Nursing, BSN

RN-to-BSN
Advance: your Degree- your Career- your Life.

The RN-to-BSN is a post licensure program designed to prepare the students with an understanding of: nursing, health and healing, the environment, and persons as diverse individuals, families, populations, and communities.

The graduate of the Collin College RN-to-BSN Program is prepared to:

• Use clinical reasoning and knowledge based on the nursing program of study, evidence-based practice outcomes, and research studies as the bases for decision-making and comprehensive, safe patient and population care
• Demonstrate inquiry and analysis in applying patient care technologies and information systems to support safe nursing practice and population risk reduction
• Lead safety and quality improvement activities as part of the interdisciplinary team and as an advocate and manager of nursing care
• Manage care transitions and promote population risk reduction with diverse communities in collaboration with members of the interdisciplinary health care team
• Participate in monitoring institutional, professional, and public policy to maintain adherence to standards of practice within legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks of the professional nurse
• Demonstrate leadership skills related to financial, human resource, clinical, and professional issues in providing and evaluating care
• Demonstrate leadership and advocacy that reflects the values and ethics of the nursing profession

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) will be awarded based upon achieving satisfactory score(s) of all courses.

FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES/CORE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS STATEMENT

After initial acceptance to this program, all students are required to meet specific functional abilities - with or without accommodations - for successful completion of the program and to function safely and effectively in the variety of the profession’s settings. The specific functional requirements are found in the Functional Abilities/Core Performance Standards documents provided in the program information on the Nursing website http://www.collin.edu/nursing. Students who think they may not be able to meet the functional standards and need accommodation are encouraged to contact the college ACCESS department as soon as this program is of interest.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Various scholarships are available to students when they have been accepted into the Nursing Program. Most scholarships are awarded based on financial need. Other types of monetary support are available through the college’s Financial Aid Office.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Students assume financial responsibility for: tuition, fees, books, uniforms, immunizations, transportation (may include clinical parking passes), clinical accessories/equipment, drug testing, health coverage, testing and tutorial software, and personal computers.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Admission to the Nursing RN-to-BSN Program is selective. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the RN-to-BSN Program. Registration into upper division courses is by permission only. Information and applications may be obtained from the Nursing Office or the Nursing website: http://www.collin.edu/nursing.

• Complete an application for admission to Collin College
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities and/or a diploma from a school of nursing
• Complete an associate degree in nursing from an accredited educational institution or hold a diploma from a school of nursing
• Minimum overall grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (NGPA- Nursing cumulative coursework): 2.5 in BIOL 2401 - Anatomy and Physiology I ; BIOL 2402 - Anatomy and Physiology II ; BIOL 2420 - Microbiology for Non-Science Majors  
• Must be within six (6) to eight (8) credit hours of completion of the Texas Common Core Curriculum (at time of application): All general education courses and prerequisite course work must be completed prior to registering for upper division Nursing courses.
• The RN-to-BSN program is for Registered Nurses. Graduate nurses (GN’s) may apply and be conditionally admitted to the program but must pass the NCLEX before starting course work. Course work is offered at the McKinney (Central Park) Campus and most courses are offered face to face.
• Criminal background checks and drug screenings must be completed prior to enrollment into the nursing courses. Each student is responsible for the costs and fees. Students will be required to use the approved vendor for Collin College Nursing Division to process background checks. Only those individuals with a valid RN license with no stipulations will be allowed to apply to the program.
• Attend new RN-to-BSN student orientation
• Professional liability insurance coverage (fee will be added as mandatory fee at time of registration)
• Purchase uniforms, equipment, and medical equipment for clinical experiences
• Provide nursing department a copy of health insurance information and driver’s license prior to clinical rotations and update as needed
• Successful completion of drug screen, background check, and physical/mental competencies.
• Submit a current basic life support (BLS) for the healthcare provider certification
• Current physical examination documentation
• Provide documentation of a current negative TB test
• Show positive titer immunizations required by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS)

Immunization Requirements
VACCINE	When Required
Vaccine Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR)	Blood titer ONLY (you must provide actual lab that illustrates positive immunity)
Biology Tetanus-Diphtheria (Tdap)	Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (within last ten years); NOTE This is not Td or DTap
Hepatitis B series	Blood titer ONLY (you must provide actual lab that illustrates positive immunity)
Varicella	Blood titer ONLY (Serologic confirmation of immunity is accepted)
Tuberculosis Screening	You are required to submit an Intradermal PPD (Mantoux) or Quanteferon blood test every 12 months, unless previously positive. PPD documentation must include date placed, date read an mm induration (even if it is 0mm). If positive, a chest X-ray alone is not acceptable
Flu vaccination	Required during flu season - Usually September to April

Prior to Enrollment:
Students who will be earning a baccalaureate degree from Collin College MUST satisfy ALL course work requirements of the Texas core curriculum. Collin College will ensure students transferring into the RN-to-BSN program have completely met the core objectives defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board which encompasses the 42-semester credit hour requirement. Academic advisors are available at each campus to assist students in evaluation of prior course work and selection of equivalent courses. The following semester hours must be completed prior to enrollment in upper-division nursing courses.