RN to BSN

The program’s comprehensive curriculum is designed to prepare students for advanced nursing roles. Core courses cover a range of essential topics, including the integration of technology in nursing practice, the expanding responsibilities of nurse leaders, and the complexities of healthcare laws and patient advocacy.

Students also engage with coursework focused on health promotion and disease prevention across diverse populations, as well as evidence-based practices that support improving patient outcomes. Additionally, the curriculum includes studies in healthcare policy and offers elective courses allowing students to tailor their learning experience to align with their career goals. Below are a few of the courses offered in the RN to BSN program:

NURS 446: Nursing Inquiry for the RN

This course helps students understand the research process by exploring and analyzing nursing evidence to enhance patient outcomes.

NURS 449: Leadership and Management for the RN with Practicum

This course features a practicum to help students synthesize nursing knowledge in leadership and management. Students will complete 32 hours with a BSN-prepared Registered Nurse preceptor, focusing on leadership activities and direct patient care. Clinical clearance is required, and a site contract may be needed. For details, contact nurs.contracts@fhsu.edu.

NURS 450: Healthcare Quality Improvement for the RN

This course enables students to conduct a needs assessment within a healthcare community setting. Students will develop an evidence-based strategy for systems change.

Discover the full RN to BSN program course listing by visiting the Academic Catalog.

Graduates are well-prepared to pursue a wide range of rewarding and diverse career opportunities within the healthcare field. They are equipped to take on leadership roles and explore specialized areas of nursing practice.

This comprehensive program strengthens critical thinking, enhances clinical judgment, and builds professional expertise, enabling graduates to succeed in today’s complex healthcare environments. The advanced knowledge and skills gained through the program support career advancement and open the door to expanded responsibilities. Below are some of the career paths that graduates may pursue:

Nurse Manager/Supervisor

A nurse manager leads nursing teams, oversees budgets, and ensures the delivery of high-quality patient care. Responsibilities include scheduling, staff evaluation, implementing policies, and mentoring team members to support their professional growth.

Public Health Nurse

Public health nurses focus on promoting wellness and preventing disease in communities. They conduct health assessments, develop educational programs, and advocate for policies that improve public health, often working with diverse populations.

Nursing Educator

Nursing educators teach and mentor nurses in clinical settings, assess staff competency, and provide patient and staff education. They play a vital role in developing future nurses and often engage in research to stay current with industry advancements.

The RN to BSN program at Fort Hays State University is designed for registered nurses who wish to advance their careers by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. To ensure a smooth application process, prospective students should meet the following admission requirements:

• An active, unencumbered RN license issued in the United States.
• A cumulative GPA or associate degree in nursing GPA ≥ 2.5. Applicants with a GPA between 2.00 and 2.49 may be considered for probationary admission.
• Must have earned a grade of "C" or higher in any RN to BSN course at FHSU.
• International students holding an F1 or F2 visa are not eligible for admission to this program.
• Must meet all FHSU requirements for transfer credit.

The Department of Nursing does not accept applications from students residing in Mississippi, Washington, or the District of Columbia.

Clinical clearance requirements must be completed prior to enrollment in NURS 449. A full list of these requirements can be found in the FHSU Nursing Handbook.

Progression Requirements for RN to BSN Students

• Students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all RN to BSN program courses. Grades of “D” or “U” are considered failing. A second course failure will result in a recommendation for dismissal. Students may appeal decisions in accordance with FHSU’s academic appeal guidelines.
• Students must maintain a minimum FHSU major GPA of ≥ 2.5 to remain in the program. A major GPA of < 2.5 may result in dismissal from the program.
• RN to BSN students may withdraw from program courses in accordance with FHSU withdrawal deadlines and policies.

Probation Guidelines

• Students admitted on probation must earn a semester GPA of ≥ 2.5 or higher during their first semester to qualify for full admission.
• Failure to meet the minimum GPA of 2.5 in the first semester may result in dismissal from the program.

Clinical Clearance Requirements

The RN to BSN program at FHSU requires preceptor-led clinicals as part of NURS 449. Clinical clearance requirements include obtaining student liability insurance, completing a background check and drug testing, and submitting immunization records.    

Fort Hays State University actively assists students in securing clinical contracts across the United States. However, in rare cases where a contract cannot be arranged due to location, state, or facility restrictions, and no alternative site is available locally, students will be assigned a clinical site in Hays, Kansas. In such cases, students must hold a Kansas nursing license and be able to attend their practicum in Kansas. Students are encouraged to begin the preceptor selection process early in their program. They should contact the Department of Nursing for any questions or guidance regarding clinical placements.

Program Requirements

• COMM 100 or COMM 304: Fundamentals of Oral Communication OR Intermediate Interpersonal Communication
• ENG 101: English Composition I
• ENG 102: English Composition II
• MATH 110: College Algebra 
• BIOL 230/230L + BIOL 231/231L: Human Anatomy & Physiology I, II, and Labs
• BIOL 240/240L: Microbiology for Allied Health and Lab
• CHEM 100 or CHEM 110: Chemist’s View of the World OR Molecules and Society
• PSY 100: General Psychology

Degree Requirements

• A minimum of 120 credit hours is required to earn a BSN degree, including 30 credit hours completed directly through FHSU, with 45 credit hours designated as upper-division courses.
• Transfer students from Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) institutions who have completed an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree at a Kansas community college will have fulfilled all FHSU general education requirements.
• Transfer students from outside Kansas with an AA or AS degree from a regionally accredited institution outside Kansas must complete the KBOR system-wide general education program requirements. This policy applies to diploma nurses with fewer than 36 transferable credit hours.
• International Students: This program does not meet the requirements for international students who require on-campus courses.
• Students with a U.S. RN license and transcripts from outside the United States must submit two transcript evaluations: one from World Education Services (WES+) and one from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS).

All nursing courses and transcripts from institutions outside the United States require additional evaluation by the Commission of Graduates Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). A detailed course-by-course assessment is required to verify the degree, course credits, grades, and overall grade point average.