Department of Nursing RN-BSN Program

Mission

The mission of the Nursing Department is to prepare quality nurse health care providers through excellence in education, scholarship and service. This program builds on the strength of the licensed registered nurse and challenges the individuals enrolled in this program to expand their critical thinking for new professional nursing roles, methods of health care delivery and approaches to health care practice issues.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program

The RN to B.S.N. program of study is specifically designed for the registered nurse student to earn a baccalaureate degree. The RN-BSN program is only available to students with a valid license to practice as a registered nurse and hold an associate degree or diploma in nursing. Baccalaureate nursing education prepares professional nurses who have a strong foundation in liberal arts education. The RN-BSN nursing program allows the registered nurse to build on core nursing knowledge and experience but through their program, expand their knowledge base as leaders in the profession. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared for positions in patient care, leadership, community health and be qualified to apply for advanced work in nursing at the Masters level.

Requirements for Admission to the RN-BSN Completion Program:

1. Graduate of an approved Associate Degree or Diploma program in nursing.
2. Valid unencumbered nursing license as a registered nurse in the state of New Mexico or compact state.
3. Cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
4. If graduated more than 3 years ago from nursing school, applicant must have 1,000 hours of nursing work experience.
5. All general core requirements of New Mexico Highlands University must be met in addition to the upper division nursing courses.
6. As long as the student meets the nursing program pre-requisite requirements, selected general education core courses can be taken along with some nursing courses.
7. RN’s will be awarded 30 hours of upper division credit for completion of the associate Degree in Nursing and a valid registered nurse license. Credit will not be awarded until the successful completion of at least nine semester hours of the program.
8. Applicant must apply to NMHU and also to the RN-BSN program. Admission to New Mexico Highlands University does not guarantee admission to the RN-BSN program.

Required nursing program prerequisites are:

Microbiology
Anatomy and Physiology I
Anatomy and Physiology II
Introduction to Psychology
Life Span Human Growth and Development
Nutrition
Computer course or competency
Introduction to Sociology or Anthropology
Technical Writing
Statistics

RN-BSN Program Courses

• 1st year Spring – NURS 320
Evidence Based Application in Health Assessment 3cr
• 1st year Spring – NURS 340
Advancement of Professional Nursing 3cr
• 1st Summer – NURS332
Nursing Informatics 3cr
• 1st year Fall – NURS360
Cultural Competencies and Health Care 3cr
• 1st year Fall – NURS370
Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice 3cr
• 2nd year Spring – NURS 431
Community and Rural Health Nursing 6cr
• 2nd Summer – NURS380
Gerontological Nursing Practice 3cr
• 2nd year Fall – NURS451
Seminar on Professional Nursing Leadership 2cr
• 2nd year Fall – NURS 434
Nursing Leadership Practicum 4cr
Nursing Elective or Special Topics 2-3cr

Transfer Credit:

Only college courses with a grade of C or better will transfer.

General Questions about the Program

How long will it take to get my degree?
Our program is designed for part-time students who will take 6 hours of nursing a semester and 3 hours in the summer. The reduction of hours in the summer is to allow students to take additional core requirements they might need. The total number of credits you are transferring and availability and flexibility to take courses will determine the length of time needed to complete the degree. The nursing courses will take six semesters. Classes meet one day a week with one course in the morning and one in the afternoon.

How do I apply to the university?

• You must be admitted into New Mexico Highlands University to apply to the RN-BSN program. Applications are available on the university’s addmissions web page.
• There is a one-time $20 application fee payable to NMHU.
• If you are a former student and have not been enrolled at Highlands University for one semester or more, it will be necessary to complete an application for re-enrollment to the university.
• Admission to Highlands University does not guarantee admission to the RN-BSN Program. A separate application must be submitted for acceptance into the RN-BSN Program.
• Along with your application, you will need to send an official transcript(s) to the Admissions Office at :

Office of Admissions
New Mexico Highlands University,
Box9000
Las Vegas, NM 87701-9000


• If you have additional questions, please call the Office of Admissions at 505-454-3439 or 1-800-338-NMHU

How do I apply to the nursing program?

• You must first apply and be admitted to Highlands University. All transcripts must be on file. Contact the Nursing Program for a copy of the application for the RN-BSN Program or download the application at this website. Submit the application for admission to:

Director, RN-BSN Program
New Mexico Highlands University,
Box9000
Las Vegas, NM 87701-9000


• A student must complete and submit the RN-BSN Nursing Program application by October 31, to be considered for admission into the program for spring semester. Applicants will be notified of admission status by mail.

How do I get information about the program?

You may make an appointment to meet with the director of the RN-BSN Program to review your previous coursework and assist you in making a degree plan that will meet your needs. You may also call 505-454-2116 or e-mail the Director Susan Williams for general information about the program.

Description of Nursing Courses (PDF)
Application for AdmissionRN-BSN (PDF)

Contact Person

Susan Williams, RN. PhD.
Director of RN-BSN Nursing Program
505-454-3210
Send email

An Associates Degree in Nursing, as well as a valid RN’s license, is required for admission into the BSN program