RN-BSN Completion Track
The RN-BSN track is for the registered nurse with an active, unencumbered licenses or new graduates with an ADN or AAS who are eligible for licensure. Nurses wishing to further their education through the completion of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing find the online 24-hour accessibility of all coursework convenient and manageable.
BSN graduates gain exposure to a wider range of nursing competencies not typically taught in an associate degree program:
- Decision-making and critical thinking
- Leadership and management skills
- Holistic assessment of patients, families, and groups
- Evidence-based research to strengthen and improve patient outcomes
Create an account and apply now for admission to the RN to BSN program.
Broaden your range of nursing competencies while preparing for leadership roles in the 100 percent online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Austin Peay State University. Enhance your decision-making and critical-thinking skills, prepare for graduate school, and learn holistic assessment techniques for patients, families and groups. You can complete this affordable and accessible program in as few as 12 months.
This CCNE accredited RN to BSN program will enrich your ability to provide safe and effective care in an evolving healthcare environment, with an emphasis on demonstrating cultural competence in providing care to individuals and groups. Plus, our unique "Pathways to Certification" initiative supplements the core curriculum with electives in either holistic or wound management nursing specifically designed to prepare you for certification exams.
Expand your professional knowledge in such areas as pathophysiology, community nursing, ethical and legal issues in healthcare, and more. You will study the principles of analyzing and treating diseases across the human life span, prepare for graduate school, and learn to perform holistic nursing assessments and physical examinations. Examine evidence-based research to strengthen and improve patient outcomes.
As part of our rigorous core curriculum, you will learn prevention and health promotion practices for populations, including clinical experiences in both individual and family settings. In addition, you will evaluate trends and current issues impacting holistic healthcare and the nursing profession. Plus, gain a background in managerial and leadership concepts and apply them to professional nursing roles.
Our electives provide a convenient pathway to BSN-level certifications—in holistic nursing with the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation or in wound management as a Wound Treatment Associate (WTA) through the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse Certification Board (WOCNCB).
The APSU School of Nursing faculty is comprised of published practitioners and experienced nurse educators who are committed to your success. Benefit from accelerated 7-week courses, with the convenience of five start dates per year.
In this online program, you will learn to:
- Collaborate in safe, cost-effective care using evidence-based practice to support optimal client health outcomes.
- Integrate knowledge about current healthcare policy, finance and regulatory environments.
- Employ effective oral, written and technological communication skills when interacting with colleagues, clients and the healthcare system.
- Demonstrate culturally competent health promotion and disease prevention interventions for individuals and populations.
- Exhibit professionalism and professional values that include altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity and social justice.
Statewide Articulation Agreement
APSU participates in a statewide articulation agreement for RN-BSN students. These voluntary articulation plans and models are developed collaboratively with nurse educators, regulators, such as the Tennessee Board of Nursing, legislators, and stakeholders with a goal of enhancing the educational mobility for RN’s. The agreements guide credit transfer between associate degree and baccalaureate degree programs and admission decisions. The agreements eliminate curricular redundancy, streamline the application process and promote collaboration among institutions and educators.
To be eligible for admission:
- Students must have graduated from an accredited Associate Degree or Diploma Nursing
Program.
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In cases where students have not graduate from an accredited program completion of validation testing will be required. Successful completion of the National League for Nursing (NLN) Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exams (NACE) II is required to validate current knowledge in Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Adult Health, and Psychiatric Nursing. Please follow the link to NLN Testing division.
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- Students must hold an unrestricted RN license.
- Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Students must achieve a minimum grade of “C” in all nursing courses in the prelicensure associate or diploma program.
- A grade of “C” or higher in the first twelve Nursing credit hours and an “S” in the clinical components.
Admission Process
The application process is easy and all online. Follow the steps below.
- Create an account and apply now for admission to the RN to BSN program.
- Have all colleges and nursing schools submit transcripts to the Admission's Office.
- Submit a copy of your nursing license with the expiry date to admissions@apsu.edu and include your A number.
- If you have questions email rntobsn@apsu.edu
Admission Requirements
The admission process is the first step toward earning your online degree. Familiarize yourself with these requirements for the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing online program, along with information on required documentation.
- Must have graduated from an accredited associate degree or diploma nursing program. Otherwise, you must successfully complete the National League for Nursing (NLN) Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) II to validate current knowledge in pediatrics, obstetrics, adult health, and psychiatric nursing.
- Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on all completed college credits
- Unrestricted RN license
- High school transcripts are required for anyone who graduated after 1989. This can be waived with proof of 6 hours of U.S. History and 60+ hours on official college transcript.
- Official transcripts, submitted directly from all colleges, universities and/or nursing schools attended
If you need to submit official documents by mail, send them to:
Austin Peay State UniversityOffice of Admissions
P.O. Box 4548
Clarksville, TN 37044
Documentation can be sent via email to: admissions@apsu.edu
The following is the tuition breakdown for students pursuing a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing online. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
In-State Tuition
| RN to BSN | Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Hour Course | Per 30-Credit Hour Program | |||||
| In-State Tuition | $280 | $840 | $8,400 | |||||
| Fees | $51.25 | $153.75 | $1,537.50 | |||||
| Total | $331.25 | $993.75 | $9,937.50 |
Out-of-State Tuition
| RN to BSN | Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Hour Course | Per 30-Credit Hour Program | |||||
| Out-of-State Tuition | $511 | $1,533 | $15,330 | |||||
| Fees | $51.25 | $153.75 | $1,537.50 | |||||
| Total | $562.25 | $1,686.75 | $16,867.50 |
*Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice by action of the Board of Trustees.
Sample Progression Plans and Course Information
| Fall I | |||
| NURS 3300 | 3 hrs | ||
| NURS 4350 | 3 hrs | ||
| Fall II | |||
| NURS 4351 | 3 hrs | ||
| NURS 3310 | 3 hrs | ||
| Elective | 3 hrs | ||
| 15 hrs |
| Spring I | |||
| NURS 4370 | 3 hrs | ||
| NURS 3380 | 2 hrs | ||
| Spring II | |||
| NURS 4371 | 3 hrs | ||
| NURS 3390/3391 | 4 hrs | ||
| NURS 4380 | 3 hrs | ||
| 15 hrs |
| Fall I | |||
| NURS 3300 | 2 hrs | ||
| NURS 3380 | 3 hrs | ||
| Fall II | |||
| NURS 3390/3391 | 4 hrs | ||
| 9 hrs |
| Spring I | |||
| NURS 4350 | 3 hrs | ||
| Spring II | |||
| NURS 4351 | 3 hrs | ||
| NURS 3310 | 3 hrs | ||
| 9 hrs |
| Summer | |||
| NURS 4380 | 3 hrs | ||
| Elective | 3 hrs | ||
| 6 hrs |
| Fall I | |||
| NURS 4370 | 3 hrs | ||
| 3 hrs | |||
| Fall II | |||
| NURS 4371 | 3 hrs | ||
| 3 hrs |
The RN-BSN curriculum has been designed with the working RN in mind. Follow this link to Course Descriptions.
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NURS 3300 Concepts of Professional Nursing for RNs |
3 Hours |
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NURS 3380 Pathophysiology for RNs |
2 Hours |
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NURS 3390/3391 Nursing Assessment for RNs/Lab |
4 Hour |
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NURS 3310 Research for RNs |
3 Hour |
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NURS 4350 Community Nursing for RNs |
3 Hours |
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NURS 4351 Community Nursing for RNs Clinical |
3 Hours |
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NURS 4380 Trends & Issues for RNs |
3 Hours |
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NURS 4370 Leadership for RNs |
3 Hours |
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NURS 4371 Leadership for RNs / Clinical |
3 Hours |
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Electives (Choose One) |
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NURS 3341 Holistic Nursing for RNs |
3 Hours |
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NURS 3344 Wound Care for RNs |
3 Hours |
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Anatomy and Physiology I & II (Including lab) |
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8 Hours |
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Microbiology (Including lab) |
4 Hours |
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Sociology |
3 Hours |
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General Psychology |
3 Hours |
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Developmental Psychology |
3 Hours |
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Statistics |
3 Hours |
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English Composition I & II |
6 Hours |
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Literature |
3 Hours |
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Public Speaking |
3 Hours |
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History |
6 Hours |
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Humanities* |
6 Hours |
*Art, Music, or Theatre Appreciation or a Philosophy course