RN-to-BSN Degree Overview

Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D.
By
Updated on July 7, 2025
Edited by
RNs can advance their education with an RN-to-BSN degree. Learn about program information, career opportunities, and why many RNs are pursuing a BSN.
A female Filipino nurse is sitting down at her laptop to study. She is wearing scrubs and a stethoscope. She is smiling at the camera. Image credit: SDI Productions / E+ / Getty ImagesCredit: SDI Productions / E+ / Getty Images

Typical Program Length

9-24 months

Typical Credits Required

120

(including previously earned credits)

Median Annual Salary

$93,600

Opportunities With a BSN Degree

Registered nurses (RNs) who want to advance their careers can benefit from earning a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). Most hospitals and healthcare organizations require or prefer to hire BSN-prepared nurses. In 2023, nearly 70% of employers reported a strong preference for hiring BSN graduates, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Earning a BSN also prepares RNs for specialty roles and managerial responsibilities. Nurse recruiters, schools, and travel nursing agencies often prefer RNs with a BSN.

An RN-to-BSN program helps current RNs expand their clinical knowledge and skills. Many accredited nursing schools offer flexible online RN-to-BSN programs. Nurses develop advanced health assessment, nursing leadership, and case management abilities. A BSN allows nurses to move into specialized career paths or prepare for graduate-level nursing programs.

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Careers for RN-to-BSN Graduates

BSN degrees prepare nurses for a range of professional opportunities. The list below provides examples of some of the more popular and in-demand positions, but is not intended to be exhaustive. Salary and outlook figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Payscale.

Nursing Manager

Nursing managers and nurse case managers oversee teams of nursing staff, create schedules, and evaluate nurses’ performance. While nursing managers may provide patient care, their focus is on leading nursing teams and ensuring quality patient care. Nurses who move into administrative roles typically need a BSN.

  • Average Salary: $98,850 (May 2025)
  • Job Outlook: 29% increase from 2023-2033

Obstetrics Nurse

Obstetrics nurses work with expectant mothers in labor and delivery units and women’s health clinics. They assist obstetricians and gynecologists in providing a variety of patient services for women during the childbearing years.

  • Average Salary: $74,180 (March 2025)
  • Job Outlook: 6% increase from 2023-2033

Mental Health Nurse

Mental health nurses provide care for patients with mental or behavioral health issues. They practice in psychiatric hospitals, clinics, and other settings that provide psychiatric and mental health care. These nurses conduct patient assessments, implement treatment plans, and perform mental health tests.

  • Average Salary: $78,610 (June 2025)
  • Job Outlook: 6% increase from 2023-2033

Travel Nurse

Travel nurses perform general RN duties in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare sites across the United States, often providing services in underserved areas. Most U.S. placements run between 1-3 months; overseas contracts require a 1-2 year commitment. Employers may prefer to hire travel nurses with a BSN.

  • Average Salary: $92,370 (May 2025)
  • Job Outlook: 6% increase from 2023-2033

Critical Care Nurse

Critical care nurses treat patients with acute or critical illnesses. They stabilize emergency situations, administer treatments, and work closely with other healthcare providers. Critical care nurses often work in intensive care units (ICUs).

  • Average Salary: $99,240 (March 2025)
  • Job Outlook: 6% increase from 2023-2033

How Much Will I Make With a BSN Degree?

Hourly Average Salary

$37.97

Monthly Average Salary

$8,167

Annual Average Salary

$98,000

Source: Payscale (June 2025)

Steps to Obtaining an RN-to-BSN Degree

  1. 1

    Meet Eligibility Requirements

    While the requirements for RN-to-BSN programs vary by school, all applicants should hold a state-issued RN license in good standing.

  2. 2

    Research RN-to-BSN Programs

    After deciding which factors are important to you in a school, use our degree finder to find programs that fit your criteria.

  3. 3

    Apply to BSN Programs

    Common application requirements include transcripts, an essay, references, a CV or resume, a valid RN license, and prior coursework.

  4. 4

    Secure Funding for BSN Programs

    There are many ways to finance your nursing degree, including financial aid, grants, scholarships, and loans.

  5. 5

    Attend RN-to-BSN Classes

    Complete the required courses and obtain clinical hours to gain hands-on experience. Then, learn to work independently with your own patients.

  6. 6

    Graduate with a BSN

    Congrats on earning your degree! Now you can begin working as a BSN-prepared nurse or continue your education to get your master of science in nursing (MSN).

Admission Requirements for an RN-to-BSN Program

Although eligibility requirements vary by school, all RN-to-BSN programs only admit applicants who hold a state-issued RN license in good standing.

Other common admission requirements for RN-to-BSN programs include:

  • checkA minimum 3.0 GPA in previously completed courses
  • checkOfficial transcripts
  • checkPrerequisites in statistics and science
  • check2-3 letters of recommendation
  • checkPersonal statement and resume
  • checkCriminal background check and vaccination records

Core Concepts in an RN-to-BSN Program

An associate degree in nursing (ADN) or nursing diploma emphasizes entry-level nursing skills in preparation for the NCLEX-RN exam. In contrast, a BSN provides more comprehensive training in generalist nursing with applications in various healthcare settings. The RN-to-BSN curriculum covers advanced nursing competencies not typically offered in associate or diploma programs.

In addition to foundational courses in anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and pharmacology, BSN students can expect coursework in the following areas:

  • Health Assessment and Communication
  • Nursing Theory
  • Management and Leadership
  • Evidence-Based Practice and Applied Nursing Research
  • Community Health
  • Population-Focused Nursing

While most programs focus on generalist practice, some programs offer content in specialized areas such as nursing informatics, sociocultural issues in health and illness, and forensic nursing.

Clinical and Lab Components in an RN-to-BSN Program

In addition to didactic, lecture-based courses in RN-to-BSN programs, nursing students may complete practical training in clinical and lab components:

  • Simulation Labs: Clinical experiences designed to teach various skills and procedures in low-risk environments
  • Clinicals: Closely supervised hands-on field experiences that teach patient care skills, caring for communities, implementing evidence-based practice and health promotion interventions

Working nurses completing an RN-to-BSN program can often meet these clinical requirements in their current work setting.

Nursing Bridge Programs: How Do They Work?

Nursing bridge programs offer an accelerated path for nurses who want to advance their education. For example, RN-to-BSN programs build on the clinical competencies that RNs possess. Similarly, ADN-to-MSN bridge programs offer an accelerated path to an MSN degree and a career in advanced practice nursing.

Students without an RN license who want to pursue nursing careers can also take advantage of bridge programs. An accelerated BSN for those with a bachelor’s in a non-nursing field requires less than two years of study. The direct-entry MSN takes approximately one year to complete BSN requirements, followed by two years of graduate coursework.

What to Expect From an Online RN-to-BSN Program

An online RN-to-BSN degree offers a flexible option for RNs who want to advance their nursing education. Designed for working nurses, an online RN-to-BSN typically takes 1-2 years to complete.

Online nursing programs combine distance learning courses with in-person clinical experience hours. Some programs allow nursing students to meet clinical requirements at their current workplace. Course delivery methods and clinical requirements vary by program. For example, some online RN-to-BSN programs offer live class sessions or require nursing students to complete clinicals at specific locations.

When researching online programs, RNs should limit their search to accredited nursing schools, which meet high standards for preparing nurses.

ADN vs. BSN: What’s the Difference?

Both an ADN and a BSN prepare graduates for an RN license and entry-level nursing careers. So what’s the difference between the two nursing degrees? BSN-prepared nurses benefit from additional training and career opportunities, as many employers require or prefer a BSN for nursing jobs.