Advance your career with our RN to BSN program pathways
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (120 - 122 credits)
Accelerate your way to a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) — whether you’re just starting your associate degree in nursing (ADN) or you’re already working as a registered nurse (RN) — through the BSN degree program at Davenport University. As one of the region’s best RN to BSN programs, Davenport’s BSN degree will prepare you for nursing roles at Magnet-status hospitals.
Davenport has two pathways to get you there. If you have your ADN and RN, choose our bachelor of science in nursing completion pathway and experience the convenience and quality of one of the region’s best online RN to BSN programs. You’ll receive credit for your ADN and your RN licensure and can take the remaining 31 credits in this online RN to BSN program. Classes are offered through our Global Campus or in-person at our partner colleges.
Our second option, Davenport’s bachelor of science in nursing concurrent pathway, is for you if you’re pursuing an ADN at one of our ten partnering local community colleges. Through the concurrent pathway, you can earn your BSN degree up to one year sooner by taking Davenport BS in nursing classes at your community college during the semester or over the summer.
No matter which path you choose, you’ll learn from highly credentialed nursing faculty and staff in Davenport’s in-person or online RN to BSN program. You’ll gain evidence-based knowledge in community nursing and leadership, as well as clinical experiences that support your nursing career goals.
What is a bachelor of science in nursing?
A bachelor of science in nursing advances knowledge and qualifications for ADN graduates. It’s also for current RNs who want to complete their BSN degree, a credential health care employers are often seeking. Your BS in nursing can open careers to Magnet-status hospitals, leadership roles and higher salaries, while also preparing you to continue on to a master’s degree in nursing.
Graduates with a bachelor of science in nursing and an RN licensure work in hospitals and clinics, physician private practices, home health care services, community health facilities, nursing care facilities, schools and government agencies.
Explore classes for Davenport’s bachelor of science in nursing
Davenport’s BS in nursing classes, such as nursing leadership and community health nursing, will enhance your skills in critical thinking, assessment, communication, collaboration, applied research, self-directed learning, leadership and management. In addition to the bachelor of science in nursing sequence, Davenport’s RN to BSN program includes a specialty in health and human services case management. Exceptional convenience, classes, instructors and clinical experiences make this one of the region’s best online RN to BSN programs.
Complete your bachelor of science in nursing and continue on to earn your master’s in nursing (MSN) at Davenport. Graduates of our MSN program enjoy a 100% employment rate.
Foundations of Health Professions |
17 Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| HLTH101M | Intro to Health Careers | 0 |
| HLTH401 | Health Care Research | 3 |
| Transfer (14cr) | Advanced Standing Credit | 14 |
Major |
70-83 Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| NURS315 | Health Promotion & Education | 3 |
| NURS317Y | Health Assessment in Nursing | 4 |
| NURS415 | Evidence Base Nursing Practice | 2 |
| NURS420Y | Community Health Nursing L/C | 4 |
| NURS421Y | Nurse Manager & Leader L/C | 3 |
| NURS496O | Nursing Capstone | 2 |
| Transfer (52cr) | Advanced Standing Credit | 52 |
Foundations of Excellence |
34 Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL312 | Pathophysiology | 4 |
| ENGL311 | Professional Writing | 3 |
| STAT219 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| Transfer (24cr) | Advanced Standing Credit | 24 |
Optional Case Management Specialty [HCMS] |
(13) Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| HHCM300 | Case Management Fundamentals | 3 |
| HHCM312 | Insurance/UR/Dischrge Planning | 3 |
| HHCM401 | Documentation and Reporting | 4 |
| HHCM403 | Special Populations | 3 |
Which class should I take? When should I take it?
See our Recommended Program Sequences:
Why pursue a BSN degree at Davenport University?
Through in-person and online RN to BSN program courses, hands-on community health nursing clinicals and nurse manager and leader clinicals, Davenport’s RN to BSN program prepares you to advance in your nursing career and provide exceptional patient care. If you’re completing your ADN degree at one of our partner colleges, Davenport’s BS in nursing concurrent pathway is excellent preparation for your nursing career.
Experience the Davenport difference:
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Real-world expertsLearn from highly credentialed and experienced faculty who hold MSN, PhD and other advanced degrees and credentials. They also bring a wide variety of real-world nursing experience to you. |
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Hands-on experienceGain direct-care clinical experience within leadership/management and community nursing and receive one-on-one mentoring through a nursing preceptorship in an acute-care setting. |
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CCNE accreditationEarn a BSN degree in an RN to BSN program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the gold standard for quality and a factor for graduate school admittance. |
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Transferable creditsGet 60 transfer credits in the RN to BSN program for your associate degree in nursing and 30 credits for your RN licensure. That’s just one reason we’re among the best online RN to BSN programs. |
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Nursing career preparationEarn the BS in nursing employers want: According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 77.4% of employers are expressing a strong preference for BSN degree program graduates. |
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Networking opportunitiesJoin our Student Nurses Association, participate in nursing events held on campuses associated with our in-person or online RN to BSN program and apply for Sigma Theta Tau nursing honor society. |
Get started on your bachelor of science in nursing degree
Explore the admissions requirements and then take the next step toward earning your BSN degree at Davenport.
Talk to an admissions advisor
Davenport’s admissions team is here to answer your questions. Please call us at 800.686.1600 or email us at info@davenport.edu.
Apply now or request more information
Start on the road to a more rewarding nursing career with our BSN degree. Request more information or begin your application now.
Programs related to the bachelor of science in nursing degree
Additional resources
Preadmission Requirements
- Must possess a current active unencumbered and unrestricted Registered Nurse License
- Must have at least a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.5 from previous nursing program
Admission Requirements
- Must be currently licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) or be completed with NCLEX exam by the end of the first semester.
- Associate degree or diploma as a Registered Nurse. (RN)
- Official transcripts from previous nursing program.
- Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 from previous nursing program.
- Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen Policy
- Complete Nursing Application
- One professional recommendation
Preadmission Requirements
- Must have at least a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 from current community college nursing program
Admission Requirements
- Official transcripts from current community college nursing program
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 from current community college nursing program
- Community college nursing program acceptance letter
- Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen Policy
- Complete Nursing Application
- One professional recommendation
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Concurrent Pathway
This pathway is a unique partnership with local community colleges. It allows students to concurrently take Davenport BSN courses while enrolled at their local community college. This partnership gives students the chance to complete the BSN in as little as two semesters after graduating from the ADN program. As an added convenience, the courses required for Davenport’s BSN program are taught locally at the community college.
(BSN Concurrent Application is only for Community College Partnerships.)
BSN Concurrent (Associate Degree in nursing accepted with advanced standing per community college partnerships)
Faculty and Staff
BSN Completion Associate Chair For Online Nursing Program: Aleta Pillai PhD, MSN, RN
Associate Dean: Amy Stahley PhD, MSN, RN
Department Chair for Nursing: Tracy Alberta, MSN, RN
Nursing Administrative Assistant: TBD
Associate Department Chair: Deb Bosworth, MSN, RN
Simulation Lab/Clinical Coordinator: Shellie Raisanen, MSN
Campus Faculty: Janine Blakeslee Ed.D., RN, CNE, Margaret Smith, MSN, RN, Julie Polanic, MSN, RN, Amanda Alemdar, MSN, RN, Jessica Peck, MSN, RN, Heather Hunt, MSN, RN, Heather Kooiker, MSN, RN, CNL, CNOR, CRNFA
Associate Chair: Deanna Dubay, MSN, RN
Simulation Lab/Clinical Coordinator: Michelle Hagstrom, MSN, RN
Campus Faculty: Margaret Hovey MSN, RN, Sarah Brooks, MSN, RN
Associate Chair: Cherie Reitzel, MSN, RN
Simulation Lab/Clinical Coordinator: Amanda Binge MSN, RN
Campus Faculty: Joann Harrison MSN, RN, Sharon Long PhD, RN, Lynette Zigo, MSN, ANP-BC, Thelma M. Phillips, PhD, RN
Associate Department Chair: Kim Garza, DNP, MSN, RN
Simulation Lab/Clinical Coordinator: Vickie Welton, MSN, RN
Campus Faculty: Kim Garza, DNP, MSN, RN, Angela Elenbaas, FNP, RN, Kelli Baumgartner, MSN-Ed, RN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, Tabitha Keiffer MSN, RN
Associate Dean Online: Kelly McCarron, Ed.D,OTR/L
Associate Chair, BSN-C Online: Aleta Pillai PhD, MSN, RN
Online Teaching and Learning Coordinator: Karen Benjamin
MSN/FNP Online
Associate Chair Online MSN/FNP: Aleta Pillai PhD, MSN, RN
Clinical Coordinator Online FNP: Marlo Schepers, MSN
Online Graduate Faculty: Jessica Abernathy, DNP, WHNP-BC, CNM, FNP-BC, Annette Mannion MSN, CRNP, IBLC
STUDENT/GRADUATE LEARNING OUTCOMES – CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GRADUATE
SCOPE OF PRACTICE
Provide care appropriate to the scope of practice and ethical dimensions for one’s own actions according to the ANA Standards of Practice.
- Practices within an ethical and legal framework and standards of professional nursing practice.
- Models accountability and responsibility for one’s own actions, clinical judgments, and decision making.
- Demonstrates ethical and legal decision making surrounding health care dilemmas.
- Advocates and protects patients and organizational confidentiality.
CARE PROVISION
Utilize evidence-based practice, critical thinking, cultural awareness, and the nursing process in collaboration with the interdisciplinary health care team.
- Assesses wellness, health needs, and risks of individuals, families, groups and communities.
- Plans and provides holistic, culturally-sensitive, safe, and effective therapeutic nursing interventions in collaboration with individuals, families, groups, and communities in multiple settings.
- Evaluates patient outcomes and the effectiveness of professional nursing practice.
- Revises plan of care as appropriate in collaboration with individual, family, group, community, and members of the interdisciplinary health care team.
- Evaluates research and evidence-based information for application to nursing.
COMMUNICATION
Engage in comprehensive, verbal, and written therapeutic communication skills to interact with patients.
- Incorporates therapeutic communication skills in interactions with individuals, families, groups and communities.
- Communicates effectively with individuals, peers, families, groups, communities, and members of the interdisciplinary health care team.
- Demonstrates appropriate college-level writing and verbal skills consistent with published expectations and standards.
- Utilizes technology for seeking, sorting, selecting, and presenting relevant information.
MANAGEMENT
Manage holistic care for patients, families, and communities with complex health needs in a variety of settings.
- Distinguishes leadership and management roles in guiding members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
- Formulates a consumer-oriented approach in the delivery of cost-effective care.
- Prioritizes therapeutic goals for providing quality care in collaboration with individuals, families, groups, and communities.
- Delegates appropriate functions to licensed and non-licensed caregivers in a manner consistent with the Michigan Public Health Code- Nursing.
- Performs selected supervision activities related to the actions of licensed and non-licensed caregivers.
Mable Engle Nursing Program Philosophy:
The multifaceted roles of the practical and professional nurse are taught at Davenport University and include care provision, communication, management, and scope of practice.
Theoretical foundations shape the curricula and guide the nursing education. The Davenport University Nursing Program is a dynamic system that provides for the educational growth and development of the nursing student. An adaptation of Fawcett’s metaparadigm is utilized and includes person, environment, health, and nursing.
- Person - The concept of person refers to the individual or individuals as part of culture, family, community or aggregate groups who interact with the nurse in a therapeutic manner.
- Environment -The environment is made up of the physical surroundings and the settings in which the person interacts with society as a whole. This integrates the totality of social, cultural, and religious foundations and influences. Individuals are affected by the environment and, in turn, have the ability to effect the environment.
- Health - The health continuum from birth to death includes physical, mental, cultural, and spiritual elements. Wellness describes the function of a person at his or her maximum potential.
- Nursing - Nursing is a caring profession that is guided by the ANA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Nursing is not limited to physical care but incorporates the promotion, protection, and optimization of health. Nursing practice is guided by research which contributes to the delivery of evidence-based practice.
| Associate Degree in Nursing | NCLEX-RN Licensure Exam passed | Davenport University Credits | BSN Completion Degree at DU |
| 60 credits | 30 credits | 31 credits | 121 credits |
Some programs require a student to complete a portion of their degree plan off-campus.
View a full list of those programs and courses