8 Things You Should Know About the Rasmussen University RN to BSN Online Program
You’ve always intended on returning to school to advance your nursing education one day. After spending some time serving patients as a registered nurse (RN) and solidifying your passion for the field, you’re ready to take that next step in pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Lucky for you, there are several RN to BSN online programs out there that will allow you to work toward that coveted credential while not missing a beat in your current nursing career. It’s all about finding a program that fits your life and can help you achieve your career goals.
The Rasmussen University RN to BSN online program was designed for motivated RNs just like you. Learn more about the impressive features that might make this program an ideal option for you.
8 Notable facts about the Rasmussen University RN to BSN online program
Think all online Nursing programs are the same? Think again. The Rasmussen University RN to BSN online program holds itself to a high standard of training and empowering nurse leaders. Here are just some of the notable features of the program:
1. The program is flexible to meet students’ unique needs
A major focus of any RN to BSN online program is to build upon the practical knowledge and experience you’ve already acquired on the job as a nurse. Your wisdom and skill set are completely unique to your specific work environment and level of experience, which means no other student will have the exact same knowledge.
That’s why the Rasmussen University RN to BSN online program doesn’t require students to spend time sitting through courses teaching material they’ve already mastered. That’s where Empowered Learning™ courses at Rasmussen University come in. This competency-based education (CBE) structure allows students to take control of the pace of their work. This means you can quickly complete course modules you already have a strong handle on and take your time with trickier subjects.
Have a relatively light week at work and are feeling particularly motivated? You can work ahead of schedule and take care of assignments ahead of time. Conversely, you can also push coursework back with no penalty if you’re struggling to find the time. As long as you get everything completed by the end of the term and you stick to a simple 14-day attendance policy, you’re in the driver’s seat for how and when it gets done.
Just as a nurse’s knowledge and experience will differ from another’s, so too will their lifestyle needs and financial means. To cater to these differences, the program has an added element of flexibility in pricing.
2. Students have opportunities to save on schooling
Going back to school is a substantial investment—so it’s only natural if you’re looking for ways to save. Though that’s a question only you can answer, Rasmussen University does provide opportunities for you to potentially save on your overall costs, like the RN to BSN Get Started Grant.1 This grant includes tuition for your first course, except for technology and books fees. Students can also take up to six self-directed assessment attempts. These interactive assessment opportunities allow you to use your nursing experience to earn course credit—the more you successfully complete, the more you can potentially save on schooling.>
Another avenue for potentially keeping costs down? Transfer credits. Your job and life experiences matter. Past college coursework, military transcripts, course waivers and industry certifications can all be used to maximize your credits—and with this program you have the potential to transfer in up to 134 credits—nearly 75 percent of program requirements.
For RN to BSN students who are considering the option of earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), the accelerated Master’s pathway offering can also provide a way to save on graduate education. Qualified students who participate in the accelerated Master’s pathway have the opportunity to complete up to two MSN courses during the course of their RN to BSN program. This provides participating students an opportunity to test the waters of graduate education, complete up to eight credits worth of MSN coursework and save up to $1,650 if they continue with their MSN.2
3. The program can be completed in as few as 12 to 18 months3
As mentioned above, this RN to BSN online program is offered in our Empowered Learning™ CBE format. This innovative approach prioritizes learning over deadlines, allowing students to complete the program in as few as 12 to 18 months.3
This format benefits experienced nurses advancing their education because they’re not tied to a rigid course timeline. If your already-established knowledge and skills have you feeling confident about the course material, you can work ahead and take care of those assignments as soon as possible. For the areas you may not be as familiar with, you can take your time digesting the learning materials as much as you need to in order to confidently demonstrate the competency.
4. The program is CCNE-accredited
If you’ve done any research into Nursing programs, you’re aware of the importance of being accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). This signifies that the program and its curriculum meet a variety of quality standards, which means students can be confident that the education they receive will properly equip them to practice at the BSN level.
Rasmussen University chose to seek this highest level of accreditation, which reflects our focus on developing effective nursing professionals and socially responsible citizens who are lifelong learners.
5. The program aligns with industry-wide priorities
When constructing this RN to BSN online program, Rasmussen University was careful to ensure it included factors that are universally respected across the nursing industry. This includes an emphasis on Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competencies, which were developed in 2005 to improve the quality of healthcare.
These QSEN competencies are woven throughout the entire coursework, and they include:
- Patient-centered care
- Evidence-based practice
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Safety
- Quality improvement
- Informatics
In addition to QSEN competencies, the program also aligns with the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice, which were developed in 2008 by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). These BSN essentials represent the outcomes expected of graduates of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, ensuring they attain these practice-focused abilities.
6. The program features a diverse curriculum
Our RN to BSN online program is centered on career-focused courses that emphasize patient-centered care and transferable skills. Technology, informatics and data are infused in the curriculum to help students develop digital fluency and promote improved patient outcomes.
Here’s a taste of some of the core courses all students complete:
- Public Health Nursing
- Professional Identity of the Nurse Leader
- Clinical Reasoning and Clinical Judgment
- Emerging Healthcare Technologies and Innovation
- Influence of Policy, Finance and Law on Healthcare
Students can also choose from the following nursing electives:
- Integrative Nursing
- Contemporary Issues in Nursing
- Scholarly Communication in Nursing
7. Courses are taught by highly-qualified nurses
The courses in this RN to BSN online program are taught by experienced nurse educators who know more than just theory. They each have years of hands-on experience under their belts, so they know what it takes to prepare their students for situations they’re likely to encounter on the job.
You’ll learn from real nurses who were once in your shoes and have climbed the ranks in the healthcare field so they can bring the course material to life with practical examples and real-life scenarios. You can be confident in your nursing skills, thanks to the experience and wisdom of your instructors.
8. Courses combine theory with real-world skills
Having textbook knowledge is good, but being able to apply that knowledge to real-life situations is better. The RN to BSN online curriculum gives students an ideal opportunity to combine nursing theory with their clinical experiences. Courses, such as Leadership and Management in Nursing, provide the skills nurses need to be advocates for their patients and strong leaders in the healthcare field.
Students will round out their coursework with a Nursing capstone course, which allows them to put all of their previous training to use in a practical format. They’ll use their critical thinking skills and evidence-based practice to promote a patient-centered care plan that encompasses quality and safety.
Advance your nursing education
You know you’re ready to continue progressing on your nursing career path by earning your BSN. And now you know how Rasmussen University is capable of helping you get there.
If you’re ready to take the next step, visit our RN to BSN online program page to request more information.
1Terms and conditions apply. Visit the RN to BSN Get Started Grant page for more details.
2Number of eligible courses varies by program and ranges from one to two courses. Time and cost savings are dependent on the eligible student enrolling and completing both the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Rasmussen University through the accelerated Master’s pathway. MSN completion time is dependent on the number of courses completed each term. Please speak to an admissions advisor for details.
3Completion time is dependent on number of transfer credits accepted and the number of courses completed each term.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was originally published in 2018. It has since been updated to include information relevant to 2021.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at Rasmussen University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
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