Nursing, R.N. to B.S.N.
Take the next step in your nursing career with the online R.N. to B.S.N. program. Designed for licensed registered nurses, this flexible program helps you build leadership ability through evidence-based practice and community health skills.
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Courses and Credits:
8 Courses / 30 Credits
Duration:
1-2 years
Admission Terms:
Fall, Spring, Summer
Next Start Date:
January 11, 2027
Learning Format:
Online asynchronous
Program Overview
The online R.N. to B.S.N. program from the WVU School of Nursing is designed for registered nurses who want to advance their education without putting their careers on hold. Through a flexible, fully online curriculum, you’ll strengthen your clinical knowledge, leadership abilities, and critical thinking skills while preparing for expanded opportunities in today’s evolving healthcare environment.
With asynchronous coursework and every course being available every semester, you can complete your degree on a schedule that works for you. Taught by doctoral-prepared faculty, the program combines personalized support with a nationally recognized nursing education to help you achieve your professional goals.
Push Your Nursing Career Further
Advance your nursing practice with a flexible curriculum designed to expand your clinical leadership, evidence-based decision-making, and career advancement potential.
- Complete Your Degree Quickly: Finish your B.S.N. in as few as two semesters with a flexible curriculum designed for working nurses.
- Flexible Online Learning: Complete asynchronous coursework with no required class meeting times and no faculty-led clinical hours.
- CCNE-Accredited Program: Earn your degree from a nationally recognized program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
- Expert Faculty Support: Learn from doctoral-prepared faculty who are committed to your success and provide personalized support throughout the program.
- Practice in Your Community: Complete your capstone project within your own community, allowing you to apply what you learn in a setting that’s meaningful to your professional goals.
What You’ll Learn
Master evidence-based practice, population health management, and clinical leadership techniques designed to improve patient outcomes and drive healthcare innovation.
- Leadership in Nursing: Develop the skills to lead healthcare teams, improve patient care, and support organizational change.
- Evidence-Based Practice: Learn to evaluate research and apply evidence to improve clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.
- Global Collaboration: Learn alongside your network of peers, developing the multicultural awareness and critical thinking skills needed to implement strategies on a global scale.
- Community and Population Health: Explore strategies to promote health, prevent disease, and address the needs of diverse populations.
- Quality and Patient Safety: Strengthen your understanding of healthcare quality, safety initiatives, and systems-based practice.
Featured Courses
Explore core nursing coursework designed to elevate your clinical expertise, healthcare leadership, and administrative capabilities:
Video: R.N. to B.S.N. Program Overview
Elevate Your Care
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. The CCNE is an autonomous accrediting agency, contributing to the improvement of the public's health.
Application Steps
What You Need to Apply
- Diploma or associate’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.5 on all college-level work ever attempted.
- Applicants with a GPA of below 2.5 may be considered for provisional admission on a case-by-case basis. Consideration for provisional admission may include the number of seats available in the program and the number of hours completed in previous degree programs.
- Once admitted, students must maintain a nursing GPA of at least 2.5. Students who do not maintain a nursing GPA of at least 2.5 will be placed on academic notice for two semesters. Students who do not raise their nursing GPA to at least 2.5 after two semesters on academic notice will be dismissed from the School of Nursing.
All registered nurses will transfer 50 hours of undifferentiated nursing credit based on RN licensure. All RN to BSN students will be required to meet WVU’s General Education Foundations (GEF) requirements (the University waives the GEF requirements for those with a previous bachelor’s degree, Associate of Arts degree, or Associate of Science degree, but the student is still required to complete nursing general education requirements). Advisors will work with students to identify courses already appearing on the transcript that meet GEF requirements and develop a plan to fulfill any remaining requirements. RN to BSN general education requirements, regarding of University GEF credit requirements, include ENGL 101, ENGL 102, and STAT 211.
For example:
- 120 credits (minimum required to graduate)
- -50 undifferentiated nursing credits for RN license
- 70 credits remaining
- -30 credits RN-BSN nursing courses (See program of study)
- 40 general education credits remaining*
*General education credits may be fulfilled by course work from associate degrees or other college work completed at regionally accredited colleges or universities. For more information about General Education Foundations; see link GEF Requirements. For more information about course equivalence please see the following website: Transfer Course Equivalency System.
PLEASE NOTE: The last consecutive 30 enrolled credits must be taken with WVU in order to meet residency requirements for graduation. Residency is defined as: “being registered for officially approved coursework which will satisfy graduation requirements.” It does not require that you reside physically in the state of West Virginia, or that you take courses in-person at WVU. The RN to BSN program is 100% online.
Direct and indirect clinical experiences are included in WVU School of Nursing RN-to-BSN courses. Clinical assignments are designed to enrich course work and differ from pre-licensure clinical assignments. The purpose of these clinical experiences is to advance professional growth and assist students in demonstrating proficiencies essential to BSN-prepared nursing practice. Clinical experiences include assessing and providing interventions for individuals, families, and communities; communicating and collaborating in an interprofessional manner; and designing and disseminating an evidenced-based nursing practice plan to address a health issue or problem in a community or acute care setting.
Washington State Regulations: In compliance with the Washington State Nursing Commission regulations, WVU cannot accept students who are residents of Washington into our online Nursing programs at this time.
The application and supporting materials must be received by the following dates:
- The application period for the Spring (January) term will open on May 1 and close on November 1. All transcripts must be received no later than November 15.
- The application period for the Summer term will open on September 1 and close on March 1. All transcripts must be received no later than March 15.
- The application period for the Fall term will open on December 1 and close on July 1. All transcripts must be received no later than July 15.
How to Apply
Applications for WVU’s online programs are processed through the University’s central portal. Follow these steps to set up your account and submit your application.
- Check the prerequisites: Review ‘What You Need to Apply’ to confirm your eligibility and get your application materials ready.
- Create your account: Visit the portal, create your account and start your application.
- Pay your application fee: Complete the required payment within the portal.
- Submit: Carefully review your details and submit your application.
Note: Students who have been dismissed from any nursing program (WVU or otherwise) are ineligible for admission to any of the WVU BSN programs; however, students who have received degrees or additional credentialing post-academic dismissal from a nursing program are eligible for admission to the BS/BA to RN, RN to BSN, or graduate programs provided that they meet all other admission requirements and based on space available. Students who have withdrawn from the WVU SON may be considered for readmission and may apply in accordance with guidelines and criteria found in the undergraduate handbook.
Tuition, Fees, and Aid
Cost per credit hour is listed on each program page. Rates are reviewed annually and subject to change.
Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies, and living expenses. Please visit WVU’s Estimate Costs and Aid website for how to plan for other potential expenses.
- Complete the FAFSA
- Check Employer Benefits: Inquire about potential tuition assistance or reimbursement programs.
- Review Waivers: Understand the specific restrictions on University tuition waivers.
Learn More
Careers and Employment
The online Nursing, R.N. to B.S.N. program builds on your clinical experience and prepares you for leadership roles in today’s complex healthcare environment. Through a curriculum focused on evidence-based practice and patient-centered care, you’ll gain the knowledge to influence outcomes and shape the future of nursing. Expect to dive into courses on health assessment, community health, nursing research, and healthcare policy. Instead of theory alone, you’ll apply what you learn through projects that mirror real-world challenges.
What can I do with a Nursing, R.N. to B.S.N. degree? Explore potential careers, employment environments, and academic pathways:
- Nurse Practitioner
- Acute Care Nurse
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Medical and Health Services Manager
- Nurse Manager
- Nurse Educator
- Public Health Nurse
- Travel Nurse
Featured Stories
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’d like to dive deeper into the program’s curriculum and student experience, connect with:
Phillip Engelkemier
- Email: Phillip.Engelkemier@hsc.wvu.edu
- Phone: 304-293-1927
