1. Home
  2. Programs & Courses
  3. Academic Programs
  4. RN-BSN Completion Program Requirements

RN-to-BSN Completion Program

Nursing Program Overview

Demand for nurses in Colorado is increasing and many health care employers now require their nurses to have a bachelor’s degree. Completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) helps qualify students for more (and better) jobs, including supervisory and management positions.

The RN-to-BSN Completion Program builds on a two-year nursing degree, allowing students to continue in our program to complete their BSN. Our program also accepts students who have successfully completed their first semester of a regionally accredited Associate Degree in Nursing program (ADN) and continue to be enrolled in an ADN program.

RN-to-BSN Completion Program nursing courses are offered in the online D2L format. Students enrolled in NUR 301 (first nursing course of the program) must attend a mandatory in-person orientation the week before the class starts (see dates below). In addition to coursework, FRCC provides opportunities to work with nursing experts close to where students live or work.

The RN-to-BSN Completion is a total of 120 credit hours (71.5 ADN credits and 48.5 BSN credits). For full time students who already have an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), the RN-to-BSN Completion Program can be finished in four semesters (48.5 credits). For students currently enrolled in FRCC’s ADN Program, as well as those working full time as a registered nurse, the program is flexible to allow extended time to earn a degree.

Program Mission

The mission of the RN-to-BSN Completion Program is to embrace diversity and provide a quality, accessible, enriching educational experience that allows the student to continue lifelong learning utilizing evidence-based practice in the profession of nursing.

Course Format

All RN-to-BSN Completion Program nursing courses are offered online and are delivered in the Desire to Learn (D2L) learning management system. Students have the opportunity to attend weekly virtual online meetings to review concepts and to foster collaborations with BSN students. For more information on online courses, visit Online Learning. 

Mandatory Orientation

Students enrolled in NUR 301 (first nursing course of the program) must attend a mandatory in-person orientation the week before the class starts.

  • For those enrolling in NUR 301 in summer 2020, orientation will be Friday, June 5 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. through WebEx. Instructions will be sent to students who have registered.
  • Fall 2020 and spring 2021 orientation dates TBD.

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Front Range Community College is pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.

Frequently Asked Questions

See FAQs for the RN-to-BSN Completion Program.

Application Dates

The RN-to-BSN Completion Program has three application periods each year. Once admitted, students may choose their start date as outlined below.

Application Period When to Apply Start Date
Summer admission March 16- April 15, 2020. Application period closes at 3:30 pm. Summer 2020 or Fall 2020
Fall admission May 1- June 1, 2020. Application period closes at 3:30 pm. Fall 2020, Spring 2021, or Summer 2021
Spring admission TBA Spring 2021 or Summer 2021

Upcoming Information Sessions

Campus When Where
Larimer Campus

Tuesday, March 3

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Blanca Peak
Room 143

See Map & Directions
Boulder County Campus

Thursday, March 5

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Campus Community Room C1482

See Map & Directions
Westminster Campus

Monday, March 9

5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

B-0353 (Level B)

See Map & Directions

Applying

The RN-to-BSN Completion Program is designed for two types of students:

  1. A student who has graduated from a regionally accredited Associate Degree Nursing program (ADN) and has a current unencumbered nursing license to practice in Colorado. Effective March 16, 2020, applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA in nursing courses.
  • CCCS policy (BP 9-71 Transfer Credit) Credit can only be transferred from “regional accrediting associations.”
    We are unable to make exceptions to this rule.
  • The sending institution must have been regionally accredited for the entire time the student was earning the applicable credits.
  • Contact Laura O’Leary with further questions.
  1. A student who has successfully completed their first semester of a regionally accredited Associate Degree in Nursing program (ADN) and continues to be enrolled in an ADN program. Effective March 16, 2020, applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA in nursing courses.

1. Submit online FRCC admission application

  • Select Health Sciences and Wellness for Area of Interest
  • Select Nursing: RN-BSN Program for degree or certificate

2. Attach supplemental documents to your submitted admission application:

  • Unofficial college transcript
  • Verification of Enrollment from ADN Program Director (current ADN students only)
  • Valid RN Colorado or compact state license from a regionally accredited program (ADN graduates only) 

How to Upload Supplemental Documents:

  • After completing the online application, click Submit Application.
  • Click on the My Account link in the menu.
  • Click on Step 4. Submit Supplemental Items
  • Click the Choose File button next to each item and upload the relevant document.
  • When you have successfully uploaded a document, the submission status will show as Received.
  • Applications are not considered complete until all supplemental items have been submitted and the college has verified the uploaded documents.
  • Space in the program is limited. Applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received. Acceptances are given on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the class is full, eligible students who are not admitted due to space limitations will be offered a seat in a future semester.

Once admitted, students are prompted to complete the following:

  1. RN-to-BSN Acceptance Form
  2. Transcript evaluation
    • This step only needs to be completed if you have unmet General Education Requirements and completed them at another institution.
    • Courses will be evaluated on an individual basis (course-by-course) basis.
    • General Education requirements will not automatically be waived if a bachelor's degree (or higher) has already been earned.

Only required prior to NUR 409, NUR 410, and NUR 411:

  1. Background Check
  2. Drug Screen
  3. Immunizations
    • TDAP (within 10 years)
    • MMR (two doses or positive titer)
    • Varicella (two doses or positive titer; documentation of having the disease does not qualify)
    • Hepatitis B (three doses or positive titer)
    • Influenza (must be renewed annually)
    • Two-Step TB Skin Test or Quantiferon TB Test (after initial testing, a single skin test or Quantiferon TB Test is required annually)
  4. Current AHA BLS Provider CPR Certification

Required Courses

Select one of the following options:

If you have your ADN you've earned credits that can transfer into the RN-to-BSN program. Following are the courses and credits that will most likely transfer to FRCC.

Transcript evaluations for the BSN program will be completed during the application process.

ADN Courses Credits
ENG 121 3
PSY 235 3
HPR 108 1
GT Elective 3
Block transfer for associate degree 61.5
TOTAL for ADN 71.5

The total credits to earn a BSN is 120. If you have your ADN and once you’ve completed the above courses, you’ll need to take these additional courses for a BSN:

BSN Courses Credits
ENG 122 3
MAT 135 3

GT Electives (History, Social science, Arts and Humanities)

 12
NUR 301 3
NUR 302 3
NUR 303 3
NUR 304, 305, 306, 307 (Choose two) 6
NUR 408 3
NUR 409 3.5
NUR 410 6
NUR 411 3
SUB-TOTAL 48.5
TOTAL for BSN 120

If you have a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing, it is likely you have completed many of the general education courses necessary for the bachelor's degree. Please check with your Pathways advisor.

See all required courses and descriptions for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

As a current student in a CCCS Registered Nursing program you will need to complete the following courses to earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN):

ADN Courses Credits
These courses must be taken prior to entering the RN-to-BSN program
ENG 121 3
PSY 235

3
HPR 108 1 
BIO 201 4 
BIO 202 4 
BIO 204 4 
MAT 103 3 
NUR 109 6 
NUR 112 2 
These courses can be taken after entering the RN-to-BSN program: 
BIO 216 4
NUR 106 7;
NUR 150 6
NUR 206 6.5
NUR 211 4
NUR 212 2
NUR 216 5
NUR 230 4
Elective 3
TOTAL for ADN  71.5

 

RN-to-BSN Courses Credits
ENG 122 3
MAT 135 3
GT Electives
(History, Social science, Arts and Humanities)		 12
NUR 301 3
NUR 302 3
NUR 303 3
NUR 304, 305, 306, 307 (Choose two) 6
NUR 408 3
NUR 409 3.5
NUR 410 6
NUR 411 3
SUB-TOTAL 48.5
TOTAL for BSN 120

If you have a bachelor degree in a field other than nursing, it is likely you have completed many of the general education courses necessary for the bachelor degree. Please check with your Pathways advisor. 

See all required courses and descriptions for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Contact Us
RN-to-BSN Completion Program Director

Edith Matesic, DNP, MSN, RN
Office: Blanca Peak 151-K

Administrative Assistant

Laura O’Leary

Adjunct Faculty

Nicole Thede, DNP, CNS, RN
(303) 910-2616

Brenda Tousley, DNP, CNS, RN
(970) 302-2409

Contact Advising
Larimer Campus

(970) 204 - 8332

Westminster Campus

(303) 404 - 5000

Boulder County Campus

(303) 678 - 3628

Online Advising

(303) 404 - 5513

Email Online Advising

From Our Blog