RN-to-BSN Education Degree Programs

RN-to-BSN degree programs are designed for Registered Nurses with their ADN or Nursing Diploma who wish to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

RN-to-BSN Overview

The RN-to-BSN programs often require some combination of the following, usually amounting to around 120 hours of total coursework:

• Prerequisite Coursework
• General Education Coursework
• Nursing Coursework

RN-to-BSN Online Programs

A variety of online RN-to-BSN degrees are available. These online programs allow students to have a flexible and adaptable schedule.

BSN Career Options

Nurses with a BSN could potentially have a variety of career opportunities. The nurse may pursue work in any of the following fields:

• Management-level nurse
• Researcher
• Consultant
• Teacher

RN-to-BSN Program Requirements

Most RN-to-BSN programs expect applicants to meet the following requirements:

• Have a high school diploma
• Have an active Registered Nurse license
• Have a GPA of at least a “C”
• Have an associate's degree in nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Accreditation

When applying for a BSN program, make sure that the program is accredited. There are two accrediting agencies in the United States, The National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). If your nursing program is not accredited by one of these agencies, you could be ineligible to sit for the NCLEX exam.

Program Length

Students with an associate’s degree in nursing often transfer as many as 60 to 70 credit hours into their BSN program. In such a case, the student may be able to complete the program in as little as 15 months, depending on program type and workload.

BSN Specializations

Many specializations exist in the field of nursing. Students may choose to pursue specializations such as:

• Cardiovascular medicine
• Nurse Management
• Nurse Education