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College of Nursing:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

In the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) Completion Program, current registered nurses (RNs) who have a diploma or associate degree in nursing are provided with the opportunity to earn a BSN degree.

Walden’s Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)–accredited RN-BSN completion program is structured to support and equip RNs with specialized skills and current knowledge they can apply on the job immediately. Students may be eligible to transfer up to 75%* of the required credits. Classes start every 6 weeks.**

The hallmark offering of this program is the interactive Digital Learning Experience™ by Shadow Health®. With real-time, virtual assessments, students can engage in a highly interactive learning environment through the simulation.

Prospective Washington students: Walden University is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission to provide practice experiences in Washington State for a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing; Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Nursing Education, Nursing Informatics, Leadership and Management, Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner; as well as the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. For more information, go to the following website: https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/NursingCommission/NursingEducation/NursingPrograms.

 

Note: The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is offered in two different learning modalities: the course-based modality and the competency-based modality, Tempo Learning®.

*, **Transfer credits and start times do not apply to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) (Competency Based) modality.

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing (BSN), master’s degree program in nursing (MSN), post-graduate APRN certificate program, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Walden University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply leadership and informatics concepts in decision making to promote patient safety and quality care.

  2. Use evidence based on the sciences, humanities, and research to guide nursing practice across the health-illness continuum in a variety of healthcare settings.

  3. Evaluate the implications of policy on issues of access, equity, affordability, and social justice in healthcare delivery including the health of vulnerable populations and healthcare disparities.

  4. Demonstrate effective communication and collaboration skills to improve patient outcomes.

  5. Implement individual and population-focused interventions to promote health and to prevent and manage disease and injuries.

  6. Exhibit accountability for personal and professional behaviors in accordance with standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct with a commitment to continuous professional development.

  7. Provide patient-centered nursing care based on a comprehensive and focused health assessment across the lifespan using sound clinical judgment as well as developmentally and culturally appropriate approaches.

Course-Based Program Tracks

RN-BSN Track

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Completion Program provides current registered nurses (RNs) who have a diploma or associate’s degree in nursing with the opportunity to earn a BSN degree.

The program is specifically designed to provide students with the evidence-based practices that can be applied on the job immediately. At the same time, students will develop the skills of reflection, independent learning, and enhanced critical thinking that will enable them to stay current in their field throughout their career.

Degree Requirements

  • 181 total credits
  • General Education courses (50 credits)
  • Upper-level nursing core courses (51 credits)
  • Elective courses and prior nursing credit (80 credits)

Curriculum

General Education Courses (50 credits)

See the General Education section of this Walden University Catalog.

Upper-Level Nursing Core (51 credits)

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Elective Courses and Prior Nursing Credit (80 credits)

Students with less than 80 transfer credits can choose elective courses from any of Walden’s bachelor degree programs.

RN-BSN-AIM Track

The RN-BSN-AIM program provides current registered nurses (RNs) who have a diploma and/or associate’s degree in nursing with the opportunity to earn a BSN degree as well as take three master’s-level courses that can be transferred* into a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree.

The program is specifically designed to provide students with the evidence-based practices that can be applied on the job immediately. At the same time, students will develop the skills of reflection, independent learning, and enhanced critical thinking that will enable them to stay current in their field throughout their career.

The RN-BSN-AIM program will provide a student with a bachelor’s degree. All students will enter the program with previously earned education credits. These credits may include:

  • Credits awarded for meeting competencies required to achieve the nursing license through either a diploma program or an associate’s degree program.
  • Transfer credits from undergraduate courses that they have taken at other universities.
  • 135 of the 181 quarter credits may potentially be transferred into the program (depending upon the qualifications the students bring as they enter).

*After completion of the BSN program, students must apply to the MSN program, and the three master’s-level courses can be transferred into an MSN degree if the students receive a grade of B or higher.

Degree Requirements

  • 181 total credits
  • General Education (50 credits)
  • Upper-level nursing core courses (51 credits)
    • NURS 5050, NURS 5051, and NURS 5052 will transfer into the MSN program with a grade of B or higher.
  • Elective courses and prior nursing credit (80 credits)

Curriculum

General Education Courses (50 credits)

See the General Education section of this Walden University Catalog.

Upper-Level Nursing Core Courses (51 credits)

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Elective Courses and Prior Nursing Credit (80 credits)

Students with less than 80 transfer credits can choose elective courses from any of Walden’s bachelor degree programs.

Tempo Learning® Program

RN-BSN Track

Degree Requirements

  • 180 total credits
  • General education courses (50 credits)
  • Upper-level nursing core courses (50 credits)
  • Elective courses and prior nursing credit (80 credits)

Core Curriculum

General Education Courses (50 credits)

See the General Education section of this Walden University Catalog.

Upper-Level Nursing Core (50 credits)


(Note: NURS 3100 is worth 5 credits, not 6, in the competency-based program.)
  • IN3001 The Power of Nursing
    Recognize the role of the nurse as a leader in the dynamic field of healthcare.
  • IN3002 Nurses at the Forefront of Issues and Trends
    Analyze factors, issues, and trends impacting the nursing profession.
  • IN3003 Quality and Safety Practices for Healthcare Solutions
    Explain how evidence-based nursing solutions promote patient quality and safety.
  • IN3004 Interprofessional Teamwork: Civil Collaboration for the Common Good
    Recommend appropriate strategies to promote civility and interprofessional communication in the workforce.
  • IN3005 Powerful Caring Leads to Social Change
    Analyze the responsibility of nursing professionals to advocate for social change.
  • IN3006 Creating Your Personal Nursing Legacy
    Evaluate areas of strength and areas of professional growth for improving the health and healthcare delivery of populations.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • HA3001 Cultural and Genetic Influences on Health
    Identify population health, cultural influences, and genetic and genomic information as it relates to conducting a health history and physical assessment.
  • HA3002 Ethical Issues in Health Assessment
    Articulate ethical issues related to obtaining a health history and physical exam.
  • HA3003 Biopsychosocial Factors
    Evaluate the impact of biopsychosocial factors on a patient during a health assessment.
  • HA3004 Comprehensive Health History
    Conduct and document a comprehensive health history.
  • HA3005 Comprehensive Physical Assessment
    Conduct and document a comprehensive physical assessment.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • IM3001A Informatics in Healthcare
    Recognize the importance of nursing informatics in healthcare and how it impacts the nurse’s role and
    the healthcare institution.
  • IM3002A Clinical Data Evaluation
  • Evaluate clinical data to support evidence-based decision-making related to safe, quality healthcare delivery. 
  • IM3003A Protecting Patient Privacy
    Use strategies to ensure the protection of patient data and privacy.
  • IM3004A Healthcare Technology and Informed Decision Making
    Create educational plans in collaboration with patients based on information from healthcare technology.
  • NR3001 Research Process
    Recognize the elements of the research process.
  • NR3002 Research Methodology
    Analyze research methodologies.
  • NR3003 Interpreting Data
    Analyze and interpret research data.
  • NR3004 Research Recommendations
    Generate reasonable conclusions and recommendations based on published research findings.
  • EP4001 Evidence-Based Practice Models for Research
    Understand the importance of using models to facilitate evidence-based practice.
  • EP4002 Clinical Nursing Issues
    Develop an evidence-based practice question based on a clinical nursing issue.
  • EP4003 Evaluating Research
    Evaluate research related to a clinical practice issue.
  • EP4004 Designing Interventions
    Recommend evidence-based clinical interventions or process improvements to promote positive patient health outcomes.  
  • HP4001 Policy and the Role of the Nurse
    Analyze the role of the nurse as a force that shapes policy.
  • HP4002 U.S. Healthcare System
    Demonstrate an understanding of the U.S. healthcare system.
  • HP4003 Social Determinants of Health
    Analyze healthcare policy and social determinants of health and how they impact health disparities.
  • HP4004 Evaluating Health Policy
    Evaluate federal, state, and local policies on healthcare.
  • HP4005 Advocacy for Policy Change
    Recommend policy change to advocate for positive patient outcomes.
  • GH4001 Principles of Epidemiology
    Recognize principles of epidemiology.
  • GH4002 The Role of the Nurse in Disaster and Emergency Preparedness
    Analyze the role of the nurse leader in preparing for and responding to public health disasters and emergencies. 
  • GH4003 Communication and Collaboration With Diverse Cultures
    Analyze population health beliefs and behaviors to inform culturally competent nursing practice.
  • GH4004 The State of Global Health
    Compare a health problem and the healthcare system of the U.S. to other countries.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • PH4001 The Role of the Nurse Leader in Population Health
    Analyze the role of the nurse leader in population health.
  • PH4002 Identifying Health Problems Within Your Community
    Justify a public health problem within your community using multiple sources of data.
  • PH4003 Community Assessment (Practicum)
    Analyze a population health problem based on a community assessment.
  • PH4004 Evidence-Based Practice in Public Health Nursing (Practicum)
    Synthesize sources of information to inform public health nursing interventions.
  • PH4005 Evidence-Based Intervention Plan (Practicum)
    Create an evidence-based primary intervention plan at the system level in collaboration with health leaders to improve the health of a population in your community.
  • CN4001 Nurse as Leader
    Analyze the leadership role of the nurse in preventing and managing health problems across the lifespan in healthcare practice settings.  
  • CN4002 Genetics and Genomics
    Develop a patient education fact sheet for a genetic-based healthcare issue.  
  • CN4003 Staffing Plan
    Analyze the process of creating a staffing plan that meets both patient care needs and budget constraints.  
  • CN4004 Data-Driven Nursing Interventions
    Create a data-driven nursing intervention based on quality indicators.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • LC4001A Leadership for Organizational Culture and Growth
    Analyze leadership for organizational culture and growth to promote positive social change through patient quality and safety.
  • LC4002A Healthcare Quality
    Analyze healthcare quality for nursing practice.
  • LC4003A Quality Improvement Processes
    Analyze quality improvement processes.
  • LC4004A Quality Improvement Tools
    Analyze information from quality improvement tools.
  • LC4005A Improving Patient Quality and Safety
  • Apply quality improvement processes and tools as a scholar-practitioner to improve quality and safety.

Elective Courses and Prior Nursing Credit (80 credits)

Nurses admitted to the program may be awarded up to 50 quarter credits for meeting competencies required to achieve the nursing license through either a diploma program or an associate degree program.

Students with less than 80 transfer credits can choose elective courses from any of Walden’s bachelor degree programs.

RN-BSN-AIM Track

The RN-BSN-AIM program provides current registered nurses (RNs) who have a diploma and/or associate’s degree in nursing with the opportunity to earn a BSN degree as well as take three master’s-level courses that can be transferred* into a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree.

The program is specifically designed to provide students with the evidence-based practices that can be applied on the job immediately. At the same time, students will develop the skills of reflection, independent learning, and enhanced critical thinking that will enable them to stay current in their field throughout their career.

The RN-BSN-AIM program will provide a student with a bachelor’s degree. All students will enter the program with previously earned education credits. These credits may include:

  • Credits awarded for meeting competencies required to achieve the nursing license through either a diploma program or an associate’s degree program.
  • Transfer credits from undergraduate courses that they have taken at other universities.
  • 135 of the 180 quarter credits may potentially be transferred into the program (depending upon the qualifications the students bring as they enter).

* After completion of the BSN program, students must apply to the MSN program, and the three master’s-level courses can be transferred into an MSN degree if the students receive a grade of “B” or higher.

Core Curriculum

Degree Requirements

  • 180 total credits
  • General Education courses (50 credits)
  • Upper-level nursing core courses (50 credits)
    • NURS 5050, NURS 5051, and NURS 5052 will transfer into the MSN program
  • Elective courses and prior nursing credit (80 credits)

General Education Courses (50 credits)

See the General Education section of this Walden University Catalog.

Upper-Level Nursing Core (50 credits)


(Note: NURS 3100 is worth 5 credits, not 6, in the competency-based program.)
  • IN3001 The Power of Nursing
    Recognize the role of the nurse as a leader in the dynamic field of healthcare.
  • IN3002 Nurses at the Forefront of Issues and Trends
    Analyze factors, issues, and trends impacting the nursing profession.
  • IN3003 Quality and Safety Practices for Healthcare Solutions
    Explain how evidence-based nursing solutions promote patient quality and safety.
  • IN3004 Interprofessional Teamwork: Civil Collaboration for the Common Good
    Recommend appropriate strategies to promote civility and interprofessional communication in the workforce.
  • IN3005 Powerful Caring Leads to Social Change
    Analyze the responsibility of nursing professionals to advocate for social change.
  • IN3006 Creating Your Personal Nursing Legacy
    Evaluate areas of strength and areas of professional growth for improving the health and healthcare delivery of populations.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • HA3001 Cultural and Genetic Influences on Health
    Identify population health, cultural influences, and genetic and genomic information as it relates to conducting a health history and physical assessment.
  • HA3002 Ethical Issues in Health Assessment
    Articulate ethical issues related to obtaining a health history and physical exam.
  • HA3003 Biopsychosocial Factors
    Evaluate the impact of biopsychosocial factors on a patient during a health assessment.
  • HA3004 Comprehensive Health History
    Conduct and document a comprehensive health history.
  • HA3005 Comprehensive Physical Assessment
    Conduct and document a comprehensive physical assessment.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • NR3001 Research Process
    Recognize the elements of the research process.
  • NR3002 Research Methodology
    Analyze research methodologies.
  • NR3003 Interpreting Data
    Analyze and interpret research data.
  • NR3004 Research Recommendations
    Generate reasonable conclusions and recommendations based on published research findings.
  • GH4001 Principles of Epidemiology
    Recognize principles of epidemiology.
  • GH4002 The Role of the Nurse in Disaster and Emergency Preparedness
    Analyze the role of the nurse leader in preparing for and responding to public health disasters and emergencies. 
  • GH4003 Communication and Collaboration With Diverse Cultures
    Analyze population health beliefs and behaviors to inform culturally competent nursing practice.
  • GH4004 The State of Global Health
    Compare a health problem and the healthcare system of the U.S. to other countries.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • EB001 Evidence-Based Practice and the Quadruple Aim
    Analyze the relationship between evidence-based practice and the Quadruple Aim in healthcare organizations.
  • EB002 Research Methodology
    Analyze research methodologies described in peer-reviewed articles.
  • EB003 Clinical Inquiry, Problem-Intervention-Comparison-Outcome-Time (PICOT), and Searching Databases
    Analyze relevant, peer-reviewed articles in support of PICOT questions.
  • EB004 Critical Appraisal, Evaluation/Summary, and Synthesis of Evidence
    Recommend best practices based on critical appraisal of evidence-based research.
  • EB005 Evidence-Based Decision-Making
    Recommend evidence-based organizational changes using an evidence-based practice approach to decision making.
  • EB006 Disseminating Evidenced-Based Practice Changes
    Analyze dissemination strategies for evidence-based practice changes in healthcare.
  • CN4001 Nurse as Leader
    Analyze the leadership role of the nurse in preventing and managing health problems across the lifespan in healthcare practice settings.  
  • CN4002 Genetics and Genomics
    Develop a patient education fact sheet for a genetic-based healthcare issue.  
  • CN4003 Staffing Plan
    Analyze the process of creating a staffing plan that meets both patient care needs and budget constraints.  
  • CN4004 Data-Driven Nursing Interventions
    Create a data-driven nursing intervention based on quality indicators.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • PH4001 The Role of the Nurse Leader in Population Health
    Analyze the role of the nurse leader in population health.
  • PH4002 Identifying Health Problems Within Your Community
    Justify a public health problem within your community using multiple sources of data.
  • PH4003 Community Assessment (Practicum)
    Analyze a population health problem based on a community assessment.
  • PH4004 Evidence-Based Practice in Public Health Nursing (Practicum)
    Synthesize sources of information to inform public health nursing interventions.
  • PH4005 Evidence-Based Intervention Plan (Practicum)
    Create an evidence-based primary intervention plan at the system level in collaboration with health leaders to improve the health of a population in your community.
  • LC4001A Leadership for Organizational Culture and Growth
    Analyze leadership for organizational culture and growth to promote positive social change through patient quality and safety.
  • LC4002A Healthcare Quality
    Analyze healthcare quality for nursing practice.
  • LC4003A Quality Improvement Processes
    Analyze quality improvement processes.
  • LC4004A Quality Improvement Tools
    Analyze information from quality improvement tools.
  • LC4005A Improving Patient Quality and Safety
  • Apply quality improvement processes and tools as a scholar-practitioner to improve quality and safety.
  • PA001 Agenda Setting
    Evaluate federal agendas to promote healthcare issues within the policymaking system/process.
  • PA002 Legislation
    Advocate a position on a population health-related bill.
  • PA003 Regulation
    Analyze how regulations influence the nurse’s role and the delivery, costs, and access to healthcare.
  • PA004 Design and Implementation
    Analyze advocacy and the role of the nurse in healthcare program design and implementation.
  • PA005 Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation
    Assess outcomes of population health program/policy evaluations.
  • PA006 Global Healthcare Issues
    Analyze the impact of nurse advocacy on addressing global health issues.
  • TN001 What is Informatics?
    Analyze frameworks and tools for the role of the nurse as an informaticist and knowledge worker.
  • TN002 The Role of Nurse Informatics in Healthcare
    Analyze the role of the nurse informaticist in nursing informatics projects to improve outcomes or efficiencies in healthcare organizations.
  • TN003 Data to Information to Knowledge to Wisdom
    Analyze how standardized terminologies impact the practice of healthcare and nursing informatics.
  • TN004 Technologies Supporting Applied Practice and Optimal Patient Outcomes
    Analyze nursing informatics research on the application of clinical systems to improve outcomes and efficiencies.
  • TN005 The Nurse Leader and the Systems Development Life Cycle
    Define the role of the nurse for participation on an implementation team as a component of the systems development life cycle.
  • TN006 Policy and Regulation Supporting Informatics and Technology
    Evaluate legislative policies and regulations for health and nursing informatics and their impact on improvement for outcomes and efficiencies in nursing practice.

Elective Courses and Prior Nursing Credit (80 credits)

Nurses admitted to the program may be awarded up to 50 quarter credits for meeting competencies required to achieve the nursing license through either a diploma program or an associate degree program.

Students with less than 80 transfer credits can choose elective courses from any of Walden’s bachelor degree programs.

Note on Field Experience and Relocating

Students who are considering relocating are advised to contact their student success advisor prior to any decision to relocate in order to determine how relocation may impact progress in their program.  Advisors can provide information and guidance on how relocating may result in possible changes, restrictions, and/or additional requirements affecting field experience. Each Board of Nursing and Higher Education Authority governs the field experience rules and regulations in their respective states, and students may be unable to complete field experience in the state in which they plan to relocate. While Walden is committed to working collaboratively with students to secure field sites across the United States, it is imperative that students contact their student success advisor immediately when considering relocating.

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