Apr 19, 2024  
2021-2022 APU Catalog 
    
2021-2022 APU Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing, B.S.N.


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APU’s RN-to-BSN Program option offers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree for nurses who have an Associate Degree in Nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program and a current, unencumbered State of Alaska RN license on file.

The baccalaureate degree, a post-licensure RN-to-BSN program option, is designed to personalize the educational experience of the registered nurse and to promote educational, professional, and personal success. This program option offers nurses the flexibility to tailor learning to meet their individual needs, while providing high-quality educational experiences that are aligned with and will enhance their nursing practice within their current professional environments. Additionally, the program option is designed to help nurses self-reflect on the impact of cultural background on healthcare outcomes and the value of cultural diversity in the provision of culturally safe nursing care. The RN-to-BSN program option respects indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing of Alaska Native people and Alaska Native Registered Nurses. This program option prepares all nurses to recognize and embrace their role as advocates.

The RN-to-BSN program option is offered in a blended learning environment; learning is delivered using a variety of approaches, including online, on campus, laboratory, simulation, and clinical learning environments. Face-to-face learning opportunities will occur periodically throughout the program, including an orientation required at the start of the program.  Major studies requirements are delivered in online format. Students can fulfill foundational studies in a variety of formats: on campus, evening, and online.

Effective March 3, 2020, the baccalaureate nursing program at Alaska Pacific University located in Anchorage, Alaska is a candidate for initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. This candidacy status expires on March 2022.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this candidate program at

http://www.acenursing.com/candidates/candidacy.asp

Learning Outcomes

As a graduate, a student will earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree with realized proficiency in APU’s Core Competencies:

  1. Effective Communication [EC]:  Demonstrate the ability to get one’s point across in writing, presentations, and organizations to share information, teach others, and foster collaboration
  2. Critical Thinking [CT]:  Demonstrate the ability to compute, analyze, make sense of information or data, and reach reasoned conclusions cognizant of possible bias or fallacies
  3. Cultural & Historical Perspective [CH]:  Demonstrate the ability to effectively consider tradition and heritage in relation to decision-making in a world shaped by diverse cultures and abiding histories
  4. Scientific Inquiry [SI]:  Demonstrate the ability to reach verifiable conclusions based on documented observations, findings, and recognized methods to know how things work in our world
  5. Ethical Engagement [EE]:  Demonstrate ability to raise needed questions and apply ethical and effective problem-framing and problem-solving to make things better.

End of Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Incorporate new knowledge representing the aspirations and collective wisdom, across a diverse spectrum of cultures, from Alaska Indigenous populations to global communities, in the delivery of holistic nursing care across the lifespan.
  2. Integrate culturally safe communication within the context of a collaborative team approach to improve client safety and quality improvement initiatives across multiple healthcare delivery systems.
  3. Develop culturally safe comprehensive individual, family, and community assessments through the integration of foundational concepts, critical thinking, clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, and the use of the nursing process.
  4. Appraise evidence-based nursing practice to improve client outcomes across healthcare delivery systems.
  5. Evaluate nursing advocacy through adherence to professionalism, ethical and legal frameworks, and patient- centered care as part of nursing practice.

Admissions

The general requirements for admission to APU undergraduate professional studies at APU are found in the Admissions section of the catalog.  In addition, there are supplemental requirements for the BSN program as follows:

  • BSN candidates must have a current, unencumbered Alaska State Issued RN license (on file), and be in compliance with Alaska or other appropriate state Nurse Practice Acts. 

Foundational Studies (32-40 credits)


  • EC Written Communication** (WRIT 20100) (4)
  • EC Presentation & Media Literacy (from 10000-20000 level COMM) (3-4)
  • CT Critical Thinking (from 10000-20000 level CRIT) (3-4)
  • CT Computation** (MT 10100, BA 10500, or higher placement) (3-4)
  • CH Intellectual Traditions (various) (4)
  • CH Creative Endeavors (various) (4)
  • CH Intercultural & Spiritual Understandings (various) (3-4)
  • SI Biological/Physical Scientific Inquiry (various) (4)
  • SI Social/Behavioral Scientific Inquiry (various) (3-4) †
  • EE Social Responsibility (LS 10200) (2)
  • EE Personal Responsibility (various) (1-2)

     [†  Foundational Studies requirement satisfied in Co-Requisites]
     [**  Minimum grade of ‘C’ (defined as C+, C, C-) must be earned]
    (Unless otherwise noted, check for courses which satisfy Foundational Studies categories under ‘Bachelor-Level Degrees - Overview’)

Co-Requisites (3-15 credits)


† Courses required specifically for the BSN but which may also satisfy Foundational Studies

Self-Determined Studies (varies)


  • Students can meet the minimum graduation credit requirement (128 credits) by taking elective courses, applying transfer credit, credit-by-exam, credit earned through military training, assessment of prior learning (through the Documenting Experiential Learning [DEL] process), or other approved alternative methods of earning credit.
  • Students are encouraged to take minors or concentrations to develop interests and skills.

Minimum Graduation Credit Hour Requirement: 128


NOTE:  A grade of “C” (defined as: C+, C) or better must be earned in all Major Studies requirements including Senior Project. A course must be repeated if a grade of “C-” or lower is earned.

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