Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion
[RN to BSN] (Online)

How and When to Apply    Background Preparation   Faculty    Job Outlook

Become a Leader in Nursing 

Mercy's 100% online RN to BSN program offers you educational mobility as a registered nurse. We offer you the opportunity to use your prior nursing education and professional experiences to earn advanced leadership roles in your workplace. If you are a registered nurse who has a diploma or ASN degree and a current, valid license, you will receive 39 credit hours towards your BSN. Additional liberal arts and science courses may transfer. 

The Mercy College School of Nursing is comprised of clinically-experienced and graduate-prepared faculty provide you the specific educational opportunities you need to advance your nursing career.

By enrolling in the Mercy RN to BSN Online program, you will be among other working nurses striving towards the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) goal of achieving 80% BSN prepared nursing staff by 2020.

Mercy Advantages  

• Earn your BSN in as few as 3 semesters.

• Ability to transfer in up to 88 credit hours.

• 100% of coursework is online.

• 3 program starts a year; Fall, Spring and Summer.
• Access to clinically experienced and graduate-prepared faculty within your personal learning environment.
• Cohort or individualized completion plans available.
• Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Coursework can be completed on a timeline determined by you – in one to six years depending on what courses you transfer in and your family commitments.
• You may select three specialty seminars from seven topics to create a program that fits your interests.

Our new curriculum focuses on a single, community-based preceptorship which will enhance your understanding of health care delivery in the community. You will also have the option to complete a cultural immersion experience on either an Indian Reservation in South Dakota (fall and spring) or in Merida, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico (summer 2013).

The BSN program core courses are offered online only. Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) courses required in the BSN curriculum will continue to be offered online and in the classroom when offered.

Students who enter the ASN program with 30 or more transferrable credits, a G.P.A. of 2.7, and a grade of B or higher in the first nursing course (NSG101) may be eligible for the BSN Integrated program. Students in the Integrated BSN program are eligible to take BSN core courses while simultaneously completing the ASN program. Click here for additional admission requirements. Click here to view the integretated option curriculum.

Preceptorships

A preceptor is a health care professional who is recognized as a clinical expert in his/her field. This individual voluntarily assumes the role of teacher, supervisor, facilitator, role model, and evaluator for a selected Mercy BSN nursing student studying a nursing role that is different from the one in which he or she is currently employed. The student and preceptor enter into a contractual agreement that further defines the boundaries and objectives of this preceptorship

How and When to Apply

Applications to the bachelor programs must be received by the Office of Admissions for fall admission by June 15; for spring admission by October 15; for summer admission by March 15. Your admission into this program is on a competitive basis, so early application is encouraged. Following general College admission, students may enroll in Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) courses in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences prior to admission into the BSN program.

Background Preparation

You will need a minimum 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. You will also need a copy of a current, valid license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Iowa or to demonstrate progress toward licensure. If you wish to begin BSN coursework, but have not passed the NCLEX-RN examination, you may take nursing classes for one semester only. You will be granted full admission upon receipt of licensure. Students are encouraged to take LAS courses at Mercy College to meet the GPA program requirement (9 credits are required).

Our BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and has approval of the Iowa Board of Nursing.

Faculty

Our BSN faculty team includes all full-time graduate-prepared faculty. As a student, you will receive an exceptional level of personalized instruction.

Job Outlook

Once you have completed your BSN degree, you will be employable nation wide. Jobs for RNs are expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations and many new jobs will result. For more details and statistics about specific roles and job opportunities go to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics website.