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 promote 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 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 culture on healthcare outcomes and value 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, and community focused clinical learning environments. Major studies requirements are delivered in online format. Students can fulfill foundational studies in a variety of formats: on campus, evening, and online.

The Alaska Board of Nursing in keeping with statutes AS 08.68.100(a) and AS 08.62.290 and regulations 12 AAC 44.010 and 12 AAC 44.055, provides oversight and annual approval of nursing programs. The Alaska Board of Nursing has issued full approval of APU’s ADN and RN to BSN programs for 2024. Provisional approval continues for the LPN program. .The Board fully supports the continuation of the nursing education program at Alaska Pacific University.

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

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 undergraduate programs 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.