Online Direct Entry BSN Programs: Exploring Top Schools
Direct-entry BSN programs give you the opportunity to hit the ground running after high school and start a new career with hands-on training and experience from your first semester at a college or university. In this guide, we highlight top online direct-entry BSN programs, discuss the positives and challenges of earning a degree this way, and answer some questions you may have about how these programs work.
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School Spotlights: Explore Direct-Entry BSN Programs Online
If you are accepted into a direct-entry Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program—also called a traditional or standard BSN program—you can enroll right after high school graduation and immediately register in nursing courses within the first two years of study.
This means there is no waiting for an additional two years before you begin any nursing-centered classes. Your nursing classes begin once you complete prerequisite courses. And depending on your program, prerequisite coursework can be completed in your first year.
Additional features of direct-entry BSN programs include:
- Take four years of full-time study to complete
- Some are hybrid, which means a mix of in-person and online courses
- Many offer students support and guidance, including counsel and ideas for financial aid
Quality, direct-entry BSN programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Accreditation ensures a program meets quality standards set by state nursing boards.
California State University, Fullerton (CSUF)
CSUF calls its direct-entry course the Traditional BSN. This track to a degree takes 96 units over the course of eight semesters in four years. The program prepares students to pursue their California Registered Nurse (RN) licenses.
Features:
- Highly competitive with a limited number of acceptances every year
- General education and nursing courses start immediately in the first semester
- Access to placement sites within a 50-mile radius from campus
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $149,440 in four years, for residents
Admission Requirements:
- Proof of completion of select college-prep courses
- Write and turn in an essay
- Submit two letters of recommendation
- Conduct an interview with nursing school faculty
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University of Hawai’i at Manoa
The direct-entry BSN program at this university prepares graduates to meet licensure requisites set forth by the Hawaii Board of Nursing. This 120-credit program can be completed in four years.
Features:
- Academic support throughout the program
- Students must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA to remain in the program
- Curriculum includes anatomy, family health, research, and genetics, among other topics
Mode: On-campus with some hybrid options
Cost: $84,840 in four years, for residents
Admission Requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA by end of junior year in high school
- Submit a personal statement and resume
- English language proficiency
University of New Mexico (UNM)
Motivated high school seniors who meet certain criteria are guaranteed admission into UNM’s freshman direct-entry BSN program. It differs from some programs in that you take prerequisites only in your first year. But after that, you take science and nursing courses for the remaining time.
Features:
- Some coursework conducted in a hospital or clinical setting
- Support and guidance from advisors and school staff
- Option to participate in research projects
Mode: On-campus with some hybrid options
Cost: $40,600 in four years, for residents
Admission Requirements:
- Minimum 3.5 GPA in high school
- Submit short essay
- Send two letters of recommendation
- Supply transcripts with HS math, biology, and chemistry courses
Pros and Cons of Direct-Entry BSN Programs
Getting a fast-track into a professional nursing career, and folding the basic RN training into a BSN program, can definitely be beneficial to your future. At the same time, there are challenges that you will have to face as you take this intense path.
Here’s a look at what to consider:
Pro: Save Time and Money
There are many paths to earning a BSN. Some are lengthier and more costly than others. Some students may prefer to take all general education courses first, then nursing courses later, extending their time in school.
Enrolling in a direct-entry BSN program saves you time and money because you’ll take general education and nursing courses concurrently and complete everything in four years.
Pro: Receive Hands-On Training Right Away
Enrolling in a direct-entry BSN program will allow you to get hospital or clinic experience sooner in your degree journey. Students enrolled in direct-entry BSN programs are required to complete clinical hours as part of the main curriculum, and many programs offer placement at various locations around campus.
Some educational institutions, such as the College of Nursing at the University of New Mexico, even have dedicated spaces for simulations and skills labs.
Pro: Graduate and Start Working Sooner
By earning a bachelor’s degree in four years, there is a world of more lucrative job opportunities open to you sooner, including more advanced and higher-paying roles as an RN.
Nurses are in high demand across the United States. This is partially fueled by an aging American population and partially by a rising number of retired healthcare workers.
Con: Competitive Entry Requirements
Though nursing schools receive many applications each year, not everyone will be able to get into a direct-entry program. Quality direct-entry BSN nursing programs commonly limit the number of students they admit and often won’t allow students to defer their admission.
For example, CSUF’s traditional BSN program has previously admitted only 40 students in its fall semesters. Some schools select candidates by using a point system, with GPA often landing in at number one on the list.
Expert Insight
Some direct-entry BSN programs (often those offered by public institutions) may have lengthy waiting lists. And you won’t be able to use this time to finish prerequisites because you can only get on the waiting list if you’ve already completed the prerequisites. It may be quicker to get into a program at a private school, but tuition may be much higher. You might qualify for financial aid though!
Con: Less Time to Explore Other Interests
With a full course schedule awaiting direct-entry students, you will be intensively working through the requirements to earn your degree in eight full-time semesters if you want to graduate in four years. That can equal 14 to 17 credits a semester, leaving you little time to explore new hobbies or other fields of study.
Con: Rigorous Coursework
Pursuing any nursing degree takes time and dedication. Not only will you have a full schedule, but you’ll also need to continuously meet certain criteria to keep your place within the nursing program. Most programs require students to earn a B-grade or better in science classes.
So, to prepare as a first-time college student, be sure you can fully commit to your studies before you decide on the direct admission option.
FAQs About Direct-Entry Online BSN Programs
Are there any special requirements to stay in the program once I’ve been accepted?
For most programs, there are requirements to keep your place in them. However, each program varies, and some have specific requirements.
As a general rule, you’ll likely need to maintain:
- An overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
- A grade of B or better in nursing courses
- At least a C in general education classes
There are other requirements you’ll need to meet toward the end of some programs, such as capstone projects, externships, and exams. For example, the direct-entry nursing program at Florida Southern College requires students to pass a final exit exam to meet the BSN major graduation requirements.
How long will it take me to complete my BSN in a direct-entry program?
For the programs above, and most other direct-entry BSN ones, four years of full-time study or eight semesters is the standard. Most programs hover in the 110-120 credit area, so that means packed semesters are the norm.
To give you breathing room, some schools may offer a five-year study plan option, where you may have a few semesters that are shorter than others. It’s a detail you should explore during the admissions stage with the university of your choice.
What courses will I be taking?
Direct-entry BSN students are required to take general education, prerequisite, and core nursing classes, at least for the first two years of study. General and prerequisite courses might include courses in writing, history, statistics, chemistry, microbiology, and anatomy.
As you progress through the program, you’ll be required to take core nursing courses, such as foundations of clinical practice, pathophysiology, pharmacology, clinical nutrition, and ethics.
What if I’m not accepted into the direct-entry program?
If you get rejected from nursing school, do not fret, you can still apply to a BSN program later. Consider completing general education courses and nursing prerequisites for the first few years of study and then applying to the nursing program.
A solid alternative might be an associate degree in nursing (ADN) program. After earning that degree, you can work as a nurse and enroll in an RN-to-BSN bridge program, depending on your career goals.
No matter what the choice, you’ll need to always stay in good standing in any program due to its inherent competitiveness.
What is the average cost of a direct-entry program?
Credit-hour costs vary pretty widely between university programs. The range can be between $40,000 and $120,000 per complete four-year course, and the costs for out-of-state students are demonstratively higher.
However, as a direct-entry BSN student, you’ll save on tuition by completing all coursework within four years—compared to students who take lengthier routes to a bachelor’s degree.
What is the difference between a direct-entry BSN and a pre-licensure BSN?
Each degree path is for a different audience. Direct-entry BSN programs are for individuals with no prior college education. For example, these programs allow high school seniors to directly enroll in a BSN program immediately after graduation.
Pre-licensure BSN programs, however, are designed for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in another field outside of nursing.
