Bachelor of Science Degree
Nursing, RN-BSN Program

Purpose

The purpose of the Our Lady of the Lake College RN-BSN Program is to provide registered nurses with a broad educational foundation and the opportunity to obtain the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. This program of study prepares the student for professional leadership roles, career enhancement, and graduate study in nursing. It expands upon knowledge and skills essential to practice in a rapidly changing health care environment.

The program is flexible and student-oriented. It is designed for diploma and ASN prepared nurses who wish to further their education on a part-time or full-time basis while continuing employment. The RN-BSN Program reflects the values and philosophy of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady. 

Objectives

Upon completion of the RN-BSN Program, the graduate will be able to:

1. Integrate spiritual, cultural and developmental concepts and values in providing and managing care for clients.
2. Synthesize knowledge from the humanities, biopsychosocial and nursing sciences in providing and managing nursing care.
3. Use management/ leadership skills and knowledge of the socio-political system in providing comprehensive, therapeutic nursing care.
4. Use the nursing process to provide nursing care for clients, groups and communities.
5. Collaborate with clients, groups, communities and other health care providers in the delivery of health care.
6. Incorporate findings from nursing and health-related research in promoting health and in the delivery of nursing care.
7. Participate in the delivery of health services by functioning in nursing roles necessary to meet the needs of a changing society.
8. Practice within the profession’s legal and ethical boundaries to meet the health care needs of clients, groups and communities.
9. Assume responsibility for continuing personal, professional and educational development necessary to function in a rapidly changing health care environment.

Admission Criteria

1. Have completed a diploma or associate degree from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited nursing program.
2. Current licensure or eligibility to practice registered nursing in Louisiana. (Applicants who have graduated from an accredited RN program but have not yet obtained RN licensure may be accepted on a provisional basis for one semester.)

Application Process

Students may apply for admission to the RN-BSN Program during the last semester of enrollment in an RN program (ASN or diploma), or after completion of an RN program. Applicants should apply by February 15 for summer or fall admission and by September 15 for spring admission. Currently, there is no selective admission process; however, early application is strongly encouraged and may be required in order for the student to preregister for courses with limited enrollments.

Admission Decisions

Full Acceptance

Full acceptance into the RN-BSN Program is awarded to those applicants who have completed an RN program (diploma or ASN), obtained RN licensure in Louisiana and meet the admission requirements of OLOL College.

Provisional Acceptance

Provisional acceptance is granted for one semester only (fall, spring, summer) to applicants who have not yet obtained RN licensure in Louisiana. The student must meet full acceptance criteria for second semester enrollment in the RN-BSN Program.

The student’s acceptance letter into the RN-BSN Program will direct her/him to contact the Program Coordinator for academic advising. Students must see an academic advisor prior to enrolling in the first semester of the RN-BSN Program and prior to enrolling in the last semester of the Program.

Requirements for Graduation

1. Complete one hundred twenty-two or one hundred twenty-three (122-123) credit hours in the required courses.
2. Complete RN-BSN nursing courses within five (5) years.
3. Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher on all college work.
4. Achieve a grade of C or better on all course work leading to the BSN degree.
5. Fulfill the residency requirement of 36 hours for the Bachelor of Science degree; thirty of those hours must be at the 3000-4000 level and must be taken at OLOL College.
6. Clearance of all indebtedness to OLOL College.

Curriculum Plan for the RN-BSN Program

Arts and Sciences Courses

• HIST- World History or Historical Geography (3 hrs)
• PHIL 2315- Current Moral Problems or  PHIL 2320 – Ethical Issues in Health Care (3 hrs)
• MATH 2315- General Statistics (3 hrs)
• SOCI 1310- Introductory Sociology (3 hrs)
• SPCH 1310- Interpersonal Communication (3 hrs)
• Humanities Elective (3 hrs)
• Arts and Science Elective (3000 level or above) (9 hrs)

Total (27 Credit Hours)

Nursing Courses

• NURS 3310 - Research in Nursing Practice (3 hrs)
• NURS 3315 - Pathophysiology: A Basis for Nursing Care (3 hrs)
• NURS 3320 - Health Assessment (3 hrs)
• NURS 3325 - Leadership Principles in Nursing (3 hrs)
• NURS 4315 - Nursing in the 21st Century (3 hrs)
• NURS 4710 - Community Nursing (5 hrs)
• Select one from the following: NURS 4310 - Successful Aging, NURS 4320 - Mental Health and Film (3 hrs), or NURS 4110 - Independent Study (1-3 hrs)

Total (23 Credit Hours)

Notes:

All RN-BSN students must complete all of the arts and sciences courses required for the ASN Program. (See Curriculum Plan for Associate of Science in Nursing degree.)

Total Hours for Associate of Science in Nursing degree (72-73 Credit Hours)

Arts and Sciences Courses (RN-BSN Program) (27 Credit Hours)

Nursing Courses (RN-BSN Program) (23 Credit Hours)

Total Credit Hours for Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (122-123)