Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing: Online RN-to-BSN Program
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Program at a Glance
- Earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing in as few as 18 months of full-time study.*
- Complete your coursework on your schedule and choose the location of your clinical practice experience.
- Customize your online BSN program with nursing elective courses aligned to certifications recognized by Magnet®.†
- The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Upcoming Start Dates
We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.
Course Effort
15–18 Hours Per Week
Course Length
10-Week Terms
Credits Required
90–130 (with prior degree credits)
Cost per Credit
$315
Purdue Global Career Outcomes 2020–2021
Each year, our Center for Career Advancement sends a NACE First Destination survey to our graduating class to learn more about their career choices and potential income within 18 months of graduation. We’re proud of our recent Purdue Global alumni accomplishments.
96%
Graduates in Purdue Global’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program were employed or continued their education within 18 months of graduation.
“Career Outcomes Rate” is not the same as an “employment rate”—it includes graduates who are: (1) employed (whether full or part time); (2) participating in a program of voluntary service, (3) serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, or (4) enrolled in a program of continuing education. This rate may also include graduates employed in jobs unrelated to their degree or who were employed while attending Purdue Global. (9,106 graduates surveyed across associate's, bachelor's, master's, JD, EJD, and DNP programs from July 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020. 7,803 of 9,106 replied.)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Online Program Overview
The demand for nurses who possess a bachelor's degree in the U.S. is growing.‡ Created for nurses, by nurses, Purdue Global's online RN-to-BSN program is personalized to help you achieve your career goals.
Our bachelor's degree program prepares you to deliver exceptional direct or indirect patient care. Courses are taught by dedicated professionals who provide the leadership and guidance to foster the next generation of nursing leaders. The curriculum includes:
- A strong focus on professional leadership with courses in management, research, emerging trends in health care therapies, health assessment, and community nursing
- An emphasis on health promotion, community health, health care information, professional ethics, diversity, and health care management
- Development of a portfolio that enables students to demonstrate their professional and practical competencies
- Creation of a personalized, comprehensive development plan that includes career planning
- Completion of a series of clinical practice experiences designed to provide the opportunity for application of theoretical knowledge while working with a designated, qualified preceptor.§
See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.
Note: Residents of TN, IL, IN, WI, and Puerto Rico may not enroll in this program. In addition, international students are not eligible to enroll in this program.
Graduate Ira Walter on Earning his RN-to-BSN Online
Registered nurse (RN) Ira Walter says graduating with his RN-to-BSN degree has prepared and motivated him to continue his education in the nursing field—he went on to earn his master’s in nursing (MSN) at Purdue Global.
The baccalaureate degree in nursing at Purdue Global is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.CCNEAccreditation.org).
Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Transfer Credits
Purdue Global accepts up to 135 transfer credits toward the RN-to-BSN degree requirements. You could enter the program with up to 75% of the degree already completed.#
Master of Science in Nursing Bridge Program
Shorten your path to a master’s degree. Choose the accelerated Master of Science in Nursing option and you can complete graduate-level courses in place of open and nursing electives in the bachelor's degree program. For details and eligibility requirements, speak to an Advisor.
Admissions Requirements
You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Education Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma and pass a criminal background check. You are also required to complete orientation before you start classes. Additional requirements apply. Refer to the program-specific policy page in the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.
Ways to Save
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Transfer Credits
Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.
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Prior Work Experience
You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.
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Financial Aid
Title IV federal financial aid is available for many of our degree programs.
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Grants
Learn about federal financial grants and loan programs that may be available.
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Corporate Partner Benefits
Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.
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Military Tuition Reduction
55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers, 38% per credit for veterans for undergraduate programs.
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Prior Military Experience
We offer credit for ACE-evaluated training and CLEP and DANTES examinations.
Program Cost Estimator
Calculate your estimated tuition and ways to save.
What Courses Will I Take?
The RN-to-BSN program features two tracks of study. Your track of study is determined using your original transcripts from your previously completed nursing program.
- If you have 50 transfer credits from your prior degree/diploma, you will complete the standard track.
- If you have 90 transfer credits from your prior degree/diploma, you will complete the advanced start track.
Sample Courses
- Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing
- Transcultural Nursing
- Holistic Professional Nursing Practice
- Primary Care in the Ambulatory Setting
- Case Management
- Faith Community Nursing
Advanced Start
- Prior Degree Credits90
- Core Credits30
- Major Credits41
- Elective Credits19
- Total Credits180
Standard
- Prior Degree Credits50
- Core Credits45
- Major Credits41
- Elective Credits44
- Total Credits180
Choosing a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
Accelerate your nursing career and achieve the BSN credential. Find additional tools and resources on pursuing a bachelor’s in nursing.
Expand your education in a flexible environment. See how pursuing an online BSN could increase your earning potential and advance your career.
If you’re considering enrolling in an online nursing program at Purdue Global, this article explains how our programs work and what you need to know.
Advance Your Career With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports employment of registered nurses in the U.S. is expected to grow faster than the average rate of all professions from 2020 to 2030. In fact, registered nurse is one of the top 6 occupations expected to add the most new jobs during this time period. Nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing are expected to have increased opportunities.‡
A BSN-prepared nurse could pursue roles in areas such as community education and public health, nursing case management, nursing management and leadership, implementation of evidence-based practice, patient care coordination, nonhospital employment opportunities, and health care administration.
Top 5 Skills Employers Are Looking for:
- Active Listening
- Service Orientation
- Speaking
- Coordination
- Social Perceptiveness
Top Jobs With This Degree
Labor market, salary, and projected growth information are supplied by Emsi. Average salary range is based on national data. Projected growth represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2018–2030) at the state level and is based on your geographic location. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment. Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement. Additional certification or licensing may be required to work in certain fields.
Get to Know Our Faculty
Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.
View Nursing Faculty Directory
98%
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
51%
Faculty members who hold a doctorate
395
Faculty publications in 2021–2022
More Than 38,000
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2021–2022
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2022. 2021–2022 academic year.
Take 3 Weeks to Get to Know Us
Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Experience a Purdue Global undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week period.
There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply.
That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.
Program Brochure
Download our brochure to learn more about our Bachelor of Science in Nursing Online Program and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.
NOTES AND CONDITIONS
*Completion Time: Completion time based on a full-time student with a prior associate’s degree. Programs will take longer for part-time students, students who take leaves of absence or drop and return, and students with a prior diploma/certificate vs. an associate's degree to complete. The number of required credits may vary depending on individual state education requirements, which could affect how long it will take to complete the program. Fifty percent of 2021–2022 graduates completed the program in 18 months or less (Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, March 2023).
†The Magnet Recognition Program® is a registered trademark of the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Students are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. The University cannot guarantee students will be eligible to sit for or pass exams. In some cases, work experience, additional coursework beyond the Purdue Global program, fieldwork, and/or background checks may be necessary to be eligible to take or to successfully pass the exams.
‡Job Growth for RNs: Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm; and Most New Jobs, www.bls.gov/ooh/most-new-jobs.htm. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.
§Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing—RN-to-BSN will pay a $350 clinical fee per course for NU497 and NU498 or NU497M1 and NU498M1.
#Purdue Global does not guarantee transferability of credit. See the University Catalog for the Prior Learning policy.