Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Earn Your BSN
Program Starts Fall 2026
After years of development, we are pleased to announce that OCCC’s Nursing Program will launch its RN to BSN program in Fall 2026. As part of a consortium of Oregon Community Colleges, Oregon Coast is presenting this innovative and accessible program, designed for registered nurses who already hold an AAS degree in Nursing. Students will complete coursework online while finishing with an in-person capstone experience right here in Lincoln County.
Fall 2026 Application Info
General Information
- First cohort: 7 students (applications were open in June 2026, presently closed). Second cohort applications will be open in June 2027.
- Program length: 15 months (5 terms)
- Degree awarded: BSN from Oregon Coast Community College
- Tuition & fees per credit: $250 (same at all partner community colleges)
About the BSN
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a bachelor-level, workforce-oriented program that prepares students for a high-value career as a bachelor’s-prepared, licensed nurse. As part of the BSN Community College Collaborative, this program is intended for licensed nurses who hold an associate degree in nursing. This program combines lower-division foundational courses with upper-division baccalaureate-level coursework. Building upon the knowledge and skills acquired in an Associate of Science in Nursing (RN) degree, the BSN curriculum focuses on advanced nursing practices. Students develop critical competencies such as applying evidence-based knowledge, evaluating scientific research in patient-centered care, analyzing interdisciplinary healthcare approaches, utilizing informatics and communication technologies, and cultivating a sustainable professional identity.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Generate nursing knowledge integration and translation, defined as the process of communicating, combining, and applying established and evolving knowledge, to make clinical judgments and innovate nursing practice.
- Evaluate the scientific body of knowledge regarding patient-centered care focusing on the individuals’ whole person, including physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs providing respectful and compassionate care.
- Participate in population health to improve health for everyone, not just the sick, using a collaborative approach that includes public health, health care, and other organizations generating equitable health outcomes for all.
- Generate, synthesize, translate, apply and disseminate nursing knowledge to improve health and transform health care.
- Evaluate established and emerging principles of safety and improvement science to enhance quality and minimize risk of harm to patients and providers.
- Analyze collaborations across professions and with care team members, patients, families, communities, and other stakeholders to optimize care, enhance the healthcare experience, and strengthen outcomes.
- Respond to and lead within complex systems of healthcare to effectively and proactively coordinate resources to provide safe, quality and equitable care to diverse populations.
- Analyze information and communication technology (ICT) and informatics to provide care, gather data, make decisions, and support healthcare professionals.
- Create a sustainable professional identity by being accountable, open-minded, collaborative, and professional reflecting on values and characteristics of the professional nurse role.
- Engage in activities and self-reflection that foster personal health, resilience, and well-being contributing to life-long learning, and supporting the acquisition of nursing expertise and assertion of leadership.
Entrance Requirements
To be eligible for admission to the BSN, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Complete an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Associate of Science (AS) in Nursing by the fall term of admission.
- Hold an unencumbered RN license by the end of the first term of the program.
Selection Process
Admission into the BSN is lottery-based, with priority given to in-district residents.
Step 1: Lottery Grouping
In-District Applicants are placed in the first lottery group and receive priority consideration. The OCCC District consists of all of Lincoln County.
Out-of-District Applicants are placed in a secondary lottery pool and will only be considered if seats remain unfilled by in-district applicants.
Step 2: Seat Offers
Seven (7) seats will be offered from each college in the consortium for a cohort of 42, and communication will be sent via email.
If fewer than seven in-district applicants apply or accept, remaining seats will be filled from the out-of-district pool using the same lottery process.
Additional Costs (Beyond Standard Tuition/Fees and Textbooks)
- Cost of a background check and drug screen the term prior to Capstone.
- Maintaining current AHA BLS certification.
- Immunizations if applicable.
Degree Requirements
Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
BI 234 | Microbiology | 4 |
NUR 310 | Transitions to Professional Nursing | 6 |
NUR 312 | Concepts of Nursing Theory | 6 |
NUR 314 | Evidence-Based Practice | 6 |
NUR 316 | Global Health Promotion and Community Health | 6 |
NUR 410 | Informatics in Healthcare | 6 |
NUR 412 | Issues and Trends in Professional Nursing | 6 |
NUR 414 | Pathophys, Pharmacology, & Advanced Physical Assessment in Nursing | 6 |
NUR 416 | Nursing Leadership | 6 |
NUR 418 | Capstone Didactic | 6 |
Choose one of the following Capstone Clinical options: | 6 | |
NUR 420A | Capstone Clinical Administration & Management | |
NUR 420B | Capstone Clinical Palliative Care | |
NUR 420C | Capstone Clinical Underserved & Vulnerable Populations | |
STAT 243Z | Elementary Statistics I | 4 |
Electives: Choose enough electives from the below options to reach a minimum total of 90 overall degree credits | 22 | |
NUR 250 | NCLEX Preparation | |
NUR 280B | CWE Nursing II | |
NUR 380 | Cooperative Work Experience Nursing III | |
Related elective courses 1 | ||
Total Credits | 90 | |
1
Must be 100-level or higher courses
Recommended subjects include: Science, Behavioral & Social Science, Nutrition, Human Development, and Health & Human Performance, Math, Writing, and Communications, or health-related CTE programs
Lower or upper division courses can be counted
Must pass with a C or better
Advising Notes
As part of a one-of-a-kind state-wide consortium called the Bachelor of Science: Nursing Community College Collaborative (BSNCCC), COCC’s RN to BSN program is designed for registered nurses who already hold an associate degree in Nursing and are licensed RNs by the end of the first term. The BSN degree is designed to be offered as a cohort program with students progressing through the coursework in 15 months of continuous attendance. The course schedule meets the needs of working adults through online coursework while finishing the program with an in-person capstone experience right here in their home community. The Capstone clinical experience will be in one of three clinical practice settings in the students’ community: palliative care, underserved and vulnerable populations, and nursing administration and management
Performance Standards
Academic Requirements:
All courses in the program must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
Students must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA to earn a COCC certificate or degree.
Additional Requirements:
To be admitted, students must already have received an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Associate of Science (AS) in Nursing.
Students must have an unencumbered, Oregon-issued RN license by the end of the first quarter of this program.
To complete the program, students must have a minimum of 180 credits total: counting credits from both the AAS or AS in Nursing, and their BSN credits.
Sample Plan Grid
First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
BI 234 | Microbiology | 4 |
Elective credit as needed | 4 | |
NUR 310 | Transitions to Professional Nursing | 6 |
NUR 312 | Concepts of Nursing Theory | 6 |
Credits | 20 | |
Winter | ||
Elective credit as needed | 4 | |
NUR 316 | Global Health Promotion and Community Health | 6 |
NUR 410 | Informatics in Healthcare | 6 |
STAT 243Z | Elementary Statistics I | 4 |
Credits | 20 | |
Spring | ||
Elective credit as needed | 4 | |
NUR 314 | Evidence-Based Practice | 6 |
NUR 412 | Issues and Trends in Professional Nursing | 6 |
Credits | 16 | |
Summer | ||
Elective credit as needed | 4 | |
NUR 414 | Pathophys, Pharmacology, & Advanced Physical Assessment in Nursing | 6 |
NUR 416 | Nursing Leadership | 6 |
Credits | 16 | |
Second Year | ||
Fall | ||
Elective credit as needed | 3 | |
Elective credit as needed | 3 | |
NUR 418 | Capstone Didactic | 6 |
NUR 420A or NUR 420B | Capstone Clinical Administration & Management or Capstone Clinical Palliative Care | 6 |
Credits | 18 | |
Total Credits | 90 | |
HOW | Your Path Forward
How Do You Get Started?
Paying for School — You Have Options
Cost should never be the reason you don’t pursue a nursing degree. Your Student Success Coach can tell you about OCCC’s Financial Aid options. Schedule your meeting, below!
Your Next Steps
Your degree is waiting. Let’s not waste a moment!
Ready to start? Here’s what to do today:
1 – Schedule an in-person or Zoom advising appointment with a Student Success Coach.
4 – Apply for admission and register for Fall term
Additional Information
Disabilities
Oregon Coast Community College is committed to providing equal opportunities for students with disabilities throughout the College community. Students with documented disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Our philosophy is to maximize your independence and self-reliance, providing a variety of support options to assist you in achieving your educational and/or vocational objectives. To receive services, you must submit documentation of your disabling condition(s) to the Vice President for Student Affairs. To initiate support services, please contact the Vice President for Student Affairs at 541-867-8511. Students are responsible for requesting, in a timely manner, accommodation and documenting the nature and extent of their disability.
Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination
The College prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law in any area, activity or operation of the College. The College also prohibits retaliation against an individual for engaging in activity protected under this policy, and interfering with rights or privileges granted under anti-discrimination laws. In addition, the College complies with applicable provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), related Executive Orders 11246 and 11375, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended), Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (“USERRA’), and all local and state civil rights laws. Under this policy, equal opportunity for employment, admission, and participation in the College’s programs, services, and activities will be extended to all persons, and the College will promote equal opportunity and treatment through application of this policy and other College efforts designed for that purpose.
Persons having questions about equal opportunity and nondiscrimination should contact either:
Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, Kristina Holton
or
Director of Human Resources, Joy Gutknecht
Questions can also be mailed to their attention at 400 SE College Way, Newport, OR 97366.