Take the next step in your career as a nurse to receive a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree. If you’re already a registered nurse or RN, these CCNE-accredited RN to BSN programs can help you learn more about your career and improve your application. Find out more about these degree programs and what it takes to apply. Here’s what you need to know about the accredited BSN programs available today.
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What Is CCNE?
While there are many RN to BSN degree programs, you should consider a CCNE-accredited program. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education is a national accreditation agency that’s recognized by the US Secretary of Education. CCNE-accredited schools should offer the high standard of education set by the organization.
CCNE Accreditation
This commission identifies and assesses programs based on their integrity and quality. While not mandatory, this process helps prospective students identify programs that wish to continue to improve and provide leading instruction for a registered nurse to receive a Bachelor of Science in nursing. CCNE-accredited nursing schools can help prepare students for the world of nursing in many ways.
The Accreditation Process
The process is self-regulatory and completely voluntary. Programs submit evidence of growth and improvement in the education process to the CCNE. This autonomous agency provides accreditation to programs committed to improvement after conducting curriculum and on-site evaluations.
Online programs may not have on-site evaluations, but an evaluation by a team of experts is still an essential part of the accreditation process. Once approved, accredited programs are still expected to continuously improve and submit progress reports to CCNE for review.
What Is an Online CCNE Accredited RN to BSN Program?
An online CCNE accredited RN to BSN program prepares you to transition from an RN to a BSN. As an RN, you may have already completed an associate’s or bachelor’s degree and passed the NCLEX-RN exam. You may also be working in a hospital or other healthcare situation.
As BSN, however, you may have the opportunity to earn more and expand your expertise in the industry. Learn more about your online opportunities, program requirements, and BSN career opportunities to see if one of these programs is right for you.
Accredited RN to BSN Program Curriculum
The best CCNE accredited RN to BSN programs don’t just offer you a new degree but expand your expertise in the medical field. As an RN to BSN student, you have the opportunity to study these and other courses:
· Legal and ethical decision-making in nursing
· Global health
· Nursing leadership
· Evidence-based practice
· Community health
· Specialty courses, like emergency or pediatric care
An online RN to BSN program is a competitive option if you’re already working as an RN since you can tailor your curriculum and timeline to your busy schedule. You can choose specialty courses to continue to pursue your focus in the medical field, and you can schedule assignments around your shifts.
Keep in mind that all CNE-accredited schools and all CCNE-accredited programs are a bit different. You will want to compare each of the accredited BSN programs individually to determine which offers the services you desire.
Program Requirements
To qualify for an online RN to BSN program, you must be a registered nurse. Otherwise, you’ll need to enroll in a BSN program. Some programs require you to have an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree, while others accept hospital-based RN education. You’ll need to submit official transcripts from your RN program.
You also must have a high school diploma or GED equivalency to apply for most programs. As an online student, you must have your own computer and reliable internet connection for your courses.
In some programs, there are minimum GPA requirements to apply. You may need to have a particular GPA from your RN program or a particular course, such as microbiology. These requirements vary from program to program, so be sure you’ve met the minimum GPA requirements before you apply.
CCNE-accredited nursing schools set their own rules for admission. Be sure to verify these as you compare CCNE-accredited schools.
RN to BSN Program Costs
The cost of an online RN to BSN program can vary considerably. Most online programs can be significantly more affordable than on-campus options because online programs don’t require the same campus-based fees.
Expect to pay between $10,000 and $80,000 for your online RN to BSN program.
Expect to pay between $10,000 and $80,000 for your online RN to BSN program. This is a wide price range, and the price of your program depends on the school you choose, the number of credits you already have, and any applicable scholarships.
NCLEX Pass Rates
One way RN to BSN and other nursing programs is rated is their NCLEX pass rate. This rate shows how many graduates successfully pass the NCLEX exam on the first try. You may not need to take this exam again if you’re already an RN, but this rate can be a helpful way to compare the strength of programs.
Career Opportunities
Whether you’re preparing to apply to nursing positions or already working as an RN, you can strengthen your application with a BSN degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for registered nurses was about $77,600 as of August 2021. For BSN degree holders, however, the median annual salary was approximately $92,000 as of July 2023.
Accreditation can help you improve your opportunities. While not highlighted by Payscale, choosing an accredited program may improve your application. If you’re seeking a high-paying job and a promising career in nursing, CCNE accreditation offers a competitive edge to your training. It shows hospitals and other employers that you not only have a BSN degree but completed rigorous courses in nursing.
What Are the Benefits of a CCNE Accredited RN to BSN Program?
There are many reasons to consider enrolling in an accredited online program as a registered nurse. Explore each of these key reasons as you compare schools and prepare to improve your career opportunities.
Connect With Expert Instructors
Online nursing programs connect you with experienced instructors around the nation. Instead of working with only the professors and experts in your local community, you can take online courses with instruction from a leading university.
Compare schools based on the strength of the program, not the convenience of the location. An online RN to BSN program still comes with essential clinical experience, either coordinated with a local hospital or conducted virtually. Virtual clinical experience includes simulations for state-of-the-art training.
Expand Your Learning Opportunities
Looking for specialized courses in your area of focus? Local RN to BSN programs may not have the specific courses you’re passionate about. If you choose a program that isn’t accredited, you may not receive state-of-the-art training.
Explore the best programs for modern education in your area of focus. Receive a broad base of nursing courses with electives in pediatrics, cardiac care, emergency care, or case management.
Enjoy Flexible Scheduling
You can transition from an RN to a BSN in just one year, or you can take part-time courses over the course of four years. Some on-campus programs offer a flexible schedule, but online RN to BSN opportunities allow you to take courses that fit your shift schedule.
If you work night shifts, it can be difficult to find a convenient time to take college courses. Don’t let your scheduling conflict with coursework, but study online to continue to move forward in your nursing career.
Improve Your Application
Whether applying for a position in another hospital or looking to improve your salary, advancing from an RN to a BSN can be a major career move. Not only do BSN degree holders earn more, on average, but there are many medical facilities and states that require nurses to have BSN degrees.
CCNE vs. ACEN Accreditation
CCNE and ACEN are two different accrediting agencies. ACEN provides accreditation for all nurse education levels. CCNE only focuses on graduate programs and nursing fellowship programs. Each organization sets its own accrediting requirements, processes, and standards.
Benefits of Attending a CCNE-Accredited BSN Program
CCNE-accredited schools, or more precisely, accredited programs, are designed to meet specific high standards. Accreditation means that the program has been evaluated and the education and training it provides meets the accrediting body’s rigorous standards. Accredited BSN programs, then, offer the education, insights, and curriculum that students need to perform well once they get into the job market.
Are CCNE Accredited Online BSN Programs entirely online?
CCNE-accredited nursing schools may offer in-person or online education. These programs are versatile in what they offer.
There are some CCNE-accredited programs that are fully online. However, most will have some requirements to visit on campus or at a local facility to complete necessary lab courses.
Notable Online CCNE (BSN) Accredited Degree Programs
Arizona State University offers a BSN program that can be completed in as little as 16 months without a summer break or in 24 months on a traditional schedule. There are core classes for all students and classes for required nursing subjects.
Tuition: $12,051 per year
The BSN at Augusta University requires a total of 124 credit hours to complete, with 60 of those hours from the nursing program. This is a four-year program with a number of focus areas to choose from.
Tuition: $600 per credit hour
To earn a BSN from Bethel University, you will need to complete 129 credit hours. 33 of those hours will come from general education, with 67 in the nursing program and 29 from the core. This is a four-year program.
Tuition: $42,930 per year
The four BSN program at Bradley University is designed to prepare students to pass the nursing licensure exam. The program is four years and requires the completion of 109 credits from a variety of areas.
Tuition: $199 per hour for full-time students
The Colorado Christian University program can be completed in 13 months if you are already an RN. Otherwise, it is a four-year program that requires the completion of 120 credit hours, which prepares students to take and pass the nursing licensure exam.
Tuition: $628 per credit hour
Creighton University offers a four-year BSN program to allow students to pursue other interests and focus on their nursing degree. The program allows students to continue studying abroad, among other activities, while pursuing their degree.
Tuition: $45,000 per year
DePaul University offers a four-year BSN degree program. It offers a number of options to choose from and has a major focus on preparing students for the NCLEX Exam to become licensed.
Tuition: $758 per credit hour part-time, $43,665 per year full-time students
There is a BSN program at Florida Atlantic University available as a traditional program, accelerated, and RN to BSN. All offer different options but have the same goal of preparing students to pass the NCLEX exam and become licensed nurses in the field.
Tuition: $6527.60 per semester
Indiana University offers multiple ways to earn a BSN. There is, of course, the traditional four-year program requiring the completion of 120 credit hours, the RN to BSN option, and a second degree accelerated program for students who completed a bachelor’s but want to go into nursing.
Tuition: $350 per credit hour
Jacksonville State University offers a four-year BSN program that prepares students for the NCLEX Exam. Students are required to have taken the ACT or SAT and maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA for required courses.
Tuition: $168 per credit hour
Point Loma University Nazarene
Point Loma University Nazarene offers a four-year BSN program. The program requires over 1100 clinic hours as part of the program and provides options for pursuing an MSN or doctorate.
Tuition: $21,300 per year