About App State’s Online RN to BSN Program

App State Online’s Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program offers working RNs the potential to advance their careers and meet the rising needs of the modern health care industry flexibly and affordably.

Designed for the busy lives of health care professionals, our RN to BSN degree empowers RNs holding an Associate Degree in Nursing (A.D.N.) or Diploma in Nursing to complete 100 percent of their coursework online in just one to three years.

With three format options, clinical experiences and a curriculum focused on evidence-based practice, App State Online's RN to BSN degree program is ideal for RNs seeking higher-paying positions and the skills to make a difference in a growing field.

Flexible Program Options

Online RN to BSN students complete lessons in an asynchronous format with a total of 30 semester hours of coursework.

Select the format that works best for you:

• One-year RN to BSN option: Complete an average of 15–20 hours per week of coursework in three semesters.
• Two-year RN to BSN option: Complete an average of 8–10 hours per week of coursework in six semesters.
• Three-year RN to BSN option: Complete an average of 5–8 hours per week of coursework in eight semesters.

Review the one-, two- and three-year curriculum schedule outlined under Program Information.

Curriculum

Program requirements for the online RN to BSN include coursework and clinical hours involving class projects and research. Under the mentorship of experienced faculty dedicated to helping nurses find success, you’ll take courses such as: 

• Nursing Informatics
• Nursing Care of Older Adults
• Health Assessment
• Nursing Research

Through collaborative online learning technology, you’ll learn how to serve diverse communities, leadership and management practices and how to research and apply various concepts in professional nursing settings. You’ll develop your analytical and independent thinking, enhancing your decision-making skills in the workplace.

Admission Requirements

To enter the online RN to BSN program, you must be admitted to App State as a transfer student. 

Admission requirements include the following criteria:

• An A.D.N., an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution or a Diploma in Nursing from a regionally accredited hospital nursing program
• A current, unrestricted and unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license to practice nursing in North Carolina or a compact state
• A cumulative GPA of 2.5 calculated over all college coursework (cumulative GPA as calculated by the Department of Nursing)
• 60 hours of lower-division transferable coursework (including Nursing Core and Nursing Cognate coursework) and 30 hours of major nursing courses

Your previous coursework can contribute to your BSN program credits. Visit our transfer equivalency course search to see how your previous education can fulfill App State’s requirements.

If you are still working to finish these prerequisites and will complete them by the time the program starts, App State will review your application for conditional admission to reserve your spot.

Want to know if you are ready to apply? Self-evaluate your background using the Program Entry Requirements Evaluation guide.

Online RN to BSN Career Outcomes

According to the Journal of Nursing Regulation, the number of active RN licenses in the United States totals over four million. Of the number of registered nurses, 65.2% are trained at the baccalaureate level or higher, reports the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

When you earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing, the content you learn strengthens and expands your foundation of knowledge, opens doors to new career opportunities and empowers you to make an impact in the health community you serve.

Learn more about your future career as a BSN-holding nurse.

Pathway to Professional Licensure

App State programs that lead to a professional licensure or certificate are intended to prepare students for licensure or certification in North Carolina.  Check the Professional Licensure webpage for information on licensure requirements in other states.

For compliance information, review the RN to BSN handbook.

Scholarship Support for BSN Students in Western NC

Thanks to Dogwood Health Trust, online RN to BSN students residing in select Western North Carolina counties and the Qualla Boundary have an exciting opportunity for funding. Contact the Department of Nursing to learn more about the eligibility and requirements of this tuition award donated by Dogwood Health Trust.

Learn More About App State Online’s RN to BSN Degree Program

If you’re a registered nurse interested in an affordable and flexible pathway to a bachelor’s degree, attend an App State Online Information Session. 

Apply to the Online RN to BSN Program at App State

App State’s online RN to BSN degree program builds on your skills and experience, providing the content and clinical practice you need to excel as a multifaceted, bachelor’s degree–holding nurse.

Advance your nursing career at your own pace.