RN-BSN Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a Registered Nurse (RN) to participate in Drexel's online RN-BSN program?
Yes. It is a minimum requirement that you must possess your RN license before you will be considered for this program.
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Does Drexel offer a program for LPN's to earn their nursing license (RN) online?
No. Many community colleges offer programs for LPN's to earn their nursing licenses.
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Are Drexel University's nursing programs accredited?
Yes. Drexel's nursing programs are fully accredited by the NLN-AC (National League for Nursing - Accrediting Commission) and the CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education). Drexel University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges & Secondary Schools (the same accreditation as Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, Cornell, New York University, Princeton, Yale and the University of Pennsylvania).
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What are Drexel's admissions requirements for the online RN-BSN program?
- A completed application form to the undergraduate nursing program.
- RN licensure (provisional acceptance will generally be offered pending successful completion of the NCLEX-RN examination).
- College GPA of 2.5 or above.
- High school degree or equivalency.
- International Students must submit a TOEFL score indicating a minimum of 550.
- Official transcripts from all universities or colleges attended showing that 60 semester hours of college prerequisites with grade of C or better were acquired in:
- Nursing - 30 hours
- English (including one semester of composition) - 6 hours
- Humanities (studio courses not acceptable) - 3 hours
- Anatomy and Physiology - 8 hours
- Microbiology - 4 hours
- Sociology - 3 hours
- Growth and Development - 3 hours
- Psychology - 3 hours
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What steps does someone with an international degree take to apply to this program?
In addition to the general admissions requirements, anyone who has been born outside of the United States is required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and have an official score report (indicating a minimum score of 600) sent directly from Educational Testing Service (ETS) to Drexel University before their file is evaluated.
TOEFL scores must be less than two years old to be considered. Information regarding the TOEFL can be obtained by contacting:
Educational Testing Service
Princeton, NJ 08541
609-921-9000, or 609-771-7100
http://www.toefl.org
In addition, international students are required to list on their application all schools attended, including primary and secondary schools. Along with your application, you must enclose official transcripts (mark sheets and degree certificates) in your native language and in English from all colleges and graduate/ professional schools that you attended. Do not send transcripts from secondary schools. If your school issues only one transcript for life, you may send a notarized photocopy, bearing the seal on each page.
Applicants are responsible for contacting World Education Service for evaluation of transcripts:
World Education Service, Inc. (WES)
P.O. Box 745
Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY 10113-0745
212-966-6311
http://www.wes.org
Applicants are responsible for supplying all necessary documentation.
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How do I know which credits will transfer into Drexel's online RN-BSN program?
The RN-BSN program is 180 quarter credits and consists of three tiers. The first tier consists of 90 quarter credits which are the prerequisites - the courses that you completed in your nursing program - such as English 101/102, etc. Students are granted 45 quarter credits for their nursing courses. The second tier is 43 quarter credits and consists of general study courses. For example, classes such as Statistics and Ethics. The upper division tier consists of 47 quarter credits which must be taken as part of Drexel's program.
Students are able to transfer in all of the first and second tier courses totaling 133 quarter credits (equal to 90 semester credits) - 90 prerequisite quarter credits plus 43 non-nursing quarter credits from previous college studies.
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Can I take just one or two classes from the RN-BSN curricula without being fully enrolled in the program?
No. The College of Nursing and Health Professions does not allow students to take courses under the non-matriculated (non-degree seeking) status within the undergraduate nursing curriculum. You must submit all required admissions materials and be accepted in order to take courses.
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As a student in the RN-BSN online program will I be required to attend live chats?
Yes, students in the RN-BSN program must attend up to four live chats during their respective terms.
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Are there any on-campus requirements for Drexel's RN-BSN program?
No, students will not be required to travel to the Drexel University campus in Philadelphia at any point for the RN-BSN program.
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What does the RN-BSN clinical requirement entail?
Drexel's RN-BSN program has a course, NURS 375- Nurses Building a Healthy Community, which requires a clinical component to be completed offline. Students must complete a total of 60 hours of clinical time on-site (6 hours per week for 10 weeks) plus any online coursework associated with the field experience. This is a Public Health Nursing course; therefore, a hospital setting is not an appropriate setting. Examples of acceptable sites include: Public Health Department, school-based clinics, Head Start, parish nursing, etc.
Students will also have the choice of a second clinical course. They can take NURS 464 - Senior Concentration in Nursing (clinical course) or NURS 465 - Senior Thesis in Nursing. If NURS 464 is chosen, students can complete the clinical in a hospital setting where they work but not in their current position.
Students are sent guidelines regarding appropriate clinical sites and the clinical objectives. The student is responsible for locating a clinical site and clinical preceptor. This must be established the quarter before students register for the clinical courses. All clinical sites must be approved by the Program Coordinator.
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How long does it take to complete Drexel's RN-BSN program?
The time to complete the RN-BSN program depends on how many courses the student transfers in and how many courses they take per quarter. Generally, students take 1-2 courses per quarter because of family and work commitments. Students may take as few or as many courses as they want per term, as long as the program is completed within seven years.
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How many hours per week does a student generally spend on coursework for the online RN-BSN program?
Based on student feedback, we have found that generally students spend about 6-9 hours per week on online coursework, readings, and exams.
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What is the difference between Drexel's RN-BSN program and the RN-BSN-MSN program?
The RN-BSN-MSN program allows nurses to begin pursuing a master's degree while they are finishing up their bachelor's. This is how it works:
- Students complete the application process for the RN-BSN completion program. Click here to view the admissions criteria for the RN-BSN program. Click here to access the RN-BSN application.
- When the RN-BSN student is close to completing the BSN degree, an application is submitted to the graduate nursing program of their choice.
- Upon admission to the graduate nursing program, students are permitted to take graduate courses to fulfill the open electives and either NURS 460 Global Health or NURS 462 Science, Technology & Health. The student must complete the remaining non-nursing requirements and the remaining upper division nursing courses. Students are permitted to take up to 3 graduate courses (9 credits). Please note: You must take Nurse 465 - Senior Thesis.
- Students must meet the requirements for the MSN program. The GRE or MAT exams are waived.
- Students work closely with an academic advisor to ensure proper progression.
- NOTE: Submitted materials become the property of Drexel University
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Does Drexel University offer Master's in Nursing (MSN) programs online?
Yes. For a complete list of the MSN programs Drexel currently offers online, please visit our Nursing and Health Professions Program Page.
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Are there any available tuition discounts for employees or members of partnering health systems, associations, or corporations?
Yes. Drexel has a large network of partners all over the country who benefit from reduced tuition rates. To find out if your employer or association is one of Drexel's partners, please visit our network of partners webpage. If you are interested in learning how your company or association can become a partner, please fill out the form located at www.drexel.com/partners/partnerinforequest.aspx, call toll-free at 877-215-0009 or email at info@drexel.com.
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