RN to BSN Programs Denver, CO

A large and aging population places an enormous strain on the healthcare sector. Nurses have a significant role in the management of patient care within the healthcare system, and associations such as the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) are pushing for 80% of RNs worldwide to have a BSN degree. According to Campaign for Nursing’s Future, 67.9% of RNs in the United States hold a BSN or higher degree. BSN nurses complete extensive training and have demonstrated a capacity for exceptional care, which is why they are preferred by most employers. If you have completed an associate’s degree in nursing and hold a current RN license, enrolling in a RN to BSN program will expand your knowledge and experience as a registered nurse. You will not only further your education but also enhance your opportunities to work in Magnet status hospitals, qualify for positions in leadership, and pursue advanced degrees in nursing.

Colorado University Anschutz Medical Campus

The RN to BSN program at CU Anschutz prepares registered nurses with the knowledge and skills to become a BSN nurse. The program is delivered completely online, giving students the opportunity to balance life and work at the same time. The use of educational technology to deliver courses over the web helps to accommodate work schedules and other life commitments for students. There are flexible enrollment options including a Fast-Track Pathway that may be completed in one year, a Traditional Pathway designed to be completed in 4 semesters and an Extended Pathway that may be completed in three years. Graduates will display professional leadership qualities to promote quality care, communicate effectively with intra and interdisciplinary teams, integrate evidence-based practice into patient centered care, and apply the principles of healthcare informatics as a user of health information systems.

Program Outline

Credits: 30
Duration: 12 months
Method of instruction: Online

Course titles:

Core courses – Evidence-Based Nursing Practice and Research, Professional Nursing Role Development, Introduction to Informatics, Quality, Safety and Innovative Practice, Nursing Leadership I – Leadership in Complex Organizations I, Nursing Leadership II – Leadership in Complex Organizations II, Population Based Nursing

Admission criteria:

  • Must obtain admission to University of Colorado
  • Must have an associate degree in nursing from an accredited program
  • Must have an active nursing license – may be earned in the first semester of enrolment
  • Must have completed 60 credit hours of prerequisite coursework – provisional admission allows for students to complete 1 or 2 prerequisite in the first semester
  • Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA

Program Cost:

Tuition costs $588 per semester hour for resident students. The cost of books and supplies is not included.

Denver College of Nursing

Denver College of Nursing’s online RN to BSN program is designed by nurses for the licensed, working nurse. As a single-purpose nursing college, the College is positioned to know the needs of RN students. Students will earn the degree in a cohort of professional peers in a supportive smaller school environment. The curriculum is challenging and designed at a pace that nurses can maintain. It incorporates the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) core competencies and the Nursing Process into course objectives and content. Graduates will demonstrate competencies such as patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, teamwork and collaboration, quality improvement, informatics, safety, change agent, leadership, and educator. They will have a firm foundation to continue to build their careers.

Program Outline

Quarter Credits: 90
Duration: 12 months
Method of instruction: Online

Course titles:

Core courses – Healthcare Informatics, Professional Issues in Nursing, Pathophysiology for the Registered Nurse, Healthcare Delivery Systems, Health Promotion, Cultural Dimensions in Nursing, Research and Evidence Based Practice, Policy, Finance, and Quality in Nursing and Healthcare, Population-Based Nursing, Leadership and Management in Nursing, Capstone

Admission criteria:

  • Must submit an official transcript to the Dean of Nursing Education or designee indicating graduation from an accredited Associate Degree in Nursing program or RN Diploma program
  • Must hold an unencumbered state license as a registered nurse
  • Must interview with an admissions advisor and/or other administrative staff
  • Must pay the application fee and complete all tuition payment requirements
  • Must authorize DCN to conduct a background check
  • Must sign the Enrollment Agreement
  • Must have a GPA of 2.0 or better with grades of C or above

Program Cost:

Tuition, books, and fees cost $14,568 for the total program. Tuition includes core and general education courses. Scholarships are available for eligible students.

Regis University

The RN to BSN online program at Regis University is designed for current RNs to add a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to their credentials and push their nursing career further ahead. The school’s credit transfer policy is aimed to ensure RNs with an associate’s degree are given the maximum amount of credit possible. Applicants who have graduated from a regionally accredited institution, completed an ADN program requiring a minimum of 66 semester hours and have a current license are eligible for a lump sum transfer of at least 66 semester hours. The degree requires completion of 120 credit hours, which includes all core studies requirements, 33 credit hours awarded in accordance with the provisions of the Colorado Articulation Model and RN licensure and 30 credit hours of upper-division nursing course work completed during the program at Regis University. Students can choose to take the program 100% online or as part of a web-based classroom in a synchronous format.

Program Outline

Credits: 30
Duration: 10 months
Method of instruction: Online

Course titles:

Core courses – Applied Ethics in Health Care, Professional Role Development, Updates in Illness and Disease Management, Contemporary Topics in Health Care, Health Promotion Concepts, Evidence Based Practice in Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Community Health Nursing Practicum, The Nurse Leader-Manager, Leadership in Nursing Capstone

Admission criteria:

  • Complete the Regis University Application or the NursingCAS Application
  • Request official transcripts from all post-secondary educational institutions attended
  • Submit a current resume including all professional and volunteer experience
  • Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above
  • Must have completed an associate degree in nursing or diploma nursing program
  • Must have completed Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology and less than 36 outstanding non-nursing semester hours
  • Must have an active, unrestricted or unencumbered RN license in the state in which the clinical experience will be completed
  • Must have a minimum of 1,000 hours of nursing work experience if graduated from a nursing program more than 3 years
  • Must complete a criminal background check and drug screen
  • Must complete health history and physical exam
  • Must have current AHA Basic Life Support for health care professionals

Program Cost:

Tuition costs $621 per credit hour. Additional fees include background check and drug screen costs, application fees and clinical fees, and books.

University of Colorado Springs – Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences

The RN to BSN program at UCCS is for registered nurses who hold an unrestricted license. It gives them the opportunity to further their education by obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The program is designed to be completed on a part-time basis and delivered entirely online, allowing working nurses the flexibility to continue working full-time while completing the program. RN students will acquire the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to advance their careers and meet the increasing demands of the healthcare industry, which includes primary care, community health, and leadership roles. A dual enrollment option is available for nursing students to simultaneously earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree while completing their associate degree. The flexible program offers classes online and part-time.

Program Outline

Credits: 30
Duration: 12 months
Method of instruction: Online

Course titles:

Core courses – Pathophysiology, Professional Nursing Role Development and Reflective Practice, Introduction to Informatics, Quality and Safety, Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice, Nursing Leadership, Population Health, Capstone, Innovation, and Leadership

Admission criteria:

  • Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher from all colleges attended
  • Must have a current, unrestricted RN license
  • Must provide a letter proving completion of at least 1,000 clinical hours – for students who have completed the ADN more than 3 years
  • Submit a completed undergraduate transfer application
  • Must pay the $50 application fee
  • Must submit official transcripts from all colleges attended

Program Cost:

Tuition costs $449.85 per credit hour for resident students. Additional fees include background check and drug screen costs, application fees and clinical fees, and books.

  • Website: https://www.uccs.edu/
  • Address: 1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
  • Phone: (719) 255-4400

Colorado Mountain College

Colorado Mountain College’s BSN program builds upon the clinical experience gained in the Associate Degree in Nursing (AAS) program. The RN to BSN program seeks to broaden students’ knowledge with greater emphasis on nursing theory, community health, population focused care, research and evidenced based practice and leadership. The coursework is delivered online to give students the convenience of study while working as a nurse. The curriculum complements nurses’ work so students will have a chance to out theory into action. Students can choose fieldwork projects relevant to the area of practice, aligned with course outcomes. The program is highly competitive.

Program Outline

Credits: 34
Duration: 12 months
Method of instruction: Online

Course titles:

Core courses – Dimensions of Professional Nursing Practice and Transition, Community and Public Health Nursing, Advanced Gerontology, Advanced Health Assessment, Nursing Ethics and Legalities of Healthcare, Healthcare Finance and Economics, Nursing Research, Leadership: Professional Role as Communicator, Collaborator, and Change Agent, Senior Synthesis Project, Information Management, Healthcare Systems, and Processes: Safety, Quality and Sustainability

Admission criteria:

  • Submit an application for admission to CMC
  • Must have graduated from an accredited AAS/ADN or Diploma Nursing program
  • Must provide a copy of current and unencumbered RN license from the State of Colorado
  • Must have a current AHA CPR certification
  • Must have a minimum of 1,000 hours of nursing work experience if the applicant completed the ADN more than 3 years before the application to the program
  • Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • Must submit an official transcript of all college credits completed
  • Must pass a background check and drug screen

Program Cost:

Tuition costs $135 per credit hour for in-district students. Additional fees include background check and drug screen costs, application fees and clinical fees, and books.

Metropolitan State University

MSU Denver’s affordable, flexible, online bachelor of science in nursing degree is open to current registered nurses who want to earn the BSN degree and expand their careers. The RN to BS program covers ten courses designed to help students broaden their career options with strictly online study. Community college students enrolled in an Associate Degree in Nursing (A.D.N.) program may enroll in the fully online RN to BS Option with dual enrollment to help them graduate sooner. Applicants must have an RN license or be concurrently dual enrolled in an ADN community college program to enroll in the program. Graduates will be prepared to communicate effectively, integrate evidence, clinical judgment, interprofessional perspectives and patient preference in providing patient care, evaluate patient care environments for use of appropriate quality safety indicators, apply leadership and management principles, and exhibit the knowledge, skills and attributes of a professional nurse.

Program Outline

Credits: 57
Duration: 12 months
Method of instruction: Online

Course titles:

Core courses – Introduction to Exemplary Professional Practice, Nursing Ethics and Professional Practice, Evidence Based Practice Through Nursing Research, Nursing Care Coordination of Acute and Chronic Disease Management, Multicultural Care of Patients and Their Families, Population Health Nursing I, Population Health Nursing Practicum, Quality Care and Patient Safety Using Nursing Informatics, Transformational Nursing Leadership

Admission criteria:

  • Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher from all colleges attended
  • Must have a current, unrestricted RN license
  • Must provide a letter proving completion of at least 1,000 clinical hours – for students who have completed the ADN more than 3 years
  • Submit a completed undergraduate transfer application
  • Must submit official transcripts from all colleges attended
  • Must pass a background check and drug screen
  • Must have current AHA Basic Life Support for Healthcare Professionals

Program Cost:

Tuition costs $1584 per semester for students completing 3 credit hours. Tuition is less for Colorado residents who qualify for COF.

University of Northern Colorado

UNC’s online RN to BSN degree provides registered nurses a practical route to career advancement. Licensed RNs with an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) may apply to the program to prepare for leadership roles, raise their professional status and increase their income potential. Students may work full-time while completing the degree. The program is offered in a cohort model so students may move through the program with a tight-knit group of classmates and build a network of supportive relationships. Students will learn from outstanding faculty who combine years of teaching experience with extensive clinical practice and research. The practicum experiences provide students with personal guidance and one-on-one mentoring to broaden their career horizons. Students will complete the practicum in your own community, gaining more than 100 hours of supervised experience. The practicum includes an independent project to demonstrate leadership and problem-solving skills.

Program Outline

Credits: 53
Duration: 20 months
Method of instruction: Online

Course titles:

Core courses – Transition to Baccalaureate Nursing, Professional Nursing Concepts, Health Assessment RN/BSN, Research and Evidence Based Practice, Patient Centered Care Concepts Across the Lifespan, Current Issues in Health Care RN/BSN, Theory and Principles of Public Health Nursing: Population-Based Practice, Population-Based Practice – RN/BSN, Clinical Practice: Professionalism in Practice, Professionalism in Practice: Leadership and Management

Admission criteria:

  • Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher from all colleges attended
  • Must have a current, unrestricted RN license
  • Must provide a letter proving completion of at least 1,000 clinical hours – for students who have completed the ADN more than 3 years
  • Submit a completed undergraduate transfer application
  • Must submit official transcripts from all colleges attended
  • Must pass a background check and drug screen
  • Must have current AHA Basic Life Support for Healthcare Professionals

Program Cost:

Tuition costs $5,889 per semester for part time students. Tuition is less for Colorado residents who qualify for COF.

Arapahoe Community College

The RN‐BSN Program at Arapahoe Community College is designed for Registered Nurses who wish to earn the baccalaureate nursing degree or for current nursing students (dual enrollment) who are enrolled in the Nursing AAS program who wish to earn the baccalaureate nursing degree. The program adds value to nurses’ education, increases their perspective of current clinical practice beyond the ADN level, enhances their leadership abilities and promotes life‐long learning within the nursing profession. Dual enrolled students can start BSN classes through an online format. The program has two courses that require a practicum experience in an area of the student’s interests.

Program Outline

Credits: 31
Duration: 12 months
Method of instruction: Online

Course titles:

Core courses – Integration into Baccalaureate Nursing Practice, Trends in Nursing Practice, Nursing Research/Evidence Based Practice, Legal and Ethical Issues Related to Professional Nursing Practice, Leadership in the Nursing Profession, Community Health Nursing/Practicum, Senior Seminar, Informatics/Healthcare Technology, Emergency Preparedness, Gerontology Nursing, Behavioral Health

Admission criteria:

  • Must be admitted to Arapahoe Community College
  • Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher from all colleges attended
  • Must have an active, unencumbered RN license or Dual Enrollment
  • Must complete the Dual Admission Request Certification Form
  • Must complete a minimum of 25 percent of the credits required for the degree at ACC
  • Must provide a letter proving completion of at least 1,000 clinical hours – for
  • Must submit official transcripts from all colleges attended
  • Must pass a background check and drug screen
  • Must have current AHA Basic Life Support for Healthcare Professionals
  • Must provide immunization records

Program Cost:

Tuition costs $280.20 per credit hour for resident students. Tuition is less for Colorado residents who qualify for COF.