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RN to BSN Program

The RN to BSN program at the University of Virginia provides a uniquely tailored ‎‎curriculum for students who are graduates of community college and hospital schools and are licensed registered nurses (RN). The program can be completed in 21 months, part-time. Classes are offered just one day a week to allow students to work full time while completing their BSN. The program provides a foundation for professional practice and for further education such as graduate study for advanced practice or preparation as a clinical leader or teacher.

Students enroll in 30 credits at UVA, and upon completion of selected courses, receive 41 credits for prior learning as an RN. Courses in the program include graduate level classes in nursing theory and evidence-based practice, health policy, and epidemiology. Students must meet prerequisite general education requirements prior to admission, thus completing a grand total of 120 semester hours for the baccalaureate degree. Once admitted, students work with a faculty advisor to create a plan of study to best meet their academic and professional goals.

Note: RNs with an undergraduate degree in another subject (non-nursing area) may apply for the Clinical Nurse Leader program; this awards a MSN degree after the completion of 41 credits. 

Useful Links:

• Hear from RN to BSN student Robin Passantino, BSN '14 (above right)
• Watch video of RN to BSN grads Maura Rodriguez & Jody Chance (BSN '10, '12) 
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Essentials for Baccalaureate Nursing Education  [PDF]
• Apply to UVA

On This Page:

• Transfer of Credit
• Clinical Practicum
• Prerequisites
• General Education Requirements
• Admission Requirements
• For More Information

Transfer of Credit

On presentation of a school transcript, students accepted for transfer to the School of Nursing will be granted transfer credit for academic course work taken at an accredited institution if the grade earned was a C or higher, and if the courses correspond to ones offered at the University. Questions regarding acceptability of specific courses for transfer should be referred to the School of Nursing Office of Admissions and Student Services. Prospective applicants are encouraged to meet with the School of Nursing Admissions Counselor to discuss how their prior credits would apply to the University’s general education requirements.

Clinical Practicum

There is one practicum that is a part of the RN to BSN curriculum, which occurs in the fall semester of the second year of the program. Practicum experiences can be met in a variety of settings for this course; the School has a number of existing clinical contracts with facilities in Virginia.

Prerequisites

Pharmacology, Health Assessment, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Lifespan Development or Developmental Psychology and statistics are all required for admission to the program. Please see the FAQs for more information about these course equivalencies.

Most of these prerequisite courses can be satisfied at local community colleges. Below is a list of the suggested courses at Virginia community colleges that meet our requirements. This list is not exhaustive. If you have any questions, please contact Lynn Coyner at lc6be@virginia.edu.

Lifepan Development of Developmental Psychology

Health Assessment

Pharmacology

Human Anatomy & Physiology

Statistics *

* Statistics must be have been completed within the past 5 years with a grade of a B or higher.

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General Education Requirements

Students are required to satisfactorily complete 49 credits in the following general education courses prior to enrollment:

English Composition - 3 credits - required for students except for those who are exempt. You are exempt if you scored 750 or higher on the SAT II Subject Test in Writing or 5 on the English AP test. (Students who are exempt from English Composition must take an additional 3 credit elective.) If you are attending a college with a two-semester composition course, you must complete both semesters to satisfy this requirement.  For example, in the Virginia Community College System, we require ENG 111 and ENG 112.  UVA also has a second writing requirement. This requirement is fulfilled within the RN to BSN curriculum.   

Natural Science and Math - 12 credits - Anatomy and Physiology and statistics are required. Other acceptable courses include mathematics, chemistry, physics, genetics, environmental science, geology, and ecology. Statistics must be completed before enrolling in the RN to BSN program.  

Social Science and History - 9 credits - acceptable courses include history, government, psychology, sociology, economics, western civilization, political science, and anthropology. Special note: while you are required to take lifespan development, it cannot count towards your social science credits, because it is part of the 41 credits awarded for your previous nursing courses.

Humanities and Fine Arts - 9 credits - acceptable courses include philosophy, ethics, art, religion, music, drama, and foreign languages.

Electives - 16 or more credits to total 49 credits. Note: two courses (up to 5 credits) in skills courses such as studio art or music performance may be counted toward these elective credit requirements. Only 2 Physical Education (PE) credits can be accepted for elective transfer credit.

Advanced Standing

Forty-one credits of advanced standing will be awarded to students for prior nursing courses and experience, including the required lifespan, pharmacology, and assessment credits. These 41 credit hours will be awarded after the completion of all required courses and successful evaluation of a portfolio of validating assignments developed during the program of study.

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Admission Requirements

Admission to the School of Nursing is competitive and based on evaluation of all portions of the application. Applications for admission will be considered through the University of Virginia undergraduate admission process with initial review in the School of Nursing.

To be considered for admission to this program, applicants must submit a completed application and:

• Have an associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited school of nursing.
• Have completed all 49 credits towards the prerequisite general education courses by the start of the academic year.
• Have completed the five required prerequisite courses by the start of the academic year.
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on all college/university courses completed prior to admission.
• Possess an unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in the United States by the start of the academic year. If you are a current RN, please submit a copy of your current nursing license with your application.
• Submit official transcripts from all universities/colleges attended to the UVA Office of Undergraduate Admission.
• Submit one satisfactory academic or professional recommendation (no form needed, just a letter).
• All supporting documents (recommendation, transcripts, etc.) should be mailed directly to the UVA Office of Undergraduate Admission, P.O. Box 400160, Charlottesville, VA 22904.
• Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to have their transcripts unofficially reviewed by the Admissions Counselor, Lynn Coyner. Ms. Coyner can be reached via email at lc6be@virginia.edu or 434-924-0067.

The deadline for submitting applications is March 1 for fall entry.

• Application
• Program of Study for RN-BSN Program
• Informational Flyer for the RN-BSN Program     
• UVA Transfer Credit Analyzer 

Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid as the School of Nursing has a strong alumni base generous in scholarship support. Applicants should submit the FAFSA and the CSS/Profile to the University of Virginia Financial Aid Office. You will be emailed the School of Nursing financial aid application after students have been admitted.

For additional information on admission to and programs of study at the UVA School of Nursing, please complete the inquiry form or contact the School of Nursing Office of Admissions and Student Services at (434) 924-0141 / (888) 283-8703.

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