Who is an RN to BSN online nursing program for?
Written by Morganne Skinner
This article was reviewed by Raelene Brooks, Dean, College of Nursing.
RN to BSN online nursing programs are specifically created for licensed registered nurses (RNs) who are looking to enhance their education and career. The programs offer the convenience of completing coursework from anywhere, eliminating the need to relocate or commute. With the flexibility to learn at your own pace (whether full time or part time), these programs let you maintain a balance between work and continuing your education.
Why pursue an RN to BSN online nursing program?
While having an RN license opens up many career possibilities, certain nursing positions require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). For example, you can start working as a bedside RN, but a BSN may be necessary for a management position. Even when a BSN is not mandatory, it can teach you skills that can prepare you to pursue new or additional opportunities. A BSN can prepare you for a number of career options, including public health nursing, nursing instruction and leadership positions, like charge nurse or director of nursing. A BSN can also be a foundation for pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing.
If you’re already employed as a nurse, you may need to obtain your BSN within a certain time frame to stay in your role. Online programs for nursing are ideal in such cases. Right now, New York may be the only state to require nurses to earn their “BSN in 10” (years), but my own experience (outside of New York, as it were) supports this. Like many nurses, I started working as an RN in the ICU with an Associate Degree in Nursing, and my employer required me to earn my BSN within five years. It may not be a legal requirement where you live, in other words, but it may be something your employer wants or requires.
Pursuing your nursing degree online allows you to work while earning your degree, since you can complete coursework on your days off. Some programs require you to come in at least once for in-person training. Depending on your experience and previous education, you can sometimes complete this degree in 14 months (when transferring an associate degree) or two and a half years if you have eligible work experience. For example, some programs provide credits for your lived, professional experience.
Admissions requirements for RN to BSN online nursing programs
To apply for RN to BSN programs, you need to meet specific requirements. Since RN to BSN programs are designed to leverage experience and education licensed nurses already have, you can transfer credits from your Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program. However, you may need to complete additional courses, depending on your previous coursework and school-specific requirements.
Most programs require a nursing diploma or ADN from an accredited school and an active, unencumbered RN license. Your exact admissions requirements may vary depending on your school choice and program type. Here are some requirements that may be needed:
- General education courses: Anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology and psychology.
- GPA: Not all programs have a GPA requirement. For those that do, it’s usually 2.5 to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Clinical hours
- License: Active, unencumbered RN license.
- Degrees in nursing: An ADN or nursing diploma from an accredited institution.
- Application materials may include: Letters of recommendation, personal statement or essay, criminal background check and official transcripts.
Curriculum overview and course structure
RN to BSN online programs may offer similar courses, although program curricula may differ in concentrations and electives. Generally speaking, the program curriculum is designed to build upon your nursing knowledge gained from your ADN and nursing experience. Core courses focus on nursing theory and practice to deepen your understanding of patient interactions, patient care principles and health promotion.
An RN to BSN program also includes specialized courses that enhance your clinical skills, like community health nursing and nursing leadership. Additionally, the curriculum integrates evidence-based practice and research, equipping you with skills to apply the latest research findings to clinical settings and improve patient outcomes. This comprehensive approach ensures that BSN graduates are well prepared for advanced roles and responsibilities in nursing.
In these programs, classes can include a mix of prerecorded lectures and live online sessions. You can typically watch lectures and complete assignments on your own schedule, and then join live meetings for real-time discussions with instructors and classmates. Keep in mind that some programs may require on-campus sessions, and all require clinical hours, which are often completed locally. Be sure to check your program’s specific requirements.
Benefits of online learning for RN to BSN
One of the hardest parts about returning to nursing school can be managing your schedule. Attending classes online offers a way to more easily balance your work schedule, family responsibilities and education.
Online nursing programs can help you connect with peers, mentors and experts from a variety of healthcare settings. For example, you might connect with instructors who have advanced training in nursing leadership, education and clinical practice, as well as students from different specialties and geographic regions. Engaging with this community allows you to exchange ideas, collaborate on projects and learn from others' experiences, deepening your understanding of the nursing field as well as your professional network.
These programs may also offer interactive online platforms, like Blackboard® or Canvas, and resources that can enhance your learning experience. These platforms help keep you connected to your fellow classmates and faculty, facilitate group projects and discussion boards, and provide access to educational materials, making your online learning experience dynamic and accessible.
Career opportunities with a BSN degree
More education provides a strong foundation for specialized nursing fields, like oncology and critical care, even when a BSN isn’t technically required.
BSN-prepared nurses are often considered for leadership and management positions, enabling them to coordinate care and oversee teams. Opportunities may include higher-level roles such as charge nurses or nurse instructors. Other roles, like nurse practitioners, require even more education (such as a master’s degree) for which a BSN is a common prerequisite.
Financial aid and support for RN to BSN students
There may be multiple options for nursing students to pay for their education, including grants, loans, scholarships and employer-sponsored tuition reimbursement. At the federal level, you can apply for federal financial aid. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form as the first step to see if you qualify for federal grants or loans.
Loans must ordinarily be repaid, but some nurses can qualify for loan forgiveness programs by working in underserved areas or facilities facing critical shortages.
You may also qualify for grants, which are generally based on need and do not require repayment under most circumstances.
Scholarships can be awarded by the school itself or by third parties and are often awarded based on area of study, academic merit or identifying characteristics. Some schools even offer a universal scholarship (applying for multiple applications at once), while others require individual applications.
Another option for working nurses looking to go back to school: tuition reimbursement programs from your employer. Some organizations offer tuition assistance or reimbursement to help ease the financial burden of earning a BSN. With tuition assistance, the employer may pay qualifying employees’ tuition in whole or in part. With reimbursement, you pay tuition first and the employer typically reimburses you later when qualifying grades and/or eligibility are verified. Requirements to qualify for either of these options vary depending on the employer. As with any form of financial aid or award, it’s a good idea to research the contingencies and eligibility factors.
Find out more about RN to BSN online nursing programs
RN to BSN online nursing programs can help prepare you with relevant skills to apply during your nursing career, all while you balance your daily responsibilities. At University of Phoenix, you can choose between the traditional RN to BSN track and the competency-based RN to BSN track.
The competency-based track requires at least one year of full-time clinical RN experience and an associate nursing degree from an accredited college. The traditional track requires either a nursing diploma or an Associate Degree in Nursing. Both programs require an active, unencumbered RN license. RNs can choose from these options:
- RN to BSN: Receive 87 credits for your ADN or 40 credits for your RN.
- RN to BSN (Competency Based – CB): Earn your BSN in as little as 12 months.
Taking your next step in nursing is now easier than ever thanks to the flexibility, resources and opportunities available to you. Explore your options, and start your journey toward a BSN today!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Morganne Skinner, BSN, RN, is a fertility educator and writer. She began nursing in the surgical-trauma intensive care unit and earned a critical care nursing certification. She earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Liberty University in Virginia. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer in rural Zambia for two years, fueling her passion for women’s and public health. After returning to the U.S., she worked in rehabilitation, public health, and fertility. Morganne excels in health education through her writing and fertility work, contributing to fertility and textbook companies and nursing websites, and creating practice questions for the NCLEX.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Dr. Raelene Brooks, dean of the College of Nursing, has been a registered nurse for more than 25 years and practiced extensively in the areas of ICU, trauma and critical care. Her publications include a focus on nursing education, critical care and diversity, equity and inclusion. She is a leader in creating, guiding and launching innovative curriculum.
This article has been vetted by University of Phoenix's editorial advisory committee.
Read more about our editorial process.