RN to BSN Program

The RN to BSN program is offered in a flexible, partially online format – but is not primarily online. The program includes a uniquely tailored curriculum for students who are graduates of community college and hospital schools and are licensed registered nurses (RN). The program can be completed in as few as three semesters or part-time up to three years.

Students enroll in 27 credits at the University of Virginia, and upon completion of selected courses, receive 38 credits for prior learning as an RN. Courses in the program include both theory and practicum courses designed specifically for RN students. Students must meet prerequisite general education requirements prior to admission, thus completing a grand total of 120 semester hours for the baccalaureate degree. Once admitted, students work with a faculty advisor to create a plan of study to best meet their academic and professional goals.

Classes are offered in flexible formats (e.g. once a week, partially on-line) to allow students to maintain employment while completing the BSN. The program provides a foundation for professional practice and for further education such as graduate study for advanced practice or preparation as a clinical leader or teacher. 

PLEASE NOTE:  Students who apply in March and intend to graduate a year late in May MUST plan to enroll in the summer session offering of NUIP 4200, Pathophysiology, immediately upon accepting the offer of admission in May.  These students will need to apply to the U.Va. Summer Session and enroll in this course through that office, not through the School of Nursing.  For more information, please visit the website for the Summer Session at: http://www.virginia.edu/summer/. 
We no longer offer a two-semester, full-time option.   The three semester plan of study, including a summer patho course, can be found by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.

Transfer of Credit

On presentation of a school transcript, students accepted for transfer to the School of Nursing will be granted transfer credit for academic course work taken at an accredited institution if the grade earned was at least one letter grade better than the minimum passing grade, and if the courses correspond to ones offered at the University. Questions regarding acceptability of specific courses for transfer should be referred to the Office of Admissions and Student Services in the School of Nursing.

Clinical Practicum

There are two precepted practicums that are part of the RN-BSN curriculum. These are:

NUCO 4480 Perspectives in Community Nursing (Fall)
and
NUCO 4490 Perspectives in Clinical Nursing Management (Spring)

Practicum experiences can be met in a variety of settings for these two courses. Each course carries 5 semester credits, and students need to clock clinical hours for each course.

The School has a number of existing clinical contracts with facilities in Virginia.

Prerequisites

Students are required to satisfactorily complete 55 credits in the following general education courses prior to admission:

English Composition - 3 credits - required for students except for those who are exempt. You are exempt if you scored 750 or higher on the SAT II Subject Test in Writing or 5 on the English AP test. (Students who are exempt from English Composition must take an additional 3 credit elective.) If you are attending a college with a two semester composition course, you must complete both semesters to satisfy this requirement.  For example, in the Virginia Community College System, we require ENG 111 and ENG 112.  UVA also has a second writing requirement, which cannot be transferred in. 

Natural Science and Math - 12 credits - Anatomy and Physiology is required. Other acceptable courses include mathematics, chemistry, physics, genetics, environmental science, geology, and ecology. Students considering graduate nursing education are encouraged to take statistics.

Social Science and History - 9 credits - acceptable courses include history, government, psychology, sociology, economics, western civilization, political science, and anthropology.

Humanities and Fine Arts - 9 credits - acceptable courses include philosophy, ethics, art, religion, music, drama, and foreign languages.

Electives - 20 or more credits to total 55 credits. Note: Three courses (up to 7 credits) in physical education or skills courses such as studio art or music performance may be counted toward these elective credit requirements.

Advanced Standing

Thirty-eight credits of advanced standing will be awarded to students for prior nursing learning at the completion of the program. Credit will be awarded after the completion of the required courses and successful evaluation of a portfolio of validating assignments developed throughout the year long program as part of the Transition and Validation Seminars I and II.

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Admission Requirements

Admission to the School of Nursing is competitive and based on evaluation of all portions of the application. Applications for admission will be considered through the University of Virginia undergraduate admission process with initial review in the School of Nursing.

To be considered for admission to this program, applicants must submit a completed application and:

The deadline for submitting applications is March 1 for Fall entry.

Downloads, Programs of Study, and Links

RN Applicants should be sure to submit financial aid applications through the University Financial Aid office.

For More Information

For additional information on admission to and programs of study at the UVa School of Nursing, please fill our our online form. You are also welcome to contact the Office of Admissions at (434) 924-0141 / (888) 283-8703 or email nur-osa@virginia.edu.