Program Overview

Online RN-to-BSN: Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The University of Maryland School of Nursing offers an online RN-to-BSN program, ranked among the top 10 BSN programs nationwide by U.S. News & World Report. This program is designed to expand education and career opportunities for registered nurses.

Program Overview

The online RN-to-BSN program is a competency-based education program that focuses on demonstrating knowledge, skills, and attitudes as students progress through their education. The program requires at least 59 prerequisite credits and 30 credits for a valid registered nursing license.

Why Earn Your BSN?

Earning a BSN can position you for growth into a nurse leadership role, remain competitive in the job market, and expand career opportunities. Magnet institutions prefer to hire BSN-prepared nurses.

Program Format

The program is offered fully online, with the option to attend full-time or part-time, and beginning in either the fall or spring semester. An optional three-course interest area in Care Coordination with Health IT or Substance Use and Addictions is available.

Program Requirements

As a student in the online RN-to-BSN program, you will:

• Select three elective courses to specialize in an area of your choice
• Complete a community/public health practicum during your final semester
• Learn from faculty who are leaders in their fields, scientists on the cutting edge of nursing research, and expert clinicians with decades of experience

Prerequisite Courses

The following lower-division, pre-professional courses may be completed at any accredited college or university:

• General Chemistry (4 credits)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II (8 credits)
• Microbiology (4 credits)
• Human Growth and Development (3 credits)
• Statistics (3 credits)
• Nutrition (3 credits)
• English Composition I and II or Creative Writing/Literature (6 credits)
• Psychology (3 credits)
• Social Sciences (3 credits)
• Arts and Humanities (9 credits)
• General Electives (10 credits)

Admission Requirements

Competitive candidates for admission typically exhibit an academic and professional background that includes:

• An overall GPA of 2.5
• A preferred science GPA of 2.75
• Experience in nursing

Application Materials

The following materials are required for application:

• Online application and non-refundable $75 application fee
• One recommendation from a professional or academic source
• Essay (no more than 300 words) describing how the completion of the RN-to-BSN option will influence nursing practice
• Typed résumé or CV
• Prerequisite Course List
• Copy of valid, unrestricted RN license in the United States
• Official transcripts from every institution previously attended or currently attending

Tuition and Fees

In-state tuition: $4,879/full-time semester Out-of-state tuition: $20,021.50/full-time semester Additional fees vary by program, semester, and course enrollment.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Integrate knowledge from the liberal arts and sciences to enrich nursing knowledge and practice
• Implement the nursing process to provide person-centered, holistic nursing care
• Advance equity in all healthcare settings using principles of social justice, advocacy, and collaboration
• Engage in scholarly inquiry to identify best evidence to deliver effective, innovative, and ethical nursing care
• Incorporate quality improvement principles to promote a culture of safety
• Coordinate care that anticipates and meets the needs of diverse populations
• Integrate information management and patient care technologies to provide equitable and safe care
• Use self-reflection and feedback from others to promote personal well-being, leadership capacity, and lifelong professional development
• Develop a nursing identity guided by principles of ethics, legal responsibility, emotional intelligence, and social justice to ensure excellence in nursing practice.