RN to BSN programs are designed for licensed registered nurses (RN) and allow RNs to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in a shorter time. RNs may initially hold an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or have completed a related nursing program. When they want to advance their nursing education, RNs might consider an RN to BSN program to expand their knowledge, clinical skills and ultimately advance their career in nursing.

Read on to learn more about the available RN to BSN programs and the benefits of earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

What Is an RN-to-BSN?

An RN to BSN, in short, is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) available specifically for licensed registered nurses (RN). Designed with licensed RNs in mind, RN to BSN programs build upon the existing knowledge of practitioners and provide in-depth study in topic areas such as physical and social sciences. These programs also place an emphasis on critical thinking, nursing research, public health, and management and leadership to give nurses a broader understanding of issues around patient care and healthcare delivery. They also allow for various specializations.

Unlike typical bachelor’s degree programs which last four years, RN to BSN programs can be completed in one to two years depending on how many credits are successfully transferred from the student’s ADN program and enrollment type.

This list was updated in July 2021. The program’s website is always best for the most up-to-date program information.

An RN to BSN degree program typically requires applicants to have a diploma or associate degree in nursing from an accredited nursing program. A specific GPA requirement or minimum grade requirement of certain prerequisite courses may apply as well. RN to BSN programs likely require applicants to have passed the NCLEX Registered Nurse Examination and hold an unrestricted U.S. RN license or a valid license to practice as an RN in certain states. This may depend on the school and program.

An application form and fee, personal statement, resume and letter(s) of recommendation are also required.  

Before submitting your application, be sure to check if your desired program has a list of prerequisite courses for prospective students.

An RN to BSN program combines general education courses—including literature, history, sociology and math—with a full spectrum of science courses such as biology, chemistry, anatomy and microbiology.

Nursing-specific courses may cover human nutrition, healthcare informatics, evidence-based practice, community health nursing, cultural competence in nursing and concepts in nurse leadership.

In choosing an RN to BSN program, look for one that has been accredited by an independent accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Accreditation ensures that the RN to BSN program meets the highest standards for educational practice.

Look for accreditation from agencies such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), an autonomous accrediting agency; and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), an accrediting agency governed by a board of 17 commissioners elected by representatives of ACEN-accredited nursing programs.

Advantages of an RN-to-BSN Program

From strengthening your skills to broadening employment opportunities, there are numerous benefits of completing an RN to BSN program. Below are a few of them:

1. Expand Your Nursing Skills

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) summarizes several publications and studies on the value of bachelor education for RNs. When RNs advance their education, it may lead to stronger skills in nursing practice, leadership, professional integration, and research and evaluation.

2. Increase Your Job Market Appeal

According to the AACN’s 2021 survey on Employment of New Nurse Graduates and Employer Preferences for Baccalaureate-Prepared Nurses, more than 75% of employers now require or strongly prefer nurses with a baccalaureate degree.

3. Improve Patient Care

Higher nurse education has been linked to better patient outcomes in numerous published studies. The AACN has reported on studies over the last 10+ years on the value of bachelor education for RNs, citing that RNs are better prepared in evidence-based practice and there’s a reduction in patient death rates and failure to rescue rates.

4. Become a Nurse Manager or Nurse Leader in a Magnet Hospital

Magnet hospitals, which meet some of the highest standards of care according to the American Nurse Credentialing Center, require all nurse managers and nurse leaders to have a BSN or higher degree in nursing. Magnet hospitals are among the most sought-after workplaces for nurses, with superior nurse-to-staffing ratios and higher nurse satisfaction.

5. Become a Higher-Level VA Nurse

In order to advance beyond an entry-level position within a Veterans Health Administration hospital—the largest employer of registered nurses in the United States—nurses may want to consider pursuing a BSN degree.

Depending on your career goals, an RN to BSN program may be the educational path for you. While it is possible to practice as a registered nurse with an associate degree or diploma administered by a hospital, an RN to BSN program equips you with additional knowledge and skills and opens the door to a number of specialized nursing careers as you can see from the list above.

With the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting employment of registered nurses to grow 9% from 2020 to 2030, having a BSN degree could also give you an edge in this saturated job market. Some employers prioritize job applicants with a baccalaureate degree over those without one, according to AACN’s Employment of New Nurse Graduates and Employer Preferences for Baccalaureate-Prepared Nurses. The idea is that having higher education qualifications can ultimately help practitioners to improve patient outcomes.

Apart from education, possessing certain soft skills may help RNs in their daily work. With wide-ranging complex patient healthcare needs, BSN nursing roles call for workers with strong communication and organizational skills, the ability to empathize and emotional stability to keep them steady amid the demands of the job. If you want to continue working while you’re in school, consider schools that offer online RN to BSN programs or online BSN programs.

As a BSN-prepared nurse, you can find work in a range of inpatient and outpatient settings including hospitals, home healthcare facilities, nursing organizations, healthcare foundations, advocacy groups and the military.

The RN to BSN degree can also be a stepping stone to a master’s in nursing degree which is required by many state licensure boards to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Like RNs, APRNs have the opportunity to specialize. An RN to BSN graduate may also decide to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) if they have their eye on a leadership role within the healthcare sector.

Whether you’re planning on returning to nursing school soon after earning your BSN or are satisfied with a baccalaureate degree, here are some nursing jobs to consider:

Public Health Nurse

Public health nurses work to create healthy populations using knowledge drawn from nursing as well as social sciences and public health sciences. Public health nurses may focus on disease and poisoning prevention, emergency preparedness, immunizations, HIV/AIDS treatment, foster care nursing and communicable diseases. Typically, only an RN license is needed for public health nursing practice, but a nurse with an RN to BSN is eligible for a Certification in Public Health (CPH) after five years of public health experience. The certification demonstrates your commitment to this particular field of practice.

Case Management Nurse

Case management nurses advocate for patients with serious and long-term illnesses, including Alzheimer’s, diabetes and heart disease, and help to coordinate their care. Trained to work on interdisciplinary teams, case management nurses provide guidance to patients’ families and act as a liaison between patients and insurance companies. They work in a variety of settings including hospices, community and public health centers, outpatient clinics and oncology centers.

Those who have completed RN to BSN programs are still eligible to take the CCM exam, administered by the Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC), to become a board-certified case manager, provided they have completed the requisite case-management employment experience.

School Nurse

School nurses are specialists who work within schools helping to promote student health, assist in optimal student development and support academic success. School nurses act as an important bridge between academic and physical well-being for the students they treat, coordinating care, and collaborating with local officials on creating systems that support the health of the broader communities in which schoolchildren live.

Degree requirements for school nurses vary by state, with some requiring a minimum of bachelor’s degree in nursing and RN licensure.

Hospice Nurse

Hospice nurses provide holistic care for patients to ease their end-of-life journey. Some of their daily duties include administering medication, checking vitals and ensuring patient comfort. Hospice nurses also track and report on patients’ progress during hospice team meetings and provide invaluable support to patient family members and caregivers.

Hospice nurses can take exams for one of six hospice and palliative certifications, designed for advanced practice nurses, registered nurses, pediatric palliative nurses, nursing assistants and those dealing with perinatal loss. Offered by the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC), each certification establishes commitment to safe, ethical and evidence-based care.

ICU Nurse

Critical care nurses, including ICU nurses who work in intensive care units (ICUs), provide care for infants, children and adults under the most serious life-or-death circumstances, making their work both challenging and incredibly rewarding.

There are a range of certifications from the American Association for Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) available for both RNs and advanced practice registered nurses with experience in critical care. Certifications target specialties including adult, pediatric and neonatal care.

Surgical Nurse

Surgical nurses or medical-surgical nurses help to set up surgery—including sterilization, surgical draping and patient skin antisepsis. They also focus on infection prevention in patients, preoperative care and are skilled in surgical equipment, products and procedures.

To become a nurse specializing in surgical care, you must complete a nursing program and be a registered nurse with some experience in surgical procedures. You can pick a bachelor’s degree program that allows you to specialize in surgical nursing. Surgical nurses, also called perioperative nurses, can take certification exams administered by the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board, American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for Medical-Surgical Certification or the Competency & Credentialing Institute – Perioperative Certification

It’s important to be thorough with your research when you’re selecting an RN to BSN program and weighing your career options. Here are a couple of questions that can help guide you as you make this life-changing decision:

For those who are interested in additional bridge programs:

Last updated February 2022.