Nursing
RN to Bachelor of Science (BSN) Completion Program

Welcome from the Program Coordinator

Congratulations! You've taken the first step toward completing your Bachelor of Science in Nursing – you contacted us!

This program is designed to meet the needs of working nurses. We offer several options including part-time or full-time; online or a blend of online and face-to-face courses; and a traditional RN Completion program or the RN to MSN Accelerated Track for FSU students. Since our program has been in existence we have found that most of our RN to BSN students prefer the online method of delivery due to work and personal commitments. Therefore all of the program can be completed in a fully online environment. Additionally, we do offer site-base courses at various locations around the state. The determination of where and when site-based courses are offered depends on the commitment of a group of nurses from the area where the course is to be offered. These site based offerings are provided in a blended delivery format where at least 50% of each class is taught online and the other portion conducted with face-to-face class meeting.

Admission Criteria

The following admission criteria are established for RN to BSN completion students:

  • Current Registered Nurse Licensure (RNL)
  • A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better in the total Nursing program (ADN or Diploma)
  • English 150, English 250, Math 110 and the 7 hours of Scientific Understanding requirement must be complete prior to admission.

Transfer Information

Many students want to know what classes transfer to Ferris from the community colleges. Most classes will transfer; the real question is what classes will meet requirements toward the BSN.

There are two key requirements to keep in mind as you make choices for classes.

  • You must have at least 30 FSU credits to receive a degree from Ferris.
  • You must have at least 40 upper division (300 or 400) level credits to receive any BS degree. Some community college 200 level courses transfer to Ferris as 300 level courses and help meet the requirement.

Here are two links that will help you make educated transfer decisions --

Deadlines for Application and Material Submission

  • Starting in Spring - Applications are due no later than November 1 and application materials are due by November 15.
  • Starting in Fall - Applications are due no later than June 1 and application materials are due by June 15.

Accreditation and Further Program Information

This program, accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) is designed to build on your basic nursing education. Course repetition is reduced and college credit is granted for basic nursing education without proficiency testing. (Proficiency testing is permitted for some advanced courses.)

The program at Ferris offers the opportunity to design your clinical practicum as a project based experience in your place of employment. There is also the opportunity to choose from several nursing electives including NUR 316, a transcultural nursing course offered in a short term Study Abroad format with two of our international partner schools in Finland and New Zealand.

Please refer to the School of Nursing website for more information about the program requirements.

If you have questions after viewing this website, please feel free to contact Debby Buck by email buckd@ferris.edu or phone (231) 591-2094. If you are calling from outside the Big Rapids area, please feel free to call 1-800-GO-BULLDOG and choose the School of Nursing option.

We are pleased you have contacted Ferris State University about the RN to BSN Completion program and look forward to helping you reach your educational goals.

Michelle Teschendorf, PhD(c), RNC, CNE
RN to BSN Program Coordinator