Gen. Admission Requirements

General Requirements for Admission to the RN-BSN Program

• Completion of the Thomas University Undergraduate Admission Application.
• Submission of official transcripts from all universities / colleges attended.
• Completion of Thomas University RN to BSN Admission Data Form.
• Current valid Georgia/Florida Registered Nurse License without limitations or sanctions. Students who live in Florida but plan to do any practica (clinical practice) in Georgia must hold a Georgia R.N. license. Applicants who have recently (within six months) graduated from an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Diploma program but are not licensed as a Registered Nurse may be admitted conditionally to the RN-BSN program. R.N. licensure must be obtained during the first semester of full or part time enrollment in the RN-BSN program in order to remain in the program. Students may not progress beyond the first semester of upper division nursing courses (NSG 303, NSG 304, NSG 311) if a valid, unencumbered R.N. license has not been obtained. Conditional status will be removed only upon written verification of R.N. licensure prior to the start of the second semester of full or part time enrollment.
• Successful completion the Critical Writing, Reading, and Thinking Examination (CWRTE) prior to or during the first semester in the RN-BSN program. Students not passing the CWRTE exam will be required to take an English reading course before progressing beyond the first semester of upper division nursing courses (NSG 303, NSG 304, and NSG 311).
• College grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a scale of 4.0 in the required core and nursing coursework completed to meet the requirements of an Associate Degree in Nursing from an accredited post-secondary institution at the time of admission to the RN-BSN program. Remaining core coursework required for graduation from Thomas University may be completed following admission to the RN-BSN program.
• Provide documentation of the following to the Division of Nursing:
  • Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation certification from American Red Cross or American Heart Association (Health Care Provider Level).
  • Current professional liability insurance with a minimum of $1-3 million in coverage prior to enrolling in a practicum course.
  • Current health insurance.
  • Criminal background check prior to enrollment in a practicum course through PreCheck, Inc. at the student's expense. See advisor for details.
  • Recent physical examination with documentation of specific immunizations/screening tests and ability to meet the Technical Standards for Admission.
  • Toxicology (drug screen) if required by the practicum facility at the student's expense.

Tech. Admission Standards

Technical Standards for Admission

A candidate for the BSN degree program must have the following observational, communication, motor, and behavioral abilities and skills. Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with disabilities. However, a candidate is expected to perform in a reasonably independent manner.

1. Observation: A candidate must be able to observe a patient/client accurately. Examples of observation include listening to heart and lung sounds, visualizing the appearance of a surgical wound, detecting the presence of a foul odor, and palpating an abdomen.
2. Communication: A candidate must be able to communicate effectively, including verbal, nonverbal, and written communication, with patients/clients and other members of the health care team in order to obtain information and describe patient/client situations.
3. Motor: A candidate must have adequate motor function to effectively work with patient/client issues and complete the related nursing care. Examples of nursing care include ambulating and positioning patients, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the administration of medications, the application of pressure to control bleeding, the opening of an obstructed airway, and the provision of patient/client daily hygiene care.
4. Behavioral: A candidate must possess the emotional health required to tolerate a physically taxing workload, function effectively during stressful situations, adapt to ever-changing environments, and interact professionally with others.

Articulation/Placement

Articulation/Advanced Placement

Thomas University participates in the Georgia RN-BSN Articulation Plan. The purpose of this plan is to enable registered nurses to advance their education with minimal loss of credit and/or duplication of knowledge and skills while maintaining the integrity of the educational process and the autonomy of participating programs. The registered nurse articulating to the baccalaureate level will be awarded 33 course credit hours for nursing. These credits will be held in escrow until the student has successfully completed nine semester hours of nursing (NSG 303, NSG 304, and NSG 311). Credits held in escrow will be then be placed on the transcript. The applicant must provide the necessary materials to establish proof of compliance with the articulation criteria at the time of admission. These materials include the following:

1. Certified transcript of all completed nursing courses from previous nursing school.
2. Documentation of NLN-AC accreditation status of previous nursing school.
3. Documentation from employer stating completion of at least 1000 clinical practice hours in the last three years, if the time since graduating from an associate degree or diploma nursing program is greater than four years. If the applicant has not completed at least 1000 hours of clinical practice within the past three years, he/she must either (a) complete 1000 clinical practice hours in nursing prior to enrollment, or (b) successfully complete one of the National League for Nursing (NLN) ACE II Examinations prior to enrollment.
4. Undergraduate application fee payment

Upon completion of these requirements, the student will be awarded the 33 hours of credit held in escrow. Please contact a nursing advisor for details of the program.

Transfer of Credit

Transfer of Credit

Students who have been enrolled at another institution must submit official transcripts from each college or university previously attended. Most institutions require that you write a letter requesting a transcript and include a processing fee. These transcripts should be sent to the registrar. The registrar will determine transfer of non-nursing credits. Transfer credit may be given for those courses taken at accredited institutions provided that the courses fall within the scope of Thomas University’s curriculum. Acceptability of non-equivalent courses is subject to the approval of the appropriate division chairperson. Students who fail a nursing course at Thomas University and successfully complete a similar course at another institution cannot transfer that course back to Thomas University.

Progression

Progression and Re-Admission

• Evidence of valid, unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Georgia or Florida; Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation certification (Health Care Provider Level); and professional liability insurance with a minimum of $1 million are required.
• Students who have graduated from an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Diploma program but are not yet licensed as a Registered Nurse must obtain R.N. licensure during the first semester of full or part time enrollment in the RN-BSN program in order to remain in the program. Students may not progress beyond the first semester of upper division nursing courses (NSG 303, 304, and 311) if a valid, unencumbered R.N. license has not been obtained.
• Successful completion the Critical Writing, Reading, and Thinking Examination (CWRTE) prior to or during the first semester in the RN-BSN program. Students not passing the CWRTE exam will be required to take an English reading course before progressing beyond the first semester of upper division nursing courses (NSG 303, NSG 304, and NSG 311).
• The student will be required to obtain a grade of no less than a "C" in all required nursing courses. If a student obtains a grade of less than "C" in a required nursing course, the student may not continue in the program. A student may request re-admission by submitting a letter to the Division of Nursing Admission / Progression / Retention Committee that includes a plan of action designed to promote the student’s success if re-admitted. The Committee will review the student’s file and written request to determine whether the student will be re-admitted. Re-admission is not automatic. If the student is re-admitted he/she must repeat the course for an acceptable grade. A second grade of less than "C" will result in exclusion from the program. The student will be eligible to take other courses not requiring the course in which the student received an unacceptable grade as a prerequisite.
• Each student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 in all core and upper division nursing courses required for the degree. Students not meeting this requirement will receive a letter from Thomas University indicating academic probationary status. A student may not continue for more than two semesters on academic probationary status in the Nursing Program.
• A student’s continued enrollment in the Nursing Program is based on physical as well as emotional health. If the student demonstrates evidence of a physical or emotional illness, the student may be referred to an appropriate resource. If, in the opinion of the faculty, the student’s illness impairs ability to implement nursing responsibilities safely, the student may be asked to withdraw from the program until the student can resolve the situation. Re-instatement will be considered on an individual basis by the Admission/Progression/Retention committee.
• Each student is expected to demonstrate behaviors that support and contribute to a positive professional learning environment in the classroom, university, and community in congruence with the mission and philosophy of the university and nursing program. In accordance with the policies of Thomas University, the faculty of the Division of Nursing, upon recommendation of the Admission/Progression/Retention Committee, reserves the right to dismiss a student whose scholarly (e.g. cheating, plagiarism) or professional conduct, scholastic standing, or violation of the Georgia or Florida Nurse Practice Act make it inadvisable to retain the student in the program. In accordance with the policies of Thomas University, the faculty of the Division of Nursing, upon recommendation of the admissions committee reserves the right to dismiss a student whose scholarly conduct (e.g. cheating, plagiarism), scholastic standing, or violation of the Georgia or Florida Nurse Practice Act make it inadvisable to retain the student in the program.

Graduation

Graduation

To graduate from the Thomas University RN-BSN Program the RN student must meet the following requirements:

• 51 semester hours (credits) of lower division core course requirements. Thomas University accepts an Associate of Arts degree issued by any nationally recognized regional post-secondary accredited institution to satisfy the core requirements (excluding Statistics 250 or equivalent). Students are responsible for meeting any prerequisites in the major program.
• 36 upper division requirements
• 120 total semester hours as specified in the catalog for the baccalaureate degree
• Successful completion of the CWRTE exam
• Application for graduation by specified date and approval received
• Cumulative 2.5 grade point average in all core curriculum and upper division courses required for the degree
• Payment of all outstanding fees due to the university.

Degrees will be conferred annually at the end of the semester, upon the recommendation of the faculty, to students who have successfully completed all course requirements. Students who are awarded Bachelor Degrees may earn the distinction of graduating summa cum laude (4.0 GPA), magna cum laude (3.75 – 3.99 GPA), or cum laude (3.5 – 3.74 GPA). All graduating students are expected to attend graduation.

The progression sheet lists required courses and electives. It also allows students and advisors to track progress toward the RN-BSN degree.

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RN-BSN Progression Sheet