Program Overview
Return to the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing
The RN-BSN/MSN degree program is designed for experienced RNs who want a quality education with the convenience and flexibility that an online program can offer.
We offer open and rolling admissions, so RNs can enroll any day of the year. Schedules are self-paced and there is no time limit for degree completion; students can finish degree requirements at their own pace as long as they complete at least 3 credits at Thomas Edison State University in each 12-month period.
Students can earn maximum credit for prior learning. With our many credit-earning options, RNs can achieve their educational goals in a manner that saves both time and money.
RN-BSN Program
- Great for graduates of associate degree and diploma programs of nursing
- Requires a minimum of 120 credits
- Includes 12 graduate credits that may be applied to the Master of Science in Nursing program at Thomas Edison State University.
RN-BSN/MSN Program
- Earn both a BSN and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree (RN-BSN/MSN program) with preparation as a Nurse Educator, Nurse Administrator or Nursing Informatics specialist at the master's level
- Only requires the completion of an additional 27 credits beyond the BSN degree requirements
- Awards a graduate nursing certificate in addition to the diploma upon program completion
Contact Us
Phone: (609) 633-6460 or Email: nursing@tesu.edu
Download our Degree Program Profile Sheet for an overview of our BS in Nursing program.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and doctor of nursing practice program at Thomas Edison State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
RN to BSN Program Details
The BSN degree requires a minimum of 120 credits in the following categories:
General Education Credits
- 48 credits
- Provide a broad background knowledge of intellectual & practice skills, human cultures, the physical & natural worlds, and personal & social responsibility
- Offer a foundation for the professional nursing requirements & graduate study
Professional Nursing Credits
- 48 credits total
- 20 credits of lower-division nursing (can be satisfied by transfer credits from an associate degree nursing program or by the award of credit for diploma coursework)
- 28 credits of upper-division nursing (an be completed through online courses offered by the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing)
Includes 4 graduate-level courses (12 credits total) which can be applied to the TESU MSN Degree:
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Health Policy
- Nursing Informatics: Concepts & Issues
- Financial Management for Nursing Practice
Elective Credits
- 24 credits
- Formerly known as "Free Electives"
- Includes college-level coursework & examinations that don't duplicate other credits
- A maximum of eight (8) credits can be from physical education activity courses
Technology Requirements
Nursing students are advised to have computer capability compatible with the technology specified for the Thomas Edison State University’s online courses, access to PowerPoint software, and, for selected MSN courses, access to Excel software, a microphone, and a webcam.
Internet Connection (required):
- High-speed connection is recommended. Speeds below 10 Mbps may cause slower loading times for video-heavy courses.
Operating System:
- Windows or macOS recommended
- Linux and ChromeOS may have limited functionality for some of our technology and media tools.
Browser:
- Firefox or Chrome recommended
- Edge/Internet Explorer & Safari may have limited functionality for some of our technology and media tools.
Other Software:
- All students receive a Thomas Edison State University email account that provides free access to G Suite for Education (Google).
- Some course tools may require browser plugins or other software to be installed. More information is provided in those courses.
Peripherals for Video Related Activities:
- Webcam and microphone required. This includes those built into devices. Headphones with built-in microphone recommended
- Some courses may require additional hardware. Details on these will be included in those specific courses.
Note: Operating systems, browsers, plugins and other software should be kept up-to-date for security purposes and to ensure proper functionality.
For technical (computer) questions relating to online courses, call (609) 777-5680.
Credit Distribution
Courses in the General Education Requirements are listed as a guide. Other courses may satisfy the areas and can be viewed on our website under General Education Courses.
I General Education Requirements (48 Credits)
A. Intellectual and Practical Skills (15 Credits)
B. Civic and Global Leadership (9 Credits)
| SOC-101 | Our Changing World An Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| ETH-230 | Ethics in the Digital Age | 3 |
| POS-110 | American Government | 3 |
C. Knowledge of Human Cultures (9 Credits)
| HIS-114 | American History II | 3 |
| LIB-342 | Online Obsessions: Determining and Dealing with Digital Dependency | 3 |
| PHI-130 | Introduction to Critical Reasoning | 3 |
D. Understanding the Physical and Natural World (9 Credits)
| BIO-211 | Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab | 4 |
-TRSFR REQ.
| Microbiology | 3 |
E. Mathematics (3 Credits)
For all TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Mathematics Courses.
F. General Education Electives (3 Credits)
For all TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to General Education Electives – Select from any course listed in A, B, C, D or E.
To identify which of these courses is Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC), go to Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Courses
II. Professional Nursing Requirements (48 Credits)
A. Lower Division (20 Credits)
For course options, please contact an Advisor.
B. Upper Division (28 Credits)
| NUR-342 | Advancing Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NUR-418 | Research in Nursing | 3 |
| NUR-428 | Leadership and Management in Nursing | 3 |
| NUR-443 | Public Health Nursing | 4 |
| NUR-445 | Validating Nursing Competence | 3 |
| NUR-516 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| NUR-529 | Health Policy | 3 |
| NUR-531 | Nursing Informatics: Concepts and Issues | 3 |
| NUR-582 | Financial Management in Nursing Practice | 3 |
Please note: As of January 2020 we no longer offer the TECEP Exam for
NUR-428: Nursing Leadership and Management.
III. Electives (24 Credits)
For TESU course options, go to Elective Courses.
Total Credit Hours: 120
Program Outcomes
On completion of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing BSN degree program, the graduate will be able to:
- Integrate current knowledge, ethical principles, evidence-based findings, and clinical reasoning to direct nursing practice decisions.
- Apply principles of cultural humility and cultural sensitivity to inter-personal relationships and client/population-focused care.
- Participate in inter-professional collaboration to promote optimal client outcomes.
- Explore the effects of health policy on the financing, organization, and delivery of healthcare to individuals and populations.
- Employ a range of information technologies and ethical standards to acquire knowledge, manage data, communicate information, and guide & validate nursing practice.
- Demonstrate leadership skills and professionalism based on an understanding of the multidimensional role of the professional nurse.