Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion Program for RNs
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The Idaho State University School of Nursing Bachelor of Science Completion Program for Registered Nurses (RNs) is designed to provide advanced education and expand opportunities for currently licensed registered nurses and students concurrently enrolled in an Associate Degree RN program. Classes are taught online and one clinical course is required, which can be completed in the student's community of residence.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion program provides learning opportunities for students to prepare them for the role of the professional nurse in today's complex health care system.
More Information
Questions related to this degree program should be addressed to:
Program Overview
Co-Requisite Courses
Our 2 co-requisite courses can be completed before or during program enrollment and must be completed with a C grade or higher.
Requisite Course |
ISU Course |
ISU Credits |
| Pathobiology | BIOL 2229 | 3 |
| Statistical Reasoning | MATH 1153 | 3 |
| Total: 6 |
We use all completed requisites combined with all completed ADRN courses to calculate the nursing application GPA and a minimum 2.0 GPA is required for the nursing application.
If courses are taken outside of Idaho State University, official transcripts verifying successful completion must be submitted to the ISU Registrar’s Office as part of the ISU application process.
Petitions to the School of Nursing may be required to establish equivalence for courses taken from other colleges or universities (see "School of Nursing Petition Process" below).
BSN Completion Program Information
NURS Curriculum
All NURS courses must be completed with a C grade or higher and a minimum 2.0 GPA is required for graduation. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the General Education requirements prior to starting our upper-division nursing courses. Students are also encouraged to review the Baccalaureate Graduation Requirements.
Required NURS Courses |
ISU Course Number |
ISU Credits |
| Professional Nursing in the 21st Century | NURS 3101 | 3 |
| Wellness Across the Lifespan | NURS 3140 | 1 |
| Introduction to Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice | NURS 3331 | 2 |
| Health Equity, Ethics, and Legal Considerations in Nursing | NURS 4101 | 2 |
| Population Health Management in Nursing | NURS 4200 | 3 |
| Community Health Nursing Practicum | NURS 4200C | 2 |
| Leadership and Management in Nursing* | NURS 4220 | 2 |
| Nursing Leadership and Management Practicum | NURS 4220C | 1 |
| Total: 16 |
*NURS 4220 cannot be completed until the student has earned their RN license.
Additional Upper-Division Elective credits may be required to meet Idaho State University’s Bachelor's Degree requirements. We are excited to announce a partnership with the following certificate programs, allowing students to earn the certificate of their choice along with their BSN! Schedule with the program academic advisor to learn more.
| Certificate Type | Total Credits |
|---|---|
| Geriatric Certificate | 8 |
| Certificate in Training and Development | 12 |
| Organizational Leadership Certificate | 12 |
School of Nursing Course Petition Process
- Petitioning Courses
If a course does not transfer to ISU as an equivalent, students can petition the School of Nursing to request that it be accepted as a substitute for a required undergraduate nursing course. Students may also petition courses they are considering taking to seek pre-approval to meet undergraduate requirements.
To submit a course petition, include:
- A completed course petition form for each prerequisite requirement.
- A copy of the course description (a course syllabus is preferred).
- An unofficial transcript showing course completion (not required for pre-approval petitions).
An approved course petition means the course meets the undergraduate nursing requirement but will not appear equivalent to an ISU course on your transcript. The review process typically takes 2-3 weeks.
- Course Expiration Guidelines
There is no expiration timeline for other prerequisite courses.
- Petitioning Other Requirements
Students may also petition other School of Nursing requirements with the guidance of an academic advisor, such as application, admission, or graduation requirements. These petitions must include:
- A completed petition form, including signature and date.
- A statement explaining the reason for the petition.
- Any supporting documentation.
- Additional Resources and Support
For guidance on completing and submitting petitions, students can access the following resources:
- Course Petition Form Process: An outline of what happens during and after the course petition is submitted and how the DocuSign system works.
- Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Fill Out the Course Petition Form: A detailed guide on what each section requires and how to properly complete it.
Step by Step Instructions on how to fill out each section of the Course Petition Form
- Example of an Accurately Filled-Out Course Petition Form: A sample to help students visualize what a correct submission looks like.
- Common Reasons for Voided Course Petitions: This document lists common errors that result in voided petitions, such as missing mandatory attachments. If a petition is voided, it must be corrected and resubmitted.
- Submitting via DocuSign
- Use the Course Petition DocuSign Form Link to access, fill out, and submit your petition through DocuSign.
Program Information and Outcomes
The School of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion program offers the following:
- Online and clinical courses: 16 NURS credits plus 6 co-requisite credits
- Students may concurrently enroll after completing their first term of their Associate Degree in Nursing Program
- Coursework is completed based on an individualized Plan of Study
- Clinical rotations can be planned in the student’s geographic location
- Online educational methods provide flexibility in completion of coursework
Please see the BSN Completion Program Information for the requisite and upper division nursing courses.
If you have questions after looking through the School of Nursing website, please see the Undergraduate Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.
Student Handbook - School of Nursing - Undergraduate - 2024
Program Outcomes
Completion of the undergraduate program provides the graduate with the abilities to:
- Evaluate critical thinking skills based upon nursing knowledge integration, the sciences and the humanities, in planning direct and indirect care for diverse populations in rural or urban settings.
- Develop individual traits and personal power to interact constructively with clients, families, and communities.
- Evaluate the broad range of technology requirements.
- Communicate effectively with clients, families, communities, and other healthcare providers using verbal, nonverbal, electronic, and/or written modalities.
- Evaluate the principles of population health needs.
- Value behaviors congruent with current standards of professional practice, and promote the nursing profession.
- Appraise basic nursing science information and develop expertise in the comprehensive care of clients, families, and communities.
The Importance of a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing
The Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing is a critical first step for a career in professional nursing. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the national voice for baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs, recognizes the BS degree in nursing as the minimum educational requirement for a professional nursing practice. Recommendations by AACN state that education has a significant impact on the knowledge and competencies of the nurse clinician.
Nurses with BS degrees are well-prepared to meet the demands placed on today's nurse. Bachelor of Science nurses are prized for their skills in critical thinking, leadership, case management, and health promotion, and for their ability to practice across a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings. Nurse executives, federal agencies, the military, leading nursing organizations, healthcare foundations, community hospitals, and minority nurse advocacy groups all recognize the unique value that baccalaureate-prepared nurses bring to the practice setting. Following the School of Nursing's curriculum prepares students to become professional registered nurses and includes the following essential components of all baccalaureate nursing programs: a liberal education, professional values, core competencies, core knowledge, and role development.
Finances
Cost of Attendance
In-State and Out-of-State tuition costs at ISU: Cost of Attendance
Professional Fees
In addition to ISU tuition and fees, a professional fee is assessed for all undergraduate and graduate students in the School of Nursing. Professional fees for the nursing programs support faculty salaries, instruction support services, durable and disposable equipment and supplies, faculty, and staff program travel, capital equipment, and a reserve for maintenance and purchase of major capital items.
Scholarships
Idaho State University Scholarships
The School of Nursing annually awards over $100,000 in scholarships, and the School of Nursing scholarship application is available annually in April in the Bengal Online Scholarship System (BOSS).
Please see the Scholarship Office website for more information about scholarship opportunities available through ISU.
Nursing Education Scholarship awarded by Travel Nursing career organization.
Amount: $1,000.
Requirements: Accepted to or currently attending a full-time nursing or medical program at an accredited institution.
Travel Nursing Scholarship.
CampusRN has $15,000 in Scholarships Available to Nursing & Allied Health Students.
Career Opportunities
Search Thousands of Entry Level Jobs, Externships, & Scholarship Opportunities on CampusRN.
Apply for opportunities to teach right here at the Idaho State University School of Nursing.
Browse their Free Job Board, Publications and Events
Eligibility and Selection
Applicants are required to be admitted to ISU and apply separately to the School of Nursing.
To apply for admission Idaho State University, please fill out an Undergraduate Application.
- Apply as a degree-seeking student, undergraduate pre-nursing major.
- There is a $50.00 application fee to Idaho State University.
- Current ISU students do not need to reapply for admission.
Annual application openings for the Bachelor's Completion program track:
- Fall semester for a Spring semester start in the program
- 8 a.m. September 15th through 5 p.m. November 15th
- Spring semester for a Summer semester start in the program
- 8 a.m. December 1st through 5 p.m. February 1st
- Summer semester for a Fall semester start in the program
- 8 a.m. April 1st through 5 p.m. June 1st
In addition to the general requirements of Idaho State University, applicants must meet the following program criteria:
- Enrollment in or completion of an Associate's Degree in Registered Nursing Program
- Cumulative 2.0 GPA among the completed ADN courses combined with any completed requisite courses.
Please review the Application Instructions for BS Completion Admission for more detailed information regarding application criteria, including important deadlines.
Acceptance to the School of Nursing is competitive and meeting admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance. In addition to the general requirements of Idaho State University, the student must meet the following program criteria:
- Enrollment in or Completion of an Associate’s Degree in Registered Nursing Program
- 2.0 GPA – the cumulative GPA among the completed ADN courses combined with any completed requisite courses.
*There is a $50.00 application fee to the School of Nursing.
Application and Admission Requirements for Admission
Applicants are required to meet with a School of Nursing Academic Advisor to determine eligibility, no less than 24 hours prior to the application period closing; however, applicants are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor at least two (2) weeks prior to the application closing.
School of Nursing Advisor will confirm an applicant's eligibility to apply by reviewing the following items:
- Approval of any required course petitions no less than 15 days prior to the application closing date.
- Submit the School of Nursing Undergraduate Petition Form with the required documentation within
- Course Petition Form located on the bottom of the School of Nursing page under 'School of Nursing Course Petition Process' Section: BSN Completion for RNs Webpage
- Submit the School of Nursing Undergraduate Petition Form with the required documentation within
- Create an Academic Plan of Study with the Advisor to include
- Schedule for completion of Nursing curriculum
- Schedule for completion of corequisite classes (statistics and pathobiology)
- Schedule for completion of any additional resident or upper division credits needed to meet ISU Bachelor Degree requirements
- Once the Advisor confirms an applicant's eligibility, they will provide the applicant with the application enrollment key to begin the School of Nursing application in ISU Community Moodle. ISU Community Moodle Application
Admission decisions will be made and sent out via email no later than two weeks after the closing date of the application.
Acceptance to the School of Nursing is contingent on the application meeting admission requirements.
Admission Process once accepted:
- Complete admission requirements.
