RN to BSN Programs 2026

If you’re an ADN-prepared RN considering a BSN, you’re making a smart career move. The healthcare industry increasingly favors BSN-prepared nurses, and many hospitals now require or strongly prefer the bachelor’s degree. Here’s everything you need to know about RN to BSN programs.

Why Get Your BSN?

The BSN Advantage

The push for BSN-prepared nurses has accelerated since the Institute of Medicine’s 2010 recommendation that 80% of nurses hold a BSN by 2020. While that goal wasn’t fully achieved, the trend is clear:

Factor	ADN	BSN
Median salary	$75,000	$82,000
Magnet hospital eligibility	Limited	Full
Management positions	Rarely	Commonly required
Graduate school eligibility	No	Yes
Job openings	Decreasing	Increasing

Who Should Pursue RN to BSN

A BSN makes sense if you want to:

• Work at a Magnet-designated hospital
• Pursue nursing leadership or management
• Advance to NP, CNS, or other APRN roles
• Teach nursing (clinical or academic)
• Specialize in public health or community nursing
• Increase your earning potential

Program Formats

Online RN to BSN

Online programs dominate the RN to BSN market, and for good reason:

Advantages:

• Work while completing your degree
• No relocation required
• Flexible scheduling around shifts
• Often more affordable
• Same degree as on-campus

What “online” really means:

• Asynchronous coursework (complete on your schedule)
• Some programs have synchronous sessions (set times)
• Clinical hours may be required locally
• Capstone projects often completed at your workplace

Hybrid Programs

Some programs combine online coursework with periodic on-campus sessions:

• Weekend intensives
• One-week residencies
• Local clinical rotations

Hybrid programs work well if you prefer some face-to-face interaction but can’t attend traditional classes.

Traditional On-Campus

Less common for RN to BSN, but available at some universities:

• Best for those who prefer classroom learning
• May offer more networking opportunities
• Usually more expensive when including commuting/parking
• Harder to balance with work schedules

Timeline and Workload

Program Length Options

Format	Duration	Credit Hours	Weekly Commitment
Full-time	12-18 months	30-40	20-30 hours
Part-time	2-3 years	30-40	10-15 hours
Accelerated	9-12 months	30-40	30-40 hours

Typical Course Load

Most programs require 30-40 additional credits beyond your ADN:

Core BSN courses:

• Nursing Research
• Community/Public Health Nursing
• Leadership and Management
• Health Assessment (advanced)
• Pathophysiology
• Statistics
• Professional Writing

Clinical hours:

• 100-200 hours typically required
• Often completed at your workplace
• Community health clinical usually mandatory

Sample Timeline (Full-time)

Semester	Courses	Notes
1	Research, Statistics, Health Assessment	Foundation courses
2	Community Health, Leadership	Clinical begins
3	Capstone, Electives	Final project

Cost and Financial Aid

Program Costs

School Type	Total Cost	Per Credit
Public university (in-state)	$8,000-$15,000	$200-$400
Public university (out-of-state)	$15,000-$25,000	$400-$700
Private university	$20,000-$40,000	$500-$1,000
For-profit schools	$25,000-$60,000	$700-$1,500

Hidden Costs to Consider

• Application fees ($50-$100)
• Technology fees ($100-$500/semester)
• Clinical placement fees ($200-$500)
• Background check and drug screening ($50-$100)
• Books and materials ($500-$1,000)
• Graduation fees ($100-$200)

Financial Aid Options

Employer tuition assistance: Many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement or loan repayment for nurses pursuing BSN degrees. Some cover up to 100% of costs in exchange for a work commitment.

Federal financial aid:

• FAFSA eligibility for federal loans
• Pell Grants (if you haven’t exhausted eligibility)
• Unsubsidized loans available

Scholarships:

• HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship
• State nursing scholarships
• Hospital foundation scholarships
• Professional organization scholarships

Other options:

• Payment plans
• Military benefits (GI Bill)
• Employer advancement programs

Choosing the Right Program

Accreditation (Critical)

Only consider programs accredited by:

• CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education)
• ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing)

Non-accredited programs may not qualify you for:

• Graduate school admission
• Employer tuition reimbursement
• Some state licensing requirements

Factors to Compare

Factor	Questions to Ask
Accreditation	CCNE or ACEN accredited?
Cost	Total cost including fees?
Timeline	Can I complete at my pace?
Clinical	Can I use my workplace?
Flexibility	Synchronous vs asynchronous?
Support	Academic advising available?
Outcomes	Graduation rate? Student reviews?

Red Flags

Avoid programs that:

• Aren’t CCNE or ACEN accredited
• Have graduation rates below 50%
• Cost significantly more than comparable programs
• Have poor student reviews consistently
• Make unrealistic promises about timeline or outcomes
• Pressure you to enroll quickly

Top RN to BSN Programs

Highly Regarded Options

Large public universities with strong online programs:

• University of Texas at Arlington
• Western Governors University (competency-based)
• Arizona State University
• University of Central Florida
• University of Alabama

Quality private options:

• Chamberlain University
• Capella University
• Grand Canyon University

What Makes a Program Stand Out

• High NCLEX pass rates (though less relevant for RN to BSN)
• Strong graduate school placement
• Employer recognition
• Flexible scheduling
• Reasonable cost
• Good student support services

Admission Requirements

Typical Requirements

Requirement	Details
Active RN license	Unencumbered, in good standing
ADN or diploma	From accredited nursing program
GPA	2.5-3.0 minimum (varies)
Prerequisite courses	May need specific gen eds
Work experience	Some programs require 1+ years
Application materials	Transcripts, resume, personal statement

Transfer Credits

Most programs accept:

• General education credits from community college
• Science courses (if recent)
• Some upper-division credits

Maximize transfer credits:

• Request transcript evaluation before enrolling
• Take recommended prerequisites at community college (cheaper)
• Keep transcripts from all previous education

Balancing Work and School

Strategies That Work

Schedule strategically:

• Front-load coursework on days off
• Use night shifts for online discussion posts
• Block study time like work shifts

Leverage your experience:

• Clinical hours at your workplace (if allowed)
• Use real-world examples in assignments
• Capstone projects can address workplace issues

Get support:

• Communicate with your manager about your schedule
• Connect with classmates in similar situations
• Use academic support services

Common Challenges

Challenge	Solution
Time management	Create a weekly schedule, stick to it
Burnout	Take breaks, consider part-time enrollment
Family obligations	Communicate needs, ask for help
Work conflicts	Plan ahead, use flexible program features

After Your BSN

Career Opportunities

With your BSN, you can:

• Apply to Magnet hospitals
• Pursue nurse manager positions
• Enter clinical educator roles
• Specialize in community/public health
• Apply to graduate programs

Graduate School Pathway

Your BSN opens doors to advanced degrees:

Degree	Role	Additional Time
MSN	NP, CNS, Educator, Admin	2-3 years
DNP	Advanced practice, leadership	3-4 years
PhD	Research, academia	4-6 years

Many nurses continue directly to MSN programs or explore NP specializations.

Getting Started

Your Action Plan

1. Research programs — Compare accreditation, cost, and format
2. Check employer benefits — Ask HR about tuition assistance
3. Request transcripts — From all previous schools
4. Apply to 2-3 programs — Compare acceptance and financial aid
5. Plan your schedule — Discuss with manager and family
6. Enroll and begin — Start your BSN journey

Timeline to Enrollment

Week	Action
1-2	Research programs, check accreditation
3-4	Request transcripts, gather documents
5-6	Submit applications
7-8	Compare offers, apply for financial aid
9-10	Accept offer, complete enrollment

Key Takeaways

• BSN opens doors to better jobs, higher pay, and graduate education
• Online programs offer flexibility for working nurses
• Total cost ranges from $8,000-$40,000 depending on school type
• Only consider CCNE or ACEN accredited programs
• Many employers offer tuition assistance—ask HR
• Plan for 12-18 months full-time or 2-3 years part-time

Ready to explore your options? Check our RN career guide for more on advancing your nursing career, or browse state-specific requirements to understand how BSN impacts licensing in your area.