Having a BSN enhances your RN knowledge and competencies needed for the ever-changing healthcare environment. Now more than ever, nurses prepared at the baccalaureate and master’s level are in great demand by healthcare employers. Our faculty is invested in nurturing students as they prepare for their roles as they prepare to advance their career. Western Carolina University's School of Nursing is approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Our 100 percent online RN to BSN program allows registered nurses (RNs) to build upon their basic nursing education, broaden their perspective of current clinical practice, enhance their leadership potential, and prepare for graduate study in nursing by earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) in only 4 semesters.
100 percent of classwork is online. The easy access to coursework and classes allows you to complete your BSN and work simultaneousy.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to apply principles of therapeutic communication with individuals and communicate professionally both orally and in written form, use elements and standards of reasoning within the nursing process, collaborate in a goal-directed manner when performing nursing care and working with other healthcare providers, recognize the need to incorporate professional nursing values, and access data and information from print, electronic, and other sources.
At WCU, tuition for all undergraduate students has been reduced to $500 per fall and spring semesters for in-state students and $2,500 for out-of-state students. This is made possible through the State of North Carolina's NC Promise program.
Virtual RN to BSN Information Sessions are offered via Zoom each month at 7:30 PM EST. Sessions are hosted by School of Nursing faculty and staff who will give a brief presentation followed by a Q&A period.
RN to BSN Sessions for 2024 will be held on the second Wednesday of each month. Please RSVP for the information sessions via the RSVP form. This will allow us to send you a reminder the day of the session and track how many attend these events. The zoom link for the session is also at the top if you forget to RSVP prior to the session.
2024 Dates (second Wednesday of each month): October 9 (CANCELLED), November 13, and December 11
Once you have registered, please log into Zoom and join your session 5-10 minutes before the 7:30pm start time.
Each session typically runs 45-60 minutes long. While transcript evaluations will not take place during these sessions information will be provided to assist applicants in reviewing their prior coursework.
Students are admitted twice a year and can begin the program in either January or August. Before applying to the program students must have completed the following:
Prerequisite Checklists:
Transfer Credits:
To see what courses will transfer into the University to meet the prerequisite requirements you will need to complete the Distance Learning Application. The application will require all official transcripts and official test scores (AP, CLEP, DANTES, etc.) to be sent to the Undergraduate Admissions Office for processing.
You may also uilize the Credits Earned Elsewhere page to see how courses taken outside of Western Carolina University will transfer into WCU.
Applicants will submit two separate applications, one to the University for general
acceptance and then a second to the RN to BSN Program. Below are the deadlines for
Spring and Fall starts.
1. Complete the University's Distance Learning Application by August 20th or February 25th (fall) -- Please note, you will need your 920#(student ID number) before step #2. Your
reference number is NOT your ID number, and cannot be used for this.
2. Complete the online RN to BSN Program Application. Spring 2025 is now closed. Fall 2025 will open November 1, 2024. Applications are due by September 15th (spring) and March 15th (fall). Please read the application carefully, incomplete applications will not be reviewed!
If you want to confirm that we have received your program application, please contact distance@wcu.edu.
Students will complete the following on a part-time basis in only 4 semesters:
Total: 30 hours
The estimated cost of attendance for the program for in-state residents is only $2,800.
Cost breakdown for in-state residents.
For tuition purposes, please use this link to determine if you are considered a North Carolina Resident: residency.wcu.edu
Interim Program Director:
Ramona Whichello, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Core Faculty:
Kia Countess, DNP, RN, CNE
Susan Hester, DNP, RN, CPN
Summer Huntley-Dale, PhD, FNP-C
Sheila Price, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE
Tamra Shea, PhD, MSN, RN
Francine Sheppard, PhD, RN, CNE
Megan Woody, DNP, RN