What Is an RN to BSN Program? What You Should Know
An RN to BSN program is a type of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program designed specifically for currently practicing registered nurses (RNs). There are multiple pathways into the nursing profession. It’s possible to become a registered nurse (RN) by earning either a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
In This Article:
- RN-BSN Program Overview
- How Long Are RN to BSN Programs?
- Earn Your RN to BSN Degree at GCU
- Is an RN to BSN Program Right for Me?
- Explore RN to BSN Coursework
- Next Steps After Completing an RN to BSN Program
- Is There a Need for Qualified Registered Nurses?
- Work Toward Your BSN at GCU Today
RN-BSN Program Overview
The RN to BSN program provides currently working RNs with a faster pathway toward earning a BSN as compared to a traditional BSN nursing degree program. This is because the RN to BSN program is intended for professionals who are already registered nurses and possess foundational nursing knowledge and clinical skills.
Because this program is set up for current registered nurses, an RN to BSN program also typically offers a flexible schedule. You may take evening classes on campus, for instance, or you may take most of your classes online; however, clinical, practicum and immersion hours are completed in person locally. Along with these classes, students need access to a healthcare setting that will enable them to complete the clinical practice hours required for graduation.
How Long Are RN to BSN Programs?
The time to complete RN to BSN programs will ultimately vary depending on the university you choose; however, they are typically set up to be completed in an accelerated format compared to a traditional BSN degree. This allows current RNs to work toward their education and career goals more quickly. Plus, the skills and knowledge taught in the classroom are immediately applicable in the field.
While there may be a general estimate of time to completion, each student’s journey is unique. Your expected graduation date depends on several factors, including course load and scheduling preferences. Because of that, it’s recommended that you speak with a university counselor about your possible graduation timeline.
Earn Your RN to BSN Degree at GCU
GCU is pleased to be a leader in nursing education, with multiple degree options for aspiring and current RNs. If you’re a current RN with either an ADN or a diploma certificate in nursing and you’d like to earn your BSN, you can apply to our RN to BSN program.
GCU’s RN to BSN program is designed to be flexible, meaning you can continue working while attending school. This degree may prepare you to pursue a variety of roles in your nursing career. After earning a BSN, you might opt to continue your education by earning a graduate degree in nursing and/or earning nursing certifications in your specialty area.
Is an RN to BSN Program Right for Me?
ADN-prepared nurses may consider enrolling in an RN to BSN degree program if they are interested in positioning themselves to potentially pursue career advancement or additional opportunities in the healthcare field. A BSN can make it possible to pursue opportunities that aren’t available to those with an ADN or diploma certificate in nursing. For example, many employers prefer to hire nurses with a BSN, and some require new hires to have a BSN.2
In addition, it’s necessary to earn a bachelor’s degree before pursuing graduate education. If you’d like to earn a master's in nursing (MSN) or doctoral degree in nursing (DNP) you’ll first need to earn a BSN.
Because of the importance of nursing education, your current employer may have options in place to encourage registered nurses to apply to an RN to BSN program. When considering funding options, speak with your employer about tuition reimbursement incentives.
Explore RN to BSN Coursework
During your nursing degree program, you’ll have opportunities to refine your critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills. You will also delve into nursing research and evidence-based practices, including their application for improving patient outcomes. In addition, you will examine crucial leadership skills, including teamwork, collaboration and communication.
The competencies covered in RN to BSN programs are designed to provide current RNs with the skills needed to contribute to positive organizational change and serve as effective advocates for patients.
Some of the topics that RN to BSN programs cover include:
- Nursing leadership and interprofessional collaboration
- Health promotion and population health
- Health assessment across the lifespan
- Applied statistics and evidence-based practice
- Informatics in nursing
The coursework for RN to BSN programs is designed to be hands-on and directly applicable to your current work, as well as to positions with increased levels of scope and responsibility.
Next Steps After Completing an RN to BSN Program
Having your BSN can open a world of opportunities that may not have been available to a registered nurse with an associate degree or diploma certificate in nursing.2 With a BSN degree, you can work toward improving patient outcomes through the application of evidence-based practice.
Some of the nursing specialties you may consider include:
- Home health nursing
- School nursing
- Oncology nursing
- Long-term care
- Orthopedic nursing
- Emergency room nursing
After graduating from an RN to BSN program, you may decide to further your education even more by earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. An MSN degree can enable you to explore the following careers:3
- Nurse educator
- Nurse practitioner
- Clinical nurse specialist
- Nurse consultant
- Clinical research nurse
- Nurse administrator
Having your BSN or MSN also allows you to work in a variety of different settings along with different roles. When planning your next career move, explore your interests and discover all the opportunities that furthering your education can present to you.
Is There a Need for Qualified Registered Nurses?
There is a significant and ongoing need for qualified registered nurses. The U.S. has an aging population that is expected to continue to exert significant stress on the healthcare system. As baby boomers grow older, their need for healthcare increases.4
By 2030, the United States Census Bureau projects one in five Americans will be at retirement age.5 The National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses conducted by the Health Resources and Services Administration found that 23% of RNs who currently work in clinical, ambulatory and outpatient settings expect to retire by 2027. This indicates that at a time when older adults will have an increased need for healthcare, more RNs than ever will be retiring, further escalating the need for qualified RNs.
In addition to needing more nurses to help older adults, more nurses are expected to be needed to care for those with chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes and heart disease.4
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job growth rate for RNs from 2023 through 2033 is expected to be 6%, faster than average, indicating that healthcare employers will need to hire about 197,200 new nurses during this time period.4 The BLS additionally notes that the median annual salary for RNs was $86,070 as of May 2023.7
Work Toward Your BSN at GCU Today
GCU aims to provide a comprehensive and supportive academic experience for every student. The College of Nursing and Health Care Professions offers a diverse range of nursing degree options, including the RN to BSN program for current RNs and an accelerated BSN for nontraditional nursing students. Fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor about your future at GCU.
1 Cannot be used in conjunction with other GCU scholarships or awards.
2 American Nurses Association. (2023, April 25). Nursing Career Pathways. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
3 Morris, G., MSN. (2024, April 11). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Overview. NurseJournal. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
4 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, retrieved March 17, 2025.
5 U.S. Census Bureau. (2020, February). Demographic Turning Points for the United States: Population Projections for 2020 to 2060. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
6 American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2024, May). Nursing Shortage Fact Sheet. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
7 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Registered Nurses as of May 2023, retrieved March 17, 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as registered nurses, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
Approved and verified accurate by the associate dean of the College of Nursing and Healthcare Professions on May 15, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
