R.N. to B.S. Nursing Admissions & Program Information

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R.N. to B.S. Nursing

The registered nurse with an Associate of Science degree or a diploma in nursing may complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Southwestern Adventist University in a minimum of five eight-week modules, or over a more extended period of time. The R.N. to B.S. in Nursing program is fully online.

 

Admission Criteria – R.N. to B.S. Program

  1. Meet all admission requirements for enrollment at Southwestern Adventist University.
  2. Complete all steps in the Nursing Application Process.
  3. Complete all Nursing prerequisite courses (21 credits) with a grade of C or better:
    • BIOL 101 & BIOL 102 Anatomy and Physiology I and II (8 semester credits with lab)
    • BIOL 220 Microbiology (4 semester credits with lab)
    • SOCI 111 Sociology (3 semester credits)
    • MATH 141 Introduction to Probability and Statistics (3 semester credits)
    • PSYC 220 Human Growth and Development (3 semester credits)
  4. Completion of an Associate of Science degree or Diploma Nursing program from an accredited college or university in the United States, including Texas baccalaureate general education core requirement (or core requirement from another state).
  5. Successfully complete a minimum of 84 semester credits prior to enrolling in the RN to BS program (it may possible to take 6 of these credits concurrently).
  6. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
  7. Active unencumbered RN license, or temporary RN permit, or RN licensure within 3 months of graduating from an Associate of Science degree or Diploma program. RN license must be in the state(s) in which the student participates in any clinical learning experience.

 

Admission Process – R.N. to B.S. Program

All Application materials must be submitted to the Admissions Office by published deadlines.

  1. Apply Online to Southwestern Adventist University
  2. Obtain two professional references (one must be from nursing supervisor if applicant is working in nursing), which attest to professional competence, scholastic ability, emotional stability, and physical health. Forms may be printed from the website or obtained from the Nursing Department. Send completed forms to the Admissions Office, Southwestern Adventist University, 100 W. Hillcrest Street, Keene, TX 76059.
  3. Send official transcripts from all schools attended (high school, colleges and/or universities) to Southwestern Adventist University Admissions Office.

 

Nursing Policies – R.N. to B.S. Program

Continuation and Progression Policies

  1. Nursing students are required to meet the curriculum and progression guidelines published in the most recent edition of the University Bulletin.
  2. The Department of Nursing reserves the right to require withdrawal of a nursing student from the program or a nursing course who fails to demonstrate competency or academic integrity and/or displays inappropriate, unprofessional, dishonest, or unsafe behavior. Additional criteria for continuation in the program are consistent with the standards of the Texas Board of Nursing.
  3. Students must maintain a cumulative nursing GPA of at least 2.5 in required NURS nursing courses to progress in nursing and to graduate. No grade lower than 75% (C) will be accepted in nursing and nursing cognate courses. Students whose nursing GPA falls below 2.5 at any time during the program must raise their nursing GPA to 2.5 or better in the next semester to continue in the program. If the nursing GPA remains below 2.5 for a second semester, the student will be required to repeat one or more nursing courses specified by the Nursing Progression Committee to raise the nursing GPA to 2.5 or above. Students who repeat a nursing course to raise their nursing GPA must re-enroll in the course within one year. If the nursing GPA remains below 2.5 after the repeated nursing course, the student will be permanently dropped from the program.
  4. Students are allowed only one repeated nursing course due to course failure.
  5. Students are allowed only one nursing course withdrawal, which must be withdrawn by the university withdrawal date.
  6. All nursing courses are to be completed within a six-year time frame.
  7. Students must complete all nursing courses at Southwestern Adventist University.
  8. Students must maintain current unencumbered RN licensure in the U.S. throughout their enrollment in the RN-BS nursing program.
  9. Before participating in any clinical experience, students who are not currently employed as a RN must submit to and pay for a background check and drug screen completed through the Nursing Department's compliance management company, CastleBranch. Proof of required immunizations, TB test, and CPR documentation must also be submitted to CastleBranch. For students who are currently employed as a RN, employment will be verified through their Human Resources Department prior to the start of their clinical experience.
  10. Clinical uniform includes professional attire with a white lab jacket and SWAU student ID badge.

Immunization Requirements

  1. Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis immunization or proof of immunity/positive titer.
  2. Two doses of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) immunization or proof of immunity/positive titer.
  3. Two doses of Varicella (chicken pox) immunization or proof of immunity/positive titer.
  4. Hepatitis B immunization series (3 immunizations), or proof of immunity/positive titer.
  5. Annual flu vaccine before posted date.

Tuberculosis clearance:

Negative TB Skin test (PPD), Quantiferon Gold blood test, or chest x-ray, annually.

CPR Requirement:

CPR for the Healthcare Provider (American Heart Association) Basic Life Support (BLS).

 

Termination Policy

The following situations or conditions will result in termination from the nursing program:

  • Unsafe, unethical, or unprofessional nursing practice
  • Failure to abide by the SWAU Nursing Student Handbook
  • Unresolved issues with the drug screen and background checks

Readmission Policy

  • Students who are out of the program for more than two semesters must reapply to the program. Readmission is not guaranteed and space for re-entering students may be limited.

Readmission is possible for nursing students who left the program in good standing and according to the nursing progression criteria. Students who have been out of the program will return under the current Bulletin. All nursing courses must be completed within six years.