Program Details
Nursing (online RN to BS only), Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of ScienceVirginia Commonwealth University
The School of Nursing offers the a traditional curriculum in the baccalaureate program as well as the online R.N.-B.S. completion. Successful completion of curricular requirements results in a Bachelor of Science degree. Note that the applicant is responsible for seeking advice from the School of Nursing on courses taken prior to admission. Students will achieve an advanced beginner level of nursing competence by demonstrating: I. Effective therapeutic nursing practice II. Nursing judgment III. A spirit of inquiry IV. Professional identity
Outcomes
The graduate is a knowledgeable professional nurse who will demonstrate: Integration of theories and concepts from liberal education into nursing practice (III) Knowledge, skills and attitudes in leadership, quality improvement and patient safety to provide high quality health care (I, II, IV) Professional nursing practice grounded in the translation of current evidence (I, II, III) Knowledge of skills in information literacy, management and patient care technology (III) Knowledge of health care, financial and regulatory policies that influence the nature and functioning of the health care system (I, II) Effective communication and collaboration skills with the interprofessional team to deliver high quality and safe patient care (I, II, IV) Health promotion and disease prevention at the individual and population level necessary to improve population health (I, II) Professionalism that reflects the inherent values of altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity and social justice fundamental to nursing (IV) Competence to practice with patients, including individuals, families, groups, communities and populations across the lifespan and across the continuum of health care environments that respects the variations of care, the increased complexity and the use of health care resources inherent in caring for patients (I, II, III, IV)
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | This is an online program that is designed as a completion degree for students who have or are eligible to have a nursing license. |
| Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes To be considered for admission to the School of Nursing, applicants must: Be eligible for readmission or be in good standing at the last college or university attended Submit a completed application with all required materials to the School of Nursing Have graduated from a diploma or associate degree program in nursing from a regionally accredited college or university Have an R.N. license from a U.S. state or territory by the time they start NURS 409 (Students that do not have their R.N. license by this time will not be allowed to progress in the program. Students who do not currently have an R.N. license in the U.S., consult with the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools and the Virginia Board of Nursing for steps needed to obtain a Virginia R.N. license.) Provide additional information with the application according to the English language proficiency guidelines for applicants who are international or non-native English speakers without a degree from a U.S. high school, college or university (Additional information can be found on the VCU International Admissions website.) Complete the following general education courses (with minimum grades of C) at a regionally accredited college or university: a. The following courses or their transfer equivalents (14 credit hours) must be completed prior to starting the nursing program: BIOL 205, PHIS 206 and PHIZ 206, UNIV 111, UNIV 112, and UNIV 200. b. A minimum of 24 credit hours of the following required 37 credits must be completed prior to starting the nursing program. All general education courses must be completed prior to enrolling in NURS 488: BIOL 101 and BIOZ 101 or BIOL 151 and BIOZ 151; BIOL 209 and BIOZ 209 or BIOL 303 and BIOZ 303; BIOL 217, PSYC 101; PSYC 304; SOCY 101 or ANTH 103; SAT 208, STAT 210, or STAT 212; and additional college-level course work (12-14 credits). If the applicant has a bachelor’s degree in another discipline, the general education requirements for the R.N.-B.S. completion program will be met with the previous baccalaureate degree, with the exception of the following courses that must be completed prior to enrollment in NURS 488: anatomy, physiology, microbiology, nutrition, statistics and developmental psychology. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Complete courses that are equivalent to the following VCU courses prior to starting the program: BIOL 205, PHIS 206 and lab, UNIV 111, UNIV 112, UNIV 200
|
| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | Students who complete this degree have guaranteed admission to the graduate nursing program if they have a GPA of 3.0 or better. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | This program is ranked in the top 5% of all RN-BSN programs in the country by U.S. News and World Report. |
Program Credit Requirements
If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between Virginia Commonwealth University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System, Richard Bland College, or the College of Southern Maryland may be eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Admission Agreement. Students with one of these degrees may also be eligible to have the majority of their general education requirements waived. Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. VCU has also developed a transfer map for Registered Nurses who earned the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from the Virginia Community College System. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS) from the Virginia Community College System or Richard Bland College while enrolled in high school may be eligible to have the majority of their general education requirements waived. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | VCU accepts a variety of types of credit for prior learning, including but not limited to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), military experience, Cambridge, and industry certifications that are recommended for credit by the American Council on Education or the National College Credit Recommendation Service. |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | VCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast array of degree programs from arts to dental hygiene to engineering to education. VCU students have access to hundreds of student organizations, which is a great way to connect with others whether or not you choose to live in one of our many on-campus residence halls. Take advantage of VCU's location with access to the James River and its park system, internship and job opportunities, community engagement, and interstates to travel to the beach, the mountains, and Washington, D.C.. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://admissions.vcu.edu/apply-to-vcu/undergraduate/transfer/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Averett University | Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science Nursing | 4-Year | Hybrid |
| Averett University | BS in Nursing in Nursing: Entry Into Practice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Blue Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Blue Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing-Trad | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Danville Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Lpn To Rn - Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies - Specialization Pre-BSN | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies -Specialization in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) to Registered Nursing (RN) - Advanced Placement Option (APO) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing - Hybrid Distance Education | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing: Advanced Placement Option for Licensed Practical Nurses | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Mountain Empire Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| New River Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Nursing, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Patrick & Henry Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Rappahannock Community College | AAS Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Pre-BSN Specialization | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science with a major in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
| Southwest Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Hybrid |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Professional Nursing - Registered Nurse | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Major in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Longwood University | Nursing BSN | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BSN in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| University of Lynchburg | BS in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | Online |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Mary Baldwin University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year | Online |
| George Mason University | Nursing, BSN | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Online (RN to BSN) Completion Track | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | Online |
| Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Traditional (Pre-licensure) Baccalaureate Completion Track | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Old Dominion University | Nursing-BSN (School of Nurs) | Bachelor | BS in Nursing | 4-Year | Not Specified |
| University of Mary Washington | BSN | Bachelor | BSN | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Marymount University | Nursing (BSN) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Science Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Bluefield University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Ferrum College | B.S.N. in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Emory & Henry University | Music Vocal Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Nursing Pre Licensure (BSN) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science Nursi | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Religion (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | RN-BSN Nursing (BSN) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science Nursi | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph-Macon College | Nursing (BSN) | Bachelor | Bachelor Science Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29-1141.01 | Acute Care Nurses | Provide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions such as heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome, or shock. May care for pre- and post-operative patients or perform advanced, invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
| 29-1141.02 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses | Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
| 29-1141.04 | Clinical Nurse Specialists | Direct nursing staff in the provision of patient care in a clinical practice setting, such as a hospital, hospice, clinic, or home. Ensure adherence to established clinical policies, protocols, regulations, and standards. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
| 29-1141.03 | Critical Care Nurses | Provide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
| 25-1072.00 | Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 29-1141.00 | Registered Nurses | Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
Cost To Complete