RN to BSN

RN to BSN Program Overview

Registered nurses interested in moving their careers forward can earn a CCNE-accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) online. This 30-credit program prepares nurses for leadership roles in healthcare, empowering them to create change in the workplace and promote high-quality, patient-centered care.

You must have a current, unencumbered RN license for consideration. 

Maintain a Work-Life Balance With Self-Paced Learning

With the exception of two clinical courses, our program is composed of asynchronous elements that allow you to complete coursework on your schedule. After a shift or during a long weekend, dive into a course module’s readings, assignments, and quizzes and gain up-to-date knowledge immediately applicable to your career. Your time in and outside of work is valuable, which is why we’re entrusting you to control the pace of your own education.

Translate Nursing Concepts into Clinical Practice

As a student, you’ll be required to complete two clinical courses conducted in person and with a local nurse preceptor of your choice, as long as that person has a BSN and is working in a leadership role. By working closely with a nurse leader, you will further develop the knowledge and skills needed to take on additional professional responsibilities, even if you already have considerable experience as an RN. Clinical courses require no campus visits.

Earn a BSN and an Optional Nurse Manager Certificate

Earning a BSN degree is an honor in and of itself. However, graduates of our program are also able to obtain a Nurse Manager Certificate from Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society, for an additional cost. This prestigious certificate further distinguishes graduates in the competitive healthcare industry.

Alumni Pathways 

The U.S. healthcare system is in desperate need of nursing leaders, who play a critical role in advocating for their patients and fellow nurses. As a graduate of our online RN to BSN program, you’ll be equipped with the clinical, communication, and critical-thinking skills needed to make a difference within the medical field. Below are just a few of the healthcare organizations our alumni thrive at:  

  • MD Anderson Cancer Center
  • UMC Health System
  • Memorial Hermann
  • Ascension
  • Medical City Healthcare
  • Midland Memorial Hospital
  • PermiaCare
  • St. David’s HealthCare
  • Novant Health
  • AccentCare

From One Generation of Nursing Leaders to the Next

Every aspect of our online RN to BSN program caters to the needs of today’s nurses. Courses are designed and led by nursing leaders, all of whom are RNs with first-hand experience of the challenges faced by healthcare practitioners.

As an experienced RN, you can gain a deeper understanding of evolving challenges in nursing, the intricacies of organizational culture, the importance of patient-centered care, and much more in our virtual classroom.  Our online RN to BSN program offers a practical way to perfect the skills needed to transition into leadership roles, such as: 

Major Requirements
Courses
Duration
Credits
BIOL 2320 - Introduction to Microbiology
N/A
3
An introduction to microbiology with emphasis on microbial growth, diagnostics, infectious diseases caused by microorganisms, and host defenses. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1306/BIOL 1106; BIOL 1307/BIOL 1107; CHEM 1311/CHEM 1111. For Nursing majors; will not count toward Biology major or minor, nor for undergraduate prerequisites for medical or other doctoral-granting professional schools.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1306 - General Biology I BIOL 1106 - General Biology I Laboratory BIOL 1307 - General Biology II BIOL 1107 - General Biology II Laboratory CHEM 1311 - General Chemistry I CHEM 1111 - General Chemistry Lab I
Semesters Offered:
BIOL 2121 - Introduction to Microbiology Lab
N/A
1
An introduction to the basic techniques used to study and identify microorganisms. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1306/BIOL 1106; BIOL 1307/BIOL 1107; CHEM 1311/CHEM 1111. Corequisite(s): BIOL 2320. For Nursing majors; will not be accepted for Biology major or minor, nor to meet undergraduate prerequisites for medical or any other doctoral-granting school.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1306 - General Biology I BIOL 1106 - General Biology I Laboratory BIOL 1307 - General Biology II BIOL 1107 - General Biology II Laboratory CHEM 1311 - General Chemistry I CHEM 1111 - General Chemistry Lab I
Semesters Offered:
PSYC 3344 - Lifespan and Development
8 weeks
3
Examination of theories and research on biological, cognitive, social, emotional, and personality factors that affect individuals from infancy through old age.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1301 - Introduction to Psychology
Semesters Offered: Spring B 2024 Summer A 2024 Fall B 2024 Spring B 2025 Summer A 2025 Fall B 2025 Spring B 2026 Summer A 2026 Fall B 2026 Spring B 2027 Summer A 2027 Fall B 2027 2028 Fall B 2028
PSYC 3301 - Introductory Statistics
16 weeks
3
Measures of central tendency, variability, correlation, and hypotheses testing, with emphasis on the application of statistical methods to research in the behavioral sciences and education.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1301 - Introduction to Psychology
Semesters Offered: Whole Spring 2024 Whole Summer 2024 Whole Fall 2024 Whole Spring 2025 Whole Summer 2025 Whole Fall 2025 Whole Spring 2026 Whole Summer 2026 Whole Fall 2026 Whole Spring 2027 Whole Summer 2027 Whole Fall 2027
BIOL 3352 - Human Physiology
N/A
3
The physiology of human cells, tissues and systems. Primarily for Kinesiology majors and Biology majors seeking teacher certification.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1306 - General Biology I BIOL 1106 - General Biology I Laboratory BIOL 1307 - General Biology II BIOL 1107 - General Biology II Laboratory
Semesters Offered:
BIOL 3153 - Human Physiology Lab
N/A
1
Physiological studies illustrating properties and functions of human cells, tissues and systems.
Prerequisites: N/A
Semesters Offered:
BIOL 3350 - Human Anatomy
N/A
3
The development, structures and function of major human anatomical systems. Primarily for Kinesiology majors and Biology majors seeking teacher certification.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1306 - General Biology I BIOL 1106 - General Biology I Laboratory BIOL 1307 - General Biology II BIOL 1107 - General Biology II Laboratory
Semesters Offered:
BIOL 3151 - Human Anatomy Lab
N/A
1
Anatomy of tissues and organ systems of the human and cat.
Prerequisites: N/A
Semesters Offered:
Electives

3 Credit Hours. Elective course must be related to healthcare, sciences, or leadership. Examples are provided below. Students may also take any HSHP course not already taken.

Courses
Duration
Credits
NURS 4344 - Informatics and Innovation
8 weeks
3
In this course, students explore the changing technology environment and its potential impact on the delivery of quality, safe patient care. Students will integrate the knowledge of health information and data analysis to drive clinical decision-making and patient care outcomes. Overriding considerations will include: (a) technology’s impact on workflow, (b) legal and ethical considerations associated with select technology, and (c) the impact of technology on the changing role of the provider.
Prerequisites: NURS 4610 - Transformation to Nursing Leadership and Management NURS 4290 - Population Public Health NURS 4291 - Population Public Health Clinical NURS 4350 - Healthcare (or Health Science) Research Methods NURS 4310 - Social Determinants of Health NURS 4420 - Health Assessment for the Professional Nurse
Semesters Offered: Spring B 2024 Summer A 2024 Summer B 2024 Fall B 2024 Spring A 2025 Spring B 2025 Summer B 2025 Fall A 2025 Fall B 2025
SOCI 1301 - Introduction to Sociology
8 weeks
3
Students are introduced to the basic concepts and theories used to study the nature of social processes and the structure of society.
Prerequisites: N/A
Semesters Offered: Whole Spring 2024 Spring B 2024 Summer A 2024 Summer B 2024 Whole Fall 2024 Fall A 2024 Fall B 2024
BIOL 4303 - Principles of Nutrition
N/A
3
This course explores the nutritional roles of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, minerals, vitamins and water in animals (including humans) and plants; emphasis on digestion, absorption, metabolism and excretion of the nutrients and their metabolites.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1306 - General Biology I BIOL 1106 - General Biology I Laboratory BIOL 1307 - General Biology II BIOL 1107 - General Biology II Laboratory
Semesters Offered:
Nursing Courses

30 Credit Hours.

Courses
Duration
Credits
NURS 4330 - Transformation to Nursing Leadership and Management
8 weeks
3
Role transformation to BSN is designed to examine the transition of the Registered Nurse (RN) to the professional leadership role at the baccalaureate level. As the entry course for the professional component of the RN-to-BSN program this course provides students with networking and mentoring opportunities with peers and faculty. An examination of evolving disciplinary nursing knowledge historical foundations and current issues regarding the scope and roles of the nurse leader shall be explored. The promotion of critical thinking and interpersonal communication skills critical to professional practice are assessed through writing intensive assignments. This course includes 30 built-in clinical hours.
Prerequisites: N/A
Semesters Offered:
NURS 4350 - Healthcare (or Health Science) Research Methods
8 weeks
3
Evidenced Based Practice: course introduces the formal study of research methods, including literature search, hypothesis generation and testing, sampling theory, research design, data analysis and report-writing. The course provides for integration of basic research methods for analyzing research studies and incorporating current quality standards and evidence-based protocols into healthcare.
Prerequisites: NURS 4610 - Transformation to Nursing Leadership and Management
Semesters Offered: Spring B 2024 Summer B 2024 Fall B 2024 Spring B 2025 Summer B 2025 Fall B 2025
NURS 4390 - Community and Populations Health
8 weeks
3
Analysis of formal and informal community systems/resources and health care delivery systems including public health emphasis on cultural diversity and needs of individuals families communities and populations. Community building through collaborative activities and community partners to develop and access resources to promote health roles strategies and resources for emergency management in the community. An experiential component is required and can be completed in the community.
Prerequisites: N/A
Semesters Offered:
NURS 4310 - Social Determinants of Health
8 weeks
3
Analyze and evaluate the relationship between the domains of social determinants of health and health disparities, inequalities, health-related outcomes and patient satisfaction. Propose strategies and foster relationships through intentional collaborations across professions to enhance access to healthcare and information and quality of life by impacting social determinants of health.
Prerequisites: NURS 4610 - Transformation to Nursing Leadership and Management NURS 4290 - Population Public Health NURS 4291 - Population Public Health Clinical NURS 4350 - Healthcare (or Health Science) Research Methods
Semesters Offered: Summer A 2024 Fall A 2024 Spring A 2025 Summer A 2025 Fall A 2025
NURS 4420 - Health Assessment for the Professional Nurse
8 weeks
4
In this course, students integrate science and skills in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and nursing assessment address physiological adaptations, health promotion and disease prevention across the lifespan to promote person-centered care that focuses on the individual within multiple complex contexts. The course helps the practicing nurse advance professional practice skills and develop increased ability in problem solving and clinical reasoning.
Prerequisites: NURS 4610 - Transformation to Nursing Leadership and Management NURS 4290 - Population Public Health NURS 4291 - Population Public Health Clinical NURS 4350 - Healthcare (or Health Science) Research Methods
Semesters Offered: Summer A 2024 Fall A 2024 Spring A 2025 Summer A 2025 Fall A 2025
NURS 4340 - Strategy and Analysis of Organizational Process
8 weeks
3
This course focuses on the role as a leader in complex healthcare organizations. The student examines theories and processes for conflict resolution, negotiation skills, operations management, and strategic planning across the continuum of care in healthcare organizations. Topics of study include informatics, legal issues, organizational management, and healthcare economics. The student will be prepared as a leader of change in healthcare systems to improve population health outcomes.
Prerequisites: NURS 4610 - Transformation to Nursing Leadership and Management NURS 4290 - Population Public Health NURS 4291 - Population Public Health Clinical NURS 4350 - Healthcare (or Health Science) Research Methods NURS 4310 - Social Determinants of Health NURS 4420 - Health Assessment for the Professional Nurse
Semesters Offered: Spring B 2024 Summer B 2024 Fall B 2024 Spring B 2025 Summer B 2025 Fall B 2025
NURS 4342 - Quality Improvement and Healthcare Systems
8 weeks
3
In this course, students are introduced to competencies necessary to address elements of quality improvement and leadership’s responsibilities related to continuous quality improvement, including data analysis for quality improvement, clinical practice guidelines, and future of healthcare to enhance the quality and minimize the risk of harm to patients and providers.
Prerequisites: NURS 4610 - Transformation to Nursing Leadership and Management NURS 4290 - Population Public Health NURS 4291 - Population Public Health Clinical NURS 4350 - Healthcare (or Health Science) Research Methods NURS 4310 - Social Determinants of Health NURS 4420 - Health Assessment for the Professional Nurse NURS 4344 - Informatics and Innovation NURS 4340 - Strategy and Analysis of Organizational Process
Semesters Offered: Summer A 2024 Fall A 2024 Spring A 2025 Summer A 2025 Fall A 2025
NURS 4341 - Healthcare Leadership and Policy
8 weeks
3
Course overviews healthcare organizations in the United States and current and emerging concepts, trends, policies, and issues in healthcare. The course provides for analysis of relevant legislation and discussion of current issues policy research and healthcare system evaluation.
Prerequisites: NURS 4610 - Transformation to Nursing Leadership and Management NURS 4290 - Population Public Health NURS 4291 - Population Public Health Clinical NURS 4350 - Healthcare (or Health Science) Research Methods NURS 4310 - Social Determinants of Health NURS 4420 - Health Assessment for the Professional Nurse NURS 4344 - Informatics and Innovation NURS 4340 - Strategy and Analysis of Organizational Process
Semesters Offered: Spring B 2024 Summer B 2024 Fall B 2024 Spring B 2025 Summer B 2025 Fall B 2025
NURS 4511 - Leadership Immersion and Capstone
8 weeks
5
This is the culminating scholarly experience in the health science program of study. Students will focus on synthesis and integration of complex concepts relevant to their scope of practice and leadership and management skills in complex organizational environments. Emphasis is placed on the application of leadership principles and self-reflection that fosters personal growth health and life­long learning through an evidence-based capstone project. An experiential component experience is required and can be completed in the workplace. This course includes 48 built-in clinical hours.
Prerequisites: N/A
Semesters Offered:

Transfer Admission Requirements

  • Current unencumbered RN license
  • Graduate of a nationally accredited professional nursing program approved by the Texas State Board of Nursing or appropriate state board
  • Minimum 2.5 GPA
  • Official transcripts from all colleges, universities, and nursing programs attended

Use our transfer calculator to find out how your classes will transfer to UT Permian Basin and which classes will count toward your degree.

Official Transcripts

Official copies of transcripts must come directly from the school in a sealed envelope and should be mailed to:

UT Permian Basin
Office of Admissions
4901 E. University Blvd.
Odessa, TX 79762

Official transcripts in electronic format can be sent to admissions@utpb.edu.

Application Fee

The application fee is $40 and must be paid when you submit your online application.

You may request an application fee waiver if the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) listed on your Student Aid Report is zero.

Texas Core Curriculum Requirements

Students seeking a baccalaureate degree in Texas are required to satisfy Texas Core Curriculum (TCC)* requirements, the collegiate-level general education competencies for undergraduate degree programs. UT Permian Basin Core Curriculum complies with the State law of Texas and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) rules. Courses in the General Education Core Curriculum have been approved by UT Permian Basin and the THECB.

Entering students who are Core Complete or who have previously completed a bachelor’s degree are not required to take additional coursework to satisfy the Core Curriculum.

If a student has an associate degree, it does not necessarily indicate that the student has successfully completed the courses required to be Texas Core Complete when working to earn a bachelor's degree. For example, if a student has completed a nursing program that led them to an associate degree in nursing and the student has successfully passed the NCLEX to be awarded their Registered Nurse (RN) licensure, they may still need to complete the remaining Texas-required Core Complete courses in order to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). These courses must be completed, in addition to the courses included in the RN to BSN online course listing, prior to earning the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

For more information on Texas Core Complete at UTPB, please visit https://www.utpb.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies/core-curriculum. If you have additional questions, please contact an academic advisor for information on what courses you will need to complete. You can reach an advisor by emailing advising@utpb.edu or calling (432) 552-2661.

*The Texas Core Curriculum (TCC) is established in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 61, Subchapter S. Coordinating Board rules regarding TCC are in the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter B.

Faculty Bios

Adjunct Professor
School of Nursing
bredimus_b@utpb.edu

Dr. Kit Bredimus is the Chief Nursing Officer at Midland Memorial Hospital in Midland, Texas. Dr. Bredimus earned his Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership from Texas Tech Health Sciences Center. He is a nationally recognized nurse leader through his various presentations, podcasts, publications, and involvement in professional organizations. Dr. Bredimus was featured on the inaugural list of 20 under 40 by Midland Magazine and is a Texas Nurses Association’s 2020 Year of the Nurse Award winner. Nationally, Dr. Bredimus is a Modern Healthcare’s Rising Star in Nursing Award winner, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership Early Careerist Award winner, and runner-up for Nursing Management’s Hader Visionary Nurse Leader Award. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership, Texas Nurses Association, and Permian Basin Great 25 Nurses Recognition Program.

Dr. Bredimus is also an active member and volunteer with several national and regional professional organizations. He is a Master Certified Values Coach with a focus on transformational leadership and personal empowerment, a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and he holds multiple board certifications in nursing management and executive leadership, along with Emergency and Pediatric Emergency nursing. Dr. Bredimus is married to his high school sweetheart, Heather, and they have four children. He is active in his community, volunteering with several local non-profit organizations with a focus on helping children, especially those in the child welfare system.

Part-Time Faculty
School of Nursing 
hall_m@utpb.edu

Dr. Hall has been a nurse since 1995 and has served in various formal nursing leadership roles since 2001.  He has presented at national conferences, consulted on state legislature for the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners, and has consulted both nationally and internationally on nursing leadership. He been published in nursing journals for his research on pain management as well as his work on formal recognition programs like ANCC’s Pathway to Excellence.

Dr. Hall is the director of the Center for Advancing Professional Excellence at Midland Health. In his director’s role, he leads nursing education, mental health, patient safety, safe patient handling, clinical data analytics, the Nursing Intern Program, the Nursing Residency Program, the Nursing Fellowship Program, and the Professional Governance Programs. Dr. Hall also leads the formal recognition programs for the hospital including ANCC Magnet, ANCC Pathway to Excellence, ANCC Practice Transition Accrediting Program, AACN Beacon, and DAISY.  

Part-Time Faculty
School of Nursing
leftwich_k@utpb.edu

Dr. Leftwich is an adjunct faculty member at UT Permian Basin’s School of Nursing. She has been a nurse since 1996 and is a graduate of Odessa College, Texas Tech University, and Capella University. Her nursing degrees focus on administration, leadership, and management. 

She has served in various roles clinically and in leadership, including working bedside for 13 years before transitioning into a nurse educator role. She was the Director for Medical Telemetry and Medical Oncology for five years and had oversight of the Palliative Care Program.  Dr. Leftwich currently serves as the Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Medical Center Hospital, where her oversight includes the Center for Women and Infants, Pediatrics, Medical Telemetry, Medical Observation Unit, and Medical Oncology, as well as Care Management and Utilization Review. She serves as the chair of the Clinical Ethics Committee and is the Nursing Chair for the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Adjunct Professor
School of Nursing

Ms. McQuitty has been a nurse since 2007. Prior to nursing, she worked as a surgical technologist for 10 years. Ms. McQuitty’s nursing career has been in Critical Care, Informatics, and Education. She graduated with her Associate Degree in Nursing from Odessa College in 2007, her BSN from Angelo State University in 2013, and her MSN from Western Governors in 2019.

Ms. McQuitty loves to travel to new places with the beach being her favorite. Family is very important to her, and she always wants to be surrounded by positive people so they can lift one another up.

Clinical Assistant Professor
School of Nursing
saldana_v@utpb.edu

Venessa Saldana is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with board certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She received her associate degree in respiratory care in 2009, bachelor's in nursing in 2013, and master's in nursing from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2019.

As a registered nurse, Ms. Saldana began her career with Midland Memorial Hospital as a staff and charge nurse in the Emergency Department for over seven years. She also has experience working in a primary care practice, urgent care, and aesthetic medicine as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Ms. Saldana has over 10 years of experience in urgent and emergency medicine. She also holds certifications in the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME).

LengthApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlinePayment DeadlineCourses BeginCourses End
Whole Spring1/2/241/8/241/12/241/16/245/2/24
Spring A1/2/241/8/241/12/241/16/243/8/24
Spring B3/4/243/11/243/15/243/18/245/10/24
SemesterApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlinePayment DeadlineCourses BeginCourses End
Whole Summer5/20/245/27/245/31/246/3/248/8/24
Summer A4/29/245/6/245/10/245/13/246/28/24
Summer B6/17/246/24/246/28/247/1/248/15/24
LengthApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlinePayment DeadlineCourses BeginCourses End
Whole Fall8/12/248/19/248/23/24 8/26/2412/13/24
Fall A8/12/248/19/248/23/248/26/2410/18/24
Fall B10/7/2410/14/2410/18/2410/21/2412/13/24
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