OHSU School of Nursing: B.S. Program for R.N.s

Baccalaureate Completion Program for RNs (RNBS)

Associate degree and diploma graduates are invited to complete their Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Nursing through the OHSU RNBS program. RNBS students complete upper-division nursing courses in multiple ways including: online, as intensives, through challenge exams and by portfolios. Most students take one or two courses a term and are able to continue to work as they go through the program.

RNBS & the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE): The OHSU School of Nursing has partnered with six community colleges in Oregon as part of the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE). Students entering the RNBS program from a partner community college begin courses at the senior level. Courses are offered, with full-time and part-time options. Students graduate with a Bachelor of Science with a major in nursing from OHSU.

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:

Human Anatomy & Physiology – full series with lab
Nutrition - one course
Microbiology with lab - one course
Introduction to Genetics - One course or a module within a course. Must cover human genetics and indicate this inclusion in the catalog course description.
Intermediate Algebra/Math 95 (or higher) – Competency for Intermediate Algebra/Math 95 or higher must be demonstrated prior to matriculation into the nursing program, either by a math placement test or by successful completion of an appropriate course.
English Composition – 6 quarter credits
Technical or Research Writing – 3 quarter credits
Human Growth and Development – One course; lifespan content required
Social Science Elective – 3 quarter credits from any of the following: Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, Criminology, or Business.
Humanities – 3 quarter credits from any of the following: Art Appreciation, Art History, Humanities, Music Appreciation, Music History, Literature, Speech, Theatre Arts, Women’s Studies, Foreign Language, Linguistics, Philosophy, or Religion.
All prerequisites must be taken at an accredited institution, must be college level (100 level or higher), taken for a grade ratherthan pass/no pass, and must be completed with a grade of a “C” or higher.
Students are eligible to apply for admission to the RNBS program if they have or are in progress with an associate degree in nursing and have a reasonable plan to complete the required prerequisite courses prior to matriculation.
Application to the nursing program requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Recommended:

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

Additional Non-Nursing Requirements for Graduation
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 – 34 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.
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.

Go to Oregon Course Equivalency Guide and Washington Course Equivalency Guide

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. 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.

Applying to the Program

Applicant must:

Be licensed as a registered nurse in the state of Oregon prior to matriculation into the program.
Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
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

Applications are accepted online only at the application start page. 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.
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.
A copy of your nursing license. Include the copy in your application packet.
A $120.00 nonrefundable application fee made payable online by credit or debit card.
Applications are available online at www.ohsu.edu/son twice per year:
- October 1 - December 30 for Spring admission
- April 1 – June 1 for Fall admission

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. If you have program specific questions we would be happy to direct you to a faculty contact.