Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Online 2024

Applicants to the program must meet the following standards:

1. Completion of the application for admission.

2. Complete all University admission requirements.  

3. Completion of an associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited post-secondary institution with a 2.25 CGPA or better.
   

   1. Applicants can be conditionally admitted into the program by providing unofficial transcripts or a copy of the conferred nursing degree. Official transcripts which meet the requirements set forth must be received by the end of the add/drop period to be admitted to the program.

4. Active unencumbered license as a registered nurse in any U.S. state or territory in which the student is licensed, including the State in which the student completes all assignments for the program. 

   1. Military, federal, and foreign-educated nurses must meet this State requirement for nursing licensure.

   2. An active and unencumbered RN license(s) must be maintained throughout the program.  

   3. A domestic or foreign medical degree is not equivalent to a nursing degree.  

5. Submit official transcripts from any of the programs below approved by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) (and any prior courses taken to be considered for transfer credit). 

   1. Associate of Science in Nursing

   2. Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

   3. Diploma in Nursing 

   4. State-approved nursing program with evidence of an earned RN license in the United States

   5. Foreign nursing equivalency with evidence of an earned RN license in the United States

   6. Associate of Science with evidence of an earned RN license

   7. Associate of Applied Science with evidence of an earned RN license

   8. Non-Nursing Bachelor's Degree with evidence of an earned RN license*

   9. Foreign equivalency with evidence of an earned RN license in the United States*

* Applicants submitting non-U.S. or non-English transcripts should refer to the International Admissions section of the catalog.  

Language Verification Requirements

Students with foreign degrees applying to a nursing program must possess proficiency in English at a level to enable them to succeed in graduate-level studies. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test (DET) must be taken if the applicant’s native language is not English. Results must be sent directly from TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo to the West Coast University admissions department. Copies are not acceptable. Your application will not be considered until you have achieved at least the minimum score.

• TOEFL - minimum composite score of 100, with sub-scores of 21 or higher.  

• IELTS - minimum overall band score of 7.0, with a speaking band score of 7.0 or higher and other band scores of 6.0 or higher.  

• DET - minimum score of 125.  

RN-BSN Conditional Admission Requirements

Applicants with a CGPA of 2.0-2.24 may be considered for conditional admission after meeting the following conditional admissions requirements. Based on review of the applicant packet the Program Dean may request an interview in consideration for admission:

1. The applicant must provide a letter of intent.

2. The applicant must be approved for admission by the Program Dean/Director.  

3. The applicant must satisfy program prerequisites and achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on all coursework attempted over the first trimester (two terms).  Students failing to meet these requirements following the first trimester (two terms) will be administratively withdrawn from the university.  

NCLEX Pending

Applicants may be conditionally admitted if they are waiting for their RN licensure to be issued if they meet all other admissions criteria. Proof of licensure must be received by the end of the first term of enrollment, or the student will be dismissed from the PLN program.  

To achieve the graduation requirement of 120 credits, all students must complete 39 credits of general education courses (which may be awarded as Transfer Credit or completed at WCU), 30 credits of Upper-Level Nursing to be completed at WCU and to students who attended an accredited post-secondary institution may be awarded 51 transfer credits for an active, unencumbered license. All general education credits must fall into one of the general education category areas below. Students may request to satisfy general education credit requirements through transfer credit per university policy.

• The standard transfer credit evaluation process will be followed for coursework from a post-secondary institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, as referenced below.

• Coursework from a non-accredited post-secondary institution must proceed through the process for Approval of Non-Accredited Institutions. If approved, the standard transfer credit evaluation process will be followed. If an institution is not approved, no transfer credits may be awarded from that institution.

The University does not require programmatic accreditation of a pre-licensure nursing program for transfer credit evaluation if the institution holds institutional accreditation or if the programmatic accreditation is not required by the state where the program was offered.

Official transcripts are required for a transfer credit evaluation to be completed and final credits to be awarded. In addition to official transcripts, copies of course descriptions, school catalogs, and course syllabi may be requested for transfer credit evaluation purposes. Transfer credit evaluations are final and not subject to appeal.

A grade of C- (1.7) or better is required in any general education course in order for transfer credit to be evaluated. Applicants who fail to demonstrate competencies through transcript review are required to complete equivalent course(s) during their program enrollment to meet the graduation requirements. However, where transfer credit is required as part of the admission requirements, a student who is unable to transfer in the required credits will not meet admissions requirements and not be eligible for the program.

Students are advised that not all transfer credit evaluations result in the awarding of the same number of credits, either nursing or general education credits. Transfer credit is in the sole discretion of the receiving institution. All determinations must be made prior to the end of the add drop period, and a lack of determination will also result in the withdrawal of the student. If an institution is not approved, the student will be withdrawn from enrollment. Withdrawals associated with non-approved programs will result in a full refund of all tuition and fees and a cancellation of the enrollment agreement.

Applicants submitting non-U.S. or non-English transcripts should refer to the International Admissions section of the catalog for policies governing translation and evaluation of foreign credentials.

All determinations must be made prior to the start of the term or an evaluation resulting in a non-approved institution result in inadmissibility into the program and a cancellation of the enrollment agreement.

Applicants who have successfully completed a pre-licensure nursing program and who have an active, unencumbered license may be awarded up to 90 credit hours of transfer credit. The transfer credit is comprised of up to 51 credits awarded for lower level nursing and an unencumbered license and up to 39 general education credits. Applicants who fail to demonstrate competencies through transcript review are required to complete equivalent course(s).

Students who request transfer credits for courses must submit sealed official transcripts to the Registrar’s Office from originating institutions prior to their first day of class. If students are unable to submit transcripts or transcripts are unavailable at admission, students may submit unofficial transcripts by the first day of the student's first course. Official transcripts must be received by the end of the first term. In addition to official transcripts, copies of course descriptions, school catalogs, and course syllabi may be requested for evaluation purposes. All nursing transfer courses in which a grade of B- or better was received will be evaluated for transfer credit. A grade of C- (1.7) or better is required in general education courses.

A complete list of General Education Competency Outcome requirements and a complete list of WCU General Education Course Offerings are available on the General Education Page.

If a post-licensure nursing student cannot provide appropriate documentation evidencing general education transfer credit eligibility at the time of enrollment, the student will be scheduled for General Education classes at West Coast University.

1. An active, unencumbered license is required for degree completion and will be verified throughout the program.

2. All course and clinical educational program requirements must be successfully completed to meet graduation requirements. All course and practicum requirements are published in the course syllabi and expanded upon in the Post-Licensure Nursing Student Handbook. Students will have access to course syllabi one week prior to the term start date. Students will have access to the Post-Licensure Nursing Student Handbook after acceptance into the nursing program.

3. Students in good standing are required to meet the academic progression standards as stated in the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy. Failure to meet the SAP standards will result in dismissal from the nursing program.

4. Students in the RN-BSN program must earn a B- or better in all 400 level or below post-licensure nursing courses. Students will be required to repeat any 400 level or below nursing course for which they scored less than a "B-" the next term the course is offered.  Students in the RN-BSN program must earn a B or better in all 500 or 600 level post-licensure nursing courses. Students will be required to repeat any course for which they scored less than a "B" the next term the course is offered.  Probationally admitted students are required to adhere to the Probational Admission Policy. Fully admitted students who receive a third non-passing grade in a nursing course will be dismissed from the nursing program.  A grade of C- (1.7) or better is required in general education courses.

5. Student Conduct in a Clinical Site.

   Students in clinical sites will be held to the University’s Student Conduct Code. Incidents reported to the student’s Program Dean will be reported to the Campus Director of Student Affairs for investigation and potential adjudication and disciplinary sanctions.