Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Online

This RN to BSN program challenges students to think critically and creatively, communicate effectively and learn independently in any healthcare setting.

12/9/24Next Application Due Date
1/13/25 Start Classes

Program Overview

A snapshot of USC Aiken’s online RN to BSN program

Total Tuition $9,486
Duration As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 31

Combining liberal arts ideals with real world applications, the University of South Carolina Aiken online RN to BSN program is designed to help working nurses transform their nursing career and complete their baccalaureate degree. The nursing major courses can be completed in as little as one year.

In this online nursing program, you will learn the principles of providing holistic care over the lifespan of the patient, including hospice care, palliative care, and evidence-based end-of-life treatment. The program focuses on community-based care and is aligned with the 2021 AACN Essentials, with an emphasis on population health and quality as well as patient safety. You will be prepared to function as an interdisciplinary team member in a variety of healthcare settings.

Taught by the same supportive faculty who teach on campus, this CCNE-accredited RN to BSN program will equip you with the practical experience to help your community and patients achieve optimal health.

Careers in healthcare with an RN to BSN:

  • Case Management Nurse
  • Clinical Supervisor
  • Public Health Nurse
  • Quality Improvement/Assurance Coordinator
  • Case Management Nurse
  • Clinical Supervisor
  • Public Health Nurse
  • Quality Improvement/Assurance Coordinator
Community network illustration

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) certificate in patient safety and quality is integrated into RN to BSN coursework at no additional cost. This certificate makes USC Aiken graduates more marketable as job candidates, empowering them to initiate quality improvements in the workplace right away.

ccne accredited blue logo

The BSN program at the University of South Carolina Aiken School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC, 20001, 202-887-6791.

Accreditation

ccne accredited blue logo

The BSN program at the University of South Carolina Aiken School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC, 20001, 202-887-6791.

$9,486 Total Tuition
As few as 12 months Duration
31 Credit Hours
Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 844-878-3634

Call 844-878-3634

Tuition

Learn more about our affordable tuition

The following is the tuition breakdown for students pursuing an RN to BSN online. Tuition shown refers to nursing courses only, and is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. Additional fees will apply each semester.

Tuition breakdown:

$9,486* Total Tuition
Per Credit Hour $306

Tuition breakdown:

$9,486 Total Tuition
$306 Per Credit Hour

Calendar

Important dates you need to know

Designed for working professionals, USC Aiken online programs conveniently feature multiple start dates each year. Choose the start date that’s best for you.

Now enrolling:

12/9/24 Next Apply Date
1/13/25 Next Class Start Date
TermStart DateApp DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlineClass End DateTerm Length
Fall 210/21/249/23/249/30/2410/14/2412/12/247 weeks
Spring 11/13/2512/9/2412/16/241/6/253/4/25
Spring 23/17/252/18/252/25/253/10/255/5/25

Now enrolling:

12/9/24 Next Apply Date
1/13/25 Next Class Start Date

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?

Apply Now

Admissions

Follow our streamlined admission requirements

Let's get started! The admission process is the first step toward earning your online degree. Familiarize yourself with these requirements for the RN to BSN online program, along with information on required documentation.

Admission Requirements:

  • Associate of Science nursing degree or Diploma in Nursing
  • 2.5 GPA minimum on prior undergraduate coursework
  • Current RN license valid in state where student will do preceptor work

RN to BSN Admission Requirements

  • Completed application and $45 application fee
  • Select “Licensed RNs only” as the application type
  • Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (institutions must be regionally accredited to receive transfer credit)
  • Associate of Science nursing degree or Diploma in Nursing OR scheduled NCLEX exam
      · If f the NCLEX exam has not been taken, please provide the NCLEX exam confirmation message or exam date.
  • Minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA
  • Current and unencumbered RN license valid in state in which student will be doing preceptor work

Students who have not yet taken the NLCEX exam may apply and begin the program, taking general education courses as needed and NURS A350 Professional Nursing and NURS A370 Pathophysiology only. Students must have an active license for all other nursing courses.

If you need to submit official documents by mail, send them to:

Office of Admissions
University of South Carolina Aiken
471 University Parkway, Box 45
Aiken, SC 29801

Or email [email protected]

Have a question? Call us at 844-878-3634.

See 10 reasons why the affordable 100% online MBA program from USC Aiken is the right choice for you.

Courses

A look at the RN to BSN online program curriculum

The RN to BSN online at USC Aiken consists of nine nursing courses totaling 31 credit hours and can be completed in as few as 12 months. BSN clinical requirements are met through 40 hours of application-based preceptorship completed in-person during your final term. Because an RN to BSN helps students complete the full requirements for a BSN, some students may also need to take additional General Education, Core, and Humanities courses. A total of 120 credit hours is required to complete the BSN degree. The breakdown of the 120 credit hours is as follows:

  • Nursing major courses—31 credit hours
  • Core, General Education, and Humanities requirements—55 credit hours
  • The remaining 34 credit hours will be awarded to students entering the program with their ADN degree

General Education and Humanities courses may be taken concurrently with Nursing courses. Core courses, with the exception of Intro to Chemistry and Statistics, must be completed prior to starting the program. Your program advisor can recommend options on taking any additionally required courses.

Additional courses and total hours required will be based on a transcript review and may vary by student.

Students must take the following online courses for a total of 31 credit hours:
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Focuses on the development of nursing as a professional discipline and science as well as related issues. Introduces students to nursing theories, processes and practice roles.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduces the student to a foundation in assessing the physical and psychosocial health status of individuals across the lifespan. Assessment skills and selected screening procedures will be applied in a client-simulated lab.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Focuses on the pathological basis of disease processes and clinical manifestations of selected diseases.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Emphasizes the principles and concepts of ethical theory and the legal basis for nursing practice. Ethical issues affecting nursing practice are examined to provide a basis for students to form intelligent, unbiased, ethical decisions. The legal responsibilities of nursing practice are identified and discussed particularly as they relate to ethical dilemmas and safe nursing practice. Pre-req's (NURS 350, 360 & 370).
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 5
Students in this course synthesize knowledge from all previous courses as they learn the concepts of caring for clients with complex health needs as well as clients requiring specialized healthcare facilities or intensive care. Pre-req's (NURS 350, 360 & 370).
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Provides an introduction to analytical and critical thinking, scientific concepts, methods and decisions, ethical and legal concerns, and techniques essential to the research process. Pre-req's (NURS 350, 360 & 370)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Theories on human development and the achievement and maintenance of healthy lifestyles for elders are explored. Pre-req's (NURS 350, 360 & 370)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 5
Concepts of community health nursing are presented and applied in clinical settings with emphasis on the community and the family as clients. Communicable disease control, principles of epidemiology, health promotion practices, family theories and public health issues are addressed. Pre-req's (NURS 350, 360 & 370)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 5
Focuses on the concepts and principles of leadership and management for professional nursing practice. Emphasis is placed on knowledge and skills that impact effective leadership and management roles. This course will provide for the senior project and must be in the student’s last semester. Needs 40 preceptor hours. Pre-req's (NURS 350, 360, 370 & 430)

Students must have 55 hours of Core, General Education, and Humanities courses. Many of these courses may be transferred in; the final list of courses required will be determined upon a transcript review. Courses are available online through USC Aiken; availability may be limited at times.

Your program advisor can assist you with finding suitable courses through USC Aiken and provide instructions on how to register.

General Education and Core – 46 Hours

Students must take the following courses—for a total of 46 credit hours—to complete the RN to BSN degree. The General Education courses may be taken at the same time as the Nursing courses. Core courses must be completed prior to starting the Nursing courses except for Intro to Chemistry and Statistics, as noted.

Course Name Credit Hours Course Type
Anatomy & Physiology I 4 Core
Anatomy & Physiology II 4 Core
Microbiology 4 Core
Intro to Chemistry (a pre-requisite for NURS A370 Pathophysiology*) 4 Core
English Composition I 3 Core
English Composition II 3 Core
Introductory Psychology 3 Core
Dev. Psychology 3 Core
Introductory Sociology 3 Core
Applied Speech 3 General Education
College Algebra 3 Core
Statistics (a pre-requisite for NURS A430 Nursing Research) 3 Core
History of Civilization 3 General Education
American Government or American History 3 General Education

Humanities - 9 Hours (One Humanities Course Must Be Non-Western)

Students must take nine hours of Humanities courses in addition to the above Core and General Education courses. Examples include World Music, Intro to Music, Art History, Religion courses, and Theater courses. The Humanities courses may be taken at the same time as the Nursing courses.

Academic Curricular Enrichment (ACE): ACE is a university-wide initiative aimed at engaging USC Aiken students through a series of diverse curricular-enrichment opportunities. Online ACE events are available. A total of four events are required.

Ranked #27

among the “Top Public Universities in the South” by U.S. News & World Report, 2024

Nationally recognized

among the “Best Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs” by U.S. News & World Report, 2024

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