Online RN to BSN
The RN to BSN Pathway at Northampton University’s College of Nursing is thoughtfully designed to support Registered Nurses (RNs) holding a current license as they pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Tailored to meet the demands of today’s healthcare environment, this program equips RNs with the expertise, skills, and mindset needed to excel in dynamic and evolving care settings.
The RN to BSN Professional Component offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers critical aspects of modern nursing practice. Through engaging, fully online courses, students will delve into topics such as leadership, informatics, global health issues, and interprofessional collaboration. The program not only enhances patient care skills but also empowers graduates to apply research to clinical practice and adapt to the complexities of healthcare delivery. Designed with flexibility in mind, this pathway is ideal for working professionals balancing career, family, and education.
Program Highlights
- Flexible Online Format: All courses are delivered online, allowing students to progress at their own pace while managing other responsibilities.
- Dynamic Curriculum: Six carefully crafted nursing courses totaling 24 credit hours focus on relevant, real-world challenges in professional nursing.
- Accelerated or Gradual Completion: The program can be completed in as little as two semesters or stretched over a maximum of five years.
- Exclusive Coursework: All Professional Component courses must be completed at Northampton University, ensuring a high-quality and consistent educational experience. Upper-division nursing credits from other institutions will not transfer toward the required 24 credit hours.
Curriculum Overview – 24 Credit Hours
- NU 450: Leadership & Management Roles for Professional Nursing Practice (4 credits)
- NU 451: Current Issues and Trends in Professional Nursing Practice (4 credits)
- NU 452: Clinical Prevention and Population Health (4 credits)
- NU 453: Information Management and Technology in Healthcare (4 credits)
- NU 454: Research and Evidence-Based Practice Practicum (4 credits)
- NU 455: Concepts of Interprofessional Practice (4 credits)
By completing this program, graduates will be fully prepared to provide high-quality care, leverage technology in healthcare, address pressing global health concerns, and collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary teams. Northampton University’s RN to BSN Pathway is the next step in advancing both your nursing career and the quality of care you deliver.
Prerequisites for RN to BSN Program – A Total of 59 Credit Hours
The RN to BSN program requires the completion of 18 prerequisite courses, totaling 59 semester hours. These general education courses can be taken at any accredited institution and must be successfully completed prior to admission to the Professional Component. The College of Nursing follows a policy of averaging grades for any repeated coursework.
Written Communication
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| EH 101 English Composition I | 3 |
| EH 102 English Composition II | 3 |
Humanities and Fine Arts
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Fine Arts (Music, Drama, or Art) | 3 |
| *Literature Elective (American, British, or World) | 3 |
| Humanities Elective (Literature for sequence, Philosophy, Foreign Language, Music, Art, Drama, Public Speaking, or Religion) | 6 |
History/Social and Behavioral Science
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| PSY 120 Introduction to Psychology or Psychology Elective | 3 |
| *History elective (US, World, or Western Civilization) | 3 |
| History/Social/Behavioral Science Elective (history for sequence, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Geography, Communications, or Anthropology) | 6 |
Natural Sciences
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| College Algebra, Finite Math, or Pre-Calculus | 3 |
| Chemistry & Lab or Biology with a Lab | 4 |
| Second Natural Science with a Lab (Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics, or Astronomy) | 4 |
Major Requirements
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
BLY 213 & BLY 214 Microbiology & Lab OR BMD 210 Microbiology in Healthcare & BMD 210L Lab | 4 |
| BMD 251 Human Anatomy & Physiology I includes Lab | 4 |
| BMD 252 Human Anatomy & Physiology II includes Lab | 4 |
| ST 210 / ST 305 / BUS 245 / PSY 220 Statistics (Select one) | 3 |
| Computer Elective | 3 |
Total Credits 59
*Must have one history elective and one literature elective. In addition, you must choose a second history or second literature to complete a two-part sequence (e.g. US History I, US History II or American Literature I, American Literature II)
Evaluation of a student’s transcripts by the College of Nursing for the Online RN-BSN Pathway is contingent upon the official transfer credit articulation of your complete academic history. This is done by the USA Registrar once you are admitted as a transfer student to the University.
Students can use the USA Transfer Evaluation System to assess which credits earned at their current or former school may transfer to the University of South Alabama. This is an unofficial course evaluation.
Transfer Students can locate information on admission requirements, Pathway USA Program, Transfer Center, General Education/Core Curriculum.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Graduation
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is conferred upon successful completion of the Professional Component. To receive the degree, students must submit a graduation application by the specified deadline for the semester in which they fulfill all degree requirements. The USA Graduation Application, along with deadline information for each semester, can be found on the USA Registrar’s website.
Online RN-BSN/MSN
Students enrolled in the RN-BSN program at USA are encouraged to continue their education as graduate students. As they approach the completion of their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, they can submit the College of Nursing Supplemental Application by the posted MSN application deadline. For more details about the application process, please contact our Graduate Advisors at info@northamptonuni.ac
MSN Specialties
The MSN program at USA offers a range of specialty tracks designed to advance nursing careers. Students can choose from the following options:
- Nursing Informatics
- Nursing Administration
- Clinical Nurse Leader
- Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult/Gerontological Nursing
- Nurse Practitioner Specialties
- Adult-Geron Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Geron Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric (Family) Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
- Dual Role (Family NP/Adult-Geron Acute Care NP)
- Dual Role (Family NP/Emergency NP)
Students pursuing a Nurse Practitioner track must have a minimum of two years of clinical experience before beginning their specialty courses. Additionally, a competitive undergraduate GPA is required to secure a spot in the program. All MSN coursework is delivered online, with clinical requirements completed at approved facilities.
MSN Graduation
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is conferred upon successful completion of all program requirements. To receive the degree, students must apply for graduation through the Registrar’s Office. Graduation applications are available on the Registrar’s website.
By advancing their education with USA’s MSN program, students gain the skills and credentials needed to excel in their nursing careers and make a lasting impact in healthcare.
Concurrent Enrollment with Community Colleges
USA’s Concurrent ADN to BSN program offers a faster pathway to earning your nursing degree compared to the traditional 2+2 model.
This innovative program allows you to take ADN-level courses at Coastal Alabama Community College or Jones College while simultaneously completing BSN courses online, taught by USA faculty. By the time you finish your ADN degree, you could already have completed more than half of your BSN credits. From there, you’ll transition seamlessly to USA’s RN to BSN program, offered in a flexible, fully online format designed to fit your schedule.
As part of the program, students will take the NCLEX-RN exam after completing the ADN portion and before enrolling in the final BSN courses at USA. To continue in the RN to BSN program after graduation, students must also complete all prerequisite courses.
USA’s Concurrent ADN to BSN program is designed to streamline your journey to a nursing degree so you can begin making an impact in your field sooner.