What Does It Take to Go from an RN to BSN?

Enrolling in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program can be a strategic move for registered nurses (RNs) who want to expand their clinical knowledge and build skills for roles that require bachelor’s-level preparation.

If you’re an RN with a nursing diploma or an Associate Degree in Nursing, earning a BSN could be more accessible—and achievable—than you might expect. Chamberlain University’s RN to BSN Option is designed with working nurses in mind. It offers fully online coursework and flexible scheduling that fits around your shifts. Chamberlain gives you the tools to create your own work-life balance while advancing your education.

Let’s explore what it takes to go from RN to BSN at Chamberlain, the country’s largest nursing school, including the foundational requirements for becoming an RN and the opportunities that many BSN graduates pursue.

What Does It Take to Be an RN?
Becoming an RN involves completing a series of steps that build the knowledge, skills, and credentials required to practice nursing.

You can begin your nursing career by completing an accredited nursing program, such as an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a state-approved hospital diploma program. After graduating, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and obtain licensure in your state.

Earning an RN license not only allows you to enter the nursing workforce, but also opens doors to further professional growth through programs like an RN to BSN. For nurses ready to pursue a bachelor’s degree, understanding the admission requirements is an important next step.

Meeting RN to BSN Admission Requirements
To qualify for Chamberlain’s online degree program, you’ll need:
•    A nursing diploma or ADN from an accredited institution
•    A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
•    A current active, unrestricted RN license

To learn more about these requirements, you can speak to an Enrollment Representative at 877.751.5783 or request information online.

Enrolling in Chamberlain’s RN to BSN Option
From your first questions about the nursing program to enrollment and beyond, you can count on Chamberlain’s support. Team members will share timely information and offer expert guidance that you can use to make decisions that serve you and your goals.

During enrollment, you’ll learn about student financial aid, including grants and scholarships. Your advisor can help you explore funding opportunities and payment options.

Your laptop/computer and high-speed internet connection will be essential tools when going from an RN to a BSN online, and Chamberlain helps to make sure you’re ready to go. You’ll learn about hardware and software requirements and access to technical support. Chamberlain’s online learning platform is user-friendly and filled with features that help you stay organized and on schedule.

Launching Your Nursing Program
With important preliminaries out of the way, it will be time to begin your nursing studies. As you earn your BSN, the curriculum will include courses like Foundational Concepts for the Practicing RN, Statistical Reasoning for the Health Sciences, and Collaborative Leadership in Healthcare.

One of the advantages of the online RN to BSN nursing program is that you’ll take liberal arts and sciences courses to help round out your education. Subjects may include political science, English composition, and history.

Chamberlain understands that going from an RN to a BSN is a time commitment. That’s why the HLC-accredited university lets you choose your start date—RN to BSN sessions start every eight weeks.

You can study part time, or if you choose full-time enrollment, you may be able to complete the RN to BSN Option in as little as one year. The RN to BSN coursework is 100% online and there are no mandatory login times. That means you can complete your weekly assignments at your convenience.

Chamberlain support is embedded in your educational journey. This includes early assessments and customized support plans to address challenges proactively, coaching teams and academic success workshops to navigate nursing school effectively, and regular evaluations with live review sessions.

Why Earn a Bachelor’s in Nursing?
Educational expectations are shifting in nursing. Workforce data shows that about 66% of RNs are projected to hold a BSN or higher by the end of 2025.¹ Recent employment data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing reveals that 69.8% of employers express a strong preference for BSN program graduates, while 25% now require a bachelor’s degree for new nursing hires.²

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses President Rebekah Marsh stressed the importance of training and experience for nurses in a 2025 speech: “Nursing isn’t about having a superpower or being born to be a nurse—practice it until you become it,” she said.³ Her philosophy underscores the purposeful journey of advancing your nursing education to meet the evolving demands of modern healthcare.

What Can You Do With a BSN?
According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), “Obtaining a BSN gives RNs more opportunities for career advancement, greater professional flexibility, and more access to leadership positions.”⁴

A BSN can provide the foundation for specialized nursing roles in areas such as cardiology, oncology, administration, and education, the ANA says. Many Magnet-designated hospitals, recognized for nursing excellence, now require or strongly prefer BSN preparation for their nursing staff.⁴

Additionally, a BSN can serve as a foundation for Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree programs. These advanced nursing degrees can prepare nurses for roles such as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives.

Making the Most of Your BSN
If earning a BSN is a personal priority, current workforce projections indicate that this may be an excellent time to advance your education.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that registered nurse employment will grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth translates to approximately 166,100 job openings annually over the decade.⁵

Employment data from 2023 confirms strong demand for BSN graduates, with 96% of new BSN graduates receiving job offers within four to six months of graduation.²

Job growth is expected across most healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient care centers providing same-day services, home health agencies, and residential care facilities.⁶

Earn a Nursing Degree at Chamberlain.
If you’re ready to go from RN to BSN, Chamberlain can provide an academic path and comprehensive student support.

Beyond the RN to BSN program, Chamberlain offers a comprehensive range of nursing and healthcare programs. Students can pursue Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees through campus-based, hybrid, or online options, providing flexibility to match diverse learning preferences and schedules.

For those seeking advanced education, Chamberlain’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) online degree program offers specializations including Nurse Educator, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and Nursing Informatics, among others. Nurses can also take advantage of the RN-BSN to MSN pathway, which streamlines the educational process by combining both degrees into one continuous program.

For nurses committed to reaching the highest level of nursing education, Chamberlain’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) online degree program helps prepare graduates for advanced clinical practice and leadership roles in healthcare.

Chamberlain continues to expand its program offerings to meet the evolving needs of healthcare professionals. Whether you’re just beginning your journey from RN to BSN or planning your path to doctoral-level education, Chamberlain provides accredited nursing programs, dedicated support services, and a community of faculty and students committed to nursing excellence and lifelong learning.

Chamberlain University, an HLC-accredited institution, offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs in nursing and healthcare professions. With a growing network of campuses and robust online programs, Chamberlain continues to build on more than 135 years of excellence in preparing extraordinary healthcare professionals.

¹Source: www.aag.health/post/healthcare-personnel-statistics

²Source: www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/research-data-center/new-graduate-employment-data

³Source: www.aacn.org/aacn-theme

⁴Source: www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/nursing-resources/rn-to-bsn/

⁵Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm

⁶Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-6

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, Illinois.
 

By Chamberlain University