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.
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.
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).
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:
Prerequisite Checklists:
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)
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.
The fall 2021 application has closed. The spring 2022 application will open by May.
Students will complete the following on a part-time basis in only 4 continuous semesters:
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