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Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN):LPN to BSN

Summer 2020: deadline for applications Feb. 10, 2020

RIBN LPN to BSN is a three-year educational pathway that includes all coursework required to complete an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Nursing at Forsyth Tech and a Bachelor of Science (BSN) Degree in Nursing at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU).

Students are enrolled at Forsyth Tech and WSSU for the first two years of study. Year one of the program focuses on completing general education classes. In year two, the student enrolls in associate degree nursing classes. Following successful completion of the second year of study, students are awarded an AAS degree from Forsyth Tech and are eligible to take the RN licensing exam (NCLEX-RN). After passing NCLEX-RN, students continue at WSSU to complete the final three semesters of nursing coursework. Students earn their BSN degree from WSSU.

A BSN provides nurses with a number of advantages. Many RN positions in hospitals and other health care settings now require a BSN degree for employment or advancement. A BSN also positions students to continue their education at the graduate level in nursing or in other related fields such as health care administration or public health.

Who Should Apply?

RIBN LPN to BSN is ideal for those students who:

  • are licensed as an LPN in the state of North Carolina
  • desire to continue their education and earn their associate and baccalaureate nursing degrees,
  • desire an affordable and seamless pathway to a BSN degree.

As most tuition is at community college rates, RIBN LPN-BSN provides students with an affordable way to earn a BSN degree

Course of Study

The three-year RIBN LPN-BSN curriculum includes a total nine semesters of study. Forsyth Tech serves as the “home” school for the first six semesters. First year classes (3 semesters) at Forsyth Tech include Anatomy and Physiology, English, Psychology, Math, and a choice of several electives. During the summer of the second year, students begin nursing coursework with NUR 214. Upon completion of NUR 214 with a grade of “B” or higher, students are awarded credit for the following associate degree nursing courses: NUR 111, NUR 112, NUR 212, and NUR 113. Students complete requirements for the AAS degree in nursing during the fall and spring semesters of year two.

During years one and two RIBN LPN to BSN students take one online class each fall and spring semester at WSSU in addition to their Forsyth Tech classes. The third and final year at WSSU is devoted to baccalaureate nursing classes focusing on leadership, community and public health, nursing research, and gerontology. Students must pass NCLEX-RN prior to beginning third year baccalaureate nursing classes. All third year classes are online. Students graduate with a BSN from WSSU following successful completion of these classes.

View the RIBN LPN-BSN curriculum here.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet minimum admission requirements as determined by Forsyth Tech and WSSU to be eligible for RIBN LPN-BSN.

Minimum admission requirements for RIBN LPN-BSN:

  1. Successful completion of a practical nursing program.
  2. A GPA of 2.6 or higher in practical nursing courses.
  3. An adjusted individual score of 60% or higher on the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills ATI TEAS or TEAS V)
  4. Successful completion of ENG 111 and PSY 150 with a grade of “C” or higher prior to the beginning of the first semester of RIBN.
  5. Hold a current unrestricted licensure as an LPN in the State of North Carolina.
  6. Completed at least six months of full time employment as an LPN by May 1
  7. Applicants must demonstrate competency in English, Reading, and Math
  1. Be admitted to WSSU for the fall semester.

 

Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to RIBN LPN-BSN. See the section titled “Selection of Applicants” for detailed information on selection.

Please note: Forsyth Technical Community College also offers an LPN-RN Transition Program. This program has an application process that is independent of the application process for RIBN LPN-BSN. If you wish to apply to the LPN-RN Transition Program at Forsyth Tech, please refer to the application instructions and admissions requirements as described on the Forsyth Tech website for this program. Applicants may not apply for both the LPN-RN Transition Program and RIBN LPN-BSN simultaneously.

 

How to Apply for Summer 2020 RIBN LPN-BSN

Complete and submit a RIBN LPN-BSN. RIBN LPN-BSN application.

Note you will not be scheduled for the TEAS Test until both the FTCC and RIBN Applications are on file. and you demonstrate competency in English, Reading, and Math. (See admission requirements) You are encouraged to submit the applications early.

Applications for the RIBN LPN-BSN  will be accepted between October 1, 2019 and February  10, 2020.

The RIBN Advisor will accept applications for the summer 2020 RIBN program beginning October 1, 2019 and ending February 10, 2020 at 5:00pm. Submit your application by email to aburcham@forsythtech.edu: or mail to the address below

Angela Burcham
RIBN Success Advisor
Paul M. Wiles School of Nursing, Room 200
Forsyth Tech Community College
2100 Silas Creek Parkway
Winston-Salem, NC 27103-5197

You will receive a confirmation email that your RIBN LPN-BSN application is on file and information regarding scheduling the TEAS test

The following deadlines must be met in order to be considered for the Summer 2020 class.

Due by 5:00 PM Monday, February 10, 2020:

  1. RIBN LPN-BSN application.
  2. Official transcripts from high school and all colleges attended through fall 2019 semester.Mailed transcripts must arrive in a sealed unopened envelope and include the school seal or an original signature. Address Transcripts to the RIBN Advisor. Angela Burcham
    Paul M. Wiles School of Nursing,
    Forsyth Tech Community College
    2100 Silas Creek Parkway
    Winston-Salem, NC 27103-5197Transcripts may also be submitted electronically through the National Student Clearinghouse to admissions@forsythtech.edu
  3. ACT and/or SAT scores if you are under the age of 21 with fewer than 24 transferable college credits.

Due by 5:00 PM on Monday, February 20, 2020:

  1. TEAS scores.
  2. An acceptance letter from WSSU or documentation that your WSSU application was submitted prior to the Feb 20 deadline.
  1. Confirmation from an employer that the applicant will have completed at least six months of full time employment as an LPN.

Selection of Applicants

Admission to RIBN LPN-BSN is highly competitive. All applicants who have satisfied the minimum admission requirements and completed the application process by the deadline dates as indicated above are ranked numerically,

Basis for ranking

GPA in the completed LPN program

TEAS scores

Up to 3 additional point based, on the grade earned, maybe awarded for the optional completion of Bio 168/169 if completed by the application deadline. A = 1.5 B=1.0 C= 0.5

(Please note that the BIO 165/166 sequence may be substituted for Bio 168/169 only if both classes were completed at the same college.)

Applicants with the highest-ranking scores will be offered a seat for the Summer RIBN LPN-BSN class. In the event ranking results in a tie, the Adjusted Individual Science Score on the TEAS Exam is used.

ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills)

The TEAS assesses how well a student is prepared, academically, for the Nursing curriculum

You will receive information on taking TEAS after turning in your RIBN application. Forsyth Tech will also accept TEAS scores (TEAS V or ATI TEAS) if taken at another school within the past two years. If submitting score form another institution. It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit a copy of these scores to the RIBN Advisor.

Resources that may be helpful in preparing for the TEAS.

  • ACA 085-Improving Study Skills, an eight-week online course offered by Forsyth Tech, may be completed wherever Internet access is available
  • Study manuals are available for review in the following locations at Forsyth Tech:
    Main Campus library (Ardmore building), Stokes County Office (Danbury), Grady Swisher Center (Kernersville), and Mazie Woodruff Center (Carver Road, Winston Salem). The manuals cannot be checked out.
  • TEAS preparation materials purchased through the ATI Nursing Education website.

The TEAS Coordinator will contact you to schedule your test after confirming that you have met the application requirements Test fees can be paid at the cashier’s prior to the day of testing. The Cashier’s office is located on the on the second floor of the Allman Center on the main campus. Upon arrival for testing, applicants need to present a payment receipt and a photo ID

Please note: Applicants are allowed three attempts to meet the minimum required Adjusted Individual Score. If unsuccessful on the second attempt, applicants must wait eight weeks before testing a third and final time. A one-year waiting period is required before resuming the TEAS testing

Additional Requirements for RIBN LPN-BSN Students

Once admitted, students must meet the following requirements to maintain their enrollment in RIBN LPN-BSN:

Students must achieve a grade of “C” or higher in all general education and baccalaureate nursing courses and a grade of “B” or higher in all associate degree nursing courses to progress in RIBN.

Students must complete NUR 214 with a grade of “B” or higher to be awarded credit for NUR 111, NUR 112, NUR 212, and NUR 113 and progress to associate degree nursing coursework the following semester.

RIBN students must maintain dual enrollment at Forsyth Tech and WSSU by completing at least one WSSU course during two semesters (fall, spring, or summer) of each year for the first two years of study.

RIBN students must pass the NCLEX-RN between their second and third years of study to progress to third year nursing classes at WSSU and complete their BSN degree.

In addition, RIBN LPN-BSN students are expected to abide by all Forsyth Tech and WSSU student policies and guidelines. Students who fail to abide by these policies and guidelines will be subject to disciplinary action and possible dismissal from RIBN.

Financial Aid

Students interested in applying for financial aid should begin the process as soon as possible by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you have questions or need assistance with completing the application, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at Forsyth Tech. During the first two years of RIBN, Forsyth Tech is the “home school” for financial aid purposes. Financial aid is processed through WSSU during the third and final year.

RIBN students should not apply for and cannot receive financial aid through both Forsyth Tech and WSSU simultaneously. Semester hours at WSSU are not included when calculating the amount of financial aid awarded during the first three years of study. Other options, such as scholarships may be available. In addition, RIBN students are eligible to apply for Forgivable Loans of Service (FELS) for the second and third years of study. Please visit the FELS website for additional information.

Information Sessions

Individuals interested in the RIBN LPN-BSN program may wish to attend a RIBN LPN-BSN Information Session at Forsyth Tech These sessions are not required.

October 8, 2019
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Paul Wiles School of Nursing
Bob Greene Hall, Room 264

December 3, 2019
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Paul Wiles School of Nursing
Bob Greene Hall, Room 264

Please note: RIBN is a separate program and has unique admissions requirements. RIBN applicants are not required to attend a Nursing Information Session or complete the Online Nursing Information Session posted under “Nursing” on the Forsyth Tech webpage titled “Applying for Nursing and Allied Health Programs”. The information presented in these sessions is specific to the ADN and PN application process.

Questions?

The RIBN Advisor Angela Burcham is available to answer questions, offer assistance and meet with students interested in applying or learning more about RIBN. Please contact Ms. Burcham through the email address listed below.

Angela Burcham
Nursing Success Advisor
Paul M. Wiles School of Nursing, Room 313
Forsyth Tech Community College
2100 Silas Creek Parkway
Winston-Salem, NC 27103-5197
aburcham@forsythtech.edu