A career as a registered nurse provides numerous rewards. But if you’ve been sitting on the fence about securing a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), it’s time to take a closer look at the benefits and reap huge returns on your investment. It takes some work to get to the next level on the career ladder. Fortunately, RN-to-BSN programs help to smooth the transition from the registered nursing degree to the coveted BSN. They supply the convenience of online learning, credit for prior education and experience, and accelerated tracks so you can earn the degree in 2 to 3 semesters. BSN nurses get the best rewards! From job security, high demand, and higher salaries, you will benefit both professionally and financially. Within the health care system, employers show a strong preference for the BSN degree as these nurses have been linked to better patient outcomes and better patient care overall. Healthcare employers seeking to earn or retain their ANCC Magnet status are more apt to hire BSN nurses as part of the Magnet program requirements. The BSN will help you to qualify for management roles and entry into graduate programs such as the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to become a nurse practitioner.
Drexel University Online
The Drexel University Bachelor of Science in Nursing is an accredited online RN to BSN program. Students enrolled will be empowered to challenge tradition by focusing on evidence-based and experiential learning that they can apply immediately. The program is grounded in easy-to-use, technology-enhanced coursework with a focus on action-based, practical, in-depth clinical skills needed to improve patient outcomes. Candidates may transfer up to 135 of the 180 quarter credits to graduate with the BSN. Apart from the generous transfer credit policy, students can choose the accelerated format option to complete the final 9 nursing courses in just 12 months. The self-paced format is also available for students who prefer a slower approach. A three-year tuition lock is available for all students.
Program Outline
Quarter credits: 180 credits (including 135 transferred credits)
Duration: Four quarters
Method of instruction: Hybrid
Course titles:
General education courses – Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research or English Composition I, Composition and Rhetoric II: Inquiry and Exploratory Research or English Composition II, Composition and Rhetoric III: Inquiry and Exploratory Research or English Composition III, Humanities Elective, Intro to Sociology, General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Nursing Electives, Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Microbiology with Lab, Science Elective
Core courses – Intro to Computer Science of Communication, Statistics of the Health Sciences, Health Care Economics – Macro or Micro, Health Care Ethics or Advanced Health Care Ethics, Social Science Elective, Pharmacology or Advanced Physiology or Pathophysiology, Critical Issues in Nursing, Nursing Research: Methods and Critical Appraisal for Evidence-Based Practice, Genetics and Genomics: Application to Nursing Practice, Transformational Leadership, Health Assessment, Complex Systems of Care: Technology, Patient Safety and Quality, Issues in Aging and Longevity, Population Health; Local and Global, Senior Capstone in Nursing
Admission criteria:
- Must have a high school diploma or equivalency
- Must have an associate’s degree or diploma in nursing
- Must have a college GPA of 2.0 or above
- Must have current, unrestricted US RN license – candidates who are preparing to sit for the NCLEX may apply and start the program on a provisional basis
- Submit official transcripts that show 60 semester hours of college prerequisites completed with a grade C or better- nursing, English, humanities, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, sociology, growth and development, and psychology
- Applicants with an RN license from outside the US may need to submit additional materials
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $604 per credit. The program is eligible for financial aid. Students must cover costs for additional equipment and lab fees.
- Website: https://www.online.drexel.edu/
- Address: 3141 Chestnut Street, Suite 015, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Phone: 267.359.5555
Pennsylvania State University
The RN to BSN program at Penn State Abington places value of nursing experience. The accelerated program is designed to help registered nurses meet their career goals in the shortest time possible. Students will have the opportunity to transfer all applicable nursing and general education credit so they will be well on their way to meeting the 120 credit degree requirements. Penn State offers a hybrid course design that combines online and in-class tuition, convenient evening nursing courses, accelerated 7-week sessions, year-round courses, personalized attention, scholarship opportunities, and access to the largest university alumni association in the world.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 120 credits
Duration: 12 months
Method of instruction: Hybrid
Course titles:
General education courses – Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research or English Composition I, Composition and Rhetoric II: Inquiry and Exploratory Research or English Composition II, Composition and Rhetoric III: Inquiry and Exploratory Research or English Composition III, Humanities Elective, Intro to Sociology, General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Nursing Electives, Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Microbiology with Lab, Science Elective
Core courses – Intro to Nursing Informatics, Health and Environment Sustainability, Family and Community Health Concepts, Integrated Concepts in Nursing Practice, Principles of Nursing Research, Intro to Nursing Informatics, Forensic Evidence Collection and Preservation
Admission criteria:
- Must have a high school diploma or equivalency
- Must have an associate’s degree or diploma in nursing
- Must have a college GPA of 2.0 or above
- Must have current, unrestricted US RN license or be scheduled to test for it – students who provide proof of a nursing diploma or associates may start the program without having a nursing license. Proof of RN license must be provided to start all upper-level nursing courses
- Submit official transcripts that show 60 semester hours of college prerequisites completed with a grade C or better- nursing, English, humanities, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, sociology, growth and development, and psychology
- Applicants with an RN license from outside the US may need to submit additional materials
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $15,846 per academic year for Pennsylvania residents. Other costs for fees, books, and supplies are not included.
- Website: https://www.abington.psu.edu/
- Address: 1600 Woodland Road, Abington, Pennsylvania 19001
- Phone: 215-881-7300
LaSalle University
The accelerated RN to BSN online program at LaSalle University provides a scientifically based nursing curriculum that emphasizes quality and safety in patient care while instilling lifelong learning as a hallmark of professional nurses. Students enrolled in the program will learn how to implement culturally appropriate strategies for health promotion, risk reduction, and disease prevention, and clinical judgment and decision-making skills to assess and evaluate the health of patients and families. Graduates will understand the vital role of nurses in a ever-changing health care system, demonstrate professionalism while interacting with patients and colleagues, acquire a strong foundation that facilitates career advanced in the range of professions available for nurses.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 27 credits
Duration: 12 to 24 months
Method of instruction: Hybrid
Course titles:
General education courses – Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, Microbiology, Chemistry, Nutrition, Statistics, Developmental Psychology, Psychology, Sociology, Computer, College Writing I, College Writing II, Religion Matters, General Electives
Core courses – Professional Nursing Practice and Health Information Systems, Developments and Controversies in Pathophysiology and Pharmacology, Nursing Research, Evidence-Based Practice, International Public Health Nursing, Nursing Leadership, Management, and Organizational Dynamics, Safety Strategies for Healthcare Delivery Systems,
Admission criteria:
- Must complete the LaSalle Undergraduate Adult application
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges, universities and/or nursing schools previously attended or attending
- Must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in prior nursing program
- Must provide RN license number and state
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $11,070 for the program or $410 per credit hour. Supplies are not included in the cost.
- Website: https://online.lasalle.edu/
- Address: 1900 West Olney Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19141
- Phone: 844-466-5587
West Chester University
The RN to BSN curriculum is designed for licensed registered nurses to earn a bachelor of science in Nursing degree. It is open only to licensed registered nurses (or persons who are almost at the end of an ADN program). Students must complete a minimum of 120 credits to earn the BSN degree – 30 of the credits must be completed at WCU to meet the school’s residency requirement. WCU offers students a customized curriculum based on prior college level course work and rooted in the AACN’s baccalaureate essentials. The program is delivered completely online in an asynchronous format.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 120 credits (including a minimum of 30 credits earned at WCU)
Duration: 2 semesters
Method of instruction: Online
Course titles:
General education courses – Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, Microbiology, Chemistry, Nutrition, Statistics, Developmental Psychology, Psychology, Sociology, Computer, College Writing I, College Writing II, Religion Matters, General Electives
Core courses – Professional Nursing Communication Strategies, Applied Nursing Research, Ethics and Health Policy in Nursing, Population and Environment Health Nursing, Population and Environmental Health Nursinng Practicum. Physical and Health Assessments of Diverse Populations Across the Lifespan, Health Information Technology and Quality Improvement, Nursing Leadership & Management in Today’s Healthcare Environment, Nursing Leadership Practicum
Admission criteria:
- Must apply to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions as a transfer student selecting the BSN major
- Must send official transcripts of all college level work attempted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions
- Must have a minimum Higher Education cumulative GPA of 2.75
- Must have an active RN license by the beginning of the second semester
- Must have graduated from an accredited associate degree in nursing or diploma in nursing program
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $322.00 per credit for Pennsylvania residents. Other costs for fees, books, and supplies are not included.
- Website: https://www.wcupa.edu/_admin/philly/
- Address: 700 South High Street, West Chester, PA 19383
- Phone: 610-436-1000
Widener University
The RN BSN program at Widener University offers registered nurses an accelerated pathway to boost their RN nursing credentials with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The program seeks to build on their strengths and develop their leadership skills for the delivery of high-quality care and preparation for expanding nursing roles. The coursework is delivered entirely online and provides an accelerated track for registered nurses (RNs) to earn a BSN degree in as little as three semesters. The RN to BSN curriculum uniquely includes three graduate-level courses for students who may want the option to seamlessly advance into an MSN program. The program benefits include 100% online delivery with no required on-site residencies, year-round start in the spring, fall, or summer semesters, self-paced options, transfer credits for faster completion, and three graduate courses at non-graduate pricing. Graduates may start one of the MSN programs right away or at a later date. Graduate credits never expire provide an incentive to earn a master’s degree at an accelerated rate.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 30
Duration: 3 semesters
Method of instruction: Online
Course titles:
General education courses – Reading Thinking and Writing, Introduction to Psychology, General Organic, and Biochemistry, General Organic and Biochemistry Lab, Humanities Elective, Literature and Critical Writing, Introduction to Sociology, Anatomy and Physiology, Anatomy and Physiology Lab, Social Science Elective, Physical Education Elective, Anatomy and Physiology II, Anatomy and Physiology II Lab, Ethics, Introduction to Gerontological Nursing, Microbiology, Microbiology Lab, Health Assessment, Statistics for Healthcare Professionals
Core courses – Research Design for the RN, Evidence-Based Practice for the RN, Dynamics of Family Health Care, Population Health for the RN, Genetics and Genomics for the RN, The Healthcare Environment: Technology & Health Policy, Nursing Leadership and Management for the TN, Introduction to Nursing Science
Admission criteria:
- Must have graduated from an accredited associates degree in nursing program
- Must have a GPA of 2.5-2.99 from conditional admission into the RN to BSN portion
- Must complete 6 credits and get a B or better to be admitted to the RN to BSN program
- Must have completed an approved undergraduate statistics course with a grade of C or better
- Must provide evidence of current licensure with eligibility for licensure in Pennsylvania
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $1,687 per credit hour. Other costs for fees, books, and supplies are not included. The program is eligible for financial aid.
- Website: https://www.widener.edu/
- Address: One University Place, Chester PA 19013
- Phone: 1-888-WIDENER
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
The RN to BSN program at Pennsylvania College of Health Science is for individuals who hold a current RN license and an associate or diploma in nursing. The program is tailored for busy nurses to earn their bachelor’s degree through flexible, individualized scheduling. Practicing nurses will have opportunities to build on their existing professional expertise for personal and professional growth. They will develop critical thinking and professional autonomy as they deliver holistic and competent care and be prepared for both interdisciplinary collaboration and leadership roles. Faculty will cover the importance of incorporating evidence-based findings as well as managing information to ensure quality outcomes and patient safety. The RN to BSN track takes an accelerated learning approach to meet the needs of practicing nurses who have work, family or other commitments. Most classes are offered in 5- and 10-week blocks. All courses are offered online. The program can be completed in 22 months, but the exact time to completion will depend on the student’s goals and previous college experiences. Customized scheduling is available to meet the needs of individual students.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 55
Duration: 4 semesters
Method of instruction: Online
Course titles:
General education courses – College Studies Seminar, Statistics, Humanities Elective, 300-400 Elective, Other Electives, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Clinical Mathematics for the Health Sciences, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Advanced Communication, Introduction to Sociology, General Psychology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Nutrition for Life, Concepts of Pathophysiology
Core courses – Introduction to Capstone, Conceptual Foundations of Nursing Practice, Human Diversity and Cultural Care in Nursing, Advanced Composition for Health Care, Teaching and Learning, Comprehensive Health Assessment, American Health Care System, Ethical Issues in Health Care, Research in Health Care, Issues and Trends in Nursing, Nursing Leadership and Management, Nursing in Global Society, Capstone
Admission criteria:
- Must have graduated from an approved secondary school or earned a GED
- Apply for admission to PA College by the stated deadline
- Must have graduated from an accredited associates degree in nursing program
- Must have a GPA of 2.5 based on prior college coursework
- Must have completed at least 35 credit hours (that are eligible for transfer) with a grade of C or better
- Must provide evidence of current licensure with eligibility for licensure in Pennsylvania
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $645 per credit hour. Other costs for fees, books, and supplies are not included. The program is eligible for financial aid.
- Website: https://www.pacollege.edu/
- Address: 850 Greenfield Road, Lancaster, PA 17601
- Phone: (800) 622-5443