For Registered Nurses (RNBS Program)
The faculty of the OHSU School of Nursing support associate degree RNs who desire to complete their baccalaureate degree through the RNBS Program. RNBS students complete upper-division nursing courses online, as intensives, through challenge exams and portfolios. Most students take one or two courses a term and are able to continue to work as they go through the program. Once RNs are admitted to the program, the expectation is that they will enroll continuously, taking one or two courses a term, until they finish.
RNBS & the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE): Transition to a New Curriculum
The OHSU School of Nursing has partnered with many of Oregon’s community colleges and is implementing a new curriculum as part of the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE). Based on their prior nursing education, students entering the RNBS Program as of Spring 2008 will move directly into upper division OCNE courses while at OHSU.
Getting Ready to Apply for RNBS
In addition to
the non-nursing courses listed below as prerequisite for admission to
the RNBS program, all applicants are expected to have basic computer
competencies in word processing, electronic file management, email and
web browsing. Plan ahead to have the following courses completed prior
to admission.
Prerequisites for Admission beginning Spring 2008 and beyond:
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Human Anatomy & Physiology – full series with lab
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Nutrition
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Microbiology with lab
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Introduction to Genetics - One course or a module within a course. Must have "genetics" in the catalog course description.
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Math 95 (or higher) – Competency for Math 95 or higher must be demonstrated prior to application to the nursing program, either by a math placement test or by successful completion of an appropriate course.
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English Composition – 6 quarter credits
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Technical or Research Writing – 3 quarter credits
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Human Growth and Development – One course, lifespan content required
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Social Science Elective – 3 quarter credits from any of the following: Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, Criminology, or Business.
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Humanities – 3 quarter credits from any of the following: Art Appreciation, Art History, Music Appreciation, Music History, Literature, Speech, Theatre Arts, Women’s Studies, Foreign Language, Linguistics, Philosophy, or Religion.
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Statistics – Statistics is a prerequisite or co-requisite of NRS 411 Epidemiology course, a nursing course required in the OCNE curriculum. We recommend that you complete Statistics prior to admission so you are not delayed in taking your Nursing Epidemiology course once you begin the program
The following additional non-nursing courses may be completed prior to admission, concurrently while completing the RNBS program nursing courses, or even after completing the required nursing courses
- Humanities – additional credits to total 9 quarter credits
- Social Science – additional credits to total 6 quarter credits
- Upper Division (300 or 400 level) courses in a field other than Nursing – 15 quarter credits
- General electives – 38 unspecified quarter credits which may include courses taken as part of the associate degree program, physical education courses, upper division courses from other disciplines, etc. Most ADN graduates meet this requirement without taking additional courses.
- Foreign Language Competency – can be met by: 1) two years of one foreign language in high school, 2) two terms of one foreign language at the college level, or 3) a language proficiency examination.
Time to Graduation
All required courses (both nursing and non-nursing) in the RNBS program must be completed within five years of admission in order to graduate.
Applying to the Program
Applicant must:
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Be licensed as a registered nurse
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Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
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Possess minimum computer skills and access to a computer with predetermined minimum capabilities and access to the Internet, independent of the School of Nursing and University resources.
Application Packet
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Applications are accepted online only at www.ohsu.edu/son. This online application will include an application essay as well as a printable signature page which should be printed and turned in with your application packet.
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Official transcripts: Request each college you have attended to send the official transcript(s) to you showing completions of all academic work. Do not open the envelopes in which transcripts are received. For our purpose they are official only if the seal is intact. Include all transcripts in your application packet.
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A copy of your nursing license. Include the copy in your application packet.
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A $120.00 nonrefundable application fee made payable online by credit or debit card.
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Applications are available online at www.ohsu.edu/son twice per year:
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October 1 - December 30 for Spring admission
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April 1 – June 1 for Fall admission
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Admissions Information
For more information about how to apply or prepare for admission, please contact the Office of Admission at 503-494-7725 or proginfo@ohsu.edu.
For specific questions about the RNBS Program, contact RNBS Program Coordinator Lorraine Cook (cookl@ohsu.edu) or RNBS Program Director Catherine Salveson (salveson@ohsu.edu).