Nursing (RN to BSN)

The Registered Nurse (RN) to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is a post-licensure program that allows nurses with the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing or the Diploma in Nursing to advance their credentials or prepare for graduate nursing study. Focus on leadership, evidence-based practice, health promotion, public health issues, patient safety and risk reduction, ethical issues, and healthcare needs of diverse populations.

Details

Field of Interest
Health Sciences
Degree Type
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Academic Plan
Nursing (RN to BSN) (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
9307
Total credits required
120
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Admissions criteria

1. Application and admission to the program is required.

2. The application process is open to any RN who holds a current, active, unrestricted, and unencumbered RN license. The license must remain current and unrestricted throughout program enrollment. Transcripts are not required to verify nursing course completion and the degree does not have to be from a regionally accredited institution. The RN license will be verified. When credit is awarded for a license or credential, an official transcript is not required from that education, so the source of that education and the accreditation of that source does not apply. When credit is awarded for the pre-and co-requisite coursework, for the general education courses, the official transcripts for the general education courses will need to be received.

3. The RN-BSN program will recognize and transfer a total of 62-75 block credit hours for the AAS Nursing Degree/Diploma and RN license for applicants coming from an accredited institution. For review of general education courses, as stated above, official transcripts showing the general education courses that are required for the program must be sent to the Admissions and Records office of the college the student plans to attend and coursework will need to have been completed from an institution accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the US Department of Education. Transcripts will need to be evaluated by the college. If a course does not transfer, the student may need to complete the undergraduate course at the institution they are attending concurrently with their BSN program of study. This only applies to general education courses.  

4. Background Check Requirements: Admission to a Nursing or Allied Health program requires that students be in compliance with the Maricopa County Community College District Background Check Standards. Upon conditional program enrollment, the student must comply with all requirements of the MCCCD Background Check Policy.

5. Clinical health and safety requirements must be met prior to enrollment in any program of study course. Upon conditional program enrollment, the student must comply with all requirements of the MCCCD Clinical Health and Safety Policy, fingerprint clearance, and drug testing protocols. Drug testing timelines will be addressed during orientation to the program. 

6. All students must meet health and safety and background check requirements prior to beginning courses in the MaricopaNursing program.

7. Students who have met all admission requirements will be admitted on a first come, first admitted basis. A waitlist will be maintained through the Maricopa County Community College District office and students will have the ability to select placement at any college that is currently offering the program. 

8. Graduates of the MaricopaNursing AAS program will be given preferential placement consideration up to a percentage of total enrollment. 

Progression Criteria:

1. Students must earn a grade of C or better in each course in the program. 

2. Three courses in the program of study include in-person lab/simulation/clinical. Both didactic and lab/simulation/clinical components must be successfully completed to achieve a passing grade in the course. If a student does not successfully complete one component, both the didactic and simulation/clinical must be repeated. 

3. Courses may be repeated depending on space available.  

Readmission Criteria:

1. The program reserves the right to deny acceptance of an admission application if the applicant was dismissed from any program for issues relating to academic integrity and/or unsafe patient care.  

2. If the student`s nursing license is restricted or the student is under a Board order, the student will need to resolve any licensure issues prior to entering the program. 

3. All applicants holding a license as a Registered Nurse must remain in good standing with the Regulatory Board. Once enrolled, students receiving any disciplinary actions against their license must notify the Nursing Program Chair within five (5) school days. The Nursing Program Chair reserves the right to restrict the student`s participation in clinical experiences and involvement in patient care until the license is valid and unrestricted.

4. All readmissions are subject to space available and are at the discretion of the college Nursing Director. 

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program is requesting candidacy with the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Health and Safety Requirements for the MaricopaNursing program:

1. Students must submit a Health and Safety Documentation Checklist verifying completion of all requirements and maintain current status throughout the program.

2. Students must submit the Health Declaration Form signed by a licensed health care provider.

3. Students must test negative on a timed urine drug screen.

4. Admission to a Nursing or Allied Health program requires that students be in compliance with the Maricopa County Community College District Supplemental Background Check Policy. Program applications will not be accepted without a copy of an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card. Upon conditional program admission, the student must comply with all requirements of the current MCCCD Background Check Policy.

Course Fee Information:

Please see class schedule for information regarding course fees.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Analyze professional behaviors to provide holistic and compassionate person-centered care that respects individual and community diversity.
  2. Demonstrate culturally competent and ethically congruent behaviors that reflect dignity, diversity, equity, and inclusion among groups in diverse populations and settings.
  3. Apply leadership and management skills in the provision of safe, quality and cost effective care in diverse healthcare environments.
  4. Determine knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to effectively communicate with patient, family and/or important others and the interprofessional team through utilization of healthcare technology and informatics.
  5. Assess the effects of systems-based practice on safe, quality, person-centered care within the scope of professional nursing practice.
  6. Evaluate a plan for professional development and heightened efficacy of nursing practice.
  7. Demonstrate professional, safe, compassionate nursing care that synthesizes learning derived from coursework, nursing practice, and life experiences.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Postsecondary Nursing Instructors and Teachers

$63,340

* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO156 or
BIO181
Introductory Biology for Allied Health or General Biology (Majors) I Or one year of high school biology SQ or SQ 0–4
MAT140 or
MAT141 or
MAT142
College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics Or satisfactory completion of higher level math course MA or MA or MA 3–5

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I SG 4
(CHM130 and
CHM130LL)
or
(CHM130AA)
(Fundamental Chemistry and Fundamental Chemistry Laboratory) or (Fundamental Chemistry with Lab) Or one year of high school chemistry,
Or satisfactory completion of higher level college-level chemistry course and corresponding lab
SQ or SQ 0–4
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II SG 4
NUR152 Nursing Theory and Science I 9

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking Or equivalent by assessment L 0–3
NUR172 Nursing Theory and Science II 9
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology SB 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO205 Microbiology SG 4
NUR252 Nursing Theory and Science III 9

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
NUR283 Nursing Theory and Science IV 9
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
NUR301 Role of the Professional Nurse 3
NUR302 Health Assessment and Promotion 4
NUR303 Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice 3
SB Social-Behavioral Sciences Recommend PSY240 SB 3
General Elective 0–3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
NUR304 Public and Community Health Nursing 4
NUR305 Legal and Ethical Topics in Nursing 3
MAT206 or
PSY230 or
SWU225
Elements of Statistics or Introduction to Statistics or Statistics for Social Research/Justice and Government CS or CS or CS 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design Recommend HIS or PHI HU 3
General Elective 0–3

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
NUR401 Systems-Based Thinking in Nursing 3
NUR402 Healthcare Technology and Informatics 3
HCR240 Human Pathophysiology 4
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry L 3
General Elective 0–3

Term 10

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 10
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
NUR403 Nursing Leadership and Management 3
NUR404 Advanced Nursing Capstone 4
General Elective 0–3
General Elective 0–3

General Electives

Select courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 120 semester credits. Consult with a Faculty Advisor, Program Director, and/or Academic Advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals.

Recommended:
World Language Courses:
ARB+++ Any ARB Arabic course(s)
ASL+++ Any ASL American Sign Language course(s)
CHI+++ Any CHI Chinese course(s)
FRE+++ Any FRE French course(s)
GER+++ Any GER German course(s)
ITA+++ Any ITA Italian course(s)
JPN+++ Any JPN Japanese course(s)
NAV+++ Any NAV Navajo course(s)
SPA+++ Any SPA Spanish course(s)

Health Care Courses:
HCR210 Clinical Health Care Ethics
HCR220 Introduction to Nursing and Health Care Systems
HCR230 Culture and Health

Nursing Continuing Education Courses:
NCE165 Legal Aspects of Nursing
NCE203 Interpretation of Laboratory Diagnostic Examinations
NCE204 Hemodynamics
NCE207 Recognition and Nursing Management of the Deteriorating Patient
NCE210 School Nurse Emergency Assessment Skills
NCE214CA Basic Electrocardiogram Interpretation
NCE214MM Math Methods of Drug Calculation
NCE216AA School Health Update: Assessment Skills
NCE218 Ventilator Management for Critical Care and Emergency Room Nurses 
NCE219 Advanced First Aid for School Health Staff
NCE220 Advanced IV Therapy Skills for RNs
NCE226 Pediatric Nursing Clinical Skills
NCE249 Basic Critical Care Nursing
NCE274 Industry Telemetry Nursing
NCE278 Critical Care Nursing
NCE291 Nursing Skills and Patient Care in Simulation
NUR187 Pharmacology and Medication Administration

Course Area Key
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=181764).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.