North Carolina RN to BSN Programs

North Carolina universities support the interests and advancements of nursing practice. Encouraged to strive for success by leading faculty, nurses work to promote knowledge-based practice that extends far beyond bedside care. With a clear path of advancement, many nurses choose to continue their education through an RN to BSN program.

Admissions Requirements for North Carolina RN to BSN Programs

Having already run the gamut of admissions processes in order to enter their chosen Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) program and later apply for jobs, many RNs are already familiar with the criteria that universities require in order to be admitted to an RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or 'BSN' program. While requirements do vary, you'll likely encounter the following admissions requirements when applying to complete your BSN degree:

• Complete nursing application
• All pre-requisites must have a "C" grade or better
• Provide evidence of a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher
• Provide evidence of "satisfactory" feedback on health screenings
• Provide up-to-date immunization records
• Submit to a criminal background check and drug screening check
• Submit original typed personal statement
• Attend an interview with faculty and admissions staff

RN to BSN Classes & Courses

RN to BSN programming is specifically created by experienced faculty after listening to the feedback given by nurses and healthcare administration. Often the courses build sequentially, creating tight communities of students that expand the personal and professional network of nurses in the state. Universities such as East Caroline University offer such courses as the following to ensure that gaps in knowledge, skills and experience are filled before degree completion.

• NURS 4905 - Nursing in a Global Society
• NURS 4906 - Community Health Nursing
• NURS 4907 - Nursing Leadership and Finance

Online RN to BSN Programs in North Carolina

The North Carolina Board of Nursing has worked tirelessly to bring excellent education options to nurses in the state, in partnership with state officials and universities. There are approximately 25 universities through which an RN could flexibly continue his or her education; most are affordable for the working professional and accommodating of the demands of a full-time nursing position - many programs are offered entirely online for additional flexibility.

Featured Online School

Capitalizing on RNs' diverse workplace experiences and skillsets, Gardner-Webb's Hunt School of Nursing works with students to affect the global patient community upon BSN graduation. Students participate in valuable service learning and patient-care opportunities as well as rigorous coursework designed to inform their perspectives and broaden their horizons.

Admissions and Program Length

At North Carolina A&T University, RNs can complete their BSN degree through three semesters of full-time courses taking place over as little as 1 year. Transfer credits are granted to students who hold an ADN, or who show significant experience as an RN. Offered both online and in the classroom, students learn effectively due to the collaborative faculty atmosphere and reduced class sizes. In order to graduate, students are required to complete all 31 credits toward their BSN degree. Please note that the program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Tuition and Cost of Attendance

Founded in 1951 and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the University of Mount Olive has a strong commitment to liberal arts and the helping professions with an emphasis on Christian values. The school's online RN to BSN program will run students about $400 per credit; members of the military pay a rate that is half that.

Does an RN to BSN Increase My Salary?

As our patient population ages, we need nurses to learn more and do more in their role. To this end, there are a number of federal policymakers and nursing profession leaders who have indicated that it would be beneficial for nurses and patients if each nurse had their BSN before being allowed to practice. Some industry observers have noted that the number of RN to BSN programs that have flourished is an indication that society is trying to overcome the credential gap as quickly as possible. Nurses with a BSN might find that they are offered jobs such as nursing education coordinator, nursing home staff nurse or pediatric home care nurse before their ADN counterparts, simply due to their credentials.

RN to BSN Salary Comparison in North Carolina

Nurses in the state earn wages that are roughly on par with national averages, however, it is difficult to distinguish who earns what - that is, there is no data directly collected about the salary differences between ADN and BSN degrees. However, we know that ADN RNs generally have a lower entry level of wage and tend not to be able to scale their income upward over time as much as other kinds of RNs. We can then assume that ADN RNs enter the field as the lowest salary earners (about $43,000 per year) and may not ever advance past approximately $55,000 by the time they retired. By contrast, BSN holders are likely to enter the field around $50,000, be mobile up to $60,000 and in a great position to pursue an Master's degree and flex their earning potential up to about $80,000 per year over the course of their career.

RN to BSN Programs

Benefits for being a BSN nurse in North Carolina include a wage of approximately $70,000 per year, preferential skills when applying to jobs, and a career that can move forward quickly. ore than 15 different RN to BSN programs are offered within North Carolina. Nurses looking to move their careers into different aspects of health care are encouraged to become a BSN or greater degree nurse, as these qualifications can lead you into the future of what nursing is headed toward. If management/leadership roles, supervisory positions or outside health care organizations interest you as career options, a BSN degree is what is needed.