Are you looking for the best Fast-Track RN to BSN Online Programs then you are at the right article. If you are a registered nurse (RN) holding an associate degree or diploma and seeking a rapid pathway to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), then these fast-track RN to BSN online programs are designed specifically for you.
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Fast-track RN to BSN online programs are offered to licensed registered nurses (RNs) and give them a quicker path to attaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). RNs may possess an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or have finished a similar nursing program.
Choosing to enhance their nursing education, RNs often explore RN to BSN programs to broaden their expertise, clinical proficiency and ultimately progress in their nursing careers. You can also check our detailed article on Best Arizona Nursing Schools.
Top 10 Fast-Track RN to BSN Online Programs
It will be difficult for you to find the best fast-track RN to BSN online programs in your area. We have researched and listed some of these programs below, let’s have a look:
1. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
In University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee the estimated cost is $6,750 for 9 months and 3 periods. If you pick UW Flex, UWM’s 100% online RN-to-BSN is quick. This self-paced All-You-Can-Learn option lets you take as many courses as you want (two or more) within a membership period.
Subscriptions begin monthly and last an average of 12 weeks. No additional fees, just a set tuition amount each period. Complete your program in 3 periods (9 months) for less than $7,000. You can complete it in two periods (6 months) for less than $5,000.
Credit transfers are covered in Transfer Credit Evaluations. Prior college transcripts must be accredited by CHEA-recognized regional or national organizations. Your ADN or nursing diploma program will give you at least 60 GE and nursing credits. UWM also offers credit by exam and military credit—see policy for details.
Why choose the program
Savings are huge if you work full-time and transfer many credits. As an engaged student, UWM’s Flex Tuition Guarantee guarantees no tuition increases. The UWM College of Nursing has a strong reputation and offers a variety of relevant electives and a clinical practicum capstone. There are no live class times either. Working RNs choose this as most UWM students are mid-career.
Key information
- Fastest Finish: Self-Paced RN to BSN Credits needed: 30-64 (credit transfers may apply).
- Format: 100% online Decision Points
- Nursing Accreditation: CCNE
- Public Urban Research University
- Accepts Outside-State RNs: Yes
2. Northern Arizona University
You can finish the online RN to BSN rapidly with NAU’s self-paced, competency-based online/personal learning methodology. Just remember that you must complete 11 courses (30 units), including a capstone and a health assessment practical. Choose the traditional program if you like a semester schedule with classes and lecturers.
If you can fit 5–6 classes into a term and don’t have prerequisites, this may take two semesters. Tuition will be higher, and it may take 3–4 terms.
Up to 90 units can be transferred into the program; prerequisites and transfer possibilities are under Details. Arizona Community College associate degree nursing graduates should find this transfer process easy. Other RNs should ask a distant learning counselor about transfer credits.
Why choose the program
NAU, a public research institution, provides an inexpensive, self-paced online RN to BSN. That means you’ll earn a degree from a recognized nursing school with good NCLEX pass rates and a good state reputation. Nursing scholarships are also abundant at the school. The program excludes Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Washington RNs.
Key information
- Length: Online RN to BSN
- Fastest Finish: Self-Paced RN to BSN Credits needed: 30
- Format: 100% online Decision Points
- Nursing Accreditation: CCNE
3. Western Governors University (UT) Program
WGU’s 100% online RN-to-BSN is competency-based. You can move swiftly or slowly, but you must finish 12 competency units (WGU’s credit hour) per 6-month term. The 24 courses have 90 field experience practice hours and 3–4 units each. We estimated a year of tuition, but many RNs finish in six months (which is $4,885).
Nurses with associate’s degrees or diplomas can attend WGU. Most RN-licensed students can transfer 50–90 credit equivalents from a previous program (average: 81 credits). Remember that WGU graduates do not have a GPA when they graduate.
Why choose the program?
Popular, convenient, and CCNE-accredited. The cost is low if you’re motivated. WGU offers several tuition subsidies. Look at all the WGU online RN-to-BSN evaluations on independent review sites and nursing boards to get a real sense of the WGU experience. RNs say you must be disciplined and self-motivated.
Key information
- Length: Online RN to BSN
- Fastest Finish: Self-Paced RN to BSN Credits required: 39
- Format: 100% online Decision Points
- Nursing Accreditation: CCNE
- Institution: Private University
- Open to out-of-state RNs
4. Lourdes University
The Lourdes University Online RN to BSN Competency-Based Education (CBE) Program is self-paced. You can take as many courses as you want for a set tuition charge per 4-month term—Lourdes believes students can finish in 2 subscription terms/8 months. The online program has monthly start dates, no class times, or group projects.
You can view the entire program course list to understand credit transfers on their official website. Lourdes wants 15 hours of GE requirements (e.g., statistics) and further GE coursework. NUR 460, “Concepts in Professional Nursing,” gives RN-to-BSN students 39 semester hours of bypass credit.
Why choose the program
Lourdes College of Nursing has low NCLEX pass rates (below 82%) and was warned by the Ohio Board of Nursing in 2019 for two years of poor statistics. However, student reviews are excellent. Alumni like the intimate school atmosphere and personalized care.
Key information
- Fastest Finish: Self-Paced RN to BSN Credits required: 21
- Format: 100% online Decision Points
- Nursing Accreditation: CCNE
- Private Franciscan University
- Open to out-of-state RNs
5. University of Toledo
UT’s Online RN to BSN can be completed at your speed using competency-based education (CBE). According to the program website, full-time CBE students can complete the RN to BSN program in just two semesters (~8 months). Our price quote uses that length, but you select the pace. Enrollment is variable in the first nine weeks of each semester.
Transfers and prerequisites are on the program page. Use UT Transferology to find course equivalents. Your diploma or associate degree in nursing and RN license can transfer up to 90 credits.
Why choose the program
Another public research university, UT, offers self-paced online RN to BSN degrees. If you want schedule independence, go for it! The mid-tier College of Nursing is affiliated with the University of Toledo Medical Center. Quality Matters recognized its online RN to BSN as the state’s first for curriculum and faculty expertise.
Key information
- Fastest Finish: Self-Paced RN to BSN Credits needed: 30
- Format: 100% online Decision Points
- Nursing Accreditation: CCNE
- Public research university
- Open to out-of-state RNs
6. Anderson University
Online FLEX RN to BSN from Anderson University is competency-based and self-paced. The program includes 10 nursing courses and a senior project. Online courses last 7 weeks. Take up to four courses in a 7-week semester. Additional courses are free if you complete two within five weeks. We estimated completion in 5 terms/9 months (2 courses each 7-week term). However, faster work means cheaper tuition!
Prerequisites are listed in the undergraduate catalog degree listing on their official website. Around 34 ADN/ASN credits were transferred. The prior courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, and human development will also count toward your hours.
Why choose the program
AU’s nursing school is well-regarded in South Carolina. Faculty are nurses. Excellent NCLEX pass rates. AnMed Health, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, and other hospitals are clinical affiliates. Anderson is a Christian school, so programs are Christ-centered.
Key information
- Fastest Finish: Self-Paced RN to BSN Credits needed: 28
- Format: 100% online Decision Points
- Nursing Accreditation: CCNE
- Type: Private Christian University
- Open to out-of-state RNs
7. Lake-Sumter State College
The 100% online RN-to-BSN program from LSSC takes two semesters (15 credits per semester). You can start in the fall, spring, or summer. All coursework is done online; however, capstone and community health nursing practical practicums can be done locally. Lower division degree requirements are in the LSSC Catalog. Statistics and microbiology in the lab are required.
Why choose the program
Florida citizens can afford LSSC’s inexpensive semester tuition. Online RN to BSN programs can be modified with two electives (e.g., medical disaster management) and a capstone. LSSC may not be as well-known as Florida institutions, but this ACEN-accredited school has high NCLEX pass rates and job placement.
Key information
- Fastest Finish: 2 Semesters
- Required RN-to-BSN Credits: 30
- Format: 100% online Decision Points
- Nursing Accreditation: ACEN
- Type of Institution: A public college
8. Albany State University
Albany State University’s 100% online RN-to-BSN takes 2 semesters full-time or 4 semesters part-time. In 2022, ASU and USG joined forces to deliver five core courses through the eMajor Nurse Collaborative. ASU handled the other five. This program accepts Georgia RNs each semester; see the Curriculum Pattern for sample plans.
Admission Criteria lists all admissions requirements, while the Program of Study details prerequisites. The RN-to-BSN curriculum awards 33 comparable nursing credit hours after 8 semester hours.
Why choose the program
Every RN should consider an ACEN-accredited, inexpensive ASU. Review recent NCLEX and program completion rates to gauge results. The Darton College of Health Professions, which houses the Nursing Department, offers graduate programs for FNP and Nurse Educators. The higher RN-to-BSN tuition rate applies to major courses.
Key information
- Fastest Finish: 2 Semesters
- Nursing to BSN Credits Needed: 27
- Format: 100% online Decision Points
- Nursing Accreditation: ACEN
- historically black university
- Open to out-of-state RNs: Yes
- Total Estimate: $5,307
9. NC Central University
NCCU’s 100% online RN-BSN takes two semesters full-time. North Carolina RNs can work part-time for 2 years. There are three start dates: summer, fall, or spring. Most courses are 8 weeks, and the 15-week Community Health Nursing practicum can be done locally.
Check the undergraduate catalog for general education requirements. For their Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing, students receive 61.0 advanced placement credits. NCCU requires 30 hours for the BSN.
Why choose the program
If you hold a North Carolina RN license, NCCU is cheap. Although less prestigious than UNC-affiliated colleges, the ACEN-accredited Department of Nursing has strong linkages to Durham clinical locations and a diverse student body (NCCU is an HBCU).
Key information
- Fastest Finish: 2 Semesters
- Nursing to BSN Credits Needed: 30
- Format: 100% online Decision Points
- Nursing Accreditation: ACEN
- historically black university
- Open to out-of-state RNs: No
- Estimated $5,535 (in-state only)
10. Southeastern University
SEU’s Online RN to BSN can be completed in two semesters if you can study full-time and meet religious requirements. The fall semester may include 5 courses and 16 credits, and the spring semester may include 4 courses and 14 credits. The second semester includes a community nursing practicum and a capstone project.
The undergraduate catalog lists prerequisites, including religious studies and theology classes. As a Christian institution, SEU requires 9 credit hours in “Divine Design”—ministry-focused experiential learning. Transfer credits for RN licensure are 30 hours.
Why choose the program
Looking for a good, faith-based nursing program? Consider SEU. Although the BSN is CCNE-accredited, CNHS NCLEX pass rates are generally below 85%. Both in-state and out-of-state students can afford it. To assess the degree, talk to recent graduates.
Key information
- Fastest Finish: 2 Semesters
- Nursing to BSN Credits Needed: 30
- Format: 100% online Decision Points
- Nursing Accreditation: CCNE
- Type: Private Christian University
- Open to out-of-state RNs
- Total estimated cost: $6,650 + fees
FAQs
1. What is the minimum duration for completing an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program?
These students have likely fulfilled numerous general education prerequisites and may have completed science credits applicable to their BSN degree. Consequently, an accelerated BSN program can be completed in as few as 16 months when pursued full-time. It’s important to note that ABSN programs typically require full-time enrollment.
2. What is the average completion time for the RN to BSN program at WGU?
Approximately 77% of graduates finish the RN to BSN program within 24 months at WGU. The tuition cost is $4,685 per 6-month term, with a total of 23 courses offered in the program.
3. What is the typical duration of RN to BSN programs?
Most RN to BSN programs can be completed within one to two years, depending on the number of credits transferred from the student’s ADN program and their enrollment status.
4. Is 50 considered too old to pursue a career in nursing?
While many individuals enter the nursing profession directly after high school, people also enroll in nursing school in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and even 60s. The increasing number of non-traditional nursing students indicates that there isn’t a specific age limit for becoming a nurse, and it’s never too late to pursue this career path.
Conclusion
If you are Looking for the best fast-track RN to BSN online program then you are at the right place. Need fast online RN to BSN programs with low in-state tuition and great clinical ties to nearby hospitals? Check out our State Guides. Each of the above-mentioned programs has mini-rankings of the fastest, cheapest, and most inexpensive solutions. Your college may support an 8-10-month online RN to BSN program.
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