Online RN to BSN Program
Having a BSN enhances your RN knowledge and competencies needed for the ever-changing healthcare environment. Now more than ever, nurses prepared at the baccalaureate and master’s level are in great demand by healthcare employers. Our faculty is invested in nurturing students as they prepare for their roles as they prepare to advance their career. Western Carolina University's School of Nursing is approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Earn Your BSN in 4 Semesters
Our 100 percent online RN to BSN program allows registered nurses (RNs) to build upon their basic nursing education, broaden their perspective of current clinical practice, enhance their leadership potential, and prepare for graduate study in nursing by earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) in only 4 semesters.
Learn While You Work
100 percent of classwork is online. The easy access to coursework and classes allows you to complete your BSN and work simultaneousy. As part of NC Promise in-state students pay reduced tuition and can complete their degree for approximately $3,500 (including textbooks).
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to apply principles of therapeutic communication with individuals and communicate professionally both orally and in written form, use elements and standards of reasoning within the nursing process, collaborate in a goal-directed manner when performing nursing care and working with other healthcare providers, recognize the need to incorporate professional nursing values, and access data and information from print, electronic, and other sources.
RN to BSN Information Sessions will be offered virtually the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM EST. Sessions will be hosted by School of Nursing faculty and staff who will give a brief presentation followed by a Q&A session. Prospective students can access these sessions by logging into Zoom 5-10 minutes prior to the meeting time.
Each session typically runs 45-60 minutes long. While transcript evaluations will not take place during these sessions information will be provided to assist applicants in reviewing their prior coursework.
Students are admitted twice a year and can begin the program in either January or August. Before applying to the program students must have completed the following:
- Admission to WCU's Distance Learning program (prior to completing the RN to BSN program application)
- A current, unrestricted Registered Nursing License or pass the NCLEX prior to starting the program
- A minimum cummulative 2.5 GPA
- Completion of 60 non-nursing credit hours
- Completion or waiver of WCU's Liberal Studies requirements
- Completion of the prerequisite courses identified in the checklists below (Note: there
are 2 paths available)
Prerequisite Checklists:
- Prerequisite requirements for students that began their ADN before fall 2015 or completed it through a school outside of North Carolina.
- Prerequisite requirements for students that began their ADN during or after fall 2015 and followed the block plan outlined in the UNC/NCCC Articulation Agreement. If the student or college did not follow this articulation plan students should follow the requirement list from item 1 above.
Transfer Credits:
To see what courses will transfer into the University to meet the prerequisite requirements you will need to complete the Distance Learning Application. The application will require all official transcripts and official test scores (AP, CLEP, DANTES, etc.) to be sent to the Undergraduate Admissions Office for processing.
You may also uilize the Credits Earned Elsewhere page to see how courses taken outside of Western Carolina University will transfer into WCU.
Applicants will submit two seperate applications, one to the University for general
acceptance and then a second to the RN to BSN Program. Below are the deadlines for
Spring and Fall starts.
1. Complete the University's Distance Learning Application by August 20th (spring) or February 25th (fall) -- Due to the Application migration to Slate the University application remains down.
Please email distance@wcu.edu with your intention to apply and they will send you a link as soon as it opens. We
are also updating the timeline on the application process to reflect the delay in
application.
- Acceptance into the University must occur prior to submiting your RN to BSN program application (step #2)
- Evaluation of transfer coursework will take place once you have been accepted into the University
- The University application fee is not refundable. If applicants are determined to have unmet prerequisites they are able to defer their University admission for up to three semesters.
2. Complete the online RN to BSN Program Application by September 10th (spring) and March 15th (fall). Applicants should note that admission review and decisions will take place after the deadline, and decisions usually go in about a month following the deadline.
If you want to confirm receival of your program application, please contact distance@wcu.edu.
Students will complete the following on a part-time basis in only 4 continuous semesters:
- 24 hours of online core WCU RN to BSN courses
- 6 hours of upper-division online WCU electives
Total: 30 hours
The estimated cost of attendance for the program for in-state residents is only $3,500.
Cost breakdown for both in and out of state students.
For tuition purposes, please use this link to determine if you are considered a North Carolina Resident: http://residency.wcu.edu/
Program Director:
Sheila Price, MS, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE
Core Faculty:
Susan Hester, DNP, RN, CPN
Summer Huntley-Dale, PhD, FNP-C
Francine Sheppard, PhD, RN, CNE
Megan Woody, DNP, RN
