Online RN to BSN Degree Programs: Choosing a School

Ranking Online RN to BSN Programs

Expert-Backed Tips for Finding the Right RN-to-BSN Program

For working RNs, the right RN-to-BSN program is one that fits around your career, not just one that looks good on paper. Every program in this guide has been vetted for quality and flexibility, but schedule demands, employer tuition support, and how much prior learning credit a program accepts can vary significantly. Our nursing experts share what to look for.

Check HR's Preferred School List

RN-to-BSN programs have become so widely available online that your decision may come down to which program your employer will reimburse. Many large health systems have preferred partnerships with specific schools, and attending one can mean the difference between paying out of pocket or earning your BSN for free. Before you waste time comparing schools, I recommend calling your HR department to ask if they have a list of programs that qualify for tuition assistance.

Cody DeBos, RN, BSN

Lean on Office Hours Early

The coursework in an RN-to-BSN program is very different from what you encounter in an ADN program. The emphasis is on reading research articles, healthcare policy, and leadership. As I worked on my RN-to-BSN degree online while working full-time, I had to learn to be self-directed without the classroom structure I was used to. A piece of advice is to take advantage of office hours and reach out to the teacher’s assistants early to avoid falling behind.

Maggie Aime, RN, MSN, CPC

RN to BSN Programs Online: How They Work

RN to BSN programs give current registered nurses the chance to expand their real-world experience and advance their careers. In these programs, coursework is 100% online, with clinical requirements and direct care components performed on campus or at a healthcare facility.

This combination of online and hands-on training provides flexibility while also meeting the standards of accreditation agencies such as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

Because RN to BSN programs can differ greatly, especially those with online components, it’s important to understand how it all works before making any decisions. For example:

• How long do these programs last?
• Can I afford them?
• Do I have the experience to get in?
• What does accreditation look like?

Use EduMed’s guide below to answer these questions and take your first steps toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Let’s start with detailed profiles of three of today’s most popular online RN to BSN programs.

What Future Online Students Are Asking

We’ve compiled a quick list of popular questions from students interested in online RN to BSN programs. They cover everything from admissions and costs to financial aid and accreditation. Read these key questions and answers before taking your next step:

How fast can you go from RN to BSN?

The time it takes to go from RN to BSN depends on several factors, including the number of credits you can transfer into the program, any degrees you have already, and the pace you wish to work. Many of today’s programs have self-pacing, meaning you can dictate how fast you go. When researching programs, make sure you shortlist the ones that meet your timeline and scheduling wants and needs.

Can you get a BSN fully online?

For the most part, no. Most RN to BSN programs will have a clinical component that requires patient or lab work. These programs require students to gain training hours in specific nursing topics that are generally not covered (or only loosely covered) in ADN programs. Make sure you research the in-person requirements of all programs to which you apply.

Are RN to BSN Programs Hard?

Like any post-secondary program, the RN to BSN is designed to enhance nursing education and skills beyond the basics. This means any accredited curriculum can pose challenges for nurses in the program. Students may find the most difficulty in areas that deal with leadership or theory if they haven’t taken courses or gained experience in those areas before.

Expert Insight

Because students in RN to BSN programs are already nurses, coursework is not entirely unfamiliar though some concepts may be new. This type of program is generally easier than pre-licensure programs, such as traditional BSN programs, as students already have a foundational understanding of the field.

Charmaine Robinson, RN, MSN

Is an Online RN to BSN Worth It?

Registered nurses with a bachelor’s in nursing earn more per year, on average, than those who do not. According to the American Nurses Association, RNs with a bachelor’s in nursing earn ~$17,000 more per year than those with just an associate degree. This doesn’t mean that a bachelor’s degree guarantees a higher salary, but a BSN has become the minimum requirement for many RN positions.

Online RN to BSN Programs Near You

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia
• Washington State

Cost Comparison: Online RN to BSN Tuition & Fees

RN to BSN programs require tuition and fees, just like any other educational program. Online bridge programs may accelerate learning, decreasing the number of courses or credits required for graduation, and, along with it, the total cost. In effect, they can be less expensive than on-campus programs.

Online tuition may be based on the university’s annual undergraduate fees or on the number of college credits per course. Since didactic courses may be self-paced, online students must keep up or extend their program length and tuition depending on progress.

Tuition may also vary by the institution’s prestige or specializations offered. Here’s a range of tuition for online RN to BSN degree completion programs:

A Closer Look at Curriculum

The curriculum within RN to BSN bridge programs is designed for RNs who want to advance their careers or prepare for graduate nursing programs. Bridge programs address key competencies needed for success in the profession. The curriculum consists of general education courses, nursing core classes, studies in nursing theory, leadership, labs, and clinical experiences.

General Education

The general education requirements at online RN to BSN bridge programs are slanted toward improving and integrating fundamental nursing skills in professional practice. Depending on the program, students typically can complete these studies concurrently with their BSN coursework. Courses selected from a wide range of programs commonly include communication, mathematics, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

General education course credits range from 6–15 credit hours, depending on the number of required classes in each area of study. Here is a sample of some courses:

• English Composition: This foundation course in college-level composition focuses on researching, writing, and revising persuasive papers.
• Introduction to Psychology: This general education course introduces students to the fundamental principles of psychology, psychology history, and applied research.
• Applied Healthcare Statistics: The course introduces students to mathematics, including introductory algebra, used to compile statistics and assessments of probability.
  

Nursing Core

Each online RN to BSN program is built around courses that form the backbone of nursing practice. They address indispensable skill development in patient care, community health, clinical theory, healthcare ethics, informatics, research and statistics, pathophysiology, evidence-based nursing, health assessment, and promotion. These three examples are among the common core requirements for bridge programs:

• Professional Roles and Values: Nurses study the responsibilities, ethics, and accountability in professional nursing, including cultural competency, patient advocacy rights, conduct, and legal considerations.
  
• Applied Healthcare Statistics: Examine the epidemiological concepts of research and analytic systems used to create a testable hypothesis, build a model, and interpret results.
  
• Complex Patient-Centered Nursing Care: This course provides an overview of the principles and best practices for using psychopharmacology to treat mental disorders, chronic disease management, palliative care, care coordination, and more.
  

Nursing Theory

Coursework covers the history of theory, current theoretical and professional applications, and advanced research practice that addresses specific populations. Nursing theory courses build a framework for identifying and assessing the right kind of care strategies relevant to each patient. The following courses are common among online RN to BSN programs:

• Introduction to Nursing Theory and Research: The course explores the development of nursing theory and research methods with an eye toward the practical use of evidence-based findings.
  
• Models of Nursing Practice: The study of theory-based professional nursing practice as modeled by Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring.
  
• Middle Range Theory for Nursing: Examine the nine middle-range concepts that govern the ongoing use of theory generation, practice research, and disciplinary models.
  

Organizational Leadership

Leadership curriculum includes studies in research, statistics, and informatics that assist leaders in the nursing field in creating policy. Learn how to develop programs that enhance patient care and staff performance. There is typically a concentration on skills for critical thinking, communication, dispute resolution, and the delegation of responsibilities.

Here are three current courses from online bridge programs:

• Healthcare Systems and Policy: This comprehensive course provides insight into systems thinking, process planning, regulatory requirements, and practical models for advocacy.
  
• Transitioning to Nurse Leadership: This wide-ranging BSN course centers on leadership theory, healthcare policy, conflict management, interdisciplinary communication, and team collaboration.
  
• The Role of Nurse Manager: Learn the responsibilities of nurse managers in patient care planning, the creation of performance goals, undertaking staff evaluations, and the incorporation of new policies to remedy issues in performance and patient care.

Clinical Hours

In an online program, students undertake clinical hours at local health facilities, either near campus or close to the student’s home. Unlike online didactic courses that may be self-paced, clinicals occur at specific times and approved locations. Some may be offered in the evenings and students may need to find their own site.

Here are examples of care areas in which students can gain clinical hours in an online RN to BSN program:

• Rehabilitative Care: This field addresses the non-acute, restorative needs of patients recovering from illnesses, injuries, and surgical procedures.
  
• Chronic Care Management: In this care area, students practice managing the care of adults and children living with chronic diseases and conditions.
  
• Hospice/Palliative Care: Clinical hours in this field are focused on the holistic care needs of patients with terminal illnesses and conditions.

Salary & Career Outlook for RNs with a BSN

Think of this table as a spectrum tied to education level. Nurses who haven't finished a BSN generally land in the lower half of these numbers, working generalist, entry-level bedside positions. While bachelor's-prepared RNs cluster higher up, often near the top, moving into management, care coordination, and Magnet-hospital leadership roles.

Find your state below to see how wide that gap runs where you live.

Video Breakdown: Top Programs Explained

Rather watch instead? Let Ashlie guide you through the process of ranking the best online RN to BSN programs in the U.S., and get more information on the top schools on the list.