Practicing nursing in the United States means having U.S.-based education and licensure, as well as adhering to the requirements nurses have to meet to work in the country and their specific state.
This means that international students who want to work as nurses have their work cut out for them.
Luckily, there are some affordable RN to BSN programs for international nursing students that can help you get started on your journey toward becoming a licensed nurse in the United States. Check below for six of the best programs available to you today.
What You Need to Know About RN to BSN Programs for International Students
First and foremost, you need to check your visa's stipulations and ensure that the RN to BSN programs for international students you'll learn about below can meet the requirements for your visa.
Some visas, such as the F-1 and J-1, require students to be enrolled in a certain number of in-person credit hours, meaning the people who hold these visas can't attend the fully online programs some colleges offer.
While all of the programs below can accept international students, not all international students can enter these programs with their current visa status.
1. Ohio State University
Ohio State University (OSU) is a public research university in Columbus, Ohio, that's part of the University System of Ohio. It's accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and has an average yearly tuition of $12,000 for in-state students.
OSU has an RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program that international students can attend if they have an active, unencumbered United States RN license or a Credentials Evaluation Service Report from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools alongside the standard admissions requirements.
The program is offered online with the intention of helping nurses with prior education to elevate their status and abilities through obtaining a BSN.
2. Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) is a public research university with multiple campuses located in the state of Pennsylvania.
It's accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and has a tuition cost of roughly $18,000 per year for residents.
At Penn State, international students with an RN license that lets them practice in the United States are eligible to apply to the RN to BSN program the university offers. This program is offered at five regional campuses and online and has two clinical courses for nursing students.
Students in this program can learn how to meet ever-changing global healthcare demands and prepare for graduate-level nursing education.
3. George Mason University
George Mason University (GMU) is a public research university in Fairfax County, Virginia, that's accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). In-state tuition for the university is $13,000 a year.
GMU's fully online RN to BSN program lets nurses with prior education complete their bachelor's in as little as two semesters through seven-week course terms. International students interested in the program must meet all admission requirements for the college itself and the nursing program.
Because this program is only offered online, F-1 status students may not be eligible to take it due to related immigration regulations.
4. Bellevue College
Bellevue College is a public college in Bellevue, Washington. It is the third-largest higher education institution in the state. It's accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and boasts an in-state yearly tuition of only $4,000.
The RN to BSN program offered by Bellevue College teaches evidence-based practice skills, community health, professional communication, leadership, and healthcare systems and policies to students with an associate's degree in nursing.
RN to BSN program applications do not require a Social Security Number (SSN), but F-1 international students should check individual program admission requirements before applying to Bellevue.
5. Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University (TAMU) is the flagship public research university of the Texas A&M University System. It's accredited by the SACSCOC and has a $13,000 per year in-state tuition rate.
The online RN to BSN program offered by TAMU allows students to attend classes virtually while completing individual practicum experiences in their own local community - giving working RNs the flexibility they need to get an accelerated bachelor's degree.
While international students with F-1 or J-1 visas are not able to participate in TAMU's RN to BSN program due to the in-person class requirements of their visas, students with other visa types are encouraged to apply.
6. Kent State University
Kent State University (KSU) is a public research university with several regional campuses in the state of Ohio. It's accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and has a yearly in-state tuition rate of $12,000.
The RN to BSN program offered by KSU is entirely online and consists of nine nursing courses and one healthcare-related upper-division elective.
Because students of the program have already completed prerequisites through an Associate Degree in Nursing, this short program focuses entirely on advancing the skill set and knowledge of today's nurses.
KSU encourages international students to check their eligibility status with the Office of Global Education prior to applying to the RN to BSN program due to the fact that most student visas don't allow online-based program completion.
Find the U.S. Nursing Program That Meets Your Needs Today
Now that you know about six of the best affordable RN to BSN programs for international students in the United States, it's time to choose the nursing program you want to be a part of today so you can start your education and nursing career in the U.S. off on the right foot.
