More and more practicing registered nurses, like those seeking an RN to Bachelor's of Science in Nursing degree, want to advance their education and career opportunities, and they are turning to American Sentinel University's CCNE-accredited nursing education programs.
The National League for Nursing reported that in 2006, 43% of all pre-licensure nursing graduates were over the age of 20 and one in six were over age 40. Our RN to Bachelor of Science Nursing program is designed for registered nurses, both newly licensed and veteran health professionals, who are looking for career mobility, professional development as well as practical skills they can take back to their current job.
Program Overview & Prerequisites
American Sentinel's CCNE-accredited RN to BSN program at American Sentinel is based on the Colorado Articulation Model, a statewide agreement which permits registered nurses who are graduates of community colleges and diploma programs to enter the BSN program option without taking tests to verify prior knowledge. Nursing students will be awarded 30 semester hours based on their current RN license, allowing them to take just 30 more credits to complete the RN to Bachelor of Science degree at American Sentinel.
Registered nurses who graduated within the last 3 years are eligible to enroll at American Sentinel with no work experience or testing required. RNs enrolling after more than 3 years from graduation need to have 1,000 hrs of nursing work experience or must complete an RN Refresher Course before enrolling in our online nursing bachelor's program.
Nurses educated outside the US and who are eligible to practice as registered nurses in the United States will need to be certified by CGFNS and pass the NCLEX-RN licensure examination before being considered for admission to the RN to BSN degree program at American Sentinel.
Program Objectives
Graduates from the RN to Bachelor of Science Nursing program at American Sentinel will be able to:
- Assume a leadership role within multidisciplinary teams within healthcare organizations and in the community.
- Directly provide and manage competent care for individuals, families, and groups who have simple to complex health care needs.
- Enhance professional nursing practice through the use of research and evidence based practice.
- Integrate methods of research and scholarship in making and prioritizing diagnoses, and in planning, implementing, and evaluating care of individuals, groups, and communities.
- Assess health and incorporate principles and methods of health promotion and health education in nursing care of individuals, families, and groups who have simple to complex health care needs.
- Accept accountability and responsibility for one's own professional. judgment and actions
- Integrate professional values and role behaviors.
- Express a fundamental understanding of the problems of contemporary health and illness.
- Embrace the role of citizen in a global society.
- Collaborate with other groups in shaping health policies that affect both individual and community health.
Clinical Experience
American Sentinel University's clinical requirement is designed to enhance and expand the RN to BSN student's skills and knowledge so they are better prepared to achieve professional career goals.
In the online BSN degree program, students are required to complete two practica - one emphasizing Community Health and the other emphasizing Leadership and Management. American Sentinel will prepare nursing students for the clinical experiences with theory courses in Community Health Nursing and Leadership and Management. The theory courses are then followed by one three-credit practicum course in each discipline that offers the opportunity to put learning into practice.
Community Health practicum hours are accomplished in an agency that provides population based nursing. The primary assignment for this course is the completion of a community assessment and program plan.
The practicum for Leadership and Management may be accomplished at a healthcare agency of the BSN student's choice. The primary assignment for this course is the completion of a project that helps an organization keep up with the fast pace of change in healthcare today.
In each practicum, American Sentinel faculty assists our online nursing degree students in identifying local agencies that provide appropriate preceptors and clinical experiences.
"Communication was excellent. My American Sentinel advisor was always available to me. Tech support was wonderful. I took no down time, so as soon as I knew I had a course wrapped up (because the faculty got back to me so quickly), I was able to register for my next course and order my materials. Before I could turn around, the books were on my doorstep and I was ready to start the next course." American Sentinel Nursing Student, age 48
Healthcare Degree Programs
Elizabeth Woods
