Online RN to BSN Degree

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RN to BSN Tuition Reduction

Only $340 per Credit^{(See disclaimer 1)}

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Overview

Enhance Your RN Experience With Leadership Skills

As a registered nurse (RN), you already strive to help your patients achieve the best possible health outcomes. With our online^{(See disclaimer 2)} Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program, you have the opportunity to advance your education. You can explore advanced nursing competencies and clinical skills that are immediately applicable in your work.

This nursing program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. You will have opportunities to broaden your understanding of best practices in nursing and prepare for graduate studies.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

Offered By

College of Nursing and Health Care Professions

Class Settings

Online

Tuition Rate

Online: $340 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 120

Online: 5 weeks

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Transfer Credits

Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)

16+ years old
High School Graduate
3.0+ Unweighted GPA

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

ACT: 19
SAT: 1000*

Residency Requirement: Undergraduate students must complete at least 30 semester credits of coursework in a Grand Canyon University program to satisfy residency requirements.

Upper Division Credit Requirement: For a baccalaureate degree, a student must earn a minimum of 36 semester credits in upper division (300 or above) courses.

Why GCU

Develop Your Expertise With an Affordable RN to BSN Pathway

The College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has been preparing the healthcare leaders of tomorrow for more than four decades. We strive to graduate nurses who consistently prioritize the best interests of their patients and who work toward effecting positive change in their healthcare systems.

Our degrees offer a curriculum built from a Christian worldview. While you’re diving into advanced nursing theory and clinical skills, you also have the opportunity to develop important qualities and characteristics that come along with being a servant leader, such as compassion, respect for human dignity and high ethical and moral standards.

A few other reasons to choose GCU’s RN to BSN program include:

Accredited

GCU is an institutionally accredited university and has remained accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968.

University Accreditation

Affordable

GCU is a low-cost provider of nursing education and offers affordable tuition at a rate of $340 per credit for all students to help make quality college education attainable for all.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Tuition & Financial Aid

Advocates

All of our students are guided by a dedicated university counseling team, whose goal is to provide seamless educational advocacy, transparency and integrity with the student’s best interest in mind, all while guiding you toward graduation.

Student Success Center

Earn Your Nursing Degree in 14 Months⁴

If you are a registered nurse with an associate degree or diploma certificate in nursing, our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) online^{(See disclaimer 2)} program can prepare you to pursue expanding professional roles in the healthcare system of tomorrow.

Complete Your Degree

Complete core nursing coursework in 14 months.^{(See disclaimer 4)}

5-Week Classes

With most classes being five weeks long, this can help you accelerate your degree completion.

90 Credits Transfer

Our complimentary, unofficial Lopes Credit Evaluation service will help you estimate your GCU transfer credits.^{(See disclaimer 5)}

Affordable Professional Development for Nurses

The RN to BSN program at GCU has a competitive rate of tuition that is comparable to other popular online nursing options for students. Our goal is to provide a high-quality nursing education for current nurses at a cost that is affordable for all students.

#13

GCU is ranked 13 out of 780 Best Colleges for Nursing in America, according to Niche.com^{(See disclaimer 6)}

95.57%

GCU’s NCLEX first-time pass rate for all Arizona locations in 2024^{(See disclaimer 7)}

Coursework

Learn From Experienced Nurses in Care Management and Leadership

In your BSN courses, you will receive instruction from practicing nurses in the field who share their knowledge and experience in the areas of clinical patient care, healthcare management, professional and development in nursing practice and leadership. Work through a practice-focused curriculum that explores advanced topics in patient assessment, health promotion, nursing research and the management of complex diseases.

You will be prompted to develop a greater understanding of evidence-based practice and modern issues in nursing, such as informatics. In this comprehensive curriculum, you can gain valuable learning experiences that can be applied directly to your nursing career post-graduation.

Careers

Career Paths With a BSN Degree

Nurses with a BSN may apply their advanced knowledge and skills to position themselves for possible career advancement. Nurses with a BSN may also find more workplaces and opportunities available to them.^{(See disclaimer 5)} According to the AACN, Magnet hospitals require a BSN for all nurse managers and other nurse leaders.^{(See disclaimer 5)} Launched in the 1990s by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the Magnet Recognition Program identifies hospitals committed to excellence in healthcare for both patients and nurses.^{(See disclaimer 8)}

As an RN, a BSN may open the door to pursuing:

Career Opportunities

According to a recent survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 69.8% of employers express a strong preference for BSN program graduates, while 25% of hospitals and other healthcare settings require new hires to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing.^{(See disclaimer 9 )}Earning your BSN can not only^{(See disclaimer )}strengthen your clinical skills and knowledge, but also position you competitively as more clinical roles begin to require this level of education.^{(See disclaimer 5,9)} Get ahead of the curve while opening doors to opportunities in nursing.

Workplace Options

Depending on your area of interest, you may be prepared to work in hospitals, ambulatory care centers, residential care facilities or government agencies.^{(See disclaimer 10 )}Ultimately, what you are taught in an RN to BSN degree program can help you position yourself to advance in your career.

Accreditation

Earn Your RN to BSN Degree From an Accredited University

The baccalaureate degree programs in nursing, the master’s degree programs in nursing, the Doctor of Nursing Practice programs and the post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Grand Canyon University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation).

GCU is also institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an independent accrediting body that provides high educational standards for comprehensive institutional review.

For more information on the accreditation of nursing programs and other university licensures, please visit. our Nursing Accreditation and Regulations page.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re hoping to take the next step in your nursing career by earning a bachelor’s degree, read through some frequently asked questions to learn more about this program.

How long is the RN to BSN program?

Most of the core courses are five weeks in length. The core courses can be completed in 14 months. Students that transfer in the maximum of 90 credits, including six upper division, may be able to complete the core courses in as little as 12 months.^{(See disclaimer 4 )}Residency requirements require undergraduate students to complete at least 30 semester credits of coursework in a GCU program. Students must also meet the upper-division credit requirement by completing a minimum of 36 semester credits of 300-level or above courses.

Is an online RN to BSN program worth it?

As a working RN with an associate degree or a nursing diploma, you may feel that earning an online^{(See disclaimer 2)} BSN is worth it if you’re interested in enhancing your nursing education and skills or laying a foundation for pursuing graduate-level nursing education. Additionally, a BSN program can be worthwhile for nurses interested in delivering exceptional care and contributing to improved patient outcomes. In this program, you’ll examine advanced competencies in clinical care, from health promotion for the family to physical assessment across the lifespan and beyond, while becoming part of our online learning community. You can immediately apply what you’ve been taught in your work as an RN. In addition, you’ll have opportunities to examine nursing leadership and management skills.

Can I continue to work while I earn my BSN degree?

GCU’s RN to BSN degree program can allow you to continue working as a nurse while you are enrolled in the online^{(See disclaimer 2)} program.^{(See disclaimer )}This way, you can further your education while maintaining other commitments.

If you have a busy work schedule, enrolling in an online program may be a great option for you. GCU’s online programs are convenient and flexible, while helping you receive an education designed to help you meet your goals.

Does this degree make me eligible to sit for specialty certification in community and public health roles?

Students enrolled in the RN-BSN program at GCU receive exposure to community and public health content in their Health Promotion and Population Health course and have an opportunity to apply these lessons to a community teaching project. Students seeking public health nurse certification in the state of California (CA) have the option to enroll in an additional course that meets the requirements of CA certification. Students are encouraged to contact their individual boards of nursing to obtain specific information regarding additional content and clinical requirements to obtain community/public health certification in their state.

What can I do with a BSN degree besides nursing?

A BSN can be a stepping stone toward potentially pursuing nursing careers away from the bedside. For instance, after earning your BSN, you may be eligible for entry into an MSN with a public health emphasis program, where you can shift your focus toward public health and community health advocacy.

Other options may include careers in nursing education and nursing informatics. Earning an MSN degree may be helpful to pursue these career paths.

Are RN to BSN programs hard?

Courses

Program Curriculum

Credit Summary

General Education Requirements6-8 credits

Major33 credits

Open Elective Credits76-78 credits

Degree Requirements120 credits

Core Courses

NRS-415

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education, the role of the professional nurse, and the importance of effective nursing leadership. Standards of practice, differentiated nursing practice, professional accountability, interprofessional collaboration, and quality improvement are emphasized with importance placed on the application of leadership styles and management skills.

NRS-420

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course focuses on methods of health history taking, physical examination skills, and documentation. Learners integrate assessment skills and clinical judgment/reasoning in identifying actual or potential health problems and needs across the life span. Health promotion strategies are incorporated to provide for the unique needs of the individual, ensuring person-centered care. Learners design plans of care based on evidence-based research and practice.

NRS-425

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course focuses on the community as the patient taking into account varying cultures, spiritual values, geographic norms, and economic conditions. The course examines social determinants of health, including social, legal, and political variables impacting individual, community, and population health across the life span. Students use epidemiological data, functional health pattern assessments, and nursing theories to plan and intervene in areas of health promotion and disease prevention across the life span.

HLT-362V

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This is an introductory course on concepts of statistics, emphasizing applications to health care professions. The course is designed to prepare learners to understand concepts of statistics and the appropriateness of statistical methods used in published research papers and a variety of settings. Areas of emphasis include an introduction to the statistical analysis concepts of variable/reliability factors; P values; experimental design; descriptive statistics, including mean, median, and mode; sampling methods; and power analysis.

NRS-445

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This writing-intensive course promotes the use of research findings as a basis for improving clinical practice. Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies are analyzed with an emphasis on the critical review of research studies and their application to clinical practice. Students develop evidence-based practice recommendations from the critical analysis of available literature guided by a PICOT question. Prerequisite: HLT-362V.

PHI-413V

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course introduces a Christian foundation for spiritual assessment and care with specific emphasis on biomedical ethical principles and ethical decision-making within health care. Students practice assessment and propose holistic interventions that take into account the dignity of the human person. These assessments and interventions contribute to the physical and spiritual well-being of individuals across the life span and the health-illness continuum.

NRS-450

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course focuses on the methods and technologies used to acquire, process, and analyze patient data, emphasizing information and communication technologies that support the documentation of care and effective communication among health team members at all system levels. This course provides students with an understanding of the importance of professional and ethical standards pertaining to the regulation and security of health information.

NRS-455

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is designed to build upon existing knowledge of the pathophysiological processes of disease as they affect patients across the life span, recognizing the nurse's multidimensional role in health promotion and disease management and prevention, which include biological, environmental, social, psychological, and spiritual dimensions. Integration of nutritional and pharmacological concepts encourages critical thinking and application of nursing interventions. Prerequisite: NRS-420.

NRS-460

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course integrates knowledge from pathophysiology, pharmacology, nursing theory, and current evidence-based practice to inform clinical judgment and to ensure safe, effective, and holistic care. The nursing process is applied to provide safe, quality care reflecting cultural humility across the life span. Particular attention is paid to interprofessional collaboration in the process of disease management and care coordination.

NRS-465

6 Total Credits

Course Description

The final course in the program is writing-intensive. It will integrate the academic and practical knowledge students have acquired throughout the program’s curriculum. Students participate in planned clinical experiences that refine professional competencies at the baccalaureate level and enable them to integrate new knowledge and enhanced skills to advance nursing practice. Clinical practice hours are dedicated to learning objectives in leadership and community health. The evidence-based project provides students an opportunity to identify a clinical nursing practice issue and propose a possible solution. Students, under the guidance of faculty and approved preceptors, identify and analyze a nurse practice issue, develop a change project, and propose an evidence-based solution that reflects synthesis and integration of course content and professional practice. The evidence-based project development is guided by the baccalaureate program learning outcomes. Clinical hours: 100. 50 hours in leadership and 50 hours in community health. Prerequisite: NRS-415, NRS-420, NRS-425, HLT-362V, NRS-445, PHI-413V, NRS-450, NRS-455, NRS-460.

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

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Develop as a Healthcare Professional

Enroll in an RN to BSN program to strengthen your leadership and clinical skills.

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Cannot be used in conjunction with other GCU scholarships or awards.
Clinical, practicum and immersion hours completed locally.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (n.d.). Employment of New Nurse Graduates and Employer Preferences for Baccalaureate-Prepared Nurses. Retrieved October 2025.
The entire program requires 120 credits.
Service offered on business days only.
Niche. (n.d.). Grand Canyon University. Retrieved October 2025.
Arizona Board of Nursing. (n.d.). NCLEX Annual Pass Rate. Retrieved October 2025.
Wolters Kluwer. (2022, Sept. 13). History of the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program. Retrieved October 2025.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (n.d.). The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice. Retrieved October 2025.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). Registered Nurses: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved October 2025.