Bachelor of Science in Nursing: RN to BS Degree Completion Option

Attention Licensed RN's -

UMass Lowell's part-time Bachelor of Science in Nursing - RN to BS Degree Completion Option is available on campus, online, and in a "blended" online / on-campus format - making it more convenient than ever for licensed RN's to earn their Bachelor's Degree part-time.

This Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Completion Option has been developed specifically for licensed RNs by the University's Department of Nursing which is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), and it is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN).

Affordable tuition:

• Face-to-face courses are $330 per credit
• Blended courses are $330 per credit
• Online courses are $360 per credit

Students completing their degree will be able to take many of their non-nursing electives in a totally online format, or on campus if preferred.

Please note, because the blended nursing courses combine both online and face-to-face class sessions, this program is not recommended for individuals living outside of a 60 mile radius of Lowell, MA.

UMass Lowell’s Department of Nursing is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), and it is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN).

Admission Requirements

Admission to this degree completion option is open to Massachusetts licensed RNs, providing their license has not been revoked, suspended, or made probationary as result of a disciplinary action. Registered nurses transferring their prior college-level Nursing courses must have received a minimum 2.7 GPA in their prior nursing courses, science courses, and for their cumulative average.

Note: A maximum of 75 credits may be transfered from another institution of higher education to this program (60 credits for those who have completed a prior bachelor's degree). At least 30 credits towards this program must be completed at UMass Lowell.

 

Course Descriptions

33.103 Academic Strategies: Portfolio and Seminar

Nursing Students with an associate or baccalaureate degree will submit a portfolio to demonstrate how they have met the course objectives. The portfolio will show evidence of goal setting and time management, UML library orientation for literature searches, understanding of academic integrity, writing and referencing using APA style. The student will participate in seminar(s) on communication, cultural sensitivity, and conflict resolution. 1 credits.

33.301 Research in Nursing and Health Care

This course focuses on the research process, examples of knowledge derived from health research, and the application of this knowledge. Health care research interests and methodology of various disciplines are examined. This course can be taken prior to but no later than the fifth semester. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Pre or co-requisite: 92.283 Introduction to Statistics.

33.306 Health Assessment

This combined didactic and laboratory course builds on the students' professional nursing education and experiences through the inclusion of health assessment information as applied to the professional nursing role in the community setting. Emphasis is on systematic data collection including thorough history taking, physical examination, screening and risk-factor recognition. 3 credits.

33.307 Concepts for Baccalaureate Nursing

This course is designated as a transition course for registered nurse students pursuing a baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing. This course aims to refine critical thinking skills and analyze nursing's unique contribution to health care. Consideration is given to the interrelationships of theory, research, and practice. Special emphasis is placed on the concepts of health promotion and risk reduction as they relate to individuals and families who are at risk for or experiencing health problems. This course includes a practicum component that focuses on the development of interventions to promote the health of individuals and families at risk. 3 credits.

33.308 Health Promotion in Nursing

This course is designed as a transition course for registered nurse students pursuing a baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing. It introduces the theory and research related to the concepts of health/ promotion and risk reduction. These concepts are presented as essential components of professional nursing practice. This course includes a clinical practicum which focuses on the development of interventions to promote the health of individuals and families. This course aims to refine critical thinking skills and analyze nursing's unique contribution to health care. Consideration is given to the interrelationships of theory, research and practice. 2 credits. Prerequisite: Academic Plan Nursing (BS); RN’s only. Co-requisite: 33.309

33.309 Health Promotion Practicum

This course is a clinical practicum which focuses on the development of interventions to promote the health of individuals and families. This course aims to refine critical thinking skills and analyze nursing's unique contribution to health care. Consideration is given to the interrelationships of theory, research and practice. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Academic Plan Nursing (BS); RN’s only. Co-requisite: 33.308 Special Notes: Tuition for this course is calculated at a rate based on 9 contact hrs due to the highly individualized, self-paced clinical nature of the course.

33.320 Community-Focused Health and Policy

This course provides a foundation to community health nursing with the community, family and individual as Client. This course presents an overview of the US health care delivery system with an emphasis on the role of government in healthcare, Medicaid, and current efforts at healthcare reform. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Academic Plan Nursing (BS); RN’s only.

33.324 Community-Focused Project Implementation

This course focuses on improving the health of one aspect of the community. Students analyze health problems in identified communities. Interventions for community as client are developed and implemented and the effectiveness of applied interventions in evaluated. 2 credits. Prerequisite: Academic Plan Nursing (BS); RN’s only.

33.325 Community-Focused Project Dissemination

This one credit course focuses on the dissemination of the results of a community based program. Students develop presentations which describe methods used to identify, intervene and evaluate the health problems of a community. Students are required to present their findings at a formal dissemination venue identified by faculty. 1 credits. Prerequisite: Academic Plan Nursing (BS); RN’s only

33.420 Leadership in Nursing

This course focuses on leadership roles, responsibilities, and opportunities for the professional nurse. Course content includes professional issues, trends, and leadership and managerial principles pertinent to healthcare and nursing practice. Students explore professional perspectives, norms, and ethical standards essential in values-driven management and leadership. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Academic Plan Nursing (BS); RN’s only.

33.421 Selected Topics in Nursing

Selected Topics in Nursing is a course for advanced undergraduates in the RN-BS option. The content will vary from semester to semester depending on the research interest of the faculty member(s) teaching the course. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Academic Plan Nursing (BS); RN’s only.