Rhode Island College School of Nursing-- BSN Program

U.S.A. Rhode Island

Published

i just wanted to start a thread for the ric bsn program. if anyone has questions on pre-req classes, admission, what the program is like.....this is the place to ask! the whole nursing school process can be overwhelming, so hopefully this will help out a little.

i (along with my buddy chris, who is also on allnurses) will be starting my senior year in the fall. any questions about the program can definitely be answered by either myself or chris! :D

just as a reference, here is the recommended plan of study:

freshman year

biol 108basic principles of biology -4

biol 231human anatomy -4

chem 105general, organic, and biological chemistry i -4

chem 106general, organic, and biological chemistry ii -4

psyc 110introduction to psychology -3

psyc 230human development -4

wrtg 100writing and rhetoric -4

general education core (1)

sophomore year (beginning)

nurs 220foundations of therapeutic interventions -3

nurs 222professional nursing i -3

nurs 223fundamentals of nursing practice -3

nurs 224health assessment -3

biol 335human physiology -4

biol 348microbiology -4

general education core (2)general education core (3)

junior year (intermediate)

nurs 340psychiatric / mental health nursing -6

nurs 344maternal newborn nursing -6

nurs 342adult health nursing i -6

nurs 346nursing of children and families -6

general education core (4)general education (m)

senior year (advanced)

nurs 370public and community health nursing-6

nurs 372adult health nursing ii -6

nurs 374contemporary professional nursing -3

nurs 375transition to professional nursing practice -6

*nurs 375 is the last nursing course taken

general education (a)general education (sb)elective

admission requires completion of the pre-reqs (two chems, bio 108, anatomy, two psychs)

and a minimum gpa of 2.7 (though i don't know anyone who has been admitted with under

a 3.2).

What is better to take first, Chem 106 or Physiology. Not sure I want to take them in the same semester.

I took them in the same semester and it wasn't too bad. However, if you're only going to take one, I would take chem 106 because its a pre req for the program. Physiology you don't even have to take until your first semester in the program, but a lot of people choose to take it before.

Hi,

I am looking to apply to RIC's 2nd Degree BSN program within the next year.

I am currently completing my pre-reqs at a community college in MA and have a few questions.

Would it be in my best interest to apply to RIC and take my pre-reqs there? I know they generally accept freshmen over transfers, but do they have a preference for students who completed their pre-reqs at RIC, as well?

My other question is how strict they are regarding the transfer of Chemistry courses...

Does introductory chemistry I and II usually qualify as transfer credits for CHEM 105, 106. Or are these, in particular, courses that they prefer to be taken at RIC?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Regarding the school and working full time question, going part time is what is working for me and my family. I'm taking one clinical per semester while working full time between two different jobs (one being a nurse intern). My primary job is a M-F office job and I am so grateful they allow me to flex my hours around school. I have 2 teens and a preschooler and I am able to maintain a 3.7 gpa by going part time. It's tough but doable with support. I am a second degree candidate as well and will be a senior this summer.

Good luck everyone with the end of the semester wrapping up!

Regarding the school and working full time question, going part time is what is working for me and my family. I'm taking one clinical per semester while working full time between two different jobs (one being a nurse intern). My primary job is a M-F office job and I am so grateful they allow me to flex my hours around school. I have 2 teens and a preschooler and I am able to maintain a 3.7 gpa by going part time. It's tough but doable with support. I am a second degree candidate as well and will be a senior this summer.

Good luck everyone with the end of the semester wrapping up!

Hi, thank you so much for your input. I am wondering how long it has taken you from day one? I am also going to have to go part time and I have 88 credits ahead of me. How long did it take to get the sciences out of the way? Did you have any difficulty getting into classes? I just paid my 200 dollar deposit and waiting for the next step in the process. Cannot wait to begin!

Well, in my case I had all the pre reqs done with my previous bachelors (from RIC-so I have a ton of credits here) except for Dev. Psych which I took Spring 2008. After that I only had the nursing classes. I've consistently taken 6 credits per semester, not including summers. I took the sophomore level classes 220 & 222 in fall '08 and 223 & 224 in spring '09. My "junior year" was fall 09 to Spring '11 (fall 09 Maternity, spring '10 psych, fall '10 pedi, spring '11 med/surg 1).

Next I'm planning to take the 3 credit senior Leadership class this summer (the 6 credit classes are too time intensive for me to take in the summer). Then fall '11 Med/surg 2, Spring '12 public health, summer '12 intern somewhere, and fall '12 transitions. Slow but sure I'm getting there, but the students I started the sophomore classes with are graduating this May. Ultimately, this is what is working for me, so I'm sticking with the plan. I've been told that when it comes to taking the NCLEX, to really brush up on Fundamentals though because at that point I will have taken it quite awhile ago.

Good luck to you!

Hi all, thanks for starting this thread. I am applying for the accelerated BSN for students who already have a bachelor's degree. Do you have any information about the program? I know it's competitive, but I'm wondering what my chances of getting in are? Graduating with a BS in Biology from the U of Mass with a 3.1- but all A's and B+ on nursing prereqs (anatomy, lifespan, micro, etc). Thanks for the help!!

Jess

It sounds like you may have a good shot at it. I don't know if anyone can really tell you what will be accepted, but if you have all As and Bs in the pre-reqs, it sounds pretty good for you. Did you apply for fall 11?

That's good to know! Thank you! I actually prefer black and its not too late to return the shoes I just bought! Thanks for the good luck! I will need it! Med. Surg and pedi are a few weeks away!

Hey! Just wanted to see how you were doing in your classes and how far in the program you are? I start 223/224 this fall and I'm pretty excited but also nervous of what to expect and what I need...

I applied for the spring, actually, because I do have to retake Chem 106, which i'm doing in the fall. I just spoke to someone in admissions who thinks with my first undergrad GPA above 3.0 and my prereq courses (all but chem 106) in the B+/A range, I should have a good shot. I am crossing my fingers because I don't know what i'm going to do if I don't get in!! Do you like the program so far?

Does anyone know if the RN - BSN program at RIC is any easier to get into than the second bachelor's BSN program. It sure is a lot fewer classes. I have this idea on the back burner.

Thanks.

Hello all! This post has been so informative to me, thank you for creating it! I will be starting this Summer as a transfer student from CT. I will be taking Human Anatomy for the first session with Julia Held and Human Physiology the second session with Hall. Then taking Chemistry 106 and Psych 230 this Fall. So nervous!! Has anyone had Held? And who would you recommend for Psych 230?!

Emily

anyone had Held?

Emily

I have Held for Anatomy right now. She is a good teacher, don't believe the bad reviews she gets. She is very willing to answer questions and she gives extra credit for the exams. You just need to really crack the books for the class. You must be ready to study your butt off, honestly. I read and re-read the chapter, sometimes 3 times. It is a tough course, a lot of memorization. Lab is actually the most fun part, but it is ALL memorization of difficult terms. It is going to be a tough ride in 6 weeks, just make sure you stay on top of the readings. Seriously, you're going to have to really stick with it, not going to be easy in 6 weeks. But you can do it if you teach yourself how to really understand the material. Held is very helpful with course outlines, and chapter studies. Do the readings and study and you'll be fine! I get A's and B's on the exams.

+ Add a Comment