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.
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.
Reduced Tuition Through NC Promise: Use Your Advantage
At WCU, tuition for all undergraduate students has been reduced to $500 per fall and spring semesters for in-state students and $2,500 for out-of-state students. This is made possible through the State of North Carolina's NC Promise program.
Virtual RN to BSN Information Sessions are offered via Zoom each month at 7:30 PM EST. Sessions are hosted by School of Nursing faculty and staff who will give a brief presentation followed by a Q&A period.
Upcoming dates:
June 13, 2023
July 11, 2023
August 8, 2023
September 12, 2023
October 10, 2023
November 14, 2023
December 12, 2023
Register for an upcoming information Session.
Once you have registered, please log into Zoom and join your session 5-10 minutes before the 7:30pm start 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 separate 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 or February 25th (fall) -- Please note, you will need your 920#(student ID number) before step #2. Your
reference number is NOT your ID number, and cannot be used for this.
- 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 and have submitted all official transcripts (these are not something you upload to your portal, instead they need to be mailed or emailed directly from the schools you previously attended.
- 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 (Spring 2024). The Application for fall 2024 will open November 1, 2023. Applications are due by September 15th (spring) and March 15th (fall). Please read the application carefully, incomplete applications will not be reviewed!
- 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 that we have received your program application, please contact distance@wcu.edu.
Students will complete the following on a part-time basis in only 4 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 $2,800.
Cost breakdown for in-state residents.
For tuition purposes, please use this link to determine if you are considered a North Carolina Resident: residency.wcu.edu
Interim Program Director:
Ramona Whichello, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Core Faculty:
Kia Countess, DNP, RN, CNE
Susan Hester, DNP, RN, CPN
Summer Huntley-Dale, PhD, FNP-C
Sheila Price, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE
Tamra Shea, PhD, MSN, RN
Francine Sheppard, PhD, RN, CNE
Megan Woody, DNP, RN
