Ohio University’s online RN to BSN program refreshes curriculum to meet the demands of today’s nursing profession

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’s 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  

“Together, these elements create a synergistic curriculum that prepares nurses to think critically, lead effectively, and drive meaningful transformation in healthcare delivery,”

said Mashawna Hamilton, Associate Professor and RN-BSN Associate Director for the Center for Nursing Education.

“As healthcare delivery increasingly transitions from acute care to community-based and preventive models, the curriculum’s expanded clinical experiences in diverse populations provide students with invaluable hands-on preparation,” she said. “These experiences foster skills in public health, care coordination, and systems-level thinking—competencies essential for advancing health equity and improving outcomes across communities.

The redesign ensures full alignment with the new AACN Essentials and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation standards, two critical benchmarks for quality and rigor in nursing education.

Unlike many curriculum updates that simply adjust existing courses, Ohio University 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 healthcare technology and electronic data 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.

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’ management, communication, and leadership skills in real healthcare settings, competencies that are increasingly expected of BSN-prepared nurses.

“Embedding 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,” Hamilton said. “This holistic perspective is essential for addressing disparities and delivering patient-centered care.”

Recognizing the impact that social  of health have on patient outcomes, Ohio University 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.

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’s nursing workforce and the flexibility needed for online, working adult learners.

Through this refresh, Ohio University’s 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

Ohio University 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.