Connect with Online RN to BSN Programs with the Easiest Admissions
If you want to earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) but don’t think your GPA from prior coursework will get you past admissions, you’re not alone. Low grades, missing prerequisites, or a thin application packet might make you hesitant to apply, but you’re not out of options. Below, we’ll show you what accessible admissions look like for RN to BSN programs and highlight five online programs that accept students without the highest GPA or the longest resume.
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Qualities of RN to BSN Programs with Accessible Admissions
Not every nursing program treats admissions the same way.
- Some hold firm to traditional academic benchmarks and won’t admit students without a GPA below 3.0.
- Others evaluate you on a more holistic scale, allowing your work experience and less quantifiable personal traits to work in your favor.
Here is what separates the two, and what to look for when browsing admissions requirements if your application doesn’t check every box.
A Low or Flexible GPA Floor
Many RN to BSN programs require a 3.0 minimum GPA, often calculated from your prerequisite coursework rather than your full ADN transcript. Programs with easier admissions often drop that GPA requirement to 2.5 or 2.0, or even eliminate it entirely.
If a rough semester or two dragged down your average but you did well enough in your prerequisite courses, this can make all the difference.
Another common path is provisional admission. This allows you to start the program with a lower GPA and prove your merit by earning higher grades during early coursework. If you’re serious about earning your BSN and are confident you can earn higher marks than you did in the past, this lets you get your foot in the door.
Few or No Prerequisite Requirements
Some RN to BSN programs will require prior coursework in statistics, microbiology, anatomy, and/or chemistry for admission. Before applying, you’d need to complete these courses separately, often at a community college or as a student with an “undeclared” major.
Programs with accessible admissions frequently waive this requirement upfront. Instead, you’ll complete prerequisite courses during your first few semesters in the program.
- Your professional work experience as a nurse may also count toward these requirements, meaning you don’t have to take courses on topics you’re already knowledgeable in.
Use our guide to find online RN to BSN programs without prerequisites.
Minimal Application Materials
A standard RN to BSN application often asks for:
- A personal statement
- Letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts
- A detailed resume
Some programs make the application process easier by stripping these requirements down to the essentials.
Often, you’ll only need copies of your transcripts and an active, unencumbered RN license. If you’re applying while working full-time shifts, you may not have time to write an essay or track down people to write recommendation letters.
Streamlining the application process means fewer steps between you and your start date.
No GRE or Standardized Testing Requirement
Though it’s increasingly rare, some bachelor’s programs still require test scores for adult learners coming back to academia after a few years. If you haven’t taken a standardized test in years, you may need to spend months preparing for the GRE to earn a satisfactory score.
Most RN to BSN programs with accessible admissions waive standardized testing. They see your RN license and clinical experience as enough evidence that you’re ready to handle upper-level coursework.
Dropping this requirement saves you the hassle of test prep and the cost of sitting for the exam.
Liberal Transfer Credit Policies
If you’ve already completed college coursework, being able to transfer those credits can cut down your time to a degree. However, many programs cap how many credits you’re able to count toward your BSN. This can leave you retaking courses you’ve already completed (and paying for them again).
One way some programs make admissions easier is by accepting a higher percentage of transfer credits, sometimes even crediting your entire ADN curriculum.
If you’ve already invested time and tuition into an associate’s degree, look for a program that rewards you for the courses you’ve already passed.
5 RN to BSN Programs with Easy Admissions
These five online RN to BSN programs stand out for their easy admissions processes. They feature low or flexible GPA requirements as well as automatic acceptance based on meeting requirements, not competing with other students.
Each is designed for working nurses, meaning coursework is delivered primarily online. Most importantly, they ask for a simple admissions packet that doesn’t keep you out based on paper credentials alone.
Western Governors University
Western Governors University’s RN to BSN program is the largest in the country that runs on a competency-based model. This means you can move through coursework as fast as you’re able to demonstrate mastery, rather than waiting through a fixed semester schedule. Including 35 in-person clinical hours coordinated at a local healthcare facility, the program can be completed in just one year.
Most students transfer between 50 and 90 credit equivalents from their ADN program. Further, the program is designed to award six professional certificates upon completion, including in areas like palliative care, evidence-based practice, and cultural competence.
Acceptance Rate: Most students who meet admissions requirements
Minimum GPA Requirement: No minimum GPA
Prerequisites Courses: Not Required
Standardized Testing: Not Required
Application Materials:
- Completed online application
- Associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited institution
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- Official transcripts sent through free WGU service
- Criminal background check
Chamberlain University
Chamberlain University, the nation’s largest nursing school, structures its online RN to BSN program around working nurses. Most coursework is assignment-based, allowing you to learn through experience rather than exams. Online classes can be completed on your schedule with no mandatory login times.
RNs enter the program with 77 proficiency credits already applied toward the 122-credit degree, and up to 15 additional transfer credits can bring you closer to the finish line before you start.
Acceptance Rate: Most students who meet admissions requirements
Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.0
Prerequisite Courses: Not required
Standardized Testing: Not required
Application Materials:
- Completed online application
- Associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited institution
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- Official transcripts
Capella University
Capella’s RN to BSN program offers two routes to a degree:
- A self-paced FlexPath format where you control the timeline
- A more structured GuidedPath with dedicated course terms
This allows you to customize your program to meet your unique learning style.
Students can transfer up to 135 credits, meaning the coursework you’ve already completed to become an RN will count toward your degree. Capella also partners with 700 healthcare organizations across the U.S. to offer current employees tuition savings and other benefits.
Acceptance Rate: Most students who meet admissions requirements
Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.0 (2.8 or higher for FlexPath)
Prerequisite Courses: Not required (but at least 45 transfer credits needed for FlexPath)
Standardized Testing: Not required
Application Materials:
- Completed online application
- Associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited institution
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- Official transcripts
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Criminal background check
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing offers an online RN to BSN built around prior learning. Active RN licensure grants you an automatic 41 credits towards your degree after completing one foundational course. This leaves just 33 credits to be completed online.
Pacing for the program is flexible. Most students complete it in two years while taking two courses per semester, but the timeline can be stretched to meet your needs. All coursework can be completed asynchronously, allowing you to continue working while earning your degree.
Acceptance Rate: All students who meet admissions requirements
Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.0
Prerequisite Courses: Required
Standardized Testing: Not required
Application Materials:
- Completed online application
- Associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited institution
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- Official transcripts
University of Phoenix
A pioneer of online learning, the University of Phoenix’s online RN to BSN program also offers two paths to a degree.
- The traditional offering consists of five-week courses completed one at a time
- The competency-based track lets RNs with at least one year of experience move faster by testing out of material they already know
Students can transfer up to 87 credits from prior coursework to get even closer to their BSN from the start. California residents also complete all the necessary requirements to apply for a Public Health Nurse (PHN) certification upon graduation.
Acceptance Rate: All students who meet admissions requirements
Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.0
Prerequisite Courses: Not required
Standardized Testing: Not required
Application Materials:
- Completed online application
- Associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited institution
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- Official transcripts
- One year of professional nursing experience for competency-based track (optional)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get into an RN to BSN program with a 2.0 GPA?
Yes, you can get into an RN to BSN program with a 2.0 GPA.
- Several accredited programs set their GPA floor at 2.0
- Some even look past the GPA requirement entirely, instead evaluating students based on the rest of their application packet
Although a 2.0 GPA doesn’t stop you from enrolling in an RN to BSN program, expect that it will narrow your options compared to having a 3.0 or higher GPA. Additionally, even if your GPA meets the minimum requirements, don’t be surprised if a program looks for a stronger showing in your prerequisite coursework or some amount of work experience as well.
What is the one requirement that no RN to BSN program waives?
No matter how easy admissions are, every RN to BSN program will require an active, unencumbered RN license. This is true even for programs that let you start coursework while working to raise your GPA or complete prerequisites.
Beyond licensure, it’s also important to confirm the school you’re interested in is authorized to enroll students from your state. Online nursing programs are approved state-by-state, but you can often qualify based on either your state of residence or the state in which you hold your RN license. Either way, check with an admissions advisor before you apply to avoid wasting time.
Do programs with easier admissions have lower quality or accreditation?
Not necessarily. Program accreditation and admissions are entirely separate. A program with a 2.0 GPA requirement can hold the same Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation as one requiring a 3.5 GPA.
Rather than evaluating how selective the admissions process is, accreditors look at things like:
- Curriculum
- Faculty
- Post-graduation outcomes
What a lower admissions bar usually reflects is a program’s confidence that your license and clinical experience already demonstrate readiness. Still, to ensure you’re enrolling in a high-quality program, confirm CCNE or ACEN accreditation directly before applying.
Should I still submit any materials even if a program doesn’t require them?
If a program makes something optional, like a personal statement or resume, submitting it rarely hurts your chances of being accepted. Doing so may even help, especially if your GPA hovers near the school’s minimum requirement.
Optional materials can add context to your academic background that a transcript can’t, like grades that trend upward over time or relevant clinical experience. That said, don’t let gathering optional items delay your application if a school is willing to admit you and you already meet requirements.
Can I apply to an RN to BSN program while still finishing my ADN?
Sometimes, yes, you can apply to an RN to BSN program while still finishing your ADN. Certain programs allow you to apply and even begin early coursework before you’ve passed the NCLEX, as long as you can provide proof that you’ll be completing your ADN program and will hold a license sometime in your first semester.
This is more common among schools that offer dual enrollment programs, or if you plan to complete your RN to BSN at the same school where you’re completing your ADN.
However, an active, unencumbered RN license is essential before you can start taking upper-level nursing courses or complete clinical rotations. Be sure to confirm each program’s specific policy on how far you can proceed without it.
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