Accelerated/Online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The baccalaureate degree in nursing program at Fitchburg State is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) http://www.ccneaccreditation.org.

Program Description

The Accelerated/Online RN to BS in Nursing Program offers fully online courses in an accelerated format. The content and experiences prepare professional nurses capable of meeting societal healthcare needs in a variety of settings. Legal, ethical and professional standards guide the students in the art and science of nursing. The graduate is prepared to respect diversity and social responsibility as well as to possess a commitment to excellence in the practice of holistic nursing.

The program’s relevant and evidence-based curriculum includes an emphasis on social justice and advocacy, as well as an introduction to caring for forensic populations. It is delivered in an accelerated online format to meet the needs of working nurses.

Program Outcomes

Graduates are prepared to:

• Synthesize knowledge from the liberal arts, sciences, and nursing as a foundation for safe, client-centered care.
• Incorporate basic organizational and systems leadership to provide quality care and patient safety.
• Integrate evidence-based practice including current research and critical thinking in the management of client care.
• Analyze information using information technology to improve patient outcomes.
• Examine the impact of health care policy, finance, and regulatory environments on nursing practice.
• Integrate principles of communication in professional practice.
• Synthesize knowledge of health promotion and disease/injury prevention in designing population focused care.
• Integrate professional standards of moral, ethical and legal conduct into nursing practice.

Admissions Requirements

• Graduate from a NLN accredited associate degree or diploma program with a 2.5 cumulative average
• Current registered nurse license in good standing
• Math Readiness Requirement: If a university level statistics course was not transferred or completed, the applicant is required to successfully pass the Accuplacer Mathematics Placement Examination. The Accuplacer Mathematics Placement Examination or the required pre-university level mathematics readiness courses must be successfully completed before students register for MATH 1700 - Applied Statistics . The successful completion of the statistics course is necessary before students register for NURS 3710 - Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing  
• Please note that enrollment in the online accelerated courses requires admission into the program and confirmation of the “intent to enroll” by the stated deadline for the term of admission. The courses run in seven-week sessions, and there are six start dates each year.