Mar 28, 2024  
2016-2017 Course Catalog 
    
2016-2017 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing, B.S. - RN to B.S. Multicultural Health Track (online or on campus)


The RN-B.S. in Nursing program prepares nurses to deliver effective, evidence-based health care in two formats:

  • Online (1-2 years) in Multicultural Health track
  • On campus (2 years) in the Multicultural Health track with optional Latino Community Practice Concentration

Students in the RN to B.S. in Nursing program are graduates of an associate degree program who hold a current Connecticut RN license. Students must be able to pass their NCLEX exam by the end of the first semester. Students without a valid Connecticut license will not be able to progress in the program. Clinical experiences in program tracks are arranged in collaboration with health care leaders, keeping in mind the student’s area of focused study.

The RN to B.S. in Nursing with a Multicultural Health emphasis prepares nurses to deliver effective health care to culturally and linguistically diverse populations, to work toward eliminating health disparities, and to promote health equity for vulnerable groups. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to:

  • Assess and respond to cultural factors related to health
  • Alleviate health disparities and improve health outcomes among diverse populations
  • Apply cultural competencies as defined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing
  • Promote National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care (CLAS Standards)

Program Outcomes

The student will:

  1. Integrate the aesthetics and empirics of nursing with the natural/behavior sciences, the humanities, and inter-professional education to provide holistic care for individuals, families, groups, communities and populations
  2. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in leadership that promote quality improvement and patient safety
  3. Implement an evidence-based and theoretically guided framework for nursing practice including the five patterns of knowing in nursing and transition theory 
  4. Use data from diverse sources with knowledge and skill in informatics and patient care technology to promote safety and optimal patient outcomes
  5. Appraise and respond to the economic, legal, political, and social issues that impact health and wellness of individuals, families, groups, communities and populations
  6. Communicate and collaborate with other members of the health care team to advocate for high quality and safe patient care
  7. Deliver culturally appropriate nursing care through health promotion and disease prevention to populations on a local and global level
  8. Assume responsibility and accountability for ethical professional behavior and nursing care
  9. Demonstrate competent nursing practice in diverse settings caring for individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations

Criteria for Admission

For CT-CCNP Students
You may apply at any time you are enrolled and in good standing in the Connecticut Community College Nursing Programs (CT-CCNP), as per the Guaranteed Admission Program agreement. Submit an application to the University of Saint Joseph Program for Adult Learners . Applications are also accepted from associate degree graduates educated outside of Connecticut, who may apply in the last semester of their program or following graduation. Admission requires an overall GPA of 2.5, graduation from an accredited associate’s degree program, and a current and unencumbered Connecticut RN license. Students who graduated from an associate’s degree program more than 8 years ago may have to take additional courses.

Transfer Credits
Students are expected to transfer at least 75 credits including 33-38 Nursing credits, and are required to complete a minimum of 30 credits (18 Nursing, 12 general education) to equal the 120 credits required for a bachelors degree at the University of Saint Joseph. Additionally, students must complete the same Degree Requirements  and Writing Portfolio  expected of all undergraduates.

Nursing Guaranteed Admissions Program
Students can apply to the University of Saint Joseph during any semester in their community college program. The student is guaranteed a place in the University of Saint Joseph RN to B.S. program as a conditionally accepted student. Students are accepted to the RN to B.S. program under the condition that they will:

  • Complete the A.S. degree within three years of beginning the CT-CCNP program
  • Maintain good academic standing in their A.S. program until graduation
  • Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above
  • Enroll in the University of Saint Joseph within two years of earning the A.S. degree
  • Have or acquire a license as a registered nurse in Connecticut before the second semester of the RN-B.S. program

Clinical Policies

  • Must have current Connecticut license as a registered nurse or eligibility to obtain license before the second semester starts
  • Liability insurance is not required but recommended for all students
  • All students must have current CPR training for the health care provider prior to starting clinical
  • Students do not wear uniforms, but must wear professional attire. This includes pants or a knee-length skirt, and non-revealing shirts, sweaters, or blouses. Students must also follow the dress code of clinical sites and professional organizations they are affiliated with.
  • Fingernails must be short. Non-natural nails are not permitted.
  • A certified background check within the last year

Health Requirements

Comprehensive Exam

The comprehensive examination is a University-wide requirement for all graduating seniors. It is given to determine basic competence in the student’s area of study. RN-B.S. students meet this graduation requirement when they have completed their synthesis project in the final Nursing course.

Track Options


Multicultural Health Track

  • On-Campus: The on-campus RN-BS track is a 2-year part-time program. It runs over the fall/spring semesters, a summer session, and the second fall/spring semesters. Courses do include mentorship and clinical hours. On-campus students have the option of completing a Latino Community Practice Concentration (see requirements below).
  • Online: The Online RN-BS track is an accelerated program that can be completed in as little as 1   year, but may be done in 2-years. It utilizes courses being administered in 8-week modules, including courses that involve work outside of class time, such as a mentorship or clinical hours.
  • Second Degree:  For second degree students (students with a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than nursing from a regionally accredited institution, and an associates degree in Nursing) you must take the 18 required nursing courses, plus 12 additional credits of elective courses.  For more information on Second Degrees see Degree Requirements .

Multicultural Health Track (online)


Recommended Supporting Courses (Minimum 12 credits)


These recommended courses are generally available for the fulfillment of the general education requirements of the University and the ONLINE RN-BS program.  Courses are subject to change and may vary depending on the courses individual transfer students have.

Graduate classes: Students with additional transfer credits may take up to two non-matriculated graduate-level classes, for a total of 6 credits toward graduation.

Multicultural Health Track (on campus)


Recommended Supporting Coursework (Minimum 12 credits)


These recommended courses are generally available for the fulfillment of the general education requirements of the University and the ON-CAMPUS RN-BS Program.  Courses are subject to change and may vary depending on transferred courses of individual students.

Graduate classes: Students with additional transfer credits may take up to two non-matriculated graduate-level classes, for a total of 6 credits toward graduation.

Latino Community Practice Concentration (14 credits)


For those students wishing to serve Latino culture and are already fluent/proficient in Spanish, the Latino Community Practice concentration prepares nurses to lead health care organizations and professions in alleviating health disparities by delivering effective health care to diverse Latino populations; improving health literacy in Latino communities; and facilitating bilingual cross-cultural communications in health care settings. Some of the courses required for this concentration may already be satisfied by the major.

Graduates will demonstrate the ability:

  • To develop and to apply knowledge and understanding of diverse Latino cultures
  • To advance cultural competencies in a clinical bilingual community health setting
  • To strengthen their proficiency in oral and written bilingual communications