Courses

The RN to BSN program is 120 credits. To earn this bachelor of science in nursing, you must successfully complete:

42 prescribed core course credits
45 General Education credits
33 additional core credits (earned by portfolio verification for licensed RNs)

The degree's prescribed core courses focus on contemporary issues in the field of nursing. Subjects of study include anatomy, chemistry, data management, ethics, health assessment, human development and family studies, human resources management, microbiology, nursing research, nutrition, and sociology.

Some nursing courses are available in an accelerated seven-and-a-half-week format.

Course List - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Program Requirements: 120 credits
You may transfer credits into this program from another accredited institution.
However, to earn this bachelor of science in nursing, you must earn 36 of the last 60 credits from Penn State.

General Education: 45 credits
(20–22 of these 45 credits are included in the requirements for the major.)
(See General Education in the curriculum.)

Requirements for the Major: 92–93 credits
(This includes 20–22 credits of General Education courses.)

Electives: 2–5 credits

Courses that meet the General Education requirements for the degree
Title	Abbreviation	Credits
Mammalian Anatomy	BIOL 129 (GN)	4 credits
Introductory Physiology	BIOL 141	3 credits
Effective Speech	CAS 100 (GWS)	3 credits
Chemical Principles I	CHEM 110 (GN)	3 credits
Experimental Chemistry I	CHEM 111 (GN)	1 credit
Rhetoric and Composition	ENGL 015 (GWS)	3 credits
Effective Writing	ENGL 202 (GWS)	3 credits
Introduction to Human Development and Family Studies	HD FS 129 (GS)	3 credits
Elementary Microbiology	MICRB 106 (GN)	3 credits
Elementary Microbiology Laboratory	MICRB 107 (GN)	1 credit
Introductory Principles of Nutrition	NUTR 251 (GHA)	3 credits
Psychology	PSYCH 100 (GS)	3 credits
Introductory Sociology or Social Problems	SOC 001 (GS) or SOC 005 (GS)	3 credits
Elementary Statistics	STAT 200 (GQ)	4 credits

Courses that comprise credits earned by credit by portfolio assessment for RNs (33 credits)
Title	Abbreviation	Credits
Introduction to Pharmacological Concepts	NURS 205	3 credits
Health: Introduction to Wellness	NURS 215	3 credits
Health: Introduction to Illness	NURS 225	3 credits
Health: Nursing Process	NURS 230	4 credits
Nursing Care of Client through the Adult Life Span Requiring Medical Intervention	NURS 301	4 credits
Nursing Care of the Elderly	NURS 310	4 credits
Nursing Care of Young Adults	NURS 320	4 credits
Nursing Care of Children and Adolescents	NURS 406	4 credits
Mental Health Nursing	NURS 420	4 credits

Prescribed Courses (22 credits minimum)
Title	Abbreviation	Credits
Introduction to Nursing Research	NURS 200W	3 credits
Advanced Health Assessment for the Registered Nurse	NURS 352	3 credits
Introduction to Nursing Informatics	NURS 357	3 credits
Transition and the Professional Nursing Role	NURS 390	3 credits
Family and Community Health Concepts	NURS 417	4 credits
Health Concepts for Adults with Complex Health Care Needs	NURS 465	3 credits
Integrated Concepts in Nursing Practice	NURS 475	3 credits

Courses that meet the Supporting and Related Courses requirement (6 credits)
Title	Abbreviation	Credits
Violence and the Impact on Society (Course development in progress)	NURS 245	3 credits
Introduction to Forensic Nursing	NURS 409	3 credits
Forensic Evidence Collection and Preservation	NURS 410	3 credits
Seminar in Forensic Nursing	NURS 411	3 credits
Organization and Administration for the Nurse Manager	NURS 430	3 credits
Data Management for Nurse Managers	NURS 431	3 credits
Nursing Management of Human Resources	NURS 432	3 credits
Seminar for Nurse Managers	NURS 433	3 credits
Trauma/Critical Care Nursing	NURS 440	3 credits
Ethical Challenges in Health Care Informatics	NURS 458	3 credits
Advanced Concepts in Clinical Nursing Informatics	NURS 460	3 credits
Nursing Study in Specialized Setting	NURS 495	1–9 credits
Independent Studies	NURS 496	1–9 credits

Please note: Among the above degree requirements, students should incorporate at least 3 credits in US cultures, 3 credits in international (IL) cultures, and 3 credits in writing across the curriculum courses. The above course list includes only courses offered by World Campus. An official degree audit or the recommended academic plan for this program may include additional course options and detailed requirements. All students are expected to complete at least 36 Penn State credits to earn this degree. Please consult an academic adviser for details.

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.