Online RN to BSN Programs in Washington: Inside Top Schools

RN to BSN Program Breakdowns

While some online RN to BSN programs in Washington state have face-to-face clinical requirements, others are entirely online and asynchronous. Hybrid programs include a combination of on-campus and online classes, and some programs offer flexible start and course completion dates as well. The schools spotlighted below provide a great starting place to find the best RN to BSN option for you.

FAQs for WA RN to BSN Online Students

Most prospective students in your shoes want to know about program length, cost, and financial aid for RN to BSN programs, as well as the benefits of earning a BSN. They also want information on the process and how to find a quality program. Each of these topics are covered in detail below.

What additional nursing skills and knowledge will I gain in an RN to BSN program in Washington State?

While most schools provide a deeper nursing foundation, each one has a unique emphasis, such as cultural and social issues and community-based care, to help build a strong nursing resume and get an employer’s attention.

The curriculum in on-campus and online RN to BSN programs in Washington will differ between schools, but they all train students to serve as patient advocates, so they can work in every aspect of healthcare and evaluate patients’ conditions, provide treatment and medication, and advise patients on aftercare related to injuries and illnesses.

Nurses also collaborate with doctors and other health professionals, so each Washington-based online RN to BSN program prepares them to assist in diagnostic testing, analysis of test results, and patient care plans.

Expert Insight

If you’re currently an RN, you already know how to write and implement care plans. But with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, your well-rounded education helps you effectively implement interventions beyond the bedside. For example, you can better coordinate care with the interdisciplinary team and even take on the role of a case manager.

Charmaine Robinson, RN, MSN

How long does it take to complete an RN to BSN program in Washington State, how much does it cost, and is it worth it?

If enrolled full-time, you can complete your RN to BSN program in Washington State in nine months to a year. Part-time students spend about two years. The cost of on-campus and online RN to BSN programs in Washington State varies by program and location with full- or part-time enrollment affecting the cost.

In general, private education costs more than public education, and in-state tuition costs less than out-of-state tuition. Since more than 88% of employers prefer BSN program graduates over nurses with an associate degree or diploma, the time and cost for completing your BSN is definitely worth it.

Can I get financial aid to help pay for my RN to BSN program in Washington State?

Yes. Washington state RN to BSN programs are traditional undergraduate degrees, so you can apply for financial aid like any student. If you’ve already worked as an RN, you might qualify for employer payment contributions, Pell grants, state grants, and Stafford loans.

Also look for scholarships specifically for nurses, national nursing scholarships and grants, or school-based scholarships. Some schools even offer exemptions for at least part of students’ nursing tuition, so check the details before determining which is the best value.

How do I go from being an RN to a BSN in Washington State?

Once you have an ADN or nursing diploma and a Washington State nursing license (which you should already have if you’re a practicing RN in the state) or a multistate nursing license, you can enroll in an RN to BSN program in Washington State. Some programs accept students provisionally if they are nearing completion of these requirements.

While each program has a unique focus and approach, they each include high-level nursing courses and either a practicum or research project to cement skills. After you complete your RN to BSN program, you will be considered a BSN-prepared nurse and can start leveling up in position and pay.

What should I look for in a quality RN to BSN program in Washington State?

First and foremost, make sure the school and program are accredited, have high NCLEX-RN pass rates, is affordable, and has high retention, graduation, and employment rates. You’ll also want to make sure the program offers flexibility to fit your schedule and a learning pace that suits your other life commitments.

Quality programs also offer accessible student services and job placement assistance in addition to a program emphasis that gives you essential experience guided by professional nursing instructors.

WA Salary & Career Comparison: RN vs. BSN

Puget Sound's nursing market has been reshaped by the region's tech wealth: UW Medicine and Providence, both in the Seattle-Tacoma corridor, have poured money into research and specialty programs that increasingly list a bachelor's degree as a requirement, not a preference, pulling pay closer to the high end of the range. Cross the Cascades into Eastern Washington's farm country, or out to the ferry-served islands, and the story flips. Hospitals there need reliable staff more than a specific credential, so associate-degree RNs land work quickly, typically lower on the scale.

Top Online RN to BSN Programs in Washington