Accelerated RN to BSN Program

Nursing (RN to BSN)

The RN to BSN program is for registered nurses who hold an Associate Degree in nursing or a Diploma in Nursing, with a grade of C or better in all prior courses, and a current valid RN license in the State of North Carolina. Earning a BSN degree can help registered nurses broaden their understanding of nursing practice, expand potential career opportunities, and support the goal of increasing the number of nurses in the workforce who have a bachelor’s degree.

Nursing is offered as a major (BS) at William Peace University (SPS only). NSG courses are restricted to students registered in the RN to BSN program.

BSN Student Handbook 23-24

Career Success with a BSN Degree

The nursing profession is a consistently reliable and fulfilling career path. Very few jobs have the security, opportunity, and stability to weather any economic challenges like nursing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing is projected to grow much faster than average as an occupation through 2028. Think about it: what other career delivers job offers to nursing school students months prior to graduation? 

Nationally, the average salary for someone holding a BSN degree is $79,624. ZipRecruiter is reports annual salaries as high as $113,829.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) most recent 2019 report found that the number of BSN-prepared nurses is at an all-time high of 56% of all RNs. And according to a 2019 survey by Medscape, there was a pretty big difference in pay between RNs who had their Bachelor’s degrees and those who did not, regardless of whether they earned it through a BSN online program or a more traditional BSN program.

What Can I Do With a BSN?

While this list isn’t an all-encompassing, it will give you an idea of a typical set of responsibilities for a nurse with a BSN:

• Develop nursing care treatment plans
• Treat patients for illnesses, injuries, and other medical conditions to positively impact patient outcomes
• Provide support to patients and their families in coping with a specific illness or medical condition
• Educate patients—and the public at large—about how to improve their health habits
• Supervise other nurses and assign hospital tasks based on patient care plans
• Administer medications and injections
• Assist doctors during surgeries or major procedures
• Perform routine lab work
• Assist in case management

Nurses with their BSN can also continue their schooling in an MSN program, eventually becoming a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist.

Where Can I Work?

• Private medical and surgical hospitals: 48% of nurses work in private hospitals. In this setting, you’ll treat a broad spectrum of illnesses and injuries. Some of the most common areas nurses are needed are surgery, the maternity ward and the emergency room.

• Physicians’ offices: Working in a physicians’ office generally means less emergency situations and better regularity in hours. Nurses’ duties in a physicians’ office include prepping patients, overseeing records and giving injections.

• Public medical and surgical hospitals: Public hospitals are now less common in the U.S., so fewer nurses are employed there. Working in a public hospital includes assisting in the maternity ward and emergency room, as well as keeping patient records and administering medications.

• Home health care services: You’ll work to make sure your patient receives the medication and care that he or she needs. Patients might be children with medical needs that their parents can’t meet, or they might be adults who are unable to care for themselves.

• Nursing care facilities: Nurse duties in these facilities may include providing elderly patient care, including bathing and assisting in daily activities. Other nursing care facilities provide rehabilitation care for patients who were recently released from the hospitals.

Note

This information is courtesy of: AllNursingSchools.com

1. Why should I get a bachelor’s degree in nursing?

• Many hospitals require a BSN for continued employment.
• A BSN is a requirement for many nursing roles, especially in leadership and advanced nursing roles.
• A BSN based in liberal studies will provide you with an educational background similar to other health professions.
• A BSN will promote your personal and professional growth, development and fulfillment.

2. What are the admission eligibility criteria for the RN to BSN program?

• A current unrestricted nursing license to practice as an RN, either diploma or associate’s degree.
• Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• All students must be proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in English.

3. How many credits do I need for the RN to BSN program at WPU, and how can I get them?

• 120 credit hours are needed to complete a bachelor’s degree program.
• The 120 total hours consist of 1) 30 hours of nursing course work from your associate nursing degree or diploma, 2) 60 hours Liberal Education hours taken at WPU or transferred in, and 3) 30 hours of WPU upper division nursing courses.
• Up to 90 credit hours may be transferred in (30 prior nursing and 60 Liberal education).

4. Is there a time limit on transfer of credit to WPU?

• Courses taken at regionally accredited higher education institutions where a grade of C- or higher was earned will be accepted for transfer credit provided the course or courses are similar to a course or courses offered at William Peace University and are applicable to a William Peace University degree program.

5. When can I begin the RN to BSN program?

• The School of Professional Studies offers six start dates a year: August, October, January, March, May, and June. Liberal education courses may be started at any of these times during the academic year. It is recommended to have the majority of liberal education courses completed prior to starting your nursing courses.
• Although students may start nursing courses at any time, it is recommended to start in the Spring (January) or Fall (August) to simplify the sequencing of the nursing courses.

6. How quickly can I earn the BSN at WPU?

• The nursing curriculum can be completed in as little as 12 months. The length of time depends on the number of credit hours transferred in and the student’s pace of study.

7. Is this program available via distance education/online?

• This is a flexible program that offers 100% online and hybrid delivery options. For the hybrid program, some of the nursing courses will be completely online (fully asynchronous) while some will meet a few times during the semester.

8. On what days and where do the nursing classes meet?

• Classes will meet on Thursday afternoons and/or evenings depending on the course combinations.
• Classes will meet either in classrooms at WPU’s partner hospitals, WakeMed and Rex Hospital, or on the WPU campus. All classrooms are located in central Raleigh.

9. How do I prepare for enrollment in this program?

• Apply Here
• Gather all your educational records and transcripts.
• If interested in financial aid for assistance in paying for the program, complete a FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
• Mobilize your spouses, family, and friends to be your support system.
• Prepare to reorganize your commitments and other activities to open up time to accommodate your new academic endeavors.
• Hone your computer skills, e.g. how to use Microsoft Word, PowerPoint.
• Gather proof of nursing licensure, CPR, TB and other immunizations.
• Be prepared to do a background and drug test (and catch up on outdated immunizations) prior to taking clinical nursing courses.

10. What are the required nursing courses?

11. What are the clinical/practicum requirements?

• To meet educational and accreditation requirements, RN to BSN students are required to do 126 clinical hours, which will be completed by doing direct and indirect hours. Simulated experiences may also be included.
• Prior to clinical courses, all required documents (e.g. background, drug tests, and immunizations) must be completed.
  Note:  This applies only to students from non-partnered health systems.
• Students may complete some of their clinical hours at their place of employment.

12. What are the costs?

• Tuition for Hospital Partners: Nursing Courses $198 per credit hour; General Ed Courses $315 per credit hour.
• Tuition for Non-Hospital Partners: Nursing Courses $220 per credit hour; General Ed Courses $350 per credit hour.
• The application fee is waived to our School of Professional Studies (SPS) students.
• There is a $45 comprehensive fee per semester.
• Textbooks may be rented at discounted rates via the WPU Bookstore.

13. Is support available?

• The School of Professional Studies team is very accessible and ready to help you through your educational journey.  An Academic Success Coach serves as academic advisor and provides support and referrals.
• All students have access to the Center for Student Success, including tutoring, academic-focused workshops (e.g. time management, study skills), and coaching.
• The WPU Tutoring Center provides tutoring in the liberal education courses. Tutoring is available in person and virtually.

14. I’ve decided I want to pursue my BSN with WPU. What is my next step?

Congratulations! The first step is to APPLY or contact admissions at rnbsn@peace.edu to determine your eligibility.

Dr. Erica L. Jastrow has over 20 years of experience as a Registered Nurse and over 15 years of experience in Higher Education. She received a BSN from Lenoir Rhyne University and then earned a Master’s Degree in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Education from UNC-Greensboro. In 2019, she completed a Doctor of Education degree with an emphasis in Higher Education Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Erica lives in Oxford, NC with her husband, children, and two barn cats. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, reading, and doing outdoor activities.

See Dr. Erica Jastrow full bio