RN to BSN

The online RN to BSN program includes core courses on the role of technology in nursing, evolving responsibilities in leadership, and complexities of healthcare laws and patient advocacy. Some courses emphasize health promotion and disease prevention in diverse populations and cover evidence-based practice to improve patient care. Students also study healthcare policy and can choose electives to tailor the program to their career goals. Below are a few of the courses in the RN to BSN program:

NURS 446: Nursing Inquiry for the RN

This course helps students understand the research process by exploring and analyzing nursing evidence to enhance patient outcomes.

NURS 449: Leadership and Management for the RN with Practicum

This course features a practicum to help students synthesize nursing knowledge in leadership and management. Students will complete 32 hours with a BSN-prepared Registered Nurse preceptor, focusing on leadership activities and direct patient care. Clinical clearance is required, and a site contract may be needed. For details, contact nurs.contracts@fhsu.edu.

NURS 450: Healthcare Quality Improvement for the RN

This course will provide the student with an opportunity to perform a needs assessment within a healthcare community setting. Students will develop an evidence-based strategy for systems change.

Discover the full RN to BSN program course listing by visiting the Academic Catalog.

The online RN to BSN program at FHSU prepares graduates for diverse and rewarding career opportunities. Earning a BSN enables registered nurses to take on leadership roles and specialize in various nursing fields. The comprehensive nursing program helps BSN graduates expand their critical thinking skills and gain specialized knowledge to thrive in the healthcare industry. Here are five career paths that graduates can pursue:

Nurse Manager/Supervisor

As a nurse manager/supervisor, you'll oversee nursing staff, manage budgets, and ensure high-quality patient care. This role requires strong leadership skills. You will develop nursing schedules, conduct staff evaluations, and implement patient care policies. You will play a crucial role in staff development, helping team members achieve their full potential.

Public Health Nurse

Public health nurses focus on health promotion and disease prevention within communities. They design and implement educational programs, conduct health assessments, and advocate for policies that improve public health. This role involves working with diverse populations and requires a solid foundation in community health nursing principles.

Nursing Educator

As a nursing educator, you'll teach and mentor nurses in clinical settings. Responsibilities include competency assessment of nursing staff, patient education, and providing educational nursing support. Nursing educators are critical in shaping the next generation of nurses and often engage in nursing research to stay updated on the latest advancements.

The online RN to BSN program at Fort Hays State University is designed for registered nurses seeking to advance their careers by earning a bachelor's degree in nursing. To ensure a smooth application process, prospective students should meet the following admission requirements:

• An unencumbered active RN license issued in the United States.
• Cumulative GPA or Associate in Nursing Degree GPA ≥ 2.5. Students who do not meet the cumulative GPA or Associate in Nursing Degree GPA of ≥ 2.5 may be admitted on probation if their cumulative GPA and Associate in Nursing Degree is 2.00-2.49.
• Must have earned a "C" or better in any FHSU RN to BSN course before applying.
• International students with an F1 or F2 visa do not qualify for this program.
• Must meet university requirements for any transfer credit.

We do not accept applications from students residing in Tennessee, Washington, and Alabama.

Clinical Clearance Requirements must be met prior to enrollment in course NURS 449. Please see the FHSU Nursing Handbook for a list of requirements.

Progression Requirements for RN to BSN Students

• Students must pass all RN-BSN program courses with a C or better. Grades resulting in a D or U are considered failing. Two failed RN-BSN courses will result in a dismissal recommendation. Students may follow the University Appeal guidelines.
• Students must maintain an FHSU Major GPA of ≥ 2.5 to continue in the program. Students receiving an FHSU Major GPA of < 2.5 may be dismissed.
• RN to BSN students may withdraw from program courses according to the university withdrawal deadlines.

Probation Guidelines

• Students admitted on probation must achieve a GPA of ≥ 2.5 in the first semester to receive full admission.
• Students may be dismissed if they fail to achieve a GPA of ≥ 2.5 in the first semester.

Clinical Clearance Requirements

The online RN to BSN program at FHSU requires preceptor-led clinicals in course NURS 449.  Please note that clinical clearance requirements include obtaining student liability insurance, a background check, drug testing, and immunization records.  

Fort Hays State University works diligently with students to secure clinical contracts across the United States.  On rare occasions, we are unable to negotiate a contract due to location, state, or facility requirements.  If another site cannot be obtained at the student's location, the student will be provided with a clinical site in Hays, Kansas.  If this occurs, students will need a Kansas license and will need to come to Kansas for their practicum experience.  We encourage you to start the collaborative process of obtaining a preceptor early in your program.  If you have questions about this process, please contact the Department of Nursing at  Nurs.Contracts@fhsu.edu.

Program Requirements

• COMM 100: Oral Communication
• ENG 101: English Composition I
• ENG 102: English Composition II
• MATH 110 or MATH 101: College Algebra OR Contemporary Math
• BIOL 230/230L + BIOL 231/231L: Human Anatomy & Physiology I, II, and Labs
• BIOL 240/240L: Microbiology for Allied Health and Lab
• CHEM 100 or CHEM 110: Chemist’s View of the World OR Molecules and Society
• PSY 100: General Psychology

Degree Requirements

• 120 credit hours or more are required for a BSN degree, 30 taken directly through FHSU, and 45 credit hours must be upper division.
• Transfer students from KBOR institutions who have completed an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) program at a Kansas community college will have fulfilled all FHSU general education requirements.
• Transfer students from outside Kansas who have completed an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) program from a regionally accredited institution outside of Kansas must complete the  KBOR system-wide general education program requirements. This also includes Diploma Nurses with less than 36 transferable credit hours.
• International Students: The RN to BSN Program is an online program. It does not meet the requirements for International students who require on-campus courses.
• Students who have a current U.S. RN license with transcripts from outside the United States must have two evaluations completed on his/her transcripts: WES+ and  CGFNS .

All nursing courses/transcripts from outside the United States require additional evaluation by the Commission of Graduates Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). A course-by-course evaluation is required to confirm the degree, course credit, and grades, including the grade point average.