A BSN is increasingly preferred by healthcare employers for advancement and specialized
roles. Earning your degree can increase your earning potential and position you for
leadership opportunities. It also lays the groundwork for graduate study—whether your
goal is to become a nurse practitioner, nurse educator, manager, or researcher. Advance
your nursing career with the RN to BSN at Skagit Valley College. Designed for licensed registered nurses and current SVC associate degree nursing
students, this flexible program helps you build on your real-world clinical experience
and take the next step professionally. You’ll strengthen your leadership skills, expand
your clinical knowledge, and open the door to new career opportunities while balancing
work and life.
The RN to BSN curriculum builds on clinical experience and focuses on leadership,
population health, care coordination, evidence-based practice, informatics, and systems
improvement. You will learn to deliver safe, equitable, high-quality care across the
lifespan and develop confidence in collaboration, ethical decision-making, and critical
thinking. The RN to BSN has flexible course delivery that is built for working nurses.
The RN to BSN program is designed for individuals who hold a registered nursing license
and have completed an associate degree in Nursing (DTA/MRP, AAS-T, AAS, or ATA), with
an option for currently enrolled SVC nursing students in good standing to concurrently
enroll. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is awarded upon completion of 45 credits
of specified 300 and 400 level coursework with a GPA of 2.5* or higher in their ADN/AAS/ATA
RN program. The RN to BSN program has been deemed eligible for accreditation by the
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), and will apply for candidacy
in Summer of 2026.
*Entry into a master’s program may require a higher GPA for admission, students are
responsible for checking specific requirements of graduate institutions prior to application.
Sample Career Options
Getting a BSN will improve career advancement and earning potential. Many hospitals,
government agencies, and specialized roles now require a BSN for management, leadership,
or specialized, non-bedside positions.
- Nurse Manager
- Public Health Nurse
- Informatics Nurse
- Nurse Case Manager
- Nurse Researcher
- Nurse in VA or Magnet hospitals
Students must still complete program-specific general education degree requirements
if not otherwise satisfied. These requirements will be taken throughout the 180 credits,
meaning some may be met through the pre-nursing and/or nursing associate’s degree.
Basic Requirements (15 credits)
Communication Skills (10 cr)
Five credits in English composition required. Remaining five credits may be used for
an additional composition course or designated writing course or basic speaking skills
course (e.g. speech, rhetoric, or debate).
- ENGL& 101- English Composition (5 cr)
- CMST& 210- Interpersonal Comm or CMST& 220- Public Speaking (5 cr)
Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning Skills (5 cr)
- MATH& 146- Introduction to Statistics
Distribution requirements (minimum 35 credits)
Curriculum requirements provide students with an understanding of and sensitivity
to cultural differences other than their own is encouraged (required by WSU). This
may include minority, non-Western ethnic, or other "area" studies. Select credits
from three areas of study: Natural Science, Social Science and Humanities.
- Humanities*
- PHIL 291- Ethics and Policy in Healthcare (5 cr)
- Natural Sciences*
- BIOL& 100 Survey of Biology (5 cr)
- BIOL& 241-242 Anatomy & Physiology (10 cr)
- BIOL& 260- Microbiology (5 cr)
- CHEM& 121- Intro to Chemistry (5 cr)
- NUTR& 101- Nutrition (5 cr)
- Social Sciences*
- SOC 191 Psychosocial Issues in Healthcare (5 cr)
- PSYCH& 100- General Psychology (5 cr)
- PSYCH& 200- Lifespan Psychology (5 cr)
* Requirements of the WA State Associate in Nursing, DTA/MRP
An Associate’s Degree in Nursing- Registered Nurse (DTA/MRP, AAS-T, AAS, or ATA) with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 (minimum
60 credits)
Baccalaureate-level course work (45 credits)
-
- NURS 301- Research & Evidence-Based Practice (3 cr)
- NURS 302- Academic & Scientific Writing (5 cr)
- NURS 303- Public Health Nursing (6 cr)
- NURS 304- Leadership & Management in Nursing (5 cr)
- NURS 401- Nursing Informatics (3 cr)
- NURS 402- Nursing History & Theory (3 cr)
- NURS 403- Vulnerable Populations & Cultural Competency (5 cr)
- NURS 404- Care Coordination & Patient Education (5 cr)
- NURS 405- Entry into the Profession of Nursing (5 cr)
- NURS 406- Preceptorship (5 cr)
Program Maps are an integral part of the Planning Guide. Each Program Map includes
a recommended quarterly sequence of courses for a full-time student to earn this degree.
The courses align with the appropriate number of credits to meet degree requirements
and is designed to help you create an individualized, customized Educational Plan,
required of all SVC students. Please consult with an SVC Advisor to schedule courses
and develop your personal Educational Plan. Please note, for the RN to BSN program,
education plans will be very individualized, and the course sequences that follow
is for general description and parameters only.
180 credits
Pre-Nursing coursework (65 credits)
Associates Degree in Nursing- Registered Nurse (60 credits)
55 credits
Quarter 1
- SOC 191 Psychosocial Issues in Healthcare Credits: 5
- NURS 301- Research & Evidence-Based Practice Credits: 3
- NURS 401- Nursing Informatics Credits: 3
- NURS 402- Nursing History & Theory Credits: 3
Total Credits: 14
Quarter 2
- PHIL 291 Ethics and Policy in Healthcare Credits: 5
- NURS 302- Academic & Scientific Writing Credits: 5
- NURS 403- Vulnerable Populations & Cultural Competency Credits: 5 cr
Total Credits: 15
Quarter 3
- NURS 303- Public Health Nursing Credits: 6
- NURS 304- Leadership & Management in Nursing Credits: 5
- NURS 404- Care Coordination & Patient Education Credits: 5
Total Credits: 16
Quarter 4
- NURS 405- Entry into the Profession of Nursing Credits: 5
- NURS 406- Preceptorship* Credits: 5
Total 10
Pre-Nursing coursework (65 credits)
115 Credits
Quarter 1
- NURS 171 Nursing Fundamentals-Skills & Pract (lecture) Credits: 7
- NURS 172 Nursing Fundamentals-Skills & Pract (clinical) Credits: 2
- NURS 173 Nursing Fundamentals-Skills & Pract (lab) Credits: 3
Total Credits: 12
Quarter 2
- NURS 181 Nursing M/S Patient-Practicum (lecture) Credits: 6
- NURS 182 Nursing M/S Patient-Practicum (clinical) Credits: 5 cr
- NURS 183 Nursing M/S Patient-Practicum (lab) Credits: 1 cr
Total Credits: 12
BSN Entry
Quarter 3
- NURS 191 Nursing OB, Pediatrics, M/S-Skls Prac (lecture) Credits: 3
- NURS 192 Nursing OB, Pediatrics, M/S-Skls Prac (clinical) Credits: 4
- SOC 191 Psychosocial Issues in Healthcare Credits: 5
- NURS 301- Research & Evidence-Based Practice Credits: 3
Total Credits: 15
Quarter 4
- NURS 302- Academic & Scientific Writing Credits: 5
- NURS 303- Public Health Nursing Credits: 6
- NURS 304- Leadership & Management in Nursing Credits: 5
Total Credits: 16
Quarter 5
- NURS 271 Nursing Advncd OB, Ped, M/S-Skls Prac (lecture) Credits: 5
- NURS 272 Nursing Advncd OB, Ped, M/S-Skls Prac (clinical) Credits: 5
- NURS 273 Nursing Advncd OB, Ped, M/S-Skls Prac (lab) Credits: 2
- NURS 401- Nursing Informatics Credits: 3
Total Credits: 15
Quarter 6
- NURS 281 Nursing Complx M/S & Geriatric Patient (lecture) Credits: 5
- NURS 282 Nursing Complx M/S & Geriatric Patient (clinical) Credits: 5
- NURS 403- Vulnerable Populations & Cultural Competency Credits: 5 cr
Total Credits: 15
Quarter 7
- NURS 291 Entry Nursing Practice/Practicum (lecture) Credits: 3
- NURS 292 Entry Nursing Practice/Practicum (clinical) Credits: 4
- PHIL 291 Ethics and Policy in Healthcare Credits: 5
- NURS 402- Nursing History & Theory Credits: 3
Total Credits: 15
Quarter 8
- NURS 404- Care Coordination & Patient Education Credits: 5
- NURS 405- Entry into the Profession of Nursing Credits: 5
- NURS 406- Preceptorship* Credits: 5
Total Credits: 15
*Students cannot complete BSN clinicals until they have passed the NCLEX & have an
active, unencumbered WA RN license.
The information above reflects the 2026-2027 course catalog and is subject to change.
Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information.
