Top Utah RN BSN Programs + Online Options
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: Ed Freeman | Stone | Getty ImagesUtah was home to some 2.7 million people during the 2008 census. However, it is likely that these numbers are much higher now, as it has the highest population growth in the country. Most of these people live in Salt Lake City, the state’s largest and most prosperous city. The service industry is the largest economic driver, but there is also a strong focus on tourism and outdoor recreation.
Those who want to become registered nurses (RNs) in Utah have to pass the NCLEX-RN examination. Although one can become an RN with an associate’s degree, those who hold a bachelor’s degree (BSN) tend to have the best job opportunities. This is particularly true because Utah is one of the few states that are not suffering from a shortage in nursing. Hence, focusing on getting high quality education is very important if you do want to be able to work in this state. Choosing your school is therefore even more important and you should carefully look at the program offerings and requirements. Below are the top Utah BSN degree programs to help you get started.
At Brigham Young University, students can take part in a BSN degree program that has been completely approved by the State Board of Nursing. Additionally, it is accredited by the CCNE, meaning students are able to take the NCLEX-RN examination upon completion of their degree. The program gives students all the skills and knowledge to become nurse generalists who have leadership competencies and values to make a positive impact of health outcomes across the populations they serve. The curriculum includes humanities, sciences and religious studies, thereby producing graduates who have the practical and theoretical knowledge to be the best in their field.
Graduates can find employment across a range of health care settings, including clinics, hospitals, home health, communities agencies and even world health agencies. They will work as valuable members of integrated health care teams as they have a broad knowledge of the complex elements of being a professional nurse. The curriculum is delivered on a full-time basis, involving around 16 credits for each semester. It is a long program, spanning six semesters, during which students gain valuable clinical experience as well. Because of the rigorous nature of the program, students are encouraged not to seek employment while they study, although some do work for up to 12 hours per week. This is because students will be expected to take part in at least 30 hours of in-school education each week.
• Campus: Provo, UT
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: $2,500 for LDS students and $5,000 for non LDS students
• Minimum time commitment: Six semesters
• Online availability: No
• Degree requirements: High school or GED
• Programs: BSN
• School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid
Students at Roseman University can take part in an 18-month BSN degree program, which is much shorter than those offered by other schools. The university has achieved this by delivering a highly rigorous program that develops nurse generalists. Graduates are able to take on the professional, ethical and legal responsibilities expected of a nurse as outlined in the Nurse Practice Act.
• Campus: South Jordan, UT
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: NLNAC
• Tuition: $48,540
• Minimum time commitment: 18 months
• Online availability: No
• Degree requirements: High school or GED, GPA, TEAS
• Programs: BSN
• School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid
The BSN degree program offered by Southern Utah University is perfect for those who want to take on entry level positions in the field of health care. The curriculum meets all the requirements to deliver bachelor’s level education and graduates have all the skills and knowledge required to become the best possible nurses. The faculty is committed to delivering engaging learning opportunities through classroom and hands-on training. The emphasis is on critical thinking, caring, ethical decision making, problem solving and communication.
• Campus: Cedar City, UT
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: $468 per credit hour
• Minimum time commitment: 4 years
• Online availability: No
• Degree requirements: GPA, essay, TEAS, letters of reference
• Programs: BSN
• School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid
The BSN degree program offered by the University of Utah includes a highly rigorous curriculum that ensures graduates are ready to take on the role of nurses in a variety of health care settings. The program is fully accredited and offers both theoretical training and clinical nursing opportunities. Graduates are able to work in a variety of health care settings in the community and in hospitals.
• Campus: Salt Lake City, UT
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: $6,201 for in state students, $21,704 for out of state students
• Minimum time commitment: 4 semesters
• Online availability: No
• Degree requirements: High school or GED, bachelor’s degree if applicable
• Programs: BSN, Accelerated BSN
• School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid
Utah Valley University has a clear mission of ensuring that their nursing program is of the highest possible quality. This allows students to gain the knowledge they need to have the right clinical judgment. Additionally, they focus strongly on lifelong learning and many students will come back to study towards their master’s or even doctorate degree. Graduates are known to be highly competent and ready to take on the changing and complex needs of the health of entire populations.
The school has strong values as well. They are committed to the success of each of their students, as this demonstrates how successful their educators are. Additionally, they focus on the mind, body and soul not just of individual patients, but also of their families and entire communities. Graduates are committed to serving the communities in which they work and they start to build positive relationships with these communities as soon as they enroll. The teaching philosophy places the student at its center and they offer strategies that are fully evidence-based. Students and teachers work in partnership with each other. The school believes that all nurses must have integrity and honor in order to be deliver proper nursing care. To enforce this, they also offer full academic freedom, as they believe students are able to be responsible about this. This is one of the reasons why the school believes so strongly in the free exchange of ideas.
• Campus: Orem, UT
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: ACEN
• Tuition: Varies, costs are broken down in different elements
• Minimum time commitment: 120 credits
• Online availability: No
• Degree requirements: High school or GED, ACT, attendance at orientation, meeting with counselor, prerequisite courses, TEAS
• Programs: ASN/BSN
• School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid
Westminster College’s BSN degree program is highly comprehensive and is designed to produce graduates who are true experts in health sciences and nursing. The learning environment is unique, which is what makes it so valuable. Nursing graduates are prepared to be a success in their chosen field and they are in high demand across the state. Students are encouraged to be committed to lifelong learning and often study on towards their master’s or doctorate degree to become even better at what they do.
• Campus: Salt Lake City, UT
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: $1,244 per credit hour
• Minimum time commitment: 4 years
• Online availability: No
• Degree requirements: GPA of 2.8, three letters of recommendation, statement of intent, background check, drug test
• Programs: BSN
• School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid