FacebookLinkedInTwitterEmail
Share this article

Top RN to BSN Programs + Online Options in Washington

NurseJournal Staff
by
Updated November 29, 2022
    The majority of schools that offer nursing programs in Washington are in the west of the state. Find the best BSN program in Washington.
    mini logo

    Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?

    Credit: Feng Wei Photography / Moment / Getty Images

    The state of Washington is home to Seattle, which is what it is mainly famous for. But it is also known for Starbucks, grunge music and the Space Needle. Additionally, it is the state where it rains the most. Most people live in the metropolitan areas of Washington, although there is also a rural population. The majority of schools that offer nursing programs are in the west of the state.

    The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics calculated that some 53,000 registered nurses (RN) were employed in this state in May 2013. Their mean annual salary was $76,420, well above the national average. However, it should be noted that the state has a higher cost of living compared to the national average. In addition, there is a significant shortage of degree-holding nurses. As a result, employers are trying to make the profession more attractive through higher wages and bonuses.

    If you are looking to become a bachelor-educated nurse in the state of Washington, it is important that you spend some time researching the different schools. They offer various programs so it is recommended that prospective students contact at least five different schools. Here are the top 7 Washington BSN degree programs to help you get started.

    1
    Eastern Washington University
    LocationTri-Cities, Spokane and Yakima, WA

    At Eastern Washington University, students can take part in the BSN degree. The school has partnered with Washington State University and Whitworth University to deliver the said program. Students are able to complete prerequisite courses at various universities before they complete their BSN at Eastern Washington University, for instance. The program is incredibly rigorous and high demands are placed on the students.

    • Campus: Tri-Cities, Spokane and Yakima, WA
    • Type: Public
    • Accreditation: CCNE
    • Tuition: Varies depending on personal circumstances and residency status
    • Minimum time commitment: Four years
    • Online availability: No
    • Degree requirements: Prerequisite courses, GPA of 3.0 minimum, TEAS, interview
    • Programs: BSN
    • School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid

    2
    Gonzaga University
    LocationSpokane, WA

    Gonzage University’s BSN program is grounded on the traditions of the Jesuit faith. This means that nurses are not just leaders, but servants as well. They place an emphasis on community, social justice and reflective practice. The curriculum enables students to become focused on caring for patients with chronic and acute illnesses, promoting health and offering support to families of patients during end-of-life situations. The framework of the curriculum is organized around Complex Adaptive Systems. This means that students look firstly after those people who have predictable needs for their health. Only once they have completed this part will they move on to more complex needs, families and entire populations.

    • Campus: Spokane, WA
    • Type: Private
    • Accreditation: CCNE
    • Tuition: $36,040 per year
    • Minimum time commitment: 9 semesters
    • Online availability: No
    • Degree requirements: High school or GED
    • Programs: BSN
    • School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid

    3
    Northwest University
    LocationKirkland, WA

    At Northwest University, students can take part in a BSN degree program that uses a Christian worldview. This means that they are dedicated to the holistic care of all human beings and do not discriminate among their patients. Once students have graduated, they are able to take the NCLEX-RN examination and become registered nurses. Although the focus is on nurses in Washington, the degree allows them to seek licensure in other states as well. The school is distinctive because it looks particularly at cross-cultural nursing. Additionally, it incorporates Christian views in its teachings. This is delivered by faculty staff who are highly experienced and committed to the improvement of health care through quality education.

    • Campus: Kirkland, WA
    • Type: Private
    • Accreditation: CCNE
    • Tuition: $5,330 per semester
    • Minimum time commitment: Four years
    • Online availability: No
    • Degree requirements: High school or GEDD
    • Programs: BSN
    • School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid

    4
    Pacific Lutheran University
    LocationTacoma, WA

    Pacific Lutheran University offers a basic BSN degree program. This takes three years to complete and has been designed for students who are completely new to the field of nursing. Students will be fully supervised by faculty members who are dedicated to quality education. The school works together with health agencies, large hospitals and long-term care facilities. This allows graduates to already have networking contacts within the communities that they will serve.

    • Campus: Tacoma, WA
    • Type: Private
    • Accreditation: CCNE
    • Tuition: $570 per semester hour
    • Minimum time commitment: 3 years
    • Online availability: No
    • Degree requirements: High school or GED, prerequisite courses
    • Programs: Basic BSN
    • School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid

    5
    Seattle Pacific University
    LocationSeattle, WA

    At Seattle Pacific University, nursing students will take part in a liberal arts curriculum. Graduates will be able to take on leadership roles in various community and acute care settings. The program focuses on health promotion as well as caring for sick people. Students will become critical thinkers with excellent ethics that drives their judgment and action. Additionally, they will be carers who believe in full collaboration. The school integrates Christian faith in its teachings. This means that the patients are seen as whole beings and that their needs in terms of mind, body and soul have to be considered. Graduates are expected to become competent individuals, something that are frequently sought out for.

    • Campus: Seattle, WA
    • Type: Private
    • Accreditation: CCNE
    • Tuition: $35,100 per year
    • Minimum time commitment: Four years
    • Online availability: No
    • Degree requirements: High school or GED
    • Programs: BSN
    • School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid

    6
    Seattle University
    LocationSeattle, WA

    At Seattle University, nursing students are prepared to become the best they can be in the field of nursing. They are shown how to no longer be bound by the definitions of symptoms, instead looking at a patient from the perspective of mind, body and soul. The college is a Jesuit college, which means they care for communities and individuals alike. Hence, students are looked after using those same ethics and receive personal attention from faculty members.

    • Campus: Seattle, WA
    • Type: Private
    • Accreditation: CCNE
    • Tuition: $37,485 per year
    • Minimum time commitment: Four years
    • Online availability: No
    • Degree requirements: High school or GED, prerequisite courses
    • Programs: BSN
    • School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid

    7
    University of Washington
    LocationSeattle, WA

    The BSN degree program offered by the University of Washington is a program that takes just two years to complete, which sets it apart from the other programs available in the state. Students are provided with excellent foundations in humanities and science. They start as juniors, although they can also take part in an accelerated BSN program if they already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field.

    • Campus: Seattle, WA
    • Type: Public
    • Accreditation: CCNE
    • Tuition: Varies depending on circumstances, residency status and chosen program
    • Minimum time commitment: 2 years, 15 months for accelerated BSN
    • Online availability: No
    • Degree requirements: High school or GED, statistics course, bachelor’s degree if applicable
    • Programs: BSN, Accelerated BSN
    • School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid

    Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?

    Whether you’re looking to get your pre-licensure degree or taking the next step in your career, the education you need could be more affordable than you think. Find the right nursing program for you.