Nursing

smiling female nurse with stethoscope in medical hallway

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Bachelor's Degree

Next Start Dates
May 08, 2024
July 01, 2024

CCNE accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education1

93% of our BSN students in Minnesota passed the NCLEX-RN® in 20237

85.7% of our BSN students in Florida passed the NCLEX-RN® in 20238

Pursue a BSN Degree Designed for Every Nursing Student

You have the passion to pursue nursing—as a national leader in nursing education, we’ll give you the support to earn your BSN degree. In your online and on-campus Nursing courses, you’ll work alongside experienced faculty and motivated peers with the same goal: a faster timeline to becoming a registered nurse (RN) with a BSN degree.

ccne-coloredNo matter where you’re starting, our CCNE-accredited1 BSN program is designed to help every nurse at every level. Choose your entry track:

  • BSN Standard Degree: students who haven’t yet earned a nursing diploma or degree and finish in as few as 33 months2
    • LPN to RN Bridge: licensed practical nurses (LPNs) can save time and money earning their BSN degree in as few as 18 months2
  • Accelerated BSN Second Degree: students who already hold a Bachelor’s degree can switch to nursing and finish in as few as 18 months2
  • RN to BSN Program: registered nurses interested in earning their online BSN degree in as few as 12–18 months2

With eight start dates a year, you can get started soon on your Bachelor’s degree. Once you’ve successfully completed your admissions requirements, you’re admitted directly into the BSN program—there is no need to apply twice.

Learn More at a Nursing Information Session

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On This Page:

What Types of Nursing Classes Will I Take?

In the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, you’ll take online and on-campus courses, as well as participate in on-site clinicals. As a BSN student, you’ll collaborate with experienced nursing faculty and other BSN students in state-of-the-art simulation centers and updated labs. Prepare for the NCLEX-RN®3 exam and be on your way to becoming a confident RN.

  • Professional Nursing Skills II
    • Discover higher-level nursing skills for diverse patients across the lifespan
    • Learn to care for patients with respiratory, gastrointestinal, hematological and fluid balance disorders
    • Practice skills during an on-campus, supervised lab setting, including newborn and pediatric nursing care
  • Integration of Genetics and Genomics into Ethical Nursing Practice
    • Study multidimensional components of genetics and genomics in nursing practice
    • Examine influences of legal and governmental policies on ethical advocacy for at-risk patients and populations
    • Design evidence-based plan for care inclusive of findings from a focused genetic and genomic assessment
  • Emerging Healthcare Technologies and Innovation
    • Compare strategies to integrate principles of quality and safety with innovative patient care technology
    • Explore the numerous roles of the nurse informaticist, including social, legal and ethical components
    • Use technology to inform data-driven decisions and integrate into healthcare based on technology life cycle
  • Transition to Practice
    • Integrate components of nursing leadership to promote quality improvement and safety
    • Collaborate within professional nursing teams to design innovative solutions
    • Apply knowledge and skills in healthcare settings and prepares students for clinical experiences
  • 43 Courses to Complete // 180 Credit Hours Maximum

View Full Course Listing: BSN Standard Degree >

View Full Course Listing: BSN Second Degree >

What Nursing Program Skills Will I Gain?

Patient Care

Learn patient-centered skills with a focus on caring for the whole person through on-campus simulations and clinical experiences at healthcare facilities in a variety of healthcare settings.

Evidence-Based Practice and Treatment

Search and critique published research. Propose creative, innovative and evidence-based solutions to clinical practice problems.

Leadership and Professional Identity

Examine the core values needed to create a professional identity that reflects leadership and management attributes.

Baccalaureate Essentials, QSEN and NLN Competencies

Gain a solid theoretical foundation of nursing according to the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice, Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN), and National League for Nursing (NLN) competencies.

"I chose Rasmussen over other schools due to its accelerated program, reputation and multiple start dates throughout the year. My brother, a Rasmussen University alum, highly recommended this school because of its knowledgeable and high-quality professors."

Joseph R.
Graduate, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

What Will I Be Prepared to Do When I’m Done with My BSN Degree Program?

Take the NCLEX-RN Exam

Preparation for the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX, begins the minute the program does. From in-person practice and peer support to library and learning services, you’ll have the resources to pursue RN licensure.

Advance to Your Master's Degree

Through our accelerated Master’s pathway, you can take up to two Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) courses as a part of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. If you decide to continue with your MSN, you’ll start your program two courses ahead of schedule and save up to $2,550 on tuition.4

Pursue Potential Job Growth

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the projected job growth potential between 2022 and 2032 for registered nurses is 6%.5 A BSN degree from Rasmussen University's Nursing School, with hybrid online and on-campus courses, can help set you up for success in the growing nursing field.

Take the Next Step—Talk to Us!

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  • Financial Aid and FAFSA (for those who qualify)
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Your Nursing Career Path

With the many Nursing degree options at Rasmussen University, you can complete your program and easily transfer credits from one level to the next, saving you time and money. Now that you’re ready to continue your passion for nursing as a BSN student—we have the entry tracks and advanced higher education to help you reach your goals. If you also have goals of continuing to your MSN or DNP, the BSN program sets you up perfectly to pursue your higher education with us at the graduate level.

  • Diploma: Practical Nursing (PN/LPN)

    Start here if:

    You’re interested in patient care and want a quick entry into the field as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) with opportunities for career advancement.

    Finish in as few as:

    12 months2

    Licensed Practical Nursing

    Prepares you for career opportunities in:

    • Hospitals
    • Clinics
    • Rehabilitation centers
    • Long-term care facilities
    • Assisted living centers
    • Outpatient/Ambulatory care centers
    • Home health care services
    • Physician’s office
  • Associate’s Degree: Nursing (ADN/RN)

    Start here if:

    You want to become a registered nurse (RN) and are looking for ways to leverage your LPN license, or want RN to be your first nursing credential.

    Finish in as few as:

    12 months (LPN to RN Bridge) 
    Or in as few as 21 months (ADN/RN)2

    Registered Nurse

    Prepares you for career opportunities in: 

    • Hospitals
    • Clinics
    • Rehabilitation centers
    • Long-term care facilities
  • Bachelor’s Degree: Nursing (RN to BSN or BSN)

    Start here if:

    You want to begin your nursing career as a BSN-prepared registered nurse. Choose from two pre-licensure entry tracks—standard or second degree.

    Or next step if:

    You're already a registered nurse and are ready to earn your BSN. You're looking for opportunities to help advance your career.

    View RN to BSN details >

    Finish in as few as:

    12 to 18 months (RN to BSN)2
    33 months (BSN Standard Degree)*
    18 months (BSN Second Degree)

    *Already an LPN? Our LPN to RN Bridge helps LPNs become RNs faster, further decreasing your time to program completion.

    Registered Nurse

    Prepares you for career opportunities in:

    • Hospitals
    • Clinical practice
    • Administration
    • Nursing education
    • Nursing leadership
  • Graduate Degrees: Nursing (MSN & DNP)

    Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

    You want to influence present and future healthcare as a nursing leader. You have the choice of three MSN specializations that allow you to define your career course:

    • Nursing Leadership and Administration
    • Nursing Education
    • Healthcare Technology, Simulation and Informatics

    We also offer an online MSN Nurse Practitioner (NP) program if you're interested in making a positive impact as a nurse practitioner with the choice of four specializations:

    • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
    • Family NP
    • Pediatric Primary Care NP
    • Psychiatric-Mental Health NP

    Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

    A program for nurses called to lead at the highest levels in the healthcare system, public health care and policy—the definitive terminal degree for nurse leaders.

    Choose the specialization that best aligns with your interests and career goals:

    • Executive Leadership
    • Public Health and Policy

    View DNP details >

    Career Opportunities:

    MSN:

    • Director of Nursing
    • Director of Education
    • Clinical Nursing Informatics Officer
    • Chief Nursing Officer
    • Nurse Practitioner

    DNP:

    • Chief Nursing Officer
    • Nursing Administrator
    • Director of Public Health and Policy
    • Government or Policy Activist

Tuition & Savings

Do the Math

BSN Standard Degree

With eight start dates6 a year at most campuses and a total of 43 total courses required, full-time students can finish in as few as 33 months2 for an estimated $73,690.

$345 cost per credit
x 180 total credits
_______________________

$62,100 total tuition
+ $11,590 total fees
_______________________
$73,690 estimated total program cost

Learn more about the financial aid cost of attendance (COA).


Explore our Tuition Estimator Tool

Do the Math

Accelerated BSN Second Degree

With eight start dates6 a year at most campuses and a total of 26 total courses required, full-time students can finish in as few as 18 months2 for an estimated $44,290.

$345 cost per credit
x 106 total credits
_______________________

$36,570 total tuition
+ $7,720 total fees
_______________________
$44,290 estimated total program cost

Learn more about the financial aid cost of attendance (COA).


Explore our Tuition Estimator Tool

Other Ways to Save

Higher education should be a manageable investment. Talk to an admissions advisor and learn how our Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is designed to be more affordable with transfer credits, self-directed assessments, loans and grants, scholarship opportunities, corporate grants and military discounts for those who qualify.

Find more about:

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Estimate Your Tuition

Estimate Your Tuition

Rasmussen University is committed to making education more affordable for all students. Our tuition estimating tool can help you visualize the cost of your degree and see what savings opportunities are available to help you achieve it.

Estimate Your Tuition

Estimate Your Tuition

Tuition Estimator

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Rasmussen University believes in helping you make your education as affordable as possible.

Our interactive tuition estimator is designed to help you discover how much you could save on a degree from Rasmussen University.

Simply enter your ZIP code, select the program and credential you're interested in, and click “next”.

Right away, you can see the total estimated cost of your selected degree.

As you engage with the tool, you may see this number start to go down.

You also have the option to see how attending full-time or part-time could impact your tuition—and what your tuition estimate looks like, broken down by quarter.

The tuition estimator walks you through a number of ways you could reduce your overall tuition.

Click the tabs or the “back” and “next” buttons to move through the tool.

Within each tab, answer the question shown as accurately as you can, by interacting with the slider, select menu or radio buttons shown.

You might not feel totally confident in all of your answers. That's okay. This tool is just generating an estimate of how much your degree might cost.

The last tab of the tool shows you your results, including how much you could potentially save on your Rasmussen degree.

Remember, the numbers shown here are just estimates, and the true cost of your degree will vary.

Talk with an admissions advisor for more information about how to make your Rasmussen degree as affordable as possible.

What Is an Accelerated BSN? Your Fast Track to an Advanced Nursing Education
Learn first hand from an experienced nurse and get her expertise on an inspirational career path. You’ll also discover what to expect and the benefits of an accelerated BSN program. Read more

Entrance Requirements

Unlike many other nursing schools, there are no prerequisite courses and there are no wait lists at many campuses. You only need to apply once and you can begin your BSN classes when it’s convenient for you with our eight start dates a year. Speak to an admissions advisor for requirements related to your specific entry track.

Talk to an Admissions Advisor

Enrollment

What Should I Know Before I Enroll?

Nursing Information Sessions

To learn more about entrance requirements and receive help planning your career path, attend a Nursing Information Session where you’ll learn about:

  • TEAS scores
  • Background checks
  • Immunizations

Already an RN? Our RN to BSN program is a post-licensure track that can be completed in as few as 12-18 months.2 Students interested in this option must possess a current unencumbered RN license.

Talk to an admissions advisor

Class Locations

Where Can I Find a Nursing School Near Me?

At Rasmussen University, we want our courses to be available for your schedule; not the other way around. Many of our programs are available on campus or online. Select programs are available for enrollment through a specific campus, but students complete the courses online and are able to utilize online and on-campus support and resources. Click below to find a hybrid on-campus and online BSN program near you.

Still have questions? Connect with an admissions advisor

You've Got Questions, We've Got Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the meaning of BSN for a degree?

    BSN is an undergraduate degree which stands for Bachelor of Science in Nursing. A BSN degree is one way to pursue your RN licensure or gain more advanced skills if you’re already an RN.

  • Is BSN considered a higher qualification than RN?

    RN is a licensed credential that individuals earn and maintain (as well as a job title), while a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a degree that many registered nurses obtain.

    While you can still become an RN without earning a BSN degree, the major difference is the path and time commitment required. You can go straight to the job market as an RN with your associate degree, or you can opt to begin at a more advanced level of education with a BSN degree. Having a BSN under your belt may open the door to a greater variety of job options in specialized nursing units as well as nursing management and leadership roles.

  • Can one obtain a BSN without prior RN certification?

    Yes, you can earn your BSN degree without being a certified RN! That’s why we offer multiple entry tracks to help BSN students at every level get started— whether it’s your first time in nursing and you're looking for a traditional BSN program or you’re adding on to your experience as a second degree program.

  • How do online nursing degrees function, particularly in terms of structure and delivery?

    Our BSN degree program is a hybrid of online and on-campus classes. It also includes self-directed assessments to help you save time and money. The flexible online courses still give you the knowledge and skills you need through expert instruction and real-life examples. The campus-based classes let you dive into campus life and gain hands-on clinical practice as a future BSN nurse.

  • Are online nursing programs considered reliable and credible?

    Many nursing schools these days include a combination of online and on-campus courses. Online courses give you the flexibility you need, as well as valuable knowledge to apply in clinical practice. To give you further confidence, our BSN program is CCNE accredited,1 meaning that we meet the requirements set forth by CCNE to ensure the quality and integrity of programs.

  • If I complete my BSN degree online, will hospitals accept me?

    Employment conditions will vary, but you can feel confident in our CCNE-accredited BSN degree program. Accreditation means that our nursing curriculum is built to CCNE standards—qualifications that hospitals and clinics are looking for.

    In addition, all Rasmussen programs are developed with a “backward design” mindset, meaning we prioritize the intended learning outcomes rather than just basic topics to be covered. It’s about how you’ll apply your skills throughout your career. You’ll gain advanced skills in leadership, critical thinking, health promotion and more.

  • How are online RN to BSN programs perceived in terms of reputation?

    Our online RN to BSN program helps RNs earn their BSN degree faster. Since these students are already an RN, they are equipped with vast hands-on experience. The remaining classes needed to earn their BSN degree are online, with additional in-person clinicals to ensure full skills advancement. Plus, our RN to BSN program is CCNE accredited1 for student and employer confidence.

  • Does a background in public health lead to a career in nursing?

    A background in public health can be helpful but is not required to pursue a nursing career. You’ll gain experience throughout your education, whether you stop at your BSN or continue to your MSN or DNP.

Don't See Your Question Here?

Our dedicated team of admissions advisors can help you answer questions related to nursing courses, tuition, financial aid, nursing information sessions, admissions and more.

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Call: 877-308-9946

Accreditation and Licensing Information

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Rasmussen University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

The ABSN meets the educational requirements to apply for licensure as a registered nurse (RN) in Florida, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Other eligibility requirements may apply; please verify your eligibility against your state’s board of nursing rules. This program may not meet the educational requirements for licensure as a nurse in states not listed above.

Additional accreditation details

Logo: CCNE accreditationCommission on Collegiate Nursing Education
655 K Street, NW
Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001
202-887-6791

Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Related Programs

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RN to BSN

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

  • Online
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Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Master of Science - Nurse Practitioner (MSN-NP)

  • Online
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Master of Science - Nurse Practitioner (MSN-NP)