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 30-credit-hour 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 RN 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
The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, postgraduate APRN certificate and Post Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at Northern Kentucky University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org)
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Also available:
Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of Master of Science in Nursing degrees, a Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, and several nursing certificates online. Check out our other online nursing programs.
Tuition
At NKU, our budget-friendly tuition can be paid by the course
Our RN to BSN online program features affordable, pay-as-you-go tuition. All fees are included, and tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify.
Tuition breakdown:
Program | Per Credit Hour | Required Fees | Total With Fees |
---|---|---|---|
Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing | $309 | $480 | $9,750* |
*Tuition shown is for the 30 credit hour nursing program and does not include any additional courses that may be needed to meet the requirements for a bachelor’s degree, such as general education. Tuition and fees are subject to change at any time.
NKU is ranked among the “Best Colleges for Nursing in America” by Niche.com, 2022
Calendar
See how our course calendar fits your schedule
The RN to BSN is convenient and accessible, with 7-week courses that start six times a year. View the calendar to find the best start date for you and take note of associated deadlines.
Now Enrolling:
Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Last Class Day |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Summer 1 | 05/08/2023 | 04/26/2023 | 05/01/2023 | 05/04/2023 | 05/08/2023 | 06/23/2023 |
Summer 2 | 06/26/2023 | 06/14/2023 | 06/19/2023 | 06/22/2023 | 06/26/2023 | 08/11/2023 |
Fall 1 | 08/21/2023 | 08/09/2023 | 08/14/2023 | 08/18/2023 | 08/21/2023 | 10/06/2023 |
Fall 2 | 10/18/2023 | 10/05/2023 | 10/10/2023 | 10/13/2023 | 10/18/2023 | 12/08/2023 |
Spring 1 | 01/08/2024 | 01/02/2024 | 01/04/2024 | 01/05/2024 | 01/08/2024 | 02/23/202$ |
Spring 2 | 03/11/2024 | 02/29/2024 | 03/04/2024 | 03/08/2024 | 03/11/2024 | 04/26/2024 |
Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from Northern Kentucky University?
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 online from NKU. Please review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this program in your state. Requirements for admission include:
View full admission requirements
RN to BSN Online 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 either Introduction to Statistical Methods (STA 205) or Statistics for Business Applications I (STA 212) prior to enrolling in Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice (NRP 472).
Courses
Preview the degree plan for our RN-BSN online program
To earn your RN to BSN degree online from NKU, you must complete 10 core nursing courses (30 credit hours) and other courses, including general education, for a total of 120 credit hours.
Students must have:
- 37 general education credits
- 11 health sciences 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 either Introduction to Statistical Methods (STA 205) or Statistics for Business Applications I (STA 212) prior to enrolling in Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice (NRP 472).
Students must take the following courses:
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course covers concepts and theories providing the foundation for development of the registered nurse into the role of the professional baccalaureate-prepared nurse.
NRP 471: Concept of Professional Nursing
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course identifies the basis of nursing and interprofessional theories as they relate to the practice of professional nursing.
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course is an introduction to nursing research, focusing on the fundamentals of the research process, levels of evidence, and quality of evidence for nursing practice.
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course is 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.
NRP 474: Models of Care Delivery
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course explores models of care delivery related to healthcare quality measures, safety measures, and public policy in a variety of settings.
NRP 475: Population Centered Health
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course explores global and community health concepts focusing on population bio-psycho-social and spiritual well-being. Strategies included for population health equity and the utilization of assets and resources to create an environment for health promotion.
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 2
This course recognizes the relationship of genetics and genomics to the health and care of patient and families across the lifespan.
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the foundations of leadership and management theories and concepts in a variety of healthcare settings.
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 4
This course is a culminating experience integrating knowledge from previous courses to design, implement, and lead an interdisciplinary team project to improve outcomes in an appropriate health care or community-based setting.
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course is an introduction to concepts and trends in the health informatics field, both locally and nationally. Several areas will be introduced that will provide baseline knowledge for a health informaticist.
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