5 Typical Admission Requirements for an Online RN-BSN Degree Program

If you are looking into completing an online RN to BSN degree program, you’re probably wondering what the typical admission requirements are. This degree can be obtained at a four-year nursing school, a medical school with a nursing department or, most recently, through an online program.

While nursing at any level is a wonderful and rewarding career, many hospitals and medical offices strongly prefer nurses who have completed their Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) when they are choosing who to hire or promote. For many current nurses, the flexibility and convenience of an online program is not only appealing but necessary to stay competitive. Below are the five most common admissions requirements for an online RN to BSN degree program.

1. A Nursing Degree

This one might seem obvious, but almost every program requires you to have completed your Associate of Science in Nursing. These online programs will also accept a nursing diploma awarded through hospital-based nursing schools.

2. A Minimum GPA of 2.5

The overwhelming majority of online RN to BSN programs will not accept anyone with a cumulative GPA of less than 2.5 from their previous studies. During the application process, you will be asked to provide official copies of your transcripts from high school as well as every university you have attended.

If you are concerned that your GPA is too low for consideration, it might be best to enroll in a few online courses to bring it up to at least a 2.5. You might feel as though this will be a setback but taking the extra time to earn a competitive GPA will make getting into the program you want much easier in the long run.

3. Current RN Licensure

In order to be considered for admission into any RN-BSN program, whether online or otherwise, you are required to have a current, working license for the state you are applying in. In addition, if you are licensed in more than one state, each license you hold must also be valid, current and completely unencumbered, including occupational board licenses.

4. Professional or Academic References

Like many other college majors, most BSN programs ask for credible references alongside your application and transcripts. Typically, you will only be asked for two or three, but this can vary somewhat depending on which programs you apply to. These references can usually be either academic or professional, so you may choose from nursing instructors or authority figures from past or current positions when asking for references.

Generally speaking, these reference letters must be sent directly from the person in question to the admissions department of the school you are applying to. Be sure to follow the instructions given by your college closely to avoid problems processing your application.

5. Core Prerequisites Completed

Almost all online RN to BSN degree programs will have a list of courses you are expected to have already completed prior to filling out an application. While not every college has the same list of prerequisite classwork, you can expect the following courses to be on the list:

– College math
– One or two English composition courses
– General Psychology
– Anatomy and Physiology
– Sociology
– Microbiology
– Statistics
– Biochemistry

Again, make sure to check your program’s requirements before sending out your application.

Choosing a Program

If you’re not sure where to start looking, the website Nurse Journal is an excellent resource for online options. As long as you have met these five typical admission requirements for an online RN to BSN degree program, you should have no trouble getting accepted into a program that’s perfect for you.