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.
Program requirements
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
- 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.
application
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)
- 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).
Curriculum
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
RN to BSN Curriculum
Program Costs
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 and Core faculty
Program Director:
Sheila Price, MS, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE
Core Faculty:
Susan Hester, DNP, RN, CPN
Summer Huntley-Dale, PhD, FNP-C
Sharon Elizabeth Metcalfe, Ed.D, MSN, RN, CNE
Francine Sheppard, PhD, RN, CNE
Megan Woody, DNP, RN
Information Sessions
RN to BSN Information Sessions will be offered each month. Sessions will be offered
virtually. To reserve your seat and or/ receive the Zoom Link, please sign-up in the
link below. There will be a brief presentation followed by a Q&A session.
Session Dates:
Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 at 6:30pm
Monday, October 5th, 2020 at 6:30pm
Wednesday, November 4th, 2020 at 6:30pm
Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 at 6:30pm
SIGN-UP HERE
