Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Bachelor of Science in Nursing RN to BSN (Online)


The Bachelor of Science Degree RN-BSN program is designed for registered nurses who have graduated from the Associate Degree program at Rivier University, other accredited associate degree programs in nursing, or from diploma programs in nursing.

To meet the needs of working nurses and to keep current with alternative course deliveries, Rivier’s RN-BSN courses are offered in an online format. RN licensure is required prior to taking RN-BSN nursing courses.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science Degree Program in Nursing are prepared to function as generalists who practice professional nursing in a variety of health care settings, are prepared to pursue graduate studies, and are prepared to:

  • Provide patient-centered, priority-based nursing care to individuals, families and groups through independent and collaborative application of nursing process;
  • Implement factors that create a culture of safety and a just culture;
  • Integrate evidence, clinical judgment, inter-professional perspectives and patient preference in planning, implementing and evaluating outcomes of care;
  • Incorporate the use of technology that supports clinical decision-making, patient education, error prevention and care coordination;
  • Use inter- and intra-professional communication and collaborative skills to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered care;
  • Participate in the use of quality indicators and core measures to evaluate the effect of change in the delivery of care as derived through health policy.

Progression/Retention Requirements

Preparation for professional practice requires a strong theoretical background; therefore, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Receive a minimum grade of 2.67 (B-) in each nursing course;
  • Receive a passing grade in each of the required general education courses;
  • Attain a 2.5 cumulative grade point average;
  • Complete the program within ten years of admission.

Prerequisites (minimum 60 credits)


General Education Requirements:
Students must fulfill the following three (3) associate degree-level general education requirements:   
a)  ENGL 120 Composition in Context  or its equivalent;
b)  Humanities - One elective and 
c)  Sociology - One elective.
ENGL 120 Composition in Context  and the literature elective must be completed prior to taking NURS 330 Research Methods .

Nursing and other Associate Degree level courses:
On matriculation, nurses with an active, unencumbered RN license will be awarded 60 credits, validating competency in the following Associate Degree-level courses:

General Education Requirements (minimum 15 credits)


In fulfillment of the general education degree requirements, the following must be taken.

General Electives


Students choose additional courses to reach the total number of credits required for the degree.

Degree Requirements (minimum 120 credits)