Fastest RN to BSN Programs 2026
- 2027 Top Fast RN to BSN Programs
- How Long Are RN to BSN Programs?
- Who Needs an Accelerated RN to BSN Program?
- Benefits of Fast RN to BSN Programs
- Online RN to BSN Programs – Can They Save Time?
- 6-Month RN to BSN Programs: Can It Be Done?
- Drawbacks to Fast RN to BSN Programs
- Next Steps for Enrolling in an RN to BSN Program
- Find RN to BSN Degree Programs Near You
Getting your ADN, ASN, or nursing diploma is a great first step to starting your nursing career. After passing the NCLEX, you're ready to work as a nurse in various settings and roles. However, working nurses who are looking for a more expansive education and more career opportunities may want to consider getting their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
A BSN can help you understand more in-depth nursing concepts and allow you to work in more fast-paced and nuanced environments. It can also increase your chances of becoming more steadily employed or negotiating a higher wage. A BSN is available for students at any level, but nurses already licensed and working in the field have a unique opportunity to get their BSN in a shorter amount of time through an RN to BSN program.
Looking to complete your degree cheaply? Check out these Affordable RN to BSN Programs.
Auburn, AL - Public 4-Year - auburn.edu Online Learning - Visit Website Auburn University’s online RN to BSN program is designed for registered nurses with an associate degree. The curriculum comprises 27 credit hours of advanced nursing coursework, including holistic health assessment, evidence-based practice, leadership, and clinical prevention. Students can earn 38 competency credits for prior experience, allowing completion in just three semesters. Admission requires a current RN license and a minimum 2.5 GPA; no ACT or SAT entrance exam is needed. The program offers starts in fall, spring, and summer and includes clinical practice hours. This accelerated structure, combined with online delivery, enables nurses to graduate faster and pursue advanced roles in leadership, community health, and healthcare management. Online & Campus Based - Visit Website Auburn University’s Concurrent BSN program provides a hybrid learning option for associate degree nurses to earn a bachelor’s degree. Unlike a traditional BSN, this pathway integrates online coursework with on-ground clinical practice, making it ideal for working professionals. Students are awarded 38 competency credits for previous nursing education, significantly reducing total time to degree. The curriculum covers evidence-based practice, leadership, and population health, with a focus on clinical prevention. Admission requires a current RN license and a 2.5 GPA; no ACT or SAT is required. With three-semester completion and rolling admissions in fall, spring, and summer, nurses can accelerate their careers more quickly than in conventional programs. Charlottesville, VA - Public 4-Year - virginia.edu Online & Campus Based - Visit Website The University of Virginia's RN to BSN Hybrid Program targets working nurses with an associate's degree or diploma seeking a BSN. This part-time, two-year program blends online learning with monthly in-person classes in Charlottesville, Richmond, or Fairfax. The 30-credit curriculum includes informatics, pathophysiology, research, leadership, health policy, and population health, with no clinical hours. Peer mentoring and generous aid—6 in 10 graduates pay no tuition, and need-based aid meets 100% of need—are highlights. UVA awards 42 credits for prior coursework, expediting completion. Virginia's #1 nursing program offers a supportive, cohort-based hybrid format for career advancement. Columbus, OH - Public 4-Year - osu.edu Online Learning - Visit Website Ohio State University's online RN to BSN program, ranked No. 5 by U.S. News & World Report, allows registered nurses to earn a bachelor's degree in as few as 12 months full-time or 15 months part-time. The 24-credit, eight-course curriculum covers evidence-based practice, informatics, community health, cultural competence, and leadership. Courses are asynchronous, and local clinical projects enable immediate application. No textbooks are required, and the program does not require ACT or SAT scores. CCNE-accredited and offering rolling admissions with spring, summer, and fall starts, the program includes personalized advising and a supportive online community. Ohio State's accelerated timeline, flexible pacing, and elimination of textbook costs help students finish faster than traditional programs. West Chester, PA - Public 4-Year - wcupa.edu Online Learning - Visit Website West Chester University of Pennsylvania's RN-to-BSN program offers a fully online, CCNE-accredited pathway for registered nurses seeking career advancement. The flexible curriculum can be completed in two semesters, thanks to accelerated 7-week courses offered year-round. No ACT or SAT scores are required for admission. Transfer credits are accepted at no charge, and CLEP credits can shorten the path further. Applicants need a minimum 2.75 GPA and official transcripts. The program emphasizes nursing research, ethics, population health, and leadership, with a 30-credit residency at WCU. Designed for working nurses, the asynchronous format allows study around a schedule, making it faster than many traditional programs. Online Learning - Visit Website This 100% online RN-to-BSN track at West Chester University is tailored for working nurses who want to earn a bachelor's degree without interrupting their careers. The program features no set class times, so you can study asynchronously whenever it fits. Complete the degree in as little as two semesters with accelerated 7-week sessions offered year-round. The curriculum follows AACN baccalaureate essentials and includes nursing research, ethics, leadership, and population health. Transfer and CLEP credits are accepted at no charge, accelerating progress. No standardized entrance exam like the ACT or SAT is required. Admission requires a 2.75 GPA and official transcripts. With a 30-credit residency and a minor recommended but not required, students can fast-track their BSN. Online Learning - Visit Website West Chester University offers an RN-to-BSN program designed for registered nurses seeking a bachelor's degree in a fast, flexible format. This online, CCNE-accredited program can be completed in two semesters through 7-week courses offered year-round, with no scheduled meeting times. The curriculum aligns with AACN baccalaureate essentials, covering professional communication, applied nursing research, nursing leadership, and population health. Transfer credits and CLEP scores are accepted without charge, and no ACT or SAT is required for admission. Applications need a minimum 2.75 GPA and official transcripts. Students complete a 30-credit WCU residency, with practicum components embedded in coursework. This streamlined structure accelerates graduation compared to traditional semester-based programs. Tuscaloosa, AL - Public 4-Year - ua.edu Online Learning - Visit Website The University of Alabama's online RN to BSN program helps registered nurses with an associate's degree or diploma advance their careers. You'll build on existing knowledge with just 30 credit hours of nursing coursework covering nursing informatics, evidence-based practice, community health, leadership, and complex client systems. With 40 credit hours awarded for prior RN experience, you can finish in as few as two semesters. Three start terms per year, rolling admissions, and no ACT or SAT required through Fall 2026 allow flexible entry. The CCNE-accredited program is fully online, taught by Capstone College of Nursing faculty, and includes a practicum. At $399 per credit, it's an affordable, fast pathway to a BSN. Online Learning - Visit Website The University of Alabama's online RN to BSN/MSN with a Nurse Executive concentration offers a fast, advanced pathway for experienced RNs. This accelerated track awards a BSN after the fourth semester and allows early graduate school admission, so you can earn both degrees more quickly than pursuing them separately. The fully online program requires no campus visits, only practicum components. Admission requires an unencumbered RN license, a 3.0 GPA, and prerequisites, with 40 nursing hours credited. Tuition is $399 per credit for bachelor's courses and $480 for master's. No ACT or SAT is required for initial admission, and no graduate entrance exam is needed for the master's portion. CCNE accreditation ensures quality.2027 Top Fast RN to BSN Programs
Auburn University
RN to BSN - Nursing, RN to BSN
RN to BSN - Concurrent BSN
University of Virginia
RN to BSN - RN to BSN Hybrid Program
Ohio State University
RN to BSN - RN to BSN
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
RN to BSN - RN-to-BSN Program
RN to BSN - BSN for the Registered Nurse
RN to BSN - RN-to-BSN
The University of Alabama
RN to BSN - RN to BSN
RN to BSN - RN to BSN/MSN Nurse Executive (Nurse Executive)
How Long Are RN to BSN Programs?
RN to BSN programs are accelerated BSN programs that are designed to accommodate working RNs who are trying to earn their BSN on a quicker timeline. RNs with a nursing license already don't require the same introductory courses that traditional BSN students will need to become licensed. This allows them to complete their BSN in under four years.
But how long are RN to BSN programs on average? Typically, RNs can finish their RN to BSN program in under two years and sometimes less than one year, depending on the school, whether the program is self-paced or offered online, the number of credits required, and whether the student chooses to attend full-time or part-time.
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Who Needs an Accelerated RN to BSN Program?
Any RN who wants to save time and money! Registered nurses who are already licensed and have experience in the field don't need the same level of education as regular BSN students. An RN to BSN program essentially gives these students credit for the nursing education they already completed in their associate's degree or nursing diploma program.
But why might a registered nurse want to continue their education with a BSN degree? When an RN completes a BSN program, it offers them more opportunities in the job market and allows them to draft a more attractive resume. Hospital systems and medical employers increasingly prefer to hire BSN-educated RNs. The faster this can be accomplished, the faster these nurses can leverage their new degree to take advantage of higher-paid positions and use their new education to become more accomplished RNs. In addition to this, holding a BSN is often a requirement for traditional graduate nursing degree programs, so if you plan to continue your education, earning a BSN at some point in your career is a significant foundational step.
Benefits of Fast RN to BSN Programs
The benefits of fast RN to BSN programs are fairly obvious – you can obtain a higher-level nursing degree in a very short amount of time. This not only allows you to re-enter the workforce with more credentials and a more rounded education, but it also allows you to save money on a degree that you would typically pay twice as much for. As opposed to ADN or diploma-educated RNs, BSN-educated nurses enjoy:
- Higher salaries
- Better and broader employment options
- More room for career advancement
- Increased eligibility for higher nursing education, such as a master's or doctoral degree in nursing
The faster an RN earns a BSN degree, the faster they can take advantage of these perks and opportunities.
Online RN to BSN Programs – Can They Save Time?
Students looking to complete their RN to BSN education in the shortest amount of time possible may wish to consider online programs. Online RN to BSN options can save students both money and time. Here are a few reasons why:
Flexible Scheduling – Many online RN to BSN programs offer courses in an asynchronous format, meaning students can access them at any time. This means that the student can work through coursework at their own pace. Those wishing to complete their program in a shorter timeframe can simply move through the courses at a faster pace.
Accelerated Program Options – Some online RN to BSN programs offer accelerated tracks for students who wish to complete their education in an expedient manner. If you want to pursue this pathway, it’s a good idea to inquire about whether it’s offered at your prospective school before you enroll.
Credit for Prior Courses – Most RN to BSN programs give students credit for certain courses they have already completed in their prior nursing program. Depending on how many credits a program allows students to transfer in, they may be able to skip certain RN to BSN courses, helping them complete even faster.
Year-Round Enrollment – Some online RN to BSN programs offer enrollment on a rolling basis or a year-round basis, meaning students can begin the program at more frequent points throughout the year and can complete coursework even during the summer.
6-Month RN to BSN Programs: Can It Be Done?
Technically, yes, a 6-month RN to BSN program is possible – though you won't find them advertised as such, and you'll have to meet a very specific set of circumstances. Some self-paced RN to BSN programs allow you to transfer enough credits so that you could conceivably graduate with your BSN in as little as 6 months. However, you'll need to have at least an ADN or ASN, your nursing license, and likely, a large bundle of additional nursing credits. You'll also need to find a nursing program that allows you to transfer the full amount of available credits.
Drawbacks to Fast RN to BSN Programs
RN to BSN programs come with many benefits, but before you start applying to RN to BSN programs, it's important to consider the potential drawbacks. The main thing to realize before you enroll in an RN to BSN program is that even though you'll be receiving your BSN degree considerably faster, you'll still need to commit a significant amount of time and energy to your schooling.
If you're already working full-time as an RN (which most RN to BSN students are), you're in for a major transition. You'll have to balance a 40-60 hour work week with 5-10 hour (or more) class hours. Consider the burnout rates of RNs – you'll have to be eating, sleeping, and breathing everything that is nursing. If you're up for the challenge, you're likely to be handsomely rewarded when it comes time to leverage that wage increase or look for new jobs.
Next Steps for Enrolling in an RN to BSN Program
Enrolling in an RN to BSN bridge program involves several steps, but it’s a manageable process. Here’s a general guide to help you through it:
Research Programs: Start by researching RN to BSN programs offered by different universities or colleges. Look for programs accredited by recognized accrediting bodies, such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Check Prerequisites: Make sure you meet the prerequisites for the program. These may include having an active RN license, completing specific college-level courses (like anatomy, physiology, microbiology, etc.), and having a certain amount of clinical experience.
Gather Documents: Collect all necessary documents for your application, which may include transcripts from previous schools, your RN license, letters of recommendation, and a resume.
Submit Application: Fill out the application form for your chosen RN to BSN program. Be sure to provide all required information accurately and completely. Some programs may have specific application deadlines, so be mindful of those.
Financial Aid: Explore financial aid options such as scholarships, grants, and loans. Many schools offer financial aid specifically for nursing students. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid programs.
We have curated 300+ RN to BSN program listings across the country. See options near you by selecting your state below.
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