RN – BSN
Patients and providers all want better patient outcomes, and BSN-educated nurses are better equipped to meet the complex care needs of patients, coordinate that care among clinicians, and use new technologies to make care more effective and efficient.
The RN-BSN degree completion program at WSU educates RNs wanting to advance their nursing knowledge, broaden their perspective of clinical practice, and enhance their leadership potential. Designed for nurses managing careers and families, you can complete the RN-BSN program at your own pace or in as little as 1 to 2 years.
With the largest program in the state, WSU has a history of graduating competent, compassionate nurses ready to practice in all healthcare settings. See our Program Outcomes to learn more.
Why Earn your BSN?
More than three-fourths of employers have a strong preference for hiring BSN-prepared nurses, and almost half of hospitals and other health care facilities in the United States require new hires to have a BSN. For those who are already employed, having a bachelor’s degree can open more doors to leadership and management positions. And salaries for nurses with bachelor’s degrees are higher than those for RNs with an associate degree after 1-4 years of experience. The Institute of Medicine has called for 80 percent of nurses to have a bachelor’s degree by 2020.
WSU RN-BSN
The WSU College of Nursing offers a degree-completion course for RNs geared for the working professional. Whether you’re returning to school or are part of a direct-transfer community college program, courses are offered in a flexible, mostly online format that can be completed part-time or full-time. There is just one on-campus meeting per semester, offered at all five WSU College of Nursing sites statewide (Spokane, the Tri-Cities, Yakima, Vancouver, and Walla Walla). The WSU College of Nursing arranges clinical experiences at a variety of sites, unlike some other programs that require RNs to find their own clinical placements. And with nearly 50 years of leadership in nursing education, the WSU College of Nursing is recognized by health care entities throughout the Pacific Northwest as a high-quality institution that produces exceptional graduates.
Course Work
WSU awards 32 credits toward completion of your BSN degree for passing the NCLEX and maintaining an active RN license. The remaining 30 credits may be completed full-time or part-time, and students can start any semester. The program includes course work in assessment, research, informatics, leadership, management, ethics, mental health and community health.
Program Delivery and Scheduling
The program is flexible, with just one on-campus meeting per semester, on Tuesday of the third week of the term. This event brings together all students enrolled in all courses for dynamic, interactive learning. Online course work during the semester is managed via the Blackboard system. Full- and part-time enrollment, or individualized plans of study, are arranged with an RN-BSN advisor. Clinical experiences are completed at a variety of sites and coordinated by the College of Nursing. Border Bill students may complete their clinical in Oregon or in Washington if they have a Washington RN license.
Current Students
The College of Nursing provides academic support for students at both the Spokane campus and the Tri-Cities campus. Visit the current students resources page for access to all the information you’ll need to be successful.
The College of Nursing awards at least $465,000 each year to support high-achieving nursing students who are striving to improve the quality of health care.
Pre-Application Requirements
Proof of a current, unemcumbered Washington state RN license or eligibility for licensure is required. View pre-application requirements or contact an RN-BSN advisor.
Applicants must consult with the academic advisor, Kyle Ross, for assistance with the application process.
Admission Criteria
- A current, unencumbered Washington State RN License or eligibility for licensure is required.
- Applicants must be at junior standing (60 semester hours/90 quarter hours), have a direct transferable AA/AS degree, or have a bachelor’s degree.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in all college course work.
- Students must complete College of Nursing prerequisite courses and WSU’s University Common Requirements (UCORE) or equivalent course work. Some Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), or Bachelor’s degrees may satisfy these requirements. Check with your academic advisor or compare your completed courses at the Transfer Credit Equivalencies website.
College of Nursing’s prerequisite courses – Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Minimum grade for each prerequisite course – 2.0. (Pass/satisfactory grades and CLEP scores are not accepted).
Apply to the RN-BSN Program
We admit students twice per year for summer, fall, and spring terms. Contact an RN-BSN advisor for additional information and for assistance with the application process or visit our Spokane nursing steps to apply page.
RN-BSN Deadlines:
Summer & fall: January 15
Spring: August 20
- Applicants must consult with the academic advisor, Kyle Ross, for assistance with the application process.
- Obtain College of Nursing RN-BSN application and application guidelines from your advisor.
- Fill out and submit your College of Nursing application online by application deadline. You will receive the link to the application from your advisor.
- Send official transcripts to: WSU Tri-Cities 2710 Crimson Way Richland, WA 99354
- In addition to the RN-BSN application, apply to WSU as directed by your RN-BSN advisor.
- Apply for financial aid (FAFSA). WSU school code: 003800. Deadline to apply is February 15 for the following academic year.
- Late applications are reviewed and accepted if space is available.
Congratulations! You’ve Been Admitted. What’s Next?
Refer to the Admitted Students section of our Spokane nursing website for information on what’s next in the admission process. This site includes orientation information, a list of nursing requirements, important dates and deadlines, and additional resources you will need during the admission process.
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