Nursing RN-BSN

Advance your education without putting your career on hold through CBC’s RN-BSN program! We know nurses lead busy lives, which is why we have created a program that allows you to balance work, school and everyday life.

Prerequisite Courses

To be considered for the RN-BSN program, the applicant must have completed 40 general education credits in an Associate Degree in Nursing program, including:

  • MATH& 146 Intro to Statistics (or equivalent), and
  • CHEM& 121 Intro to Chemistry with Lab (or equivalent), and
  • ENGL& 101 English Composition (or equivalent), or
  • ENGL& 102 Composition (or equivalent), or
  • ENGL& 235 Technical Writing (or equivalent), and
  • NUTR& 101 Nutrition (or equivalent) Note: this course may be taken concurrently during the RN-BSN program. Students accepted into the RN-BSN program are encouraged to complete NUTR&101 prior to starting the program

Please note: Transcripts will be reviewed by the CBC Transcript Evaluator to ensure course equivalency. Prerequisite courses do not have an expiration date; however, prerequisite courses must be completed prior to starting nursing courses in the RN-BSN program.

Entrance Requirements

To be considered for the current year, all entrance requirements must be complete. Students applying to the RN-BSN program must:

  • Have a current unrestricted Washington State Registered Nurse License. Nurses holding an RN license from another state will need to obtain a Washington RN license by August 31of the application year.

Credit By Examination

The NCLEX test credit fee brings 35 credits to your BSN. The cost of these credits is $350. The addition of 35 credits is needed for the total number of credits required for the BSN degree. The cost will be added to your account the first quarter of the program unless other arrangements are made with the RN-BSN Program Outreach/Retention Specialist.

BSN Tuition and Fees

For more information regarding tuition for the BSN program, please see Tuition Affordability on the Pay for College webpage.

Pay for College

Prospective ADN Graduates

Requirements include:
  • Must graduate with an Associate Degree in Nursing by January 1 for spring quarter start and by June 30th for a fall quarter start.
  • Must have earned a minimum 2.0 G.P.A. in all prerequisite and nursing courses.
  • Must obtain a Washington State Registered Nurse License by April 1 for a spring quarter start and August 31 for a fall quarter start.
  • Hold an Associate Degree in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a minimum 2.0 G.P.A. in all prerequisite and nursing courses.

Submit a current resume that outlines the following:

  • Short-and long-term professional goals
  • Formal education (college/university)
  • Current (within last year) continuing education (if applicable)
  • Nursing experience
  • Other job experience
  • Community service or volunteer experience

Submit a three-minute video essay describing a personal philosophy of nursing. The presentation will be scored by RN-BSN faculty using the criteria listed in the Admission Index Score under Video Essay. Video essays must be submitted via YouTube. Preference will be given to RN's with work experience.

Once accepted into the RN-BSN program, students will need to submit the following:

  • Required immunization records
  • Current American Heart Association BLS Provider or Healthcare Provider CPR card
  • Satisfactory criminal history background check using a college approved vendor

Criminal history background information is required of all Nursing students. Information obtained will be considered in determining student eligibility to complete clinical coursework. Inability to participate in practicum experiences due to the information obtained from the background check may result in the student’s inability to satisfactorily complete program degree requirements. Any infraction while enrolled in the Nursing program should be self-reported to the coordinator/director. Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Director of Nursing at 509-544-8318.

Program Approval and Accreditation

CBC Nursing programs are approved by the:

Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission
Washington State Department of Health, Nursing Commission
Town Center 2
111 Israel Rd S.E.
Tumwater, WA 98501
360-236-4700

The RN-BSN program is accredited by:

CCNE

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
655 K Street NW, Suite 750
Washington, D.C. 20001
202-887-6791

 

Call for Public Comment on BSN Program

The nursing department at Columbia Basin College will be hosting an onsite accreditation visit by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) March 13-15, 2023. The purpose of this visit is to seek continuing nursing accreditation of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. In accordance with CCNE’s procedures, the Commission provides the opportunity for program constituents and other interested parties to submit, in writing, third-party comments concerning a program’s qualifications for accreditation. Written third-party comments regarding the CBC BSN program must be received by CCNE no later than February 20, 2023. Only signed comments are accepted by CCNE. All third-party comments submitted to CCNE must be written in English, consistent with CCNE's policy on Conduct of Business in English. 

CCNE shares third-party comments with members of the evaluation team prior to the visit, but at no time during the review process are these comments shared with the program. During its review of the program, the evaluation team considers third-party comments that relate to the accreditation standards. 

If you have comments regarding the BSN program at Columbia Basin College, please submit to thirdpartycomments@ccneaccreditation.org. 

Or, if you prefer, mail comments to:
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Attn: Third-Party Comments
655 K Street, NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001

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Application Process

The RN-BSN program starts a new cohort twice a year, April and September, and admits up to 40 students per year. Students will be selected using an RN-BSN Admission Index Score that incorporates the applicant’s cumulative GPA in core ADN Nursing courses, years of experience as an RN, and evaluation of the video essay by nursing faculty. Applicants will be awarded a raw score in each of the three categories. These scores are multiplied by a factor that levels each category at 10 points each for a maximum possible score of 30 points.

A wait list of potential applicants will be drafted and ranked in order of highest to lowest admission index score. If an accepted applicant declines entry into the program, the first applicant on the wait list is selected. Students who are not admitted to the program after the first week of fall quarter must reapply for the next admission cycle.

Program Application

If you are applying for spring admission, applications will be accepted until the end of the day on March 1st each year. Applicants can expect to be notified of admission by March 10th. Classes will start the first week of April.

If you are applying for fall admission, applications will be accepted until the end of the day on August 1st each year. Applicants can expect to be notified of admission by August 10th. Classes will begin the third week of September.

Apply Today!

Information regarding the application is available in the RN-BSN Packet.
RN-BSN Packet

Please email the application and any questions you may have to srapoza@columbiabasin.edu. There is no cost to apply.


National Background Search & Drug Screen Requirement

As part of the admission requirements for Health Science programs, applicants must successfully pass a criminal background check and drug screen prior to working with patients in clinical areas. The background check and drug screen are paid by the student and administered through a third party company, CastleBranch. In addition to the background check required by CBC, each clinical facility reserves the right to conduct its own criminal background check prior to allowing a student to enter its health care facilities for clinical participation.

Certain criminal convictions, pending charges or negative actions may automatically disqualify a person from having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults, juveniles and children. Clinical facilities reserve the right to accept or decline a student’s placement in its facility.     

RN-BSN Program Outcomes

Member of the Profession
The RN-BSN graduate will:

1. Formulate nursing practice decisions using research and evidence derived from nursing science. (Essential III)

2. Integrate critical thinking, clinical reasoning, assessment data, and clinical skills to promote the health of communities and vulnerable populations across the lifespan and continuum of healthcare environments. (Essential VII)

Provider of Patient-Centered Care
The RN-BSN graduate will:

3. Incorporate knowledge from the arts, humanities, and sciences in the planning and provision of holistic nursing care. (Essential I)

4. Integrate and demonstrate the nursing core values of altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, advocacy and social justice in the care of individuals, families and communities throughout the life span and across the continuum of health care environments. (Essential VIII and IX)

5. Apply principles of leadership, and knowledge of quality improvement and organizational systems in designing, managing and coordinating safe, quality and cost effective patient-centered care. (Essential II)

Patient Safety Advocate
The RN-BSN graduate will:

6. Utilize evolving information systems and technological advances to assess, monitor and maximize patient safety and outcomes. (Essential IV)

7. Advocate for responsible, humane health care policies that address care for the global community in which we live. (Essential V)

Member of the Health Care Team
The RN-BSN graduate will:

8. Demonstrate coordination in the delivery of healthcare services through effective communication and collaboration with individuals, families, communities and interdisciplinary healthcare teams. (Essential VI)

Mission, Vision, and Values of the RN-BSN Program

Mission

The RN-BSN program inspires, educates and supports RN students in an environment of academic excellence leading to the completion of a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) while fostering meaningful employment and engagement in the nursing profession. The RN-BSN program also prepares students for graduate level education and encourages a joy of and commitment to life-long learning.

Vision

Columbia Basin College RN-BSN program will be a trusted member of the healthcare community, transforming lives by providing excellence in patient care, leadership and community health. The program will be responsive to the needs of the communities it serves. Students will receive education and experiences which enhance their career and professional mobility.

Values

Student Learning
Faculty work collaboratively with community health and acute care partners to promote student success in the transition to baccalaureate level, professional nursing practice. We strive to create a sense of community through regular and substantive interactions during online classes, clinical experiences and advising. Teaching methods will promote open inquiry, respect, critical thinking and creativity in an on-line format.

Culture of Excellence
Faculty create a culture of excellence while providing instruction, mentorship, exploration and integration of baccalaureate content into the role of the professional nurse. The faculty actively promotes community partnerships and collaboration. 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We uphold and model a commitment to providing care and working within systems to support the dignity, respect and sensitivity for all people. We celebrate diversity in all its forms and we believe that our many unique perspectives makes us stronger.

Sustainability
We practice stewardship of resources in the provision of excellent nursing care and instruction. We mentor students in the application of sustainable policies and practices in the healthcare system.

Wellbeing
We promote wellbeing in nurses as they grow in their profession. We create opportunities to explore the value of wellbeing for the individual, family and community.

Program Goals

  • Incorporate a dynamic curriculum that utilizes state-of-the-art equipment and resources
  • Be responsive to the current and projected health care needs of south central Washington State residents
  • Develop and maintain partnerships with local health care agencies to facilitate student learning and education articulation
  • Promote diversity among nursing students, faculty and staff
  • Foster the physical and emotional well-being of students, faculty, and staff
  • Nurture the desire for life-long learning
  • Support faculty development and excellence
  • Integrate the use of evidence-based practice and quality improvement to achieve best practice standards

 

More and more hospitals are requiring RN’s to have a BSN. One of the most important reasons for pursuing the bachelor’s degree in nursing is to open the various doors for personal enrichment and advancement. A well-rounded education increases confidence and competence for nurses. Nurses with the BSN degree may be able to practice in a wider variety of settings such as:

  • Clinical nurse specialist
  • Nurse Manager
  • Nursing Director
  • Nurse educator
  • Clinical research
  • Public health
  • Quality assurance or improvement coordinator
  • Case management
  • Research laboratories
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Private and public education institutions
  • Insurance and law firms

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Students walking around CBC's Pasco campus