RN to BS (RN Access)

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at the University of North Carolina Wilmington is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 887-6791.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at the University of North Carolina Wilmington is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway-33rd Floor, New York City, NY 10006, (800) 669-1656, Ext. 153.

Dr. S. Pierce, Ms. Allred, Ms. Aselage, Dr. Canty-Mitchell, Dr. Ennen, Ms. Ezzell, Dr. Fox, Dr. Glenn, Ms. Goff, Dr. Heinrich, Dr. Jarosinski, Dr. Kemppainen, Dr. Kim-Godwin, Dr. Kuiper, Dr. Livsey, Ms. Mechling, Ms. N. Murdock, Dr Pollard, Dr. Reid, Dr. Roberts, Ms. Savinon, Ms. Smith, Dr. Smith-Taylor, Ms. Turrise, Dr. Walters.

The School of Nursing offers a program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing.

The purpose of this baccalaureate program is to prepare a generalist who possesses the knowledge, skills, and attitudes with which to practice family-centered professional nursing in a variety of current and emerging health care delivery systems. In addition, the program is designed to provide a foundation for graduate nursing education. Through interactions with clients--individual persons, families and communities--and other health care professionals, nursing graduates will contribute toward meeting the wide-ranging needs of the region, state, and the larger community.

The School of Nursing baccalaureate program is approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway-33rd Floor, New York City, NY 10006 and the Commission of Collegiate Education in Nursing (CCNE), One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120. In order to be eligible to begin practice as a registered nurse, each graduate must obtain a satisfactory score on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.

Curriculum Objectives

The main objective of the curriculum incorporates the professional values of client-centered care (altruism, human dignity, and autonomy), life long learning (clinical reasoning and integrity), and quality improvement (research and social justice). These professional values are vertical threads which are emphasized during the course offerings that address each of the horizontal core concepts.

Program Objectives

Upon completion of curriculum, the graduate will be able to:

Design client-centered care through an altruistic concern for the welfare of others while supporting autonomy and respecting human dignity.
Demonstrate integrity based on accountability and responsibility by engaging in clinical reasoning skills and life long learning.
Plan quality improvement measures that support legal/ethical standards through the use of evidence- based practice.
Improve health of clients through support and promotion of care within the appropriate cultural context.
Promote public and global health integrating the knowledge of epidemiology, considering healthcare systems, healthcare policies and respect for the environment.
Maximize health maintenance of clients through interdisciplinary management of risk reduction, disease prevention and the management of illness.
Demonstrate competence in nursing roles through the use of the nursing process, communication, documentation, technical skill and information and healthcare technology.

Requirements for Admission to the School of Nursing Bachelor of Science Degree:

Admission to the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Completion of academic criteria/requirements.
Recommendation of the Student Affairs Committee of the School of Nursing.
Approval of the nursing faculty and dean.

Time Limits: Nursing courses must be completed within a consecutive six-calendar-year period of time.

Ten-Year Rule: Science courses which are more than ten years old will be evaluated by the School of Nursing for currency.

The School of Nursing curriculum is subject to review and change based on the evolving health care delivery system.

Computer Competency Requirement: To satisfy the computer competency requirement for the B. S. in nursing a student must successfully complete NSG 415.

Oral Communication Competency Requirement: To satisfy the Oral Competency Requirement for the B. S. in Nursing a student must successfully complete NSG 406.

Special Health Requirement for School of Nursing -- Hepatitis B immunization (or signed declination), annual physical exam, and annual TB skin test or chest x-ray prior to clinical enrollment. A drug screen is also required for clinical placement and matriculation as relevant.

Other special requirements: Current CPR (Adult and Child), Annual Liability Insurance, Health Insurance, Criminal Background Check, and other requirements stipulated by clinical agencies.

Requirements for the B.S.Degree with a Major in Nursing, RN Access (RN to BS) Option

Registered Nurses wishing to obtain the B. S. degree with a major in professional nursing must met all university requirements. Because many of the required courses are sequential, have prerequisites, and may be offered only once a year, it is vital for students to complete them successfully in the proper sequence. In addition to university basic studies requirements and nursing requirements, students must take elective courses to satisfy the university requirement of a minimum of 124 hours.

Nursing courses in the RN Access options are available only online. For each course, faculty arrange orientation with the students. Orientation may be online, by interactive television, or workshop. Students must have sufficient computer skills to operate an internet browser (Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator), a word processor, Power Point, Media Player or other video player, and e-mail. Students also must have access to a computer that supports an internet browser (Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator), a word processor, Power Point, Media Player or other video player, and e-mail at a minimum.

Former UNCW students (not in academic difficulty) who have been away from the university for at least two consecutive semesters and wish to return to the university can apply through the Office of Admissions by submitting the reenrolling form and a non-refundable application fee. Any student who has been away from the university for one semester and who was not in academic difficulty, should contact the Office of the Registrar, not Admissions, to reenroll.

A minimum grade of "C" (2.00) is required in each nursing course. A cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or better is required for graduation.

Residency Requirement: The 31 semester hours of course must be completed at UNCW.

Requirements Effective Fall 2006 (101 hours)

Collateral courses (35 hours) : PSY 105, 223; SOC 105; MAT 111; BIO 201, 240, 241, 246; CHM 101; STT 210 or 215. (Note: Completion of these courses will satisfy university basic studies requirements in the social and behavioral sciences and the natural and mathematical sciences. Completion of all collateral/prerequisite courses are required to prior to admission to the RN-BS program)

Core courses (31 hours) : NSG 250, 316, 327, 333, 404, 405, 406, 415, and one nursing elective course. Completion of these courses will satisfy university residency requirement.

Placement Credits (35 hours): Upon successful completion of NSG 316, RN Access (RN to BS) students are granted 35 placement hours credit.

The deadline for application to the RN ACCESS Program is March 1 for fall semester full time or part time students.

Additional information about the UNCW School of Nursing RN Access Option is available from:

Dr. Yeoun Soo Kim-Godwin
Program Coordinator RN to BS Option
Phone: (910) 962 - 3926
Email: kimy@uncw.edu

For additional questions or more information contact:

Paula Kennedy-Dudley
Director of Student Services
Phone: (910) 962-7211
Fax: 910-962-7576
Email: kennedydudleyp@uncw.edu

page updated February 27, 2007