Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
Advance from Associate Degree in Nursing to BSN while continuing to work. CCNE-accredited program designed for licensed Registered Nurses seeking career advancement.
Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Duration
12 to 18 months (for RN holders)
Format
100% Online
Language
English
Credits
120 credit hours (30 upper-division nursing credits)
Next Intake
Fall 2026, Spring 2027
Application Deadline
June 1, 2026 (Fall)
Tuition
$3,342 per semester (in-state) / $11,712 per semester (out-of-state)
Financial Aid
HRSA scholarships, employer tuition assistance, federal financial aid, Georgia HOPE scholarship.
Program Overview
The RN to BSN program at Albany State University is designed for one purpose: to help licensed Registered Nurses earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing as efficiently as possible while continuing to work. CCNE-accredited and delivered entirely online, this program builds on your existing nursing knowledge and clinical experience — you won't repeat what you already know. Instead, you'll gain the evidence-based practice, community health, leadership, and informatics skills that distinguish BSN-prepared nurses in today's healthcare environment.
The nursing profession has moved decisively toward BSN as the standard credential. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Institute of Medicine have called for 80% of working nurses to hold a BSN. Major health systems — including Phoebe Putney — increasingly require or prefer BSN for hiring and promotion. Magnet-designated hospitals require BSN-prepared nurses for direct care roles. If you're an ADN-prepared RN, the question is not whether to get your BSN, but where and how efficiently you can do it.
At ASU, the answer is: 30 upper-division nursing credits completed entirely online in 12-18 months. Your ADN coursework and clinical experience are recognized — you receive credit for prior learning and build from where you are, not from the beginning. The curriculum adds depth in areas that ADN programs typically don't cover in detail: evidence-based practice, community and public health nursing, nursing research, health informatics, and leadership and management.
Why This Program Stands Out
Who This Program Is For
This program is for licensed RNs with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a diploma in nursing who need the BSN to advance. You may be a bedside nurse at a hospital that has announced BSN-preferred hiring policies. You may be an experienced RN who wants to move into charge nurse, nurse manager, or public health nursing roles. You may be planning for the MSN — and need the BSN as the prerequisite. Whatever your motivation, this program respects your time, your experience, and your budget.
12-18 mo
Typical completion
30 upper-division nursing credits at 2-3 courses per semester while working full-time as an RN.
30
Nursing credits needed
Upper-division courses only. Your ADN coursework and clinical experience are recognized and credited.
$10,026
Estimated total (GA)
Approximately $3,342/semester over 3 semesters. Often partially or fully covered by employer tuition assistance.
100%
Online
Fully asynchronous. No campus visits, no live sessions, no clinical rotations. Study after your shift.
No GRE
Required
No standardized tests for admission. Your RN license and nursing GPA are the credentials that matter.
80%
BSN goal
IOM and AACN recommend 80% of nurses hold BSN by 2030. Major employers are implementing BSN-preferred hiring now.
What Sets This Program Apart
12-18 months to BSN
Only 30 upper-division nursing credits needed. Your ADN coursework and clinical experience are fully recognized. Most students complete the program in 3-4 semesters while working full-time.
No clinical rotations
Your current RN practice IS your clinical experience. No supervised rotations, no clinical site placements, no time off work for clinical hours.
CCNE accredited
Meets the national standard for nursing education. Satisfies BSN requirements for Magnet hospitals, military commissioning, and MSN program admission.
Employer-paid for many
Phoebe Putney and other regional hospitals offer tuition assistance for RN to BSN completion. Combined with federal financial aid, many students pay little or nothing out of pocket.
Direct MSN pipeline
3.0 GPA qualifies you for ASU's CCNE-accredited MSN — FNP, Nurse Educator, or Nursing Informatics. No GRE required. RN to BSN to MSN in approximately 4-5 years total.
HRSA loan repayment eligible
Graduates practicing in Health Professional Shortage Areas — most of rural Southwest Georgia — may qualify for HRSA Nurse Corps covering up to 85% of nursing education debt.
What You Will Learn
Evidence-Based Practice & Research
Community & Population Health
Leadership & Professional Development
Skills You Will Gain
Interested in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)?
Meet the admissions team from ASU Albany at Coins For College Education Fair 2026. Ask questions, get answers, and start your application.