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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.
Overview
Learn more about the RN to BSN online program
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
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.
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.
Need More Information?
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:
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN to BSN | $311 | $933 | $9,952 |
Additional costs will apply for students who need to complete general education courses unless the applicant has completed and successfully transfers these credits earned from an Associate degree program. A total of 120 credit hours—32 nursing program credits plus an additional 88 credits (including general education credits)—is required to complete the RN to BS in Nursing online degree.
Visit the student accounts website for a breakdown of tuition and fees.
Tuition breakdown:
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:
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Intent to Enroll Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring A | 1/15/25 | 12/17/24 | 12/27/24 | 1/3/25 | 1/6/25 | 1/7/25 |
| Spring B | 3/17/25 | 2/17/25 | 2/28/25 | 3/7/25 | 3/10/25 | 3/11/25 |
| Summer A | 5/19/25 | 4/21/25 | 5/2/25 | 5/9/25 | 5/12/25 | 5/13/25 |
| Fall A | 9/4/25 | 8/5/25 | 8/15/25 | 8/25/25 | 8/26/25 | |
| Fall B | 10/29/25 | 9/29/25 | 10/10/25 | 10/20/25 | 10/21/25 |
Now enrolling:
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:
- World Education Services
- course-by-course ICAP
- Education Credential Evaluators (ECE) - course-by-course
- SpanTran - course analysis
- SpanTran has created a custom application for Fitchburg State University that will ensure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. You can access their application here: SpanTran Pathway - Fitchburg State University
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.
