Go from RN to BSN in as Little as 1 Year
Flexibility to Fit Your Life
100% online coursework that fits around your busy schedule
As a busy, working nurse, you need an RN to BSN program that meets you where you are. Chamberlain’s RN to BSN online program is designed by nurses, for working nurses – and with over 130 years of experience in nursing education, we’ve gotten pretty good at understanding and meeting the diverse needs of our students.
Here’s a few examples of what that might look like:
- Full-Time
You can earn your BSN in just one year. You’ll take 2-3 courses per eight-week session. - Part-Time
Nervous about going back to school? Take one course to start and see how it goes. Add in additional classes when you’re ready - you have maximum flexibility in Chamberlain’s RN to BSN online program. - One Class at a Time
If you’re an RN who hopes to take maximum advantage of employer reimbursement contributions, or you’d just like to take things slower, you can earn your BSN one course at a time. Online RN to BSN courses are offered every 8 weeks.
You can choose to attend full-time or part-time, whichever works for your schedule – and you’re not locked into either if you’re ready to move faster or slower through the online RN to BSN program, request information to learn more.
Choosing between programs?
Explore the differences between BSN, MSN and accelerated MSN options
RN-BSN Option
BSN curriculum, 100% online coursework that fits your busy schedule.
Good for Nurses who
- Value Flexibility
- Want to finish in 3 semesters
- Want control over studying pace
- Have an active RN license
Details
- BSN degree earned
- No Specialization
- Receive 77 proficiency credits
RN-BSN to MSN
Enables RNs to advance their education and careers while being cost and time effective
Good for Nurses who
- Value efficiency
- Want to finish in 8 semesters
- Want two degrees with specialization
- Have an active RN license
Details
- BSN and MSN Degree Earned
- 9 MSN specialty tracks
- Receive 77 proficiency credits
RN-MSN Accelerated
RNs advance their degrees without getting bogged down by prerequisites.
Good for Nurses who
- Value expediency
- Want to finish in 4 semesters
- Achieved at least a 3.0 GPA
- Have an active RN license
Details
- MSN Degree Earned
- Clinical Nurse Leadership Option
- No proficiency credits needed
RN to BSN Curriculum FAQ
RN to BSN online courses include Transitions in Professional Nursing, Collaborative Healthcare, Community Health Nursing, Evidence-Based Practice and more. View the curriculum for the online RN to BSN program here.
Practice experiences are woven throughout RN to BSN online program and can often be accomplished on the job, at your workplace. This means you will have professional clinical experiences, but will not experience clinical rotations like you did when you went to school to become a nurse. Students who reside in the state of Tennessee will experience a more traditional clinical experience as part of their Community Health Nursing course.
Chamberlain doesn’t have exams in our nursing RN to BSN courses. In general education classes, exams aren’t proctored – you will have time to complete these around your schedule, and exams are open book.
Liberal arts and sciences courses are a part of any bachelor’s degree program. They are meant to broaden and deepen your learning experience which will in turn enhance your professional practice as a nurse.
Still have questions?
Let us help you.
Request information to connect with an admissions representative.
Caring Faculty
Faculty provide you with personalized support - responding to you within 24 hours on weekdays and 48 hours on the weekend.
Support Team
From Day 1 - we’ve got you. With access to the IT helpdesk, online library, tutoring and career services, we’re always a phone call away.
Success Strategies
Once you apply, you'll have access to Chamberlain Care Student Success Strategies, which provides information on time management, scholarly writing, using the library and more.
Your Nursing School Support System
You’re never alone at Chamberlain
What should you look for in an RN to BSN program? As a busy working nurse, you need a school that will be your partner every step of the way - helping you to clear hurdles and cheering you on throughout your journey to BSN.
Before you even start the RN to BSN program, you will have access to your courses for a Preview Week to get comfortable with the online learning environment. Your admissions representative can help you get in, do a walkthrough, show you where you can find things like your syllabus and discussion threads.
A Simple Admissions Process
Learn the requirements to get started in the RN to BSN program
Admission Criteria
To get started on your RN to BSN, you’ll need the following:
- A nursing diploma or associate degree in nursing from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by either the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education.
- A minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- A current, active, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the NCSBN
Your admissions representative is your partner throughout the process of enrollment - reach out to the team at 877.751.5783 or request information.
RN to BSN Admission FAQ
We value your experience at Chamberlain - you’ll earn a minimum of 77 credits (known as proficiency credits) for your education and clinical experience as a registered nurse towards your RN to BSN.
Yes - you’ll have your transcript assessed for transfer credits that can cut down on general education courses. The median RN BSN online student entering in the 2020/21 school year, started with 89 credit hours through proficiency and transfer credit. Learn more in our RN to BSN Transfer Guide.
Within the RN to BSN online program, you should expect to spend 8-10 hours per course, per week. Everyone learns differently - some may be able to complete the work in less time, others may require more.
Every course listed as part of the RN to BSN online option is offered each session, except for NR-435, ECON-312N, HIST-420N*. Sessions start every eight weeks. NR-435 is only offered in the March and September sessions. ECON-312N and HIST-420N are only offered in the March, July and November sessions.
RN to BSN Tuition FAQs
Financial aid is available in the form of federal and private loans, scholarships, grants and work study, for those who qualify. Learn more about scholarship opportunities.
We encourage you to use the Net Price Calculator, which can provide an estimate of federal and institutional aid, or request information to connect with our admissions team for personalized advising.
Speak with your employer to see if tuition reimbursement may be available. You can also explore if you’re eligible for exclusive savings for our RN to BSN online program through one of hundreds of partnerships.
View the total program cost and a breakdown of the tuition and expenses. The per-credit-hour tuition rate will remain frozen through 2023. Program revisions may impact total tuition for readmitted students.
On average, new student tuition is less than $14,000 for the RN to BSN program option.*
*Savings vary on transcript evaluation, grant eligibility, and group-specific tuition rates
After 20 Years as a Registered Nurse, Returning for My BSN
April Wojcik had been a registered nurse for 20 years when she decided to go back to school to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in the RN to BSN Online Option at Chamberlain.
Join a Proudly Accredited Institution
Earn your RN to BSN online from an accredited nursing school
Chamberlain has university accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and baccalaureate degree program in nursing accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).† Chamberlain continuously earns new approvals from respected agencies across the nation.
Chamberlain University confers online degrees from its Main Campus in Addison, IL.
For a complete list, check out our authorizations or view our approvals in your state.
Distinguished Recognitions
Quality Matters
As a recipient of the Exemplary Online Program Certification, Online Teaching Support and Online Learning Support certifications, Chamberlain is the only RN to BSN option with the nationally recognized Quality Matters certification mark.
National League for Nursing
Chamberlain University College of Nursing was named a Center of Excellence™ in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing for promoting the pedagogical expertise of faculty.
The DAISY Foundation
Chamberlain University is a proud partner of The DAISY Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing extraordinary nurses for their skill, kindness and compassion provided to their patients and families.
RN to BSN FAQs
If you are a registered nurse with an active RN license looking to earn your BSN, Chamberlain's online RN to BSN option can help prepare you for the next step in your education.
RN to BSN is an academic program for registered nurses (RNs) who have a diploma or associate’s degree in nursing and would like to advance to the bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) level. Not yet a registered nurse? Check out our 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Yes! Coursework for the nursing RN to BSN Option is 100% online. There are no mandatory login times – you can work on weekly assignments when your schedule allows.
Speak with your employer to see if tuition reimbursement may be available. You can also explore if you’re eligible for exclusive savings for our RN to BSN online program through one of hundreds of partnerships.
Looking for a BSN option? Explore our 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.