When you're becoming a nurse, every second counts - from training to working with actual patients, precision and efficiency are your best friends.
What if you could attend a program that streamlines your ability to go from a registered nurse (RN) to someone with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)?
To help you find the information you need to start your nursing career, Best Accredited Colleges is here to tell you about 10 of the best RN to BSN degrees in North Carolina.
North Carolina RN to BSN Programs
All of the programs offering an RN to BSN degree in North Carolina are offered online for students with a registered nursing license and an associate degree or diploma in nursing.
1. University of North Carolina at Pembroke
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNC Pembroke) is a public university that's part of the University of North Carolina system. It's accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
UNC Pembroke's online RN to BSN program is designed to provide a seamless transition from active duty nurse to bachelor-educated student by building on the skills that RNs have already honed.
Students can choose the accelerated 12-month program path or a part-time self-paced path that takes most participants two years to complete.
2. East Carolina University
Originally a teacher training school, East Carolina University (ECU) is now a well-loved public research university in Greenville, North Carolina.
ECU's RN to BSN program provides a personalized educational experience, complete with faculty with extensive nursing experience and a supportive education-focused community that helps busy nurses find time to learn.
The program can be completed in as little as four semesters online.
3. Barton College
Barton College is a private liberal arts college in Wilson, NC. It's affiliated with the Christian Church and accredited by the SACSCOC.
Barton College seeks to help aspiring nurses go straight from an associate nursing program to an RN to BSN program by partnering with local community colleges - the college's online program can be completed in one year, cutting 12 months out of a normal four-year bachelor's degree.
Nurses who graduate from this program will be able to thrive in multidisciplinary healthcare teams and leadership roles.
4. Campbell University
Campbell University is a private Christian liberal arts college in Buies Creek, North Carolina. It offers online degrees through its Adult & Online Education school.
Campbell University focuses on convenience and efficiency in its RN to BSN program - by offering eight-week terms and online classes, the college ensures that working nurses can earn a degree in a format that works for them.
Many RN to BSN students at Campbell University move on to graduate nursing programs after completing their BSN.
5. Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University (WCU) is a public university in Cullowhee, North Carolina, that's part of the University of North Carolina system.
At WCU, nurses increase their healthcare knowledge and learn important leadership skills while preparing for future graduate study through an online RN to BSN program. The four-semester program provides the skills an advanced nurse needs to thrive in an ever-changing healthcare system.
6. North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T) is a historically black public university known for providing important STEM educational programs. It's part of the University of North Carolina System.
At NC A&T, RNs are able to take advantage of the online BSN Completion option to advance their careers past the associate's level. Students have the ability to study part-time or full-time based on their schedules.
Topics of interest in the program include global health, nursing ethics, and interpersonal collaboration.
7. Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is a historically black public university that's part of the University of North Carolina System and is accredited by the SACSCOC.
WSSU designed its RN to BSN program with two enrollment options that help busy nurses make the most of their time without having to make sacrifices. Choose between a three-semester full-time option that helps you complete your degree as soon as possible and a five-semester part-time option that leaves you time for working and living outside of school.
8. Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University (App State) is a public university in Boone, North Carolina, that provides higher education to the isolated residents of the North Carolina mountains.
App State offers an RN to BSN program that's 30 credit hours and able to be attended online part-time. The program has one-year, two-year, and three-year attendance options to reduce the amount of weekly participation working nurses have to put into their degrees.
App State's nursing courses provide unique learning opportunities and clinical experiences to nursing students.
9. North Carolina Wesleyan University
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is a private Methodist university that serves working adults and specializes in liberal arts programs.
NCWU's RN to BSN program teaches nurses how to drive change and create improvement in healthcare by preparing them for roles in nursing management and leadership. Courses in the program are offered online in eight-week accelerated terms.
Students can complete their BSN degree in as little as 12 months by participating in this program.
10. Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville State University (FSU) is a public historically black university that's part of the University of North Carolina System and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
Working nurses can increase their knowledge and earning potential with FSU's RN to BSN program. The program puts emphasis on the critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills a nurse needs to thrive in a healthcare team.
The Online Degree Completion (ODC) option the university offers lets students complete all upper-division courses virtually.
Steps To Completing Your RN to BSN Program
In order to start and complete your RN to BSN degree in North Carolina, follow these steps:
- You need to have an active, unrestricted RN license.
- Take and pass the courses in your nursing program with a 2.5 or higher GPA.
- You must meet all requirements to graduate from your specific college (minimum GPA and credit hours, general education courses, etc.).
Once you've done these, you can graduate from your RN to BSN program and begin working as a higher-level nurse in the position of your choosing.
RN to BSN Academic Requirements
To be admitted to an RN to BSN degree program in North Carolina, you must meet these requirements:
- You must complete an associate or nurse diploma program with a satisfactory GPA (as low as 2.0 for some programs, but 3.0 or higher for others).
- You must have an active, unrestricted RN license.
- You need to pass a criminal background check.
Some programs require you to continue working as a nurse during the program - as many as 30 hours per week and others require prerequisite courses such as anatomy, statistics, psychology, and chemistry.
Find an RN to BSN Program Today
Now that you know what RN to BSN degrees in North Carolina are available to you, what requirements you need to meet for admission, and how to graduate in good standing, it's time to decide what program is the best for you.
By starting your nursing program today, you can begin making a change in the nursing field tomorrow.
