RN-BSN Program

Online RN to BSN Program

About the RN to BSN Program

The RN to BSN Program at FHSU provides registered nurses a flexible, 100% on-line option to complete their BSN Degree in as few as three semesters. As an incoming student, you can enter the program at any semester: fall, spring, or summer. The RN to BSN Program can expand your knowledge and skills in leadership and critical thinking and provide future career options.

To Apply, please click the link below for the RN to BSN application. Applicants must have been accepted to Fort Hays State University for their application to be reviewed. Additionally, all official transcripts must be received to process your application.  To Apply to FHSU click the link below.

FHSU RN-BSN Application  (Do Not Use FireFox)

Both NURS 440 Informatics for the RN and NURS 442 Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare may be taken prior to acceptance in the Nursing Program.  Please note the successful completion of these courses does not impact or guarantee acceptance into the program (See Program Entrance Requirements). 

Apply to FHSU

A student applies as an undergraduate virtual transfer student.

Fort Hays State University Department of Nursing does not accept applications for the nursing program from the following states: Tennessee, Alabama, Washington

Background Check

Please note that within 30 days after acceptance into the nursing program, a clear background check (completed with FHSU approved company) will be required to enroll in nursing courses. Information regarding the Background check will be sent to accepted applicants.

Clinical Clearance Requirements

The RN to BSN Program at FHSU requires preceptor lead clinicals in course NURS 449.  Please read the following document for more information regarding this process.  Please note that student liability insurance is required.  

This program requires clinical practicum experiences.  Fort Hays State University works diligently with students to secure clinical contracts across the United States.  On rare occasions due to locations or state or facility requirements, we are unable to negotiate a contract.  In this event, if another site cannot be obtained at the students location, a clinical site in Hays, Kansas will be provided for the student.  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 Nursing Department.

Clinical Clearance Documents

Tuition

Scholarships

Financial-Aid

Transfer Courses

Degree Curriculum

Nursing Curriculum

Enrollment (Step by Step)

FHSU Online

Student Services

Nursing Handbook

Accreditation

Contact Us

Program Entrance Requirements

1. Current active RN license issued in the United States. Students may enroll in University courses while finishing their RN Program. Note: taking University courses before being admitted to the RN-BSN Program does not guarantee admission to the RN-BSN Program.
2. Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above.
3. WES+ and CGFNS transcript reviews required (if applicable).
4. Within 30 days after acceptance into the nursing program, Castlebranch Part I must be completed (items include but not limited to background check, drug test, immunization records).

Program Requirements

1. Maintain active RN license issued in the United States.
2. Minimum grade of C for all Nursing Program Courses.
3. Transfer courses accepted from regionally accredited schools only (verified by the Higher Learning Commission)
4. Courses are to be completed by graduation time and not required to be completed before starting the RN to BSN courses (except courses that serve as pre-requisites).

Course Number	Course	Credit Hours
COMM 100	Fundamentals of Oral Communication (Public Speaking)	3
ENG 101	English Composition I	3
ENG 102	English Composition II	3
MATH 110 or MATH 101	College Algebra or Contemporary Math	3
MATH 250	Elements of Statistics	3
BIOL 230 & BIOL 231 + labs	Human Anatomy & Physiology + lab (s)	5-8
BIOL 240 + lab	Microbiology + lab	4-5
CHEM 100	Chemist's View of the World	3
PSY 100	General Psychology	3
SOC 140	Understanding Society:Introductory Sociology	3

Degree Requirements

• 120 credit hours or above required for a BSN degree, 30 taken directly through FHSU. 45 credit hours must be upper division and 60 credit hours must be from a 4-year school.
• Minimum 45 credit hours of general education required for transfer students with an associate's degree from a regionally accredited school. More information is located here: Transfer Articulation Agreement
• Diploma Nurses (without 45 transferable credit hours) will have a few more general-education classes to complete. More information is located here: General Education Program
• International Students: The RN to BSN Program is an on-line 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.

General Education Requirements

•  Twelve (12) credit hours of basic skills courses, including:
  English Composition I
  English Composition II
  Speech Communication (Fundamentals of Oral Communication)
  College level mathematics (College Algebra or Liberal Arts Math)
•  Twelve (12) credit hours of Humanities courses (performance/studio courses are excluded) from at least three of the following disciplines:
  Art
  Theater
  Philosophy
  Modern Languages
  Music
  History
  Literature
• Twelve (12) hours of Social and Behavioral Science courses from at least three of the following disciplines:
  Into to Sociology (required for RN to BSN Program)
  General Psychology (required for RN to BSN Program)
  Political Science
  Economics
  Geography
  Anthropology
•  Nine (9) credit hours of Natural and Physical Science courses from at least two disciplines (lecture with lab), for a total of 11 hours:
  Anatomy & Physiology + lab (required for RN to BSN Program, minimum 5 credit hours)
  Microbiology + lab (required for RN to BSN Program, minimum 4 credit hours)
  Chemistry (no lab) (required for RN to BSN Program, minimum 3 credit hours)
•  Transfer students must fulfill one 3 credit hour upper-division integrative course which fulfills a university requirement.
  IDS 400 Bioethics

RN to BSN Courses 

All courses are 8 weeks in length. A section of each course will be offered every 8 weeks.  Both NURS 440 Informatics for the RN and NURS 442 Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare may be taken prior to acceptance in the Nursing Program.  Please note the successful completion of these courses does not impact or guarantee acceptance into the program (See Program Entrance Requirements).

(Contact your academic advisor for more information)

*Class NURS 449 requires direct care hours with a preceptor and approved clinical site.

Advanced Standing Credit

As a Registered Nurse, you are eligible for Advanced Standing Credit towards your BSN degree by demonstrating successful completion of the NCLEX-RN national exam. The University requires 45 upper division hours and 60 hours from a four-year institution.  Advanced Standing Credit can help you achieve these requirements. 36 credit hours will be credited and posted to the student's transcript at the end of the final semester.  Below are the courses that may be credited.

Scholarships

• Campus Scholarships
• Nursing Scholarships
  • Kansas Nurses Foundation
  • Dane G. Hansen Forgivable Loan
  • Drury Loan

Accreditation

Fort Hays State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. More information is located here: https://www.fhsu.edu/academic/provost/accredited_programs/index

The Baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Fort Hays State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education http://www.ccneaccreditation.org