Top West Virginia RN to BSN Degree Programs
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: Joe Rebello | Moment | Getty ImagesWest Virginia is home to the Blue Ridge Mountains, which means those who choose to live, work or study in this state can enjoy a stunning backdrop. The state offers a range of different opportunities for those who wish to become baccalaureate degree nurses. Many of these programs have been developed specifically to address the significant shortage of nurses that exists in the state.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, some 17,440 registered nurses were employed in West Virginia in 2012. Their mean annual salary stood at $54,490. Although this is below the national average, the cost of living is slightly lower in West Virginia as well. In order to address the significant shortage of nurses, more and more opportunities are being developed and remuneration packages are becoming more interesting.
If you intend to achieve a bachelor’s degree in nursing in West Virginia, there are a number of opportunities available to you. It is important that you spend some time reviewing the different options to find the one that is most suitable to you. Below are the top West Virginia BSN degree programs to help you get started in your search.
Marshall University’s BSN degree program ensures nursing students become the best professionals they can be. They are expected to be able to take on positions to improve health care outcomes for families, individuals, communities and group across the full range of health care settings. Those who have a high school diploma or equivalent can take part in the program, as well as college graduates and students.
The curriculum has been designed to ensure that graduates have all the necessary foundational skills in the sciences (biological, behavioral and social) and in humanities. Students are taught to apply the foundations of what they have learned, as well as the basis they require in the science of nursing itself. They will also learn how to apply this knowledge to real-life situations. During the curriculum, students will receive theoretical education, as well as take part in actual clinical experiences. The school has built up strong links and ties with various health care providers in the area so that students can gain real experiences and start to build up their networking ties.
- Campus: Huntington, WV
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: NLNAC
- Tuition: Varies depending on residency status
- Minimum time commitment: Four years
- Online availability: No
- Degree requirements: High school or GED, GPA of 2.5 minimum, background check, drug screening
- Programs: BSN
- School Site:Tuition and Financial Aid
At Shepherd University, registered nurses can take part in an RN to BSN program. As it is an accelerated program, it is delivered in a flexible manner that allows students to study all throughout the year. It takes just 12 months to complete the program, making this the shortest degree program in the state. Graduates are expected to be able to have higher salaries, responsibilities, security and opportunities. Furthermore, students will be able to gain legal employment if they are international students through the Optional Practical Training Program. Finally, all students can apply for the PHN (Public Health Nurse) certificate.
- Campus: Shepherdstown, WV
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: ACICS, CHEA
- Tuition: $593 per credit hour
- Minimum time commitment: 28 units (one year)
- Online availability: No
- Degree requirements: High school or GED, personal interview, essay and interview, skills based test, CPR, RN license
- Programs: RN to BSN
- School Site:Tuition and Financial Aid
The University of Charleston builds on the vision, mission and values of nursing. It offers education in liberal arts so that students can be the best nurse generalists in the field. This will allow them to help individual patients, as well as their families and entire communities, assisting them to gain optimal health. Graduates can be employed in a range of different health care settings. The school is committed to developing the critical thinking skills required of a general nurse. Furthermore, there is a strong emphasis on lifelong learning, which includes elements of legal, ethical and evidence-based practice. Students will learn how to optimize and value the health of their clients and to develop interventions to promote better health.
- Campus: Charleston, WV
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Tuition: $425 per credit hour
- Minimum time commitment: 128 credit hours
- Online availability: Yes
- Degree requirements: GPA of 2.75 minimum, TEAS
- Programs: BSN
- School Site:Tuition and Financial Aid
At West Liberty University, students can take part in a BSN degree program that has been specifically developed for those fresh out of high school. The program looks at a number of different educational opportunities that have been designed to create highly professional nurses. The faculty is highly qualified and able to deliver a comprehensive curriculum. Students also take part in a number of hands on, clinical experiences thanks to collaboration with health care agencies throughout the state.
- Campus: West Liberty, WV
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $6,226 for in state students, $13,540 for out of state students
- Minimum time commitment: 125 credit hours
- Online availability: No
- Degree requirements: High school, GED, SAT/ACT
- Programs: BSN
- School Site:Tuition and Financial Aid
The BSN degree program offered at West Virginia University has been recognized as one of the best programs in the state. Indeed, graduates from this university are highly sought after and receive the greatest opportunities for employment. The curriculum is designed to ensure that students learn how to work with patients of any age and background and across all health care settings. Indeed, upon graduation, they can take on any entry level position in the field of health care across the country.
- Campus: Morgantown, WV
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $290 per credit hour for in state students, $851 per credit hour
- Minimum time commitment: 128 credits
- Online availability: No
- Degree requirements: High school or GED, GPA, prerequisite courses
- Programs: BSN
- School Site:Tuition and Financial Aid
Wheeling Jesuit University ensures all nursing students are given the best education possible. The focus is on lifelong learning and the critical thinking and problem solving skills of the students are honed to make a positive contribution to the improvement of health care across the country. The curriculum includes hands-on experiences in real-life situations. These, combined with the theoretical classes, make sure that graduates have all the understanding and knowledge they need to meet the demands of employers across the nation.
Nursing students get to grips with the complicated technology and scientific theory that are such vital parts of caring for patients in the modern world. Furthermore, they learn about human interaction, which is an art, that places empathy at its center. Graduates become patient advocates, working together with their families in a way that is dignified and respectful.
The BSN degree curriculum takes on Jesuit traditions and integrates this with nursing education and liberal arts. Graduates will have experienced true personal development, becoming better health care practitioners and better citizens as a whole. The school is very proud of the fact that they have a 100% pass rate at the NCLEX-RN examination. This is one of the reasons why graduates are in such high demand across the state and nation.
- Campus: Wheeling, WV
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $27,000 per year
- Minimum time commitment: 18 months
- Online availability: No
- Degree requirements: BA diploma or RN license
- Programs: BA to BSN, RN to BSN
- School Site:Tuition and Financial Aid