According to studies published by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, nurses with a BSN degree are better prepared to meet the demand of the complex healthcare system. Healthcare employers seek out BSN-prepared nurses for their skills in critical thinking, leadership, and research as well as their ability to care for patients in various inpatient and outpatient settings. If you’ve been considering positions in Magnet Hospitals, you’re more likely to get hired if you hold a BSN degree. A BSN is also required for career advancement, leadership positions, and graduate study. BSN graduates may apply for positions such as case managers, unit supervisors, and team leaders. A BSN degree may be required to maintain your existing position in your place of work as more than 80 percent of healthcare employers are requiring the degree from existing employees. Fortunately, you can enroll in an RN to BSN program and complete the requirements in a convenient online format in 12 to 18 months.
Arizona State University Online
The RN to BSN program offered by ASU is completely online. The program is open to active registered nurses who hold an associate degree It empowers them to leverage their existing knowledge and experience to expand their nursing competencies. The program is accredited
the Arizona State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The online, flexible schedule helps students balance educational goals with work duties. Courses are designed to nurses adapt to the rapid changes in the nursing field from new healthcare reforms to advances in technology. Graduates will receive a BSN degree to expand their career opportunities in the field and work at the top hospitals in a variety of settings. They may also choose to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree to obtain advanced nursing positions.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 39
Duration: 12 months
Method of instruction: Online
Course titles:
General education requirements – Literacy and Critical Inquiry, Mathematical Studies, Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Applications, Humanities, Arts and Design, Social-Behavioral Sciences, Natural Science, Cultural Diversity in the US, Global Awareness, Historical Awareness, First Year Composition
Core courses – Nursing Research and Evidence Translation, Professional Nursing Theory, Health Promotion Across the Life Span, Community and Public Health Nursing in the United States, Innovation in Nursing, Nursing Management in Health Care, The Art of Nursing, Capstone: The Synthesis of Professional Nursing, Public and Global Health in Nursing, Writing for Health Care Management
Admission criteria:
- Speak with an enrollment counselor before submitting an application to the program
- Must have an active RN license in good standing
- Must reside in the US (including some state restrictions)
- Must request transcripts from prior institutions to submit with application
- Must have a minimum 2.50 transfer GPA on all previous undergraduate coursework
- Must have a grade C or higher in the prerequisite courses – English and an approved college mathematics course
- Complete an application online and pay the $70 non-refundable application fee
Tuition costs $11,568 per academic year for resident students completing 12 credit hours per semester.
Website: https://asu.edu/
Address: 411 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: 602-496-4636
University of Phoenix
The online RN to BSN program at the University of Phoenix prepares nurses to enhance their nursing practice in just 14 months. The program is open to registered nurses who hold an active license to practice. They will receive professional, post-licensure nursing skills while balancing the demands of work and life. Applicants will be awarded 87 total credits from the ADN program and for an unencumbered RN license. RNs without an ADN transfer will be awarded 40 total credits and will complete the degree in 2.5 years. The program will cover key skills including communications, business management for nursing professionals, compassion in population health, coordinating safe care, critical thinking and holistic nursing, health administration, information management and communication, leadership, professionalism in the nursing field, quality improvement and case management, and strategic planning. Graduates will have a concrete set of skills that they can apply immediately on the job.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 120
Duration: 14 months
Method of instruction: Online
Course titles:
General education requirements – English Composition I, English Composition II, Human Nutrition, Elements of Health and Wellness, Principles of Environment Science
Core courses – Professional Contemporary Nursing Role and Practice, Theoretical Development and Conceptual Frameworks, Health Information Technology for Nursing, Professional Nursing Leadership Perspectives, Research Outcomes Management for the Practicing Nursing, Integrity in Practice: Ethic and Legal Considerations, Healthcare Policy and Financial Management, Public Health: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Promoting Health Communities, Influencing Quality within Healthcare, Senior Leadership Practicum
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 16 years of age at the time of applying
- Must be a permanent resident of the United States or hold an approved, valid visa if residing in the US
- Must not have been expelled from a previous institution
- Complete all the required admissions forms
- Submit official test scores
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Must have a current and unencumbered registered nursing license
Tuition costs $350 per credit.
Website: https://www.phoenix.edu/
Address: 4035 S Riverpoint Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85040,
Phone: 844-937-8679
Chamberlain University
The RN to BSN pathway at Chamberlain University gives registered nurses the opportunity to earn a bachelor of science in nursing degree in as little as one year. Students will learn from faculty with real-world experience and receive personalized support from every member of staff. The program is designed to fit around the schedule of working nurses with no mandatory log-in times and 100 percent online coursework delivery. Students have the option to enroll full-time, part-time, or one course at a time. The comprehensive curriculum covers community-based health issues, at risk population services, and leadership for the professional nurse. The program facilitates interactive discussions with other students and faculty, and the ability to apply the concepts learned directly and immediately. Working nurses receive a minimum 77 transfer credits (proficiency credits) for education and clinical experience as a registered nurse.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 122 (including 77 transfer credits)
Duration: 14 months
Method of instruction: Online
Course titles:
Core courses – Transitions in Professional Nursing, Advanced English Composition, Health Assessment for the Practicing RN, Elective, Elective, RN Collaborative Healthcare, Statistical Reasoning for the Health Sciences, RN Evidence-Based Practice, Introduction to the Humanities, US History, RN Community Health Nursing, RN Community Health Nursing, Political Science
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 18 years of age to apply to the program
- Must have a nursing diploma or associate degree in nursing from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the CHEA or the US Department of Education
- Must be a permanent resident of the United States or hold an approved, valid visa if residing in the US
- Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on the 4.0 scale
- Must have a current, active, unrestricted RN license in the US or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the NCSBN
Tuition costs $14,000 for the RN to BSN program. Books and fees are not included.
Website: https://www.chamberlain.edu/
Address: 2149 West Dunlap Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85021
Phone: 877.751.5783
Northern Arizona University
Registered nurses who earned their degree from a regionally accredited community college may transfer up to 90 units toward the BSN program at Northern Arizona University. Students who are currently in a regionally accredited community college nursing program may also be eligible for admission after consulting with an admissions counselor. The program is delivered fully online to give students the convenience and flexibility to balance learning with their work duties. The program will cover core skills students need to function in the role of a BSN nurse. Students will acquire skills that they will put to sue immediately in their workplace. Graduates will receive a bachelor of science in nursing after earning 120 credit hours, which includes transfer credits.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 120 (including 90 transfer credits)
Duration: 18 months
Method of instruction: Online
Course titles:
Core courses – Basic Principles in Palliative Care, Introduction to Nursing As a Discipline and Profession, Gerontology, Research & Evidence-Based Practice, Health Assessment for Registered Nurses, Family Nursing Roles, Nursing Informatics and Health Care Policy, Nursing Leadership, Nursing Leadership Applications, Public Health Nursing Roles
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 18 years of age to apply to the program
- Must apply and be admitted to NAU
- Must apply for admission to the School of Nursing’s program
- Must have a current RN license in good standing (license is current and not subject to disciplinary action)
- Must have graduated from an accredited associate degree or diploma nursing program
- Must have completed all prerequisites and preprofessional requirements
- Must have a minimum 2.75 GPA in all pre-professional requirements
Tuition and fees cost $570 per credit hour. Books and supplies are not included.
Website: https://nau.edu/
Address: 202 E. Pine Knoll Dr. Box 15035, Flagstaff, Arizona 86011
Phone: 928-523-2671
The University of Arizona Global Campus
The mission of the RN-BSN program at the University of Arizona Global Campus is to prepare registered nurses to further develop their ability to lead and provide compassionate, competent patient care to diverse populations across the lifespan using evidence-based practice. The curriculum fosters personal development, self-confidence, ethical values, and integrity. Coursework and practical experiences will cover a range of content including patient care quality, safety, leadership, community health, technology, and ethics. Registered nurses may be eligible for up to 20 non-traditional elective credits through Prior Learning Assessment for completing the NCLEX-RN exam. Students will need to complete a minimum of 30 upper-division credits of which 18 credits must be from the major program.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 120 (including transfer credits)
Duration: 24 months
Method of instruction: Hybrid
Course titles:
Core courses – Transcultural Nursing Care, Health Assessment, Nursing Research, Aging and Health, Family Health Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Nursing Care & Management of Chronic Illness and Disability, Leading and Managing in Nursing, Nursing Practice Improvement Inquiry, Nursing Practice Improvement and Evaluation
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 18 years of age or older
- Must have a regular high school diploma or GED
- Must have access to a computer with an internet connection
- Must have the ability to study in English
- Must have a cumulative grade C or better
- Must provide proof of completing a two-year nursing program with at least 60 transferrable credits that are acceptable for full credit towards the bachelor’s degree
- Must have a current RN license in good standing
- Must have graduated from an accredited associate degree or diploma nursing program
- Must have completed all prerequisites and preprofessional requirements
Tuition and fees cost $510 per credit hour. Books and supplies are not included.
Website: https://www.uagc.edu/
Address: 180 S Arizona Ave Suite #301, Chandler, AZ 85225
Phone: 866-711-1700
Grand Canyon University
The online RN to BSN program at Grand Canyon University prepares registered nurses for a BSN degree in just 12 months. Most classes are five weeks long to accelerate degree completion. All theory courses are offered online. The practicum hours in a clinical setting will be completed in a clinical setting of students’ choice. Registered nurses will acquire knowledge and skills to broaden their understanding of best practices in nursing, assume leadership positions, and pursue graduate study. The schedule is tailored to meet the needs of the adult learner and maximize the strengths of working nurses. RNs must have at least 90 semester hours of transferable credits to complete the program in 12 months.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 120 (including 90 transfer credits)
Duration: 12 months
Method of instruction: Online
Course titles:
Core courses – Professional Dynamics, Family Centered Health Promotion, Health ASsessmet, Concepts in Community and Public Health, Applied Statistics for Health Care Professionals, Introduction to Nursing Research, Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care, Nursing Leadership and Management, Pathophysiology and Nursing Management of Clients Health, Trends and Issues in Today’s Health Care, Professional Capstone and Practicum
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 18 years of age or older
- Must have a completed an accredited associate degree or diploma in nursing program
- Must have access to a computer with internet connection
- Must have a current, unencumbered registered nursing license
- Must provide proof of completing a two-year nursing program with at least 87 transferrable credits that are acceptable for full credit towards the bachelor’s degree
- Must have a current RN license in good standing
- Must have completed all prerequisites and preprofessional requirements
Tuition and fees cost $340 per credit hour. Books and supplies are not included.
Website: https://www.gcu.edu/
Address: 3300 West Camelback Road – Phoenix, AZ 85017
Phone: 1-855-GCU-LOPE