Program Overview

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Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Online

The accelerated, online RN to BSN program at St. Thomas University is designed for working RNs who want to expand their practice to transformative leadership nursing roles in a variety of patient care settings. Graduates will possess a thorough understanding of culturally responsive health care practice and advocacy.

Program Overview

In St. Thomas University's accelerated, RN to BSN online degree program, you will add to your scientific knowledge base, gain the leadership skills to move into management roles, and expand your understanding of the diverse range of patients and families you may encounter in providing expert nursing care.

You will also learn to integrate clinical prevention and health care promotion strategies to maintain and improve patient health outcomes–and to expand your awareness of culturally diverse nursing care. You will learn from supportive faculty members who are dedicated to your professional development.

Core coursework includes community health nursing, culturally diverse nursing care, an exploration of ethical dilemmas encountered in nursing, and operational issues related to the health care system. Program curriculum incorporates a Catholic Identity course and a Diversity course that examine bioethical issues from the Catholic perspective and bring a depth of understanding of other faiths.

Any required general education coursework is offered online by STU and can be completed in conjunction with nursing courses at the same affordable tuition rate and accelerated format; there are no prerequisites or need to take courses at another institution. This will allow you to become the nursing leader you aim to be quicker and with the high-quality standards STU is committed to teaching. Beginning Spring 1 2023, new students seeking to take general education courses outside of STU will require Dean/CNO approval.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate the integration of philosophical and theoretical principles of the art and science of nursing to create a caring environment for diverse patients, families, and communities
• Incorporate teaching, learning and evaluation concepts in developing individualized health plans that meet the cultural and individual needs of patients, families and communities
• Demonstrate ethical and transformative leadership skills to promote a quality, safe, cost-effective health care environment for individuals, families and communities
• Demonstrate professionalism in the care of patients, in inter-professional education and in collaborative practice
• Demonstrate the ability to advocate for transformation in the health care delivery system that is responsive to sustain health care outcomes at local, regional, state, national and global levels
• Assume accountability for one's own professional development, lifelong learning and scholarship, and the advancement of the nursing profession
• Employ information technologies to manage knowledge, disseminate information, and promote decision-making in nursing practice

Nursing Career Opportunities

• BSN-prepared nurse
• Assistant Director of Nursing
• Assistant Nurse Manager
• Nurse Supervisor

Total Tuition

$8,830

Duration

As few as 12 months

Credit Hours

36

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree, master's degree, Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, and post-graduate certificate programs in nursing at St. Thomas University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001.

Tuition Breakdown

Program	Per Credit Hour	Per Course	Per Program
RN to BSN	$230	$740	$8,830

Calendar

The RN to BSN program is delivered in an online format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring six start dates each year. Choose the start date that's best for you.

Term	Start Date	App Deadline	Document Deadline	Registration Deadline	Tuition Deadline	Class End Date	Term Length
Summer 1	5/17/25	5/2/25	5/7/25	5/12/25	5/21/25	6/27/25	6 weeks
Summer 2	6/28/25	6/13/25	6/18/25	6/23/25	7/2/25	8/8/25	6 weeks
Fall 1	8/23/25	8/8/25	8/13/25	8/18/25	8/27/25	10/17/25	7 weeks
Fall 2	10/18/25	10/3/25	10/8/25	10/13/25	10/22/25	12/12/25	7 weeks

Admissions

Our very reasonable admission requirements allow students from diverse academic backgrounds greater access to the RN to BSN online program. Due to in-person clinical requirements, only students currently residing in Florida and Georgia can enter this program.

Admission Requirements

• Free Application
• 2.5 GPA or higher
• Active RN license

Additional Requirements

Prior to clinicals, students must:

• Show proof of current CPR awarded by the American Heart Association
• Show proof of current immunization and yearly Influenza vaccine prior to clinical rotation
• Successfully pass a Level II background check with an agency appointed by the University at students’ expense

Students are also required to carry personal, medical, and hospital insurance.

Courses

The RN to BSN online curriculum is comprised of 30 hours of nursing courses and 2 university-required courses (Catholic Identity and Diversity). STU requires the Catholic Identity and Diversity courses to be completed through STU Online as part of the graduation requirements. An additional 60 credits will be granted with the RN license. Students must also complete an additional 24 credits of general education credits. General Education courses from a previously attended accredited institution will be accepted, when applicable, on a course-by-course basis when you apply and are contingent upon course requirement equivalencies. Total course requirements will be determined after a transcript review once all official transcripts have been received.

Core Courses

• NUR 411: Transition to Professional Nursing
• NUR 415: Health Care System Issues
• NUR 416: Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice
• NUR 417: Aging and End of Life
• NUR 418: Health Assessment & Promotion
• NUR 419: Nursing Leadership
• NUR 420: Community Health Nursing
• NUR 421: Nursing Practice in Multicultural Society
• NUR 422: Nursing Informatics

Additional GER Courses

• REL 2300: World Religions
• PHI 3633: Biomedical Ethics

General Education Courses

• BSC 2084C: Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab
• BSC 2086C: Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab
• STA 2023: Applied Statistics
• MAT 1104: College Algebra
• DEP 2000: Human Growth Development
• MCB 2010C: Microbiology with Lab
• HUN 3221: Principles of Nutrition

Clinical Requirements

The RN to BSN coursework includes two courses, each requiring 54 hour clinical practicums: NUR 419 Nursing Leadership and NUR 420 Community Health Nursing. See course descriptions for more details.

STU strongly encourages students to secure their own preceptors, as this is the best way to accommodate schedule and location to the student’s needs. We also encourage students to have an alternate preceptor available. If assistance with clinical placement is needed, you may be required to commute outside your local area, as STU cannot guarantee a clinical site within your immediate location. Please note that your clinical site could be up to 100 miles from your residence. Please also be aware that:

• Students are restricted from completing clinical rotations in their assigned unit.
• Your immediate supervisor at your place of employment may not serve as your preceptor.
• Students are not permitted to perform clinical rotations during hours they are working as an employee at a facility.
• Students are also not allowed to be paid during clinical hours.

Prior to beginning clinical courses, you are required to complete and submit proof of the following:

• Current unencumbered RN license
• Criminal Background Check
• Drug Screening
• Basic Life Support (CPR) certification
• Annual Physical Examination
• Current Immunizations