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RN to BSN Online Degree Program

To meet today's high demand for BSN-prepared nursing professionals, the University of North Carolina Wilmington offers an accredited Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program completely online.

Overview

Learn more about our RN to BSN online program

The UNCW School of Nursing has been educating exceptional nurses for over four decades, as demonstrated by its accomplished alumni. In this online RN to BSN program at UNCW, you will learn from faculty with real-world nursing experience.

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$6,089.13*


N.C. Resident
Tuition & Fees

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as few as 12 months


Program Duration

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29*


Program
Credit Hours

Coursework includes a study of contemporary issues that affect professional nursing practice, gerontological nursing, community health nursing and core concepts of leadership and management.

What you will gain from this program:

  • The knowledge, skills and confidence to successfully compete and advance into high demand healthcare areas that serve an increasing aging population
  • Knowledge of nurse-led research in clinical issues
  • A foundation for career advancement into administrative, research, consulting and teaching

*Credit hours and tuition and fees are for nursing courses. Additional courses may be required. A minimum of 31 credit hours must be completed at UNCW. Tuition and fees subject to change; cost rounded to nearest dollar.

Additional courses may be required. Please view required coursework.

View nursing outcomes

RN-BSN FAQs

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Gaye Currier

"One of the biggest reasons was the quality of their program." Read More »

Ready to Get Started?

Begin your application today, or call 855-306-4734 with questions.

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Tuition

UNCW tuition is affordable

Tuition and fees for the RN to BSN online degree program are for nursing courses only. Additional courses may be required. A minimum of 31 credit hours must be completed at UNCW. Tuition and fees are subject to change.

  Per Credit Hour Fees Per Credit Hour Tuition Per 3 Credit Course Total Tuition & Fees
North Carolina Residents: $185.13 $24.84 $629.91 $6,089.13
Non-North Carolina Residents: $771.17 $24.84 $2388.03 $23,084.29

Total tuition and fees may vary by student and are subject to change. Learn more.

In order to make an accurate residency determination on applications for any higher education institution in North Carolina, and in compliance with state law, the University of North Carolina system now requires students to request residency classification from the new Residency Determination Service (RDS). RDS is the entity responsible for all new classifications of residency in North Carolina. Since this form and questionnaire are controlled by the State of North Carolina, and they have dedicated individuals to assist you, we would recommend you call RDS with questions you have about the process or questionnaire. Please see the contact information below:

Local number: 919-835-2290
Toll-free number: 844-319-3640
Fax number: 919-835-2427

Email: [email protected]

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NOTE: For Distance Education/Extension courses that require proctored exams, there may be additional fees for the verification of student identity. Students may also be required to find an independent testing facility for these exams. Contact the course instructor for more information.

Calendar

Add these important dates to your calendar

The RN to BSN online program is delivered in an online format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring several start dates each year. You can get started anytime!

Please note that sessions frequently fill ahead of published deadlines. Application cycles are open until the sessions Due to high demand, there is no advanced notice of application closures.

Term Classes Begin Application Deadline Document
Deadline
Registration Deadline Payment Due
Spring 2 03/13/23 02/11/23 02/18/23 03/15/23 03/16/23
Summer 1 05/15/23 04/15/23 04/22/23 05/17/23 05/18/23
Summer 2 07/03/23 06/03/23 06/10/23 07/05/23 07/06/23
Fall 1 08/28/23 07/29/23 08/05/23 08/30/23 08/31/23
Fall 2 10/23/23 09/23/23 09/30/23 10/25/23 10/26/23

Students must register for courses by 5 p.m. (EST) on the registration deadline date.
Students must remit tuition payment by 10 a.m. (EST) on the tuition deadline date./

Ready to Get Started?

Begin your application today, or call 855-306-4734 with questions.

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Admissions

Check out the qualifications for our bachelor’s in nursing program

Here's a checklist of what you'll need to begin the admission process for your RN to BSN degree online:

  • Submit an application to UNCW that includes a section for application to the RN to BSN option
  • Meet criteria for both admission to the UNCW and the RN to BSN program
  • A 2.50 cumulative GPA. Each student's cumulative GPA is calculated on all transferable college courses attempted at all accredited institutions of higher education according to the guidelines in use by the UNCW Admissions Office
  • At least 24 credits of transferable college coursework, including: at least 6 credits in college-level English. Three credits in college-level mathematics is recommended.
  • Additional rules may apply to students under 24—if you are under 24, ask your Enrollment Specialist for details
  • Eligibility to return to the last institution that you attended
  • Graduation from an Associate Degree in Nursing or Diploma Registered Nurse program
  • A current unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse
  • Minimum grade of C in all required and pre-requisite courses for the major
  • PLEASE NOTE: All applicants must submit official transcripts—including an official high school transcript, GED, or Adult High School Diploma—unless they have already earned a Bachelor’s degree.

Official transcripts from all colleges/universities are required. Electronic transcripts are preferred and can be emailed to: [email protected]. Transcripts can also be mailed directly from the institution(s) to UNCW at this address:

University of North Carolina Wilmington
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
601 South College Rd
Wilmington, NC 28403-5904

Have a question? Call us at 855-306-4734.

Military Transcripts: If applicable, request Military Transcripts to be sent to the Office of Admissions. Transcripts can be requested as follows:

  • For Air University Transcripts, please review this pdf for instructions (pdf).
  • For Community College of the Air Force, please contact the CCAF Registrar's Office at 334-649-5080 or mail your request to:
    CCAF-DES
    100 South Turner Blvd
    Maxwell-Gunter, AL 36114
  • Joint Services Transcripts (JST): Army, Coast Guard, Navy and Marine military transcripts can be requested by visiting the JST website.
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Courses

Read about the online UNCW RN to BSN classes

The RN to BSN online curriculum is comprised of 9 core courses and 1 elective (29 hours). To meet the residency requirements, a minimum of 30 credit hours must be completed at UNCW.

How can I get an evaluation of my transcripts?

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You must take the following courses.

Duration: 7 weeks  :   Credit Hours: 3

Course enhances students' assessment and clinical reasoning skills. Emphasis on analyzing nursing assessment findings, setting priorities, and developing a plan of care that promotes or restores health. Explores the impact of the environment, life choices, literacy, and genomics on holistic health.

Duration: 7 weeks  :   Credit Hours: 3

This is a seminar course for registered nurses. Students will examine foundations and contemporary issues of professional nursing practice and will explore critical abilities and roles for the baccalaureate nurse in the management of quality, patient care. This course will introduce students to online learning and provide strategies for success.

Duration: 7 weeks  :   Credit Hours: 3

This course introduces students to the functional, physiological, cognitive, psychosocial, and socioeconomic needs of older adults. Students will synthesize science, knowledge and assessment to facilitate safe, quality management of care for older adult populations. Content includes primary, secondary and tertiary care and prevention, family roles, legal, ethical issues, and resource allocation.

Duration: 7 weeks  :   Credit Hours: 3

This course addresses the community nursing process and its relationship with client-centered care, clinical reasoning, and integrity of practice applicable to health prevention, promotion, and risk reduction in diverse settings. Content addresses social and ecological determinants of health through health education, epidemiology, case management, partnerships, and technology examining outcomes for an evidence-based, culturally sensitive practice.

Duration: 7 weeks  :   Credit Hours: 3

Introduces the core concepts of leadership and management for the professional nurse. Course content includes discussion of theories of management and leadership; health systems organizations; change, power, authority; role development; models of nursing care delivery; legal ramifications of delegation; models of quality management; nursing and the political process.

Duration: 7 weeks  :   Credit Hours: 3

A debate-seminar course focusing on social, psychological, cultural, economic, political, legal, and ethical environments which shape healthcare delivery systems. Advanced nursing practice in primary care is studied relative to inter professional relationships and leadership in health policy, healthcare reform, successful models of health delivery, poverty, research, and interdisciplinary health management.

Duration: 7 weeks  :   Credit Hours: 3

Introduces research design and analysis necessary to examine, apply, and utilize nursing science. Course content includes an overview of current issues in knowledge development in nursing including the process of research utilization and evidence based practice. The student will conduct analytic critiques of the research literature for scientific merit, synthesize these critiques for application to practice, and develop strategies for providing leadership to make evidence based practice a reality in current and future work settings. Prerequisite: STT 210 or STT 215.

Duration: 7 weeks  :   Credit Hours: 3

This theory course builds on basic knowledge of pathophysiology and pharmacology to enhance nursing management of health, wellness, and disease. Analysis of current pharmacological based research will provide the foundation for evidence based nursing practice. Physiological, pathophysiological, and pharmacological concepts that explain the rationale behind treatment decisions are examined.

Duration: 7 weeks  :   Credit Hours: 2

This is a capstone course for registered nurses. Students will synthesize knowledge derived from nursing theory and practice experiences to provide a record of their professional development and transition to the role of the baccalaureate-prepared registered nurse.

Credit Hours: 1

Students will examine the evolution of professional nursing in America through the study of select critical historical analyses of a significant influential event, time, concept, or person. Exposure to critical historical works will provide students a contextual perspective and enlightenment to evaluate the contemporary professional identity and practice role of the nurse.

Credit Hours: 1

This course focuses on building a career path in professional nursing that includes continuous engagement and lifelong learning. Engagement in professional nursing organizations; sharing best practices through presentations and use of the principals of scholarly writing; and planning for lifelong learning are presented as strategies to advance professionalism in nursing.

Credit Hours: 3

This course introduces the student to the field of palliative and end-of-life care. It will focus on a holistic approach to nursing care for the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of patients across the lifespan experiencing a wide range of illnesses. Illnesses will include progressive, chronic or debilitating disorders. An emphasis will be placed on maintaining quality of life through palliative and end-of-life care with an understanding that patients and families have diverse values, beliefs, needs, and expectations.

Credit Hours: 3

This course provides a description and analysis of the growing use of complementary and alternative therapies (CATs) by consumers in contemporary society. Emphasis will be placed on ways to promote healing and optimum health in the individual, families, and communities. The student will increase their knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to communicate effectively with patients and health care providers about these therapies to enhance patient health and safety. Satisfies University Studies II: Approaches and Perspectives/Living in a Global Society.

Credit Hours: 3

Explores values and belief systems influencing health behaviors of culturally diverse groups. Emphasizes cultural, social, political, and economic forces that influence access to and use of health care resources. Identifies a conceptual basis for assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of health care for culturally diverse clients. Fosters cultural sensitivity to life styles, values, and concepts concerning health and health care. The goal of this course is to broaden the student's perception and understanding of health and illness and the variety of meanings these terms carry for members of differing sociocultural populations. Satisfies University Studies II: Approaches and Perspectives/Living in a Global Society.

Credit Hours: 3

This course will focus on an introduction to emerging knowledge in human molecular genetics and the related implications for health care across the lifespan through multidisciplinary perspectives. Content focuses on the application of genetics to clinical practice, including screening for genetic predisposition, the impact of genetics on health promotion and disease prevention, and the uses of genetically engineered technology and therapies. Students will be encouraged to critically examine the social, legal, cultural, political, and professional implications of the integration of genetics into health care practices.

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See our RN to BSN online FAQ page for more information.

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