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Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Online

Prepare for leading roles or graduate education in nursing with the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing online program.

Apply by: 4/22/24
Start Class: 5/20/24

Overview

Learn more about the RN to BSN online program

$9,952 Total Tuition
As few as 12 months* Duration
32 Credit Hours

Fitchburg State’s CCNE-accredited RN to BS in Nursing program is designed to prepare professional nurses to meet societal healthcare needs in a variety of settings. It also provides a foundation of legal, ethical, and professional standards that will instill respect for diversity and social responsibility, along with a commitment to excellence in holistic nursing practice.

Our relevant and evidence-based nursing curriculum includes an emphasis on social justice and advocacy as well as an introduction to caring for forensic populations. This RN to BSN program is delivered in an accelerated online format to meet the needs of working nurses.

An RN license is required for admission.

This program prepares you for advanced nursing opportunities such as:

  • Public Health Nurse
  • Care Coordinator or Navigator
  • Case Manager
  • School Nurse
  • Health Educator
  • Charge Nurse
  • Public Health Nurse
  • Care Coordinator or Navigator
  • Case Manager
  • School Nurse
  • Health Educator
  • Charge Nurse

Student learning outcomes:

  • Synthesize knowledge from the liberal arts, sciences, and nursing as a foundation for safe, client-centered care
  • Incorporate basic organizational and systems leadership to provide quality care and patient safety
  • Apply evidence-based practice, including current research and critical thinking in the management of client care
  • Analyze information using information technology to improve patient outcomes
  • Examine the impact of healthcare policy, finance, and regulatory environments on nursing practice
  • Integrate principles of communication in professional practice
  • Use knowledge of health promotion and disease/injury prevention in designing population-focused care
  • Integrate professional standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct into nursing practice
  • Synthesize knowledge from the liberal arts, sciences, and nursing as a foundation for safe, client-centered care
  • Incorporate basic organizational and systems leadership to provide quality care and patient safety
  • Apply evidence-based practice, including current research and critical thinking in the management of client care
  • Analyze information using information technology to improve patient outcomes
  • Examine the impact of healthcare policy, finance, and regulatory environments on nursing practice
  • Integrate principles of communication in professional practice
  • Use knowledge of health promotion and disease/injury prevention in designing population-focused care
  • Integrate professional standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct into nursing practice

This program prepares you for advanced nursing opportunities such as:

  • Public Health Nurse
  • Care Coordinator or Navigator
  • Case Manager
  • School Nurse
  • Health Educator
  • Charge Nurse
  • Public Health Nurse
  • Care Coordinator or Navigator
  • Case Manager
  • School Nurse
  • Health Educator
  • Charge Nurse

Accreditation

CCNE accredited logo

The baccalaureate degree in nursing and master's degree in nursing at Fitchburg State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Why should you earn your RN to BS in Nursing?

RN to BSN programs provide a bridge for diploma and ADN-prepared nurses who wish to develop stronger clinical reasoning and analytical skills to advance their careers. These programs build on initial nursing preparation with coursework to enhance professional development, prepare for a broader scope of practice, and provide a better understanding of the cultural, political, economic, and social issues that affect patients and influence care delivery.

Nursing programs are growing in importance since many professional practice settings, including academic health centers and MAGNET® hospitals, now require or prefer a baccalaureate degree for specific nursing roles. Enrollment in RN to BSN programs has been increasing for 13 consecutive years, which suggests that they will continue to be in high demand.

*Students who need only the nursing program courses and carry two courses per 7-week session could finish in as few as 12 months. Completion time will be longer for students who need additional credits and/or who take one course per 7-week session.

RN to BSN programs provide a bridge for diploma and ADN-prepared nurses who wish to develop stronger clinical reasoning and analytical skills to advance their careers. These programs build on initial nursing preparation with coursework to enhance professional development, prepare for a broader scope of practice, and provide a better understanding of the cultural, political, economic, and social issues that affect patients and influence care delivery.

Nursing programs are growing in importance since many professional practice settings, including academic health centers and MAGNET® hospitals, now require or prefer a baccalaureate degree for specific nursing roles. Enrollment in RN to BSN programs has been increasing for 13 consecutive years, which suggests that they will continue to be in high demand.

*Students who need only the nursing program courses and carry two courses per 7-week session could finish in as few as 12 months. Completion time will be longer for students who need additional credits and/or who take one course per 7-week session.

Why should you earn your RN to BS in Nursing?

RN to BSN programs provide a bridge for diploma and ADN-prepared nurses who wish to develop stronger clinical reasoning and analytical skills to advance their careers. These programs build on initial nursing preparation with coursework to enhance professional development, prepare for a broader scope of practice, and provide a better understanding of the cultural, political, economic, and social issues that affect patients and influence care delivery.

Nursing programs are growing in importance since many professional practice settings, including academic health centers and MAGNET® hospitals, now require or prefer a baccalaureate degree for specific nursing roles. Enrollment in RN to BSN programs has been increasing for 13 consecutive years, which suggests that they will continue to be in high demand.

*Students who need only the nursing program courses and carry two courses per 7-week session could finish in as few as 12 months. Completion time will be longer for students who need additional credits and/or who take one course per 7-week session.

RN to BSN programs provide a bridge for diploma and ADN-prepared nurses who wish to develop stronger clinical reasoning and analytical skills to advance their careers. These programs build on initial nursing preparation with coursework to enhance professional development, prepare for a broader scope of practice, and provide a better understanding of the cultural, political, economic, and social issues that affect patients and influence care delivery.

Nursing programs are growing in importance since many professional practice settings, including academic health centers and MAGNET® hospitals, now require or prefer a baccalaureate degree for specific nursing roles. Enrollment in RN to BSN programs has been increasing for 13 consecutive years, which suggests that they will continue to be in high demand.

*Students who need only the nursing program courses and carry two courses per 7-week session could finish in as few as 12 months. Completion time will be longer for students who need additional credits and/or who take one course per 7-week session.

$9,952 Total Tuition
As few as 12 months* Duration
32 Credit Hours
Edumed online degree programs logo

Ranked #1

Fitchburg State recently ranked #1 for "Best Online Programs in Nursing in Massachusetts" by EduMed.org for the RN to BS in Nursing degree.

Get ahead of the curve with an RN to BS in Nursing online from Fitchburg State.

Discover how you can open doors with an RN to BS in Nursing online from Fitchburg State.

Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 844-351-9393

Call 844-351-9393

Tuition

Discover the value of our low-cost tuition

Our RN to BS in Nursing online program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included.

Tuition breakdown:

$9,952 Total Tuition
$311 Per credit hour

Tuition breakdown:

$9,952 Total Tuition
$311 Per credit hour

Calendar

When to apply, when classes start, when tuition is due

Fitchburg State online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.

Now enrolling:

4/22/24 Apply Date
5/20/24 Class Starts
SessionProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineIntent to Enroll DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment Deadline
Spring B3/18/242/19/242/27/243/4/243/11/243/12/24
Summer A5/20/244/22/244/30/245/6/245/13/245/14/24
Fall A9/5/248/6/248/16/248/26/248/27/24
Fall B10/29/249/30/2410/11/2410/21/2410/22/24

Now enrolling:

4/22/24 Apply Date
5/20/24 Class Starts

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?

Admissions

Follow our streamlined admission requirements

The admission process is the first step toward earning your online degree. Familiarize yourself with these requirements for the RN to BS in Nursing online program along with information on required documentation. You can also read our Nursing Student Handbook for more information about the curriculum, academic policies, and department of nursing.

Admissions Requirements:

  • Valid nursing license in good standing
  • Minimum 2.5 GPA on prior coursework
  • Statement of purpose

You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for admission.

  • Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended*
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 in prior coursework
  • Valid nursing license in good standing
  • Essay (300 word minimum)**

International Students:

  • Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended*
  • An English proficiency test is required for natives of non-English speaking countries (see testing options below)
  • International Credential Evaluation for degrees and coursework taken outside of the United States
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 in prior coursework
  • Essay (300 word minimum)

*All foreign transcripts must be formally evaluated before we are able to make an admission decision. We accept evaluations and the respective type of evaluation from one of the following credentialing agencies:

English Language Proficiency - Applicants can demonstrate English proficiency by submitting official test scores from one of the following approved exams:

  • TOEFL - minimum score requires TOEFL iBT 79, paper based-TOEFL 550
  • IEFLTS - minimum score required 6.5 overall band score
  • Duolingo English Test - minimum score required 105
  • PTE Academic Test - minimum score required 58

U.S. citizens with foreign education (from a non-English speaking country) will need to follow the international admission requirements (English proficiency testing excluded). Students in the U.S. on an F-1 student visa are not eligible for the program. I-20s are not issued for online programs.

TOEFL Code: 3518

IELTS Code: No code; please select Fitchburg State as a recipient.

Courses

The topics you'll study in our online RN to BSN classes

For the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing online program, the curriculum is comprised of 10 courses covering 32 credit hours, including 24 hours of nursing core courses and two clinical practicum courses. Additional courses may be required to fulfill general education requirements for your Bachelor’s degree, if you have not yet completed and successfully transferred those credits from an Associate program.

For the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing online program, the curriculum is comprised of 10 courses covering 32 credit hours, including 24 hours of nursing core courses and two clinical practicum courses. The nursing program course list follows below. Additional courses may be required to fulfill general education requirements for the Bachelor’s degree, if the student has not yet completed and successfully transferred those credits from an Associate program.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course sets the groundwork for transition of the RN to baccalaureate education and professional nursing practice. Leadership, management and issues influencing nursing education and practice are emphasized. The course provides the RN with the foundation on which to build nursing expertise inherent in successful transition to the role of the baccalaureate-prepared nurse. Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1200, BIOL 1300, BIOL 2700, PSY 1100, PSY 1200, SOC 1100.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides a foundation for nursing assessment of the adult client. Interviewing techniques, health history taking, physical assessment and critical-thinking skills are developed. Normal findings and deviations from normal are explored. Changes related to age are discussed.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course introduces the application of evidence-based practice in the nursing profession. It also examines the research process and how it is incorporated with clinical judgment and patient preferences to develop safe, quality patient outcomes.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 4
This course focuses on systems’ concepts as a basis for applying the nursing care of vulnerable populations, including the homeless, people of poverty, minority populations, women and children, and older adults. Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention are used when applying the nursing process in a variety of distributive care settings. A clinical practice experience allows students to apply practice to theory.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In this course, students will be encouraged to think critically and expansively about the social world, social justice, and how they apply to healthcare. A foundational exploration of the nurse’s role related to social justice concepts, issues and policy remedies will be presented. The role of the nurse as advocate for vulnerable populations to promote social justice will be examined.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides the basics in the application of the concepts of genetics and genomics in nursing practice. Principles of epigenetics and pharmacogenomics, and their implication for nursing practice, will be examined. The social, legal and ethical aspects of genetics and genomics testing application and its role in health maintenance and disease prevention will be explored. Students will appreciate the role of the professional nurse in recognizing and examining their own beliefs and values, knowledge of genetics referral services and resources, genetic counseling, follow-up and evaluation of these services.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides students with an understanding of health care financing, economics, politics and policies. The student will develop a solid understanding of the broader context of health care, including how patient care services are organized and financed and how reimbursement is structured.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Culturally competent healthcare is required for professional nursing practice. Culture extends beyond traditional boundaries of race and ethnicity to other marginalized populations, including subcultures within society. This course will explore challenges to providing competent care in professional nursing practice—such as those generated by language, race, ethnicity, health beliefs and practices, sexual orientation, and subculture affiliation. Additionally, specific barriers to culturally competent care, including biases and stereotypes, will be challenged in this course.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Violence occurring in the home, community and healthcare institutions has a negative effect on client health and on providers of care. Preventing and reducing the consequences of violence is an integral component of professional nursing practice. Early identification and intervention with potential and actual victims and perpetrators of violence can reduce negative health outcomes. This course explores the individual, sociocultural, environmental and systemic factors related to violence and trauma. Necessary professional forensic nursing competencies and roles will be explored. Students will learn specific forensic health assessment, violence prevention and intervention strategies.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 4
This capstone course provides students the opportunity to examine nursing trends in their practicum placement to gain insight into their clinical practice. Through weekly discussion and written reflection, students engage in critical thinking necessary for practice.

Course rotation:

View Course Rotation

Find out how we set you up for success from your very first course and empower your transition to baccalaureate nursing.

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