Everyone has a story to tell about what attracted them to nursing. Some pursue caregiving roles while others like the variety of job options and advancement opportunities found in nursing. If you are already a registered nurse, the online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) offers the opportunity to enhance your knowledge, skills and impact while expanding your career horizons.
Whatever your reason for deciding to earn a BSN, an online option can help you achieve your goals. The program offers flexibility and comprehensive coursework designed to strengthen your clinical knowledge and prepare you for leadership opportunities in nursing.
What Are the Benefits of RN to BSN Programs?
RN to BSN programs offer personal, professional and financial benefits. An online RN to BSN program is ideal for RNs who want to move up in the nursing field and increase their earning potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for RNs as a whole was $93,600 as of May 2024. Comparatively, ZipRecruiter reports that BSN-prepared nurses earned a median salary of $102,263 per year as of January 2026, representing a significant wage bump.
An RN to BSN program is also a good option if you are an RN with a baccalaureate or graduate degree in another field of study. In UNCW’s online RN to BSN, you can transfer in all your prerequisite credits, allowing you to focus on the 30 credit-hour nursing curriculum. With this model, you can complete your BSN and begin advancing your career in as few as 12 months. Additional benefits of earning your BSN include:
- Job mobility
- Job security
- A competitive edge in the job market
- Improving patient outcomes through enhanced knowledge and performance
What Are the Advantages of Completing an Online RN to BSN?
An online RN to BSN program is ideal if you are a working nurse and do not want to take time off from your job. In addition, the program allows you flexibility so you can devote time to family and other commitments. You may also choose UNCW’s online RN to BSN program because it offers the following:
- Multiple start dates so you do not have to wait a full year to begin the program
- Convenient scheduling so you can learn at your own pace
- Consistent time requirements for assignment due dates
- Affordable tuition and the potential for employer tuition reimbursement
An additional advantage of online RN to BSN programs is the convenience. With the online model, you do not have to commute to a campus and sit in a classroom for hours. You can study when and where it works for your schedule.
To stay on track in an online RN to BSN program, you need excellent time management and organizational skills. Attention to detail is also crucial. Likewise, you need the same abilities to work in nursing. Online RN to BSN programs reinforce and strengthen these skills.
What Types of Courses Will You Find in an Online BSN Program?
Quality online RN to BSN programs offer the comprehensive preparation needed to succeed in today’s complex healthcare environment. Coursework bridges health policy, evidence-based practice, leadership, pharmacology and community health. These studies help you gain clinical knowledge, learn how to apply research to nursing practice, and develop the skills and confidence required to be a leader in delivering patient care.
Once you complete an RN to BSN program, you can pursue career opportunities in leadership, administration, research, consulting and teaching. These are examples of courses you will take in UNCW’s online RN to BSN program:
- Health Assessment for Registered Nurses
- Health Policy
- Pathophysiologic and Pharmacological Evidence Based Nursing Care
- Population and Community Health Nursing
- Professional Nursing Practice for the Baccalaureate Nurse
- Leadership and Management in Nursing
Advancing Your Nursing Career With a BSN
The online RN to BSN program from UNCW provides you with the flexibility, rigor and comprehensive coursework needed to advance your career while continuing to serve your patients and communities. By earning your BSN, you position yourself for increased responsibilities, leadership opportunities and lifelong professional development in the ever-evolving healthcare field.
Whether you seek career advancement, competitive wages or greater job security, an online RN to BSN program offers the pathway to achieve your professional goals. The program’s convenient online format ensures you can balance your education with your existing work and personal commitments.
Learn more about UNCW’s online RN to BSN program.
