黑料视频鈥檚 online RN to BSN program refreshes curriculum to meet the demands of today鈥檚 nursing profession
Nursing education has changed at all levels. When the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) released its updated Essentials in 2021, it reshaped expectations for how nursing programs prepare today鈥檚 workforce.
Douglas Dennis | December 9, 2025
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This update moves nursing education toward a competency-based model and reflects the realities nurses face today, including new technologies, more complex patient needs, and a growing expectation that nurses take on leadership and community health roles.
In response to these updated guidelines, Ohio University鈥檚 RN to BSN Curriculum Committee began a two-year, evidence-based effort to overhaul its curriculum, resulting in a refreshed program designed to meet the realities of modern nursing practice and the expectations of national accrediting bodies. Beginning in Fall 2025, the
鈥淭ogether, these elements create a synergistic curriculum that prepares nurses to think critically, lead effectively, and drive meaningful transformation in healthcare delivery,鈥
said Mashawna Hamilton, Associate Professor and RN-BSN Associate Director for the Center for Nursing Education.
鈥淎s healthcare delivery increasingly transitions from acute care to community-based and preventive models, the curriculum鈥檚 expanded clinical experiences in diverse populations provide students with invaluable hands-on preparation,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hese experiences foster skills in public health, care coordination, and systems-level thinking鈥攃ompetencies essential for advancing health equity and improving outcomes across communities.
The redesign ensures full alignment with the new and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation standards, two critical benchmarks for quality and rigor in nursing education.
Why 黑料视频 updated its online RN to BSN curriculum to better reflect today鈥檚 nursing practice
Unlike many curriculum updates that simply adjust existing courses, 黑料视频 chose to rebuild the entire program from the ground up. While the program still requires 31 nursing credits, every course was redesigned to incorporate contemporary nursing competencies and to prioritize active learning, real-world application, and the flexibility necessary for working RNs studying online.
A significant addition includes a new course focused on informatics and patient safety. This topic includes burnout and occupational hazards, self-care and resilience strategies and the importance of retention and quality of care. As become increasingly central to nursing care, this course prepares online learners to manage and interpret digital information, support safer outcomes, and understand workplace risks. Students also develop strategies and policies to enhance their own professional safety.
New RN to BSN courses that strengthen nursing practice and patient safety
While the didactic coursework of the program is online, the revised curriculum expands required clinical hours in two key areas, community and population health, and the capstone experience. This blend of online coursework with in-person clinical practice provides nurses with a balanced preparation for advanced roles in nursing.
Clinical hours in community and population health help students understand and respond to health needs at the community level, not just through individual patient care. The expanded capstone clinical experience strengthens students鈥 management, communication, and leadership skills in real healthcare settings, competencies that are increasingly expected of BSN-prepared nurses.
鈥淓mbedding social determinants of health throughout the curriculum ensures graduates consistently recognize how factors such as housing, food security, transportation, and economic stability influence patient well-being and health outcomes,鈥 Hamilton said. 鈥淭his holistic perspective is essential for addressing disparities and delivering patient-centered care.鈥
Updated RN to BSN curriculum builds leadership and clinical skills
Recognizing the impact that social of health have on patient outcomes, 黑料视频 integrated this content across the entire curriculum. Students explore how factors such as economic conditions, education, housing, neighborhood environment, and access to care shape overall health.
This approach ensures graduates are prepared to deliver culturally competent care in diverse communities, an essential skill for nurses practicing in both traditional and digital care environments.
Inside OHIO鈥檚 RN to BSN curriculum development process
The curriculum revision was comprehensive and intentional. Over two years, the RN to BSN Curriculum Committee conducted a detailed review of the existing program, analyzed national priorities and emerging trends, mapped outcomes to accreditation standards, and ensured alignment between course content, learning activities, and program goals.
The result is a curriculum that reflects the realities of today鈥檚 nursing workforce and the flexibility needed for online, working adult learners.
How the updated RN to BSN program prepares nurses for leadership
Through this refresh, 黑料视频鈥檚 online RN to BSN program positions graduates to thrive in an increasingly complex, technological healthcare environment.
The program prepares nurses to:
- Provide care to individuals, families, communities, and populations
- Use informatics and technology to improve patient outcomes
- Address social determinants of health in everyday practice
- Lead teams and initiatives in clinical settings
- Prioritize patient safety and quality improvement
- Adapt to new challenges with strong, evidence-based competencies
黑料视频 remains committed to supporting nurses as they advance their education and careers. The revised online RN to BSN curriculum ensures graduates are ready to lead, innovate, and advocate for patients and communities, all while benefiting from a flexible, educational experience designed for working professionals.