RN to BSN Programs

RN to BSN Programs

RN to BSN programs provide registered nurses a pathway for educational and career advancement. These programs usually take around two years for full-time students and offer flexible part-time options that extend over 3 to 4 years.
RN to BSN Programs
RN to BSN programs give registered nurses with an associate degree the opportunity to advance their nursing careers and scope of practice by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. In contrast to a traditional BSN program, the RN to BSN pathway takes into account previous nursing education and professional nursing practice experience, allowing a registered nurse to earn a BSN degree in as little as 12 months.

What Is an RN to BSN Program?

RN to BSN programs are designed specifically for registered nurses with an active RN license and some level of collegiate nursing education – typically an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or nursing diploma. These programs cater to nursing students who are already skilled in the basics of nursing practice by waiving courses that repeat content covered by their associate degree.

RN to BSN programs are often referred to as “bridge programs” because they bridge the gap between two programs that typically require different amounts of education and clinical training. For example, the nursing curriculum for an RN to BSN program will typically focus exclusively on upper-level nursing coursework that was not covered during the student’s associate’s degree, such as advanced health assessment, research practices and processes, and nursing leadership.

What Will You Learn in an RN to BSN Program?

RN to BSN programs are designed to build upon the nursing knowledge and skills that students acquired during their associate degree to give them a broader, more well-rounded understanding of the nursing practice. Nursing students will go deeper into concepts that warrant further exploration, like health promotion, evidence-based practice, disease prevention, critical ethical and legal issues related to health professions, cultural awareness, public health, and nursing leadership.

Additional areas of exploration in an RN to BSN program may include:

General Education Courses

An important part of earning a BSN degree is completing general education classes, which are designed to ensure that students build a well-rounded foundation in the arts and sciences. Courses such as English, math, psychology, sociology, and anthropology are typically included in the BSN curriculum and required in order to graduate from a BSN program.

Students who have already completed these academic programs while earning their associate’s degree will typically receive transfer credit and may not have to retake them as part of their RN to BSN program.

Community Health

Community health nursing has been identified as one of the most important practice areas in nursing. RN to BSN students will learn about the concepts and theories related to community health and be trained to think critically about health care and how it affects the unique circumstances of vulnerable populations in a multicultural society.

Community health nursing seeks to understand the social and environmental determinants that impact the health of individuals, families, and communities, and looks to find ways to improve public health through education, resources, and advocacy.

Ethics and Policy

As a registered nurse, you have probably encountered ethical and legal dilemmas at some point in your nursing career. In an RN to BSN nursing program, you will learn about the principles of ethical decision-making and how to apply them to complex situations. You will also gain a deeper understanding of the laws that govern nursing and health professions, including patient privacy and informed consent.

Cultural Competency in Nursing

A cornerstone of professional nursing practice is the ability to provide culturally competent care that meets the needs of diverse populations. Students enrolled in a BSN program will learn about the social and cultural characteristics that affect the delivery of health care, and they will develop the skills needed to provide care that is respectful of patients’ values and beliefs.

Fundamentals of Nursing Research

Research and scholarship in nursing is an essential part of advancing the profession and ensuring quality and safety in nursing practice. Courses in research methods, nursing science, and evidence-based practice are common in RN to BSN degree programs, as they teach students how scientific nursing knowledge is gained, how to critically appraise research studies, and how to make informed decisions about the best evidence-based care for their patients.

Nursing Leadership and Management

Leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills are key components of successful nursing practice and are essential for those who want to pursue administration or management in their nursing career. Employers look for nurses with the ability to think strategically, manage complex health care environments, and lead and motivate teams. In a BSN program, students will learn about the principles of leadership and management and develop the skills necessary to be successful in a variety of roles.

Online RN to BSN Programs

Nursing programs are increasingly utilizing “hybrid” and “blended” course formats to offer students flexible learning options. A blended format includes a combination of traditional face-to-face classes and online nursing courses. This “blend” of traditional classroom instruction and virtual learning is very popular as it provides students with a supportive and intimate learning environment on campus along with the flexibility of distance education.

Online RN to BSN programs that are delivered in a blended or hybrid format typically require students to come to campus for a few days each month, but the majority of the coursework can be completed via online courses. This allows working nurses who are employed full-time to continue fulfilling their professional and personal responsibilities while completing their nursing degrees.

Online RN to BSN Clinical Component

The clinical component of any BSN degree program is a vital part of your nursing education, regardless of whether you are enrolled in a traditional on-campus program or an online nursing program. Clinical experiences are where you apply the theoretical knowledge you have acquired in the classroom to real-world patient care scenarios.

Most online RN to BSN programs include a clinical component that can be completed at a community college or nursing care facilities near your home or work. The clinical experiences offered through an online RN to BSN program are just as comprehensive and rigorous as those offered by traditional nursing programs – you will be supervised and evaluated by experienced registered nurses who are affiliated with your program.

RN to BSN Program Requirements

Admission requirements for RN to BSN programs vary by institution. Students should expect a challenging application process as nursing programs carefully evaluate each applicant to determine if they are capable of handling the demands and rigor of the degree program. Candidates must be prepared to meet all of the academic and experience requirements of the program and find ways to make their applications stand out.

The requirements for RN to BSN programs generally include the following:

  • An associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a nursing diploma from a regionally accredited program
  • A current, unrestricted RN license
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • Completion of prior courses in Anatomy, Physiology, Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, English, and Statistics with a minimum grade.
  • If English is not the applicant’s first/primary language, the applicant must submit proof of English proficiency.
  • Candidates must pass a criminal background check and meet all health compliance requirements.
  • Candidates must pass a physical examination and complete all required immunizations prior to entry to the program.

Benefits of RN to BSN Programs

There are many benefits to pursuing an RN to BSN degree program, both for the nurse and for the healthcare system where they work. On the individual level, a registered nurse who completes an RN to BSN program will have a broader knowledge base and set of clinical skills that can be applied in any nursing setting.

From an organizational standpoint, hospitals and other healthcare organizations that employ nurses with BSN degrees report lower rates of staff turnover, increased job satisfaction, as well as reduced costs associated with recruiting, training, and compensating nursing staff.

Additional Resources

RN to BSN Programs FAQ

How long is an RN to BSN program?

The time it takes to complete an RN to BSN program will vary depending on whether you are enrolling as a full-time or part-time student, the nursing program from which you earn your nursing degree, and whether or not you receive transfer credit for any of the nursing courses you have completed. In general, a full-time student can complete an RN to BSN program in under two years, while part-time students may take 3-4 years to complete the course work.

Is there a pay increase from RN to BSN?

A BSN-educated registered nurse typically has higher earning potential and more opportunities for career advancement than a registered nurse with an associate’s degree. Nursing education is a key factor that employers consider when making decisions about compensation and promotions, so graduates of a bachelor’s degree program can expect to see higher salaries and better job prospects than nurses with less collegiate nursing education.

Additionally, many states are implementing laws that require working nurses to earn a bachelor’s degree within 10 years of initial licensure in order to maintain a valid RN license. These new “BSN in 10” laws will push the demand for nurses with a bachelor’s degree even higher.

Is it hard to get into an RN to BSN program?

RN to BSN degree programs are designed to be accessible and manageable for students who already hold a valid RN license and have professional nursing experience. That said, admission requirements vary by nursing program and a comprehensive application process is in place to ensure that only the most qualified candidates are admitted to the program.

Read More