Best Online Accelerated RN-to-BSN Programs in 2023

The Ohio State University is generally regarded as one of the best schools in the country for nursing students. Its RN-to-BSN program allows registered nurses to earn their Bachelor's in Nursing entirely through online courses. Consider this program even if you don't live in Ohio, as it meets the statewide Board of Nursing standards for distance education in all but a handful of states. It's also worth noting that there are absolutely no textbook costs - any material you need to read for your RN-to-BSN courses is either open-source or provided by the university for free. If you'd like to continue your nursing education beyond your bachelor's, Ohio State also offers online programs for Master's in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Education, and Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Appalachian State University offers three formats for its online RN-to-BSN program, including a one-year option that allows you to earn your bachelor's degree in just three semesters (completing the program at this pace will require about 15 to 20 hours of coursework per week). This school recently received a $150,000 donation from the Dogwood Health Trust, which will fund scholarships for online RN-to-BSN students living in the 18 westernmost counties of North Carolina.

This school's online RN-to-BSN program allows you to take some of your courses in a compressed seven-and-a-half-week format, allowing you to obtain your degree more quickly. You can take a mix of compressed and standard-length courses if you prefer. This program is flexible enough to accommodate just about any student's scheduling needs. Three specialization options are available: nursing management, informatics, and forensics.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington provides one of the most affordable online RN-to-BSN programs. Indeed, few schools offer this degree program at a lower per-credit cost. Registered nurses can earn their Bachelor's in Nursing degree in just 12 months. They provide some interesting options for meeting your elective requirements, including courses in transcultural healthcare, alternative therapies, and genetics in healthcare.

The University of West Florida (UWF) offers a 100% online RN-to-BSN program that students can complete in one year. UWF stands out as an excellent choice for students who are affiliated with the military. The veteran-owned publication Military Friendly rated this institution as a "Gold-level" school. They have a full-time VetSuccess on Campus counselor who can help you identify and access all of the benefits you are eligible for. Also, UWF waives out-of-state fees for active-duty military members stationed outside Florida.

This school takes a particularly community-focused approach to its RN-to-BSN curriculum. In addition to attending online classes, students partner with a local agency (e.g., a health clinic or homeless shelter) to participate in a project that promotes public health. The University of North Florida can also help nursing students prepare for the types of subject matter addressed in graduate school, as their RN-to-BSN program covers advanced topics such as research translation and ethics in healthcare.

It takes 1.5 to 2.5 years to complete the University of Wisconsin-Madison's RN-to-BSN program. To finish it in 1.5 years, you'll need to take the maximum course load of six credits per fall/spring semester and three credits per summer semester. This school is notable for its School Nurse Certification Program, which allows you to save time and money by completing some of the requirements for licensure as a school nurse concurrently with your coursework for a BSN.

With George Washington University's RN-to-BSN program, you can earn your bachelor's in as few as four semesters (15 months). Their sophisticated online learning tools will allow you to practice what you learn in your courses without actually stepping into a clinical facility. If you work for Optum, you can also enroll in the online Certificate: Caring for Complex Adults and Geriatric Patients program at George Washington University.

Eight courses, two semesters, less than 12 months, if you can handle the maximum course load, that's all it takes to complete this online RN-to-BSN program. In addition to finishing your studies in less than one year, another benefit to this program is that online students are provided with access to individual advising from both the RN-BSN program director and a professional academic advisor.

Depending on the number of credits that you transfer into the program, you may be able to complete this RN-to-BSN option in as few as nine months. The University of Texas at Arlington's nursing courses cover a wide range of topics, including family legacy, promoting healthy lifestyles, human factors in healthcare, and holistic health assessment across the lifespan. At the end of the program, you'll synthesize what you've learned through a capstone project (for this project, you'll be able to pick one of three areas to focus on: management, clinical nursing, or education).