RN to BSN Online
Meet the demand for BSN-educated nurses and gain the qualifications that enhance your nursing practice. Reach your goals faster with our 100% online coursework that fits in your schedule.
Program Overview
Gain insights into our online RN to BSN program
Build on your professionalism and passion for helping others by completing your RN to BSN online from Northern Kentucky University. In this online nursing program, you will gain the leadership skills you need to continue and excel in your professional practice. This accelerated program offers flexibility to fit your schedule, multiple start dates, and low tuition.
Registered Nurses with a BSN degree can work in a variety of roles in practice areas that include: acute care settings, intensive care units, specialty areas (e.g., pediatrics, maternity, mental health) and community health settings (e.g., schools, clinics, health departments).
In this online registered nurse to BSN program, you will:
- Gain an understanding of research focusing on the fundamentals of the research process, levels of evidence, and quality of evidence for nursing practice
- Study an overview of models and theories of vulnerability—focusing on social determinants of health, health disparity, and culturally appropriate strategies to address the effects of vulnerability
- Examine the foundations of leadership and management theories and concepts in a variety of healthcare settings
- Gain an introduction to the concepts and trends in the health informatics field, both locally and nationally
- Have the ability to become acquainted with essential topics and processes in genetics, genomics, and molecular biology
- Gain an understanding of research focusing on the fundamentals of the research process, levels of evidence, and quality of evidence for nursing practice
- Study an overview of models and theories of vulnerability—focusing on social determinants of health, health disparity, and culturally appropriate strategies to address the effects of vulnerability
- Examine the foundations of leadership and management theories and concepts in a variety of healthcare settings
- Gain an introduction to the concepts and trends in the health informatics field, both locally and nationally
- Have the ability to become acquainted with essential topics and processes in genetics, genomics, and molecular biology
Potential careers in nursing with NKU’s online program include:
- Public Health Nurse
- Care Coordinator/Navigator
- Case Manager
- Quality Coordinator
- Charge Nurse
- Public Health Nurse
- Care Coordinator/Navigator
- Case Manager
- Quality Coordinator
- Charge Nurse
Also available:
Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of Nursing programs online. View our online healthcare programs.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, postgraduate APRN certificate, and Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs at Northern Kentucky University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Tuition
At NKU, our budget-friendly tuition can be paid by the course
The Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition for in-state and out-of-state students. Financial aid may be available to eligible students.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Required Fees | Total Program with Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN to BSN | $315 | $480 | $9,930* |
*Tuition shown is for the 30-credit-hour nursing program and does not include any additional courses that may be needed to meet the requirements for a bachelor's degree, such as general education. Tuition and fees subject to change at any time.
Tuition Breakdown:
Renowned for Quality Nursing Programs
Ranked among the “Best Colleges for Nursing in America” by Niche.com, 2023
Calendar
See how our course calendar fits your schedule
The RN to BSN online program is flexible and efficient for busy schedules, with accelerated courses that start multiple times a year. View the calendar to find the best start date for you, and be sure to submit your application, registration, documents, and tuition by the corresponding deadlines.
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 1 | 5/12/25 | 4/30/25 | 5/5/25 | 5/9/25 | 5/12/25 |
| Summer 2 | 6/30/25 | 6/18/25 | 6/23/25 | 6/27/25 | 6/30/25 |
| Fall 1 | 8/18/25 | 8/6/25 | 8/11/25 | 8/15/25 | 8/18/25 |
| Fall 2 | 10/15/25 | 10/2/25 | 10/7/25 | 10/10/25 | 10/15/25 |
Now enrolling:
Admissions
We make it simple to apply to the online RN to BSN program
The admission process is the first step toward earning your RN to BSN degree online. Before you apply, please review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this program in your state.
Admission Requirements:
- Official transcripts from an associate degree or diploma program in nursing
- RN license required prior to enrollment in nursing courses
- Official transcripts from all postsecondary work
Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Admission Requirements
- Official transcripts from an associate degree or diploma program in nursing from a regionally accredited institution
- Official transcripts from all postsecondary work
- Hold current, unrestricted RN licensure within first semester of admission to RN-BSN program. Proof of RN licensure in state of practice is mandatory prior to enrollment in any nursing course.
Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:
Northern Kentucky UniversityOffice of Admissions
Lucas Administrative Center
400 Nunn Drive
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Admitted students must complete Introduction to Statistical Methods (STA 205) prior to enrolling in Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice (NRP 472).
The RN to BSN program is nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Students who complete an associate degree in nursing at a non-accredited nursing program may be denied licensure or ability to practice in states outside of Kentucky.
Courses
Preview the degree plan for our RN-BSN online program
For the RN to BSN degree online program, students must complete a total of 120 credit hours, including 30 credit hours of core nursing courses.
Students must have:
- 37 general education credits
- 30 RN to BSN credits
- 23 credits for the NCLEX – block transferred for no cost
You will also receive credits from your Associate Degree in Nursing. The actual number depends on the courses taken and if any of the courses match the aforementioned general education or health sciences credits.
Note: You can receive more than 120 credits if you have a number of additional transferable courses from your ADN. Even if you have 120 credits, you must still have all of the required general education and health sciences courses outlined in the attached document. For example, if you had over 120 credits but were missing the statistics course, you would be required to take the statistics course.
If the following courses have not been completed with a minimum grade of C, they may be completed as corequisites:
- One full year of English composition (ENG 101 and ENG 291)
- One full year of anatomy and physiology with labs (BIO 208, BIO 208L, BIO 209, BIO 209L)
- Microbiology for Health Professionals with Laboratory (BIO 202/BIO 202L)
- Introduction to Psychology (PSY 100)
- Life Span Development OR Human Growth and Development (PSY 321 or EDU 300)
- Health Care Ethics OR Ethics (PHI 220 OR PHI 200)
Admitted students must complete Introduction to Statistical Methods (STA 205) prior to enrolling in Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice (NRP 472).
The RN-BSN program is nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Students who complete an associate degree in nursing at a non-accredited nursing program may be denied licensure or ability to practice in states outside of Kentucky.
