How to Choose an RN to BSN Completion Program

"I had three job offers before graduation," Nancy, an RN from Wisconsin, says. "After working for six years with only an Associate's degree under my belt, I was amazed at how many more opportunities having my BSN degree gave me."

An RN to BSN completion program will prepare you for a professional career as a registered nurse in a hospital, clinic or research facility. However, not all RN to BSN programs are created alike. Most programs will include coursework in nursing science, natural and behavioral sciences, management, leadership, and liberal arts. The academic focus is typically on creating and enhancing your communication and critical thinking skills and providing you with good problem-solving techniques. But does each program offer identical coursework and approach the teaching of nursing skills in the same way?

Of course not! Certain RN to BSN programs have a stronger liberal arts foundation while others might offer more classes in math and science. Some programs have a more hands-on approach while others are structured around seminars and lectures. And you can be sure that the application requirements for different programs will have variations.

With all the options available to you in an RN to BSN Completion program, how do you choose the right one for you? The first thing to be aware of is that the highest-rated program, the most expensive program, or the program that all your friends are choosing is not necessarily the right program for you!

"I met my two best buds while I was getting my Associate's degree," says John, a critical care RN from Alaska. "We all wanted to get our BSN degree, and we just assumed we'd go to the same school."

However, John and his friends found that they had very different career goals and family situations. One RN got his BSN degree from a traditional brick-and-mortar college that took 3 years to complete and required him to work only part-time while in school in order to accomodate class and clinical schedules. Another chose an online institution that prides itself on its interactive teaching style, and John picked an online RN to BS in nursing program that allowed him to transfer the highest number of previously earned credits.

Apart from course content, class scheduling, and entrance requirements, you should evaluate each RN to BSN Completion program through the lens of your future career. Will this program help make you attractive to future employers? Will it position you as an RN who's mastered necessary skills and can handle shared responsibility, complex situations, and challenging interpersonal communication?

Make sure you talk to graduates of the programs you're interested in. Ideally, you'll meet someone who's followed a career path similar to your desired one. This can help you evaluate whether or not the program is a good match for your goals.

"I had already picked a well-known program at a prestigious university," says Carla, a geriatrics RN. "But then I ran into two nurses who had graduated from a different program and were basically doing exactly what I wanted to be doing...they talked about how well their program had prepared them for understanding family dynamics, analyzing patient outcomes and working on a team...I ended up switching programs because I was so impressed with their confidence."

After speaking to graduates of various programs and comparing the entrance requirements and coursework, you'll probably find that you can rely on your gut to tell you which program is the best match for you. If you're still unsure, use this handy questionnaire to evaluate the programs you're comparing:

- What specific methods does the program use to teach you to assess individual patient needs and create patient care plans?

- How much and what kind of research does the program require you to do?

- Will you be trained to evaluate your own leadership potential and learn how to become a strong leader in health care? Is leadership training woven into all your coursework or do you take specific classes in this subject?

- How will you study community health and disease prevention? What populations does the coursework focus on?

There is no right or wrong answer to these questions, but the answers should help you get a better sense of the nuances of different programs and appreciate what makes each one special.

Are you ready to take the next step? You already know the benefits of an RN to BSN Completion program, and by now you should have a better understanding of how to choose the best program for you. Get started today by gathering information on various programs. You could be graduating with a BSN degree in a year or less-prepared for the next challenges and opportunities of your nursing career.

Find The RN to BSNProgram That's Right For You

Diploma, ADN RNs, and Foreign trained RNs -earn your BSN degree in as little as 12 months and start enjoying better earnings, increased responsibility and authority, more job options, and far more opportunities for career advancement.Explore our featured nursing schools, learn more about each RN to BSN program, and request free, no obligation information from schools with programs that match your needs:

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Search Campus Based Nursing Schools By State

Nebraska Methodist College

Online

Advance your nursing career online with Nebraska Methodist College. Our online programs include Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing, and Master of Science in Nursing.

Programs:

• RN to BSN
• MSN Executive
• RN to MSN Executive

Kaplan University

Campus

Advance your career and get the distinct competitive advantage you need with an online degree from Kaplan University. And do it without missing a day of work.

Programs:

• RN to BS in Nursing
• MS in Nursing
• RN to MS in Nursing

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

University of Phoenix

Campus

As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.

Programs:

• RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner
• BS in Nursing (RN Required)

Campus Locations:

Online
Phoenix
Costa Mesa
Tucson
Sacramento
Los Angeles
Ontario
Pasadena
Saint Paul
Houston
Roseville
Saint Louis
San Diego
Irving
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Tampa
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Fairfax
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Plantation
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Sarasota
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Temple Terrace
Fort Lauderdale
Hurst
Daytona Beach
Miami
Lathrop
Beachwood
Killeen
Orlando
Littleton
Mesa
Westlake
St Louis Park
Lancaster
Manassas
Sugar Land
Independence
Henderson
Portage
Palm Desert

Liberty University

Campus

We keep our tuition affordable because it is an integral part of the overall mission for our university. The vision of our Chancellor, Jerry Falwell Jr., is to keep Liberty's Distance Learning Program affordable so as many individuals as possible can experience a Christ-centered education and become equipped for excellence, professionally as well as spiritually.

Programs:

• BS in Nursing (RN to BSN)

Campus Locations:

Lynchburg

South University Online

Campus

South University enjoys a long-standing tradition of excellence in education and personalized student attention. Enjoy the convenience of earning your bachelor's degree entirely online.

Programs:

• Nursing (BSN)

Campus Locations:

Savannah

Fortis Institute

Campus

Looking to prepare for your dream career? Fortis Institute can give you the skills and training you need to succeed in the fast-growing and high-demand healthcare field. * Programs vary by location * Please contact each individual campus for accreditation information * Fortis Institute - Indianapolis advertising code is AC-0163.

Programs:

• Accelerated BSN
• PN RN Associate Degree Bridge Program
• Associate Degree in Nursing

Campus Locations:

Miami
Largo
Nashville
Cincinnati
Indianapolis
Richmond
Pensacola
Salt Lake City
Westerville
Cuyahoga Falls
Dayton
Scranton
Ravenna
Tampa
Phoenix
Birmingham
Erie
Smyrna

Chamberlain College of Nursing

Campus

Take the first step toward advancing your nursing career. Chamberlain College of Nursing offers a highly respected degree coupled with clinical learning experience in your local area.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

Campus Locations:

Addison

West Coast University

Campus

Achieve your educational and professional goals with help from West Coast University. We offer accelerated Health Care Administration degrees designed for working adults like you.

Programs:

• Bachelor Degree in Nursing (RN to BSN)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree program

Campus Locations:

Ontario
Anaheim
Los Angeles
Dallas

Colorado Christian University

Campus

With a heritage dating back to 1914, Colorado Christian University is committed to offering a complete education that develops students intellectually, professionally, and spiritually. As the only member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities located in the mainline Rocky Mountains region, and just a few minutes from downtown Denver, CCU is uniquely positioned to offer students a distinctive variety of educational opportunities and experiences. CCU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and offers both undergraduate and graduate programs designed to equip students to become leaders in their careers, communities, families, and in the world. CCU students are enrolled at the main campus near Denver and at satellite locations throughout Colorado.

Programs:

• RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Nursing: B.S. Nursing (BSN)

Campus Locations:

Sterling
Grand Junction
Denver
Colorado Springs
Englewood

University of Maine- Fort Kent

Campus

Get your career on track with University of Maine-Fort Kent. We offer associate and bachelor's degree programs in a wide variety of career fields.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

Campus Locations:

Fort Kent

American Sentinel University Online

Online

Advance your career with the right online degree. ACCIS offers self-paced, real-world programs in Computer Science, Information Systems, Management Information Systems, and Business Administration.

Programs:

• RN to BS Nursing
• RN to MS Nursing
• MS Nursing - Case Management

Saint Peter's College

Online

Saint Peter's College has prepared its students for academic excellence and professional success for over one hundred years. Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to providing each student with the opportunity for educational and spiritual enrichment. That same commitment to individual support is now available to learners everywhere via the new online degree programs offered by the College.

Programs:

• RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The College of St. Scholastica

Campus

Give your career a boost with College of St. Scholastica. We offer an online/on-campus master's in information technology leadership program and an online RN to BSN program.

Programs:

• RN to BSN Degree Completion Program (Online)

Campus Locations:

Duluth

South University - Campus

Campus

With over 100 years of educational excellence, South University can give you the outstanding instruction and personalized attention you need to prepare for the real world. We offer a variety of degree programs which can be earned online or at one of our five campus locations. Options include Business Administration, Information Technology, Nursing, Criminal Justice, and more.

Programs:

• Nursing (RN-BSN)
• Nursing (RN-MSN)
• Nurse Educator (MS)

Campus Locations:

Cleveland
Virginia Beach
Tampa
Savannah
Montgomery
Columbia
West Palm Beach
Glen Allen

Olivet Nazarene University - Graduate and Continuing Studies

Campus

Advance your career with Olivet Nazarene University - Graduate and Continuing Studies. We offer continuing education certificates and master's degrees in history, counseling, religion, business, education, and nursing, plus a Doctorate of Education in Ethical Leadership.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Master of Science in Nursing
• Certification - Family Nurse Practitioner

Campus Locations:

Bourbonnais