Your Guide to the Best Online RN to BSN Programs in OH

Online RN to BSN Education in Ohio

Before you begin applying for your online RN to BSN in Ohio, you’ll have a few options to consider. There are a wide variety of options in the state, including both fully online and hybrid programs. You’ll need to do your research, including taking cost into account, as well as course schedule, options for full time and part time study, and how long the program will take to complete. It can all feel a little overwhelming, so below we’ve profiled three different high-quality online RN to BSN programs in Ohio to give you an idea of what you can expect, and help get you started in your research:

Student Help Center: Common RN to BSN Questions Answered

It’s natural to have questions before making the time and financial commitment of applying to an online RN to BSN program in Ohio. In fact, most prospective students do. That’s why we’ve compiled some of the most commonly-asked questions and their answers for you to help you in your research:

How will an RN to BSN program in Ohio prepare me for more opportunities?

In most cases, earning your BSN will help advance your career and improve the level of patient care you provide. An RN to BSN program enables nurses with an associate degree to elevate their knowledge and skill set through academic study and application of that study in their day-to-day work as a nurse. RN to BSN graduates will learn not only advanced clinical skills but also communication, leadership, patient evaluation, research, and management.

Further, according to Campaign for Action, while the number of nurses in Ohio with a BSN is rising, it’s still behind the national average. Having your BSN will help you stand out as a nurse in Ohio.

How long does it take to complete an RN to BSN program in Ohio?

The time it takes to complete your BSN will vary from school to school, and it will depend on the program’s flexibility, the number of courses you can take each semester, and the options the school offers. It will also depend on how much education you have. An entry-level BSN, designed for students without a degree, will take four years. However, RN to BSN degrees can be completed in a much shorter time. The University of Cincinnati allows BSN students to complete the program in as little as nine months. Students enrolled in Ohio University’s program can finish in under a year.

How affordable are RN to BSN programs in Ohio?

Costs vary from school to school but are generally affordable compared to traditional degrees. The cost per credit hour varies from $230 to $400 per hour, with credits needed to graduate ranging from 30-120. It is important to note that in programs that require a higher number of credit hours, it is likely that coursework from your RN program and/or associate degree will satisfy those credits.

Online RN to BSN programs are designed to give nurses the ability to complete their degrees while working. As they’re frequently offered online or in a hybrid format, students can enjoy a more affordable rate combined with flexibility for their educational journey.

Is there financial aid available to Ohio RN to BSN students?

As a potential RN to BSN student, several financial aid options are available to you to help offset the costs of pursuing your degree. Grants and scholarships are often awarded based on factors such as special interests, gender, financial need, academics, race, ethnicity, and more.

Many schools will provide scholarships directly through the school. For example, Ohio University offers a number of nursing scholarships. The Ohio Nurses Association has a list of available scholarships, as does the Ohio Health Care Association. Applying for federal student aid is also an option, which you can do by filling out the FAFSA.

What are the admission requirements for RN to BSN programs in Ohio?

Admission requirements will vary from school to school, but there are some that you can generally expect across all, or nearly all, RN to BSN programs in Ohio. For most programs, you’ll need an associate degree or diploma in nursing, an active, unencumbered RN license, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. These are the admissions requirements of both Ohio University and Cleveland State University, although there may be other requirements depending on the school you’re considering. For instance, some programs may have additional requirements regarding licensure or test scores.

Ohio RN vs. BSN Pay and Opportunities

Before you enroll in an online RN to BSN program, it's normal to want to know what kind of impact you can expect your new BSN to have on your career trajectory—and on your salary. In the case of the latter, BSNs often make higher salaries than RNs, because they are more likely to qualify for specialized nursing positions or leadership roles within a hospital or other clinical setting. This salary difference can be especially true in competitive markets, where the high concentration of RNs makes it important to stand out to employers. A BSN can be invaluable differentiating a candidate for a job–and northeastern Ohio has one of the highest concentrations of RNs in the country.

Further, if you're looking to continue in your nursing education at the postgraduate level, you will need a BSN in order to apply for MSN and DSN programs. A postgraduate degree is necessary for advanced nursing roles, such as working as a nurse practitioner or nurse midwife, so if you want to pursue one of these careers, which include some of the highest-paid roles in the field of nursing, earning your BSN is a crucial first step.

Ranking Ohio’s Online RN to BSN Bridge Programs

We determine how to rank Ohio’s online RN to BSN programs by considering a variety of different factors, as seen in our methodology review. These include the availability of online learning and how many resources are available to online students, tuition costs and availability of financial aid for online students, and the percentage of students successfully completing the program. With that in mind, here is our ranking of online RN to BSN programs in Ohio: