The Best Online BSN Programs for Working RNs
Earning a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) can open the door to more career opportunities, higher leadership roles, and increased earning potential. Registered nurses (RNs) often balance busy work schedules and home lives. RN-to-BSN programs provide a flexible pathway to advance education without putting your career on hold.
Online BSN programs are designed with working professionals in mind, allowing you to strengthen your skills, expand your knowledge, and position yourself for growth in today’s competitive healthcare environment.
Why Upgrade Your Credentials to a BSN?
Higher earning potential- Expanded job opportunities
- Leadership and management roles
- Graduate school eligibility
- Improved patient outcomes
- Professional credibility
- Adaptability to industry trends
The Best Online RN-to-BSN Programs
How We Chose These Programs
- Nonprofit
- Accredited by ACEN or CCNE
- Online
Using the above inclusion criteria, we curated a list of the top BSN bridge programs for working RNs. Rather than assigning an overall rank to each school/program, we list the programs alphabetically by school name.
To help you identify the best online RN-to-BSN program for your needs, we examined details like curriculum, format, and cost to highlight what each program uniquely excels at, relative to the other programs on our list.
Program Overview
| School | Type | Location | Program Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drexel University | Private | Philadelphia, PA | Most customizable curriculum |
| George Washington University | Private | Washington, DC | Most flexible delivery format |
| Texas A&M University | Public | College Station, TX | Most accessible admission requirements |
| University of Central Florida | Public | Orlando, FL | Most affordable BSN program |
| University of Maryland, Baltimore | Public | Baltimore, MD | Shortest BSN program |
Drexel University
Most customizable curriculum
- 12 months
- 45 quarter credits
- $566 per credit
- Clinicals required
- CCNE-accredited
Drexel University’s online RN-to-BSN completion program provides rigor and flexibility for working RNs. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, leadership, genetics/genomics, quality improvement, and inclusive care. Online coursework combines asynchronous and synchronous options across four 10-week quarters per year.
After admission, applicants must hold or secure RN licensure, have a minimum 2.0 GPA, and complete approximately 60 semester-hours of prerequisite coursework. You can transfer up to 135 quarter credits toward the required 180 quarter credits. This allows you to finish in as few as 12 months.
With a three-year tuition lock and strong support services, it’s a compelling option for RNs wanting to upgrade credentials without sacrificing work or income.
George Washington University
Most flexible delivery format
- 24 months
- 36 credits
- $720 per credit
- Clinicals required
- CCNE-accredited
George Washington University’s online RN-to-BSN program has a flexible coursework format tailored for working RNs. It’s a part-time, four-semester program delivered entirely asynchronously online, helping you juggle work, life, and school at your own pace.
The curriculum builds on your background with advanced coursework in evidence-based practice, patient safety, health care quality, leadership, and policy. Admission requires an associate degree in nursing (ADN or ASN), an active RN license, and prerequisites from a regionally accredited institution — ideally with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
For RNs seeking a credential upgrade with minimal disruption, this program combines credibility, flexibility, and clear academic structure.
Texas A&M University
Most accessible admission requirements
- 24 months
- 30 credits
- $4,890 per semester
- Clinicals required
- CCNE-accredited
Texas A&M’s online RN-to-BSN program offers a smooth path for working RNs with relatively inclusive admission requirements and a flexible structure. The 30-credit nursing curriculum is fully online. Students also complete a local practicum in their own community.
Applicants need an active, unencumbered RN license or must obtain it by the end of the first term. They must also have a minimum 2.5 GPA in both nursing science and prerequisite courses. The school has transfer agreements with many community colleges to ease admission and credit transfer. With admissions in spring and summer, you can complete the program in three or four semesters, depending on when you start.
University of Central Florida
Most affordable BSN program
- 18 months
- 30 credits
- $179 per credit
- Clinicals required
- CCNE-accredited
The University of Central Florida (UCF) offers a fully online post-licensure RN-to-BSN degree that stands out for being among the most affordable, including reduced tuition rates and fee waivers for certain campus amenities.
The program requires 30 credit hours, and prior learning is rewarded with up to 29 credits toward a BSN. Coursework is delivered online and either full- or part-time, allowing students to complete their studies in as few as three semesters or more slowly if needed. The curriculum emphasizes nursing science, leadership, and preparation for graduate studies.
Admission requires an RN license, satisfaction of general education and foreign language requirements, and completion of most prerequisite courses. Licensed RNs can apply directly through a simplified process with three annual start terms (summer, fall, spring).
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Shortest BSN program
- 12 months
- 31 credits
- $4,880 per semester
- Clinicals required
- CCNE-accredited
The University of Maryland (UMB) School of Nursing offers an online RN-to-BSN program that offers one of the fastest paths for RNs seeking their BSN. Students may complete the nursing portion in as little as two semesters, fully online and either full- or part-time.
You must complete 59 prerequisite credit hours from an accredited institution before enrollment, and you’ll receive 30 credits for a valid RN license. Coursework includes leadership, research, health informatics, patient outcomes, and a public health practicum in your final semester.
This structure, which includes fastest completion timeline, flexible delivery, credit for licensure, and streamlined requirements makes the program a strong choice for working RNs wanting to upgrade to a BSN without long delays.
ACEN vs. CCNE
ACEN
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredits nursing programs from the practical to doctoral levels.
For RN-to-BSN students, ACEN accreditation ensures that coursework meets rigorous national standards, supports licensure and certification eligibility, and signals program credibility, which is important for employers, graduate schools, and financial aid access.
CCNE
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral nursing programs.
For RN-to-BSN students, CCNE accreditation demonstrates a program’s emphasis on quality, accountability, and continuous improvement. It assures employers and graduate schools that the BSN meets professional standards, fostering career mobility and academic advancement.
ADN vs. BSN: Salary Comparison
In 2017, nursing diploma-holders took home the highest median annual salary at nearly $73,000, while ADN and BSN nurses earned median salaries of $65,000 and $68,000, respectively. But in 2020, all three RN levels saw declines in their earnings, with diploma-holders taking the biggest hit.
However, since 2020, median RN salaries have steadily increased across all education levels, with BSN-prepared nurses maintaining a consistent wage advantage.
By 2022, the median pay for ADNs caught up to diploma pay before eventually exceeding it in 2024.
According to the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey, the median annual earnings for BSN-holders currently exceeds those for ADN-holders by $5,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
The requirements for admission include an active, unencumbered RN license. Most programs also require an accredited nursing diploma or ADN, official transcripts, and a minimum GPA. Some accept recent ADN graduates conditionally until they pass the NCLEX. Applications commonly include transcripts, proof of licensure, and prerequisite course completion.
