program.

Show proof of legal residence in the United States.

Possess a valid Social Security card.

How many credits can I transfer?

For the RN-BSN program, an applicant may transfer in or possess 36 hours of general education credit from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university. Twelve of the general education credit hours must be at the upper level (300-400 level courses). You can obtain any missing general education credits at Homestead. We offer courses in oral communication, advanced public speaking, report writing, history of the United States, culture and diversity, etc.

Prospective students interested in enrolling in the RN-BSN program are encouraged to contact the admissions office at Homestead Schools (310) 791-9975. We'll help you evaluate your transcripts and determine the number of credits that can be transferred.

Is your program accredited by a national accrediting agency?

Yes. Our RN-to-BSN program is accredited by Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), a national accrediting body that has approved all our educational programs.

The RN-BSN program at Homestead Schools, Inc. is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791, www.ccneaccreditation.org

Is your program approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing?

No. This is a post-licensure program which means that the admitted person already has an RN degree. The Board of Registered Nursing does not approve post-licensure programs.

What is your tuition?

The tuition is dependent on the number of credits you're able to transfer for applicable nursing degree, general education credits, and required prerequisites. Our admissions counselor will be able to evaluate your transcripts and tell you the exact tuition for the program.

Do you offer fininacial aid?

Yes. We offer federal student aid to those who qualify.

What should I do next?

You should call the admissions office at (310) 791-9975. Better yet, visit the school at 23800 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, CA 90505. HomesteadSchools.net

Program Length

The curriculum consists of a total of 120 credit hours. The average length of time for a student taking a full course load is 4-5 semesters (16-20 months) when transferring in all applicable nursing degree, general education credits, and required pre-requisites.

The content of the 120 credit hours required for graduation including the transferred credits in nursing and non- nursing courses is shown here. The applicant can transfer up to 72 credit hours:

* Selected courses: Cultural Diversity, Health Promotion, and Case Management.

Requires General Education Courses

Students enrolled in the RN to BSN completion program must transfer in 36 general education credits. All general education courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better with an overall GPA of 2.5 or better in order to be accepted for admission and to graduate. The 36 credits are distributed among the following disciplines and 12 credits must be at the upper course level (300-400 level courses).

* Transfer of Critical Thinking course will be accepted but it will be repeated to ensure that the graduate understands critical thinking from a praxis perspective.

Allocation of Program 120 Credit Hours

Course Descriptions & Objectives

To view Course Descriptions & Objectives click the Course Title

1. N 350 Conversational Public Speaking

2. N 355 Advanced Creative Writing

3. N 360 Perspectives in American History

4. N 365 Healthy Living

5. N 370 Concepts of Scholarly Writing

6. N 375 Cultural Diversity

7. N 380 Health Promotion Across Lifespan

8. N 385 Praxis and Theory Transition

9. N 390 Concept of Critical Thinking

10. N 395 Community and Global Health

11. N 400 Evidenced Based Practice Research

12. N 405 Concepts of Case Management

13. N 410 Community Practicum

14. N 415 Current Trends in Healthcare

15. N 420 Leadership and Management

16. N 425 Nursing Praxis Capstone