RN to BSN Hybrid Program

RN-to-BSN students enroll in 30 credits and, upon completion, receive 42 credits for prior learning in the student's associates or diploma nursing program. Students must meet prerequisite general education requirements prior to admission, thus completing a total of 120 semester hours for the baccalaureate degree.

Structure of the Hybrid Courses

• Meet in person for classes once a month
• Complete weekly activities and learning online
• Students in the Richmond program will travel to Charlottesville for approximately 1-2 meetings over the course of the program for on-site activities such as orientation, simulation, graduation, etc.

Course List

• NUIP 4300 - Informatics in Health (3 credits)
• NUIP 4200 - Pathophysiology (4 credits)
• NUIP 4420 - Basic Research Concepts in the Health Disciplines (4 credits)
• NUIP 4610 - Leadership and Management in Health Care Systems (3 credits)
• NUCO 4056 - Introduction to Health Policy (3 credits) 
• NUCO 4420 - Foundations of Professional Nursing (3 credits)
• NUCO 4435 - Transition to Baccalaureate Nursing Practice (1 credit)
• NUCO 4440 - Trends and Issues in Clinical Nursing Practice (3 credits)
• NUCO 4450 - Population and Public Health Nursing (3 credits)
• University of Virginia elective (3 credits)

Professional nursing standards and guidelines incorporated in the curriculum

• The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (AACN, 2008)

Prerequisite Courses

To be considered for admission to the RN to BSN program, prospective students are required to possess an unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in the United States by the start of the academic year (submit a copy of your current nursing license with your application) and satisfactorily complete 48 credits in the following general education courses prior to enrollment. These courses are most often taken at a community college.

• 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 both ENG 111 and ENG 112
• Natural science and math (12 credits)
  Anatomy & Physiology is required (if your college has a two-semester sequence, you must complete both semesters). Microbiology will be required beginning in the fall of 2019. Other acceptable courses include mathematics, chemistry, physics, genetics, environmental science, geology, and ecology
• Social science and history (9 credits)
  acceptable courses include history, government, psychology, sociology, economics, western civilization, political science,  anthropology, linguistics, and women's studies. Special note: while you are required to take lifespan development, it cannot count towards your social science credits, because it is part of the 42 credits awarded for your previous nursing courses
• Humanities and fine arts (9 credits)
  acceptable courses include philosophy, ethics, art, religion, music, drama, foreign languages, classics, comparative literature, and English and foreign literature
• Electives (12 or more credits to total 48 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

All financial aid for undergraduate students at UVA is administered through UVA Student Financial Services. To apply, you need to complete the following forms:

• Federal FAFSA form
• CSS/Profile form

All aid is need-based; the University of Virginia meets 100% of demonstrated need.

More information is available on the School of Nursing tuition and financial aid web pages.

Advanced Standing (42 credits)

The 42 credits below are awarded to RN to BSN students for prior their enrollment in UVA School of Nursing nursing courses, which qualifies them for advanced standing in the program. These 42 credit hours will transfer to the School of Nursing as equivalent to the UVA courses listed below. Note that eligible Lifespan Development as well as Anatomy and Physiology transfer classes can be found in the Transfer of Credit section on this page

^*Equivalent to Growth and Development in the VCCS (transfers in as nursing advanced standing credits instead of social science credits). 

Some RN to BSN applicants who complete all required nursing courses within the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) are eligible to apply to the RN to BSN program's guaranteed admissions agreement. Most applicants do not enter through this program, as they may not meet all criteria. The School considers every applicant as an individual with their own strengths and unique circumstances. 

As with all RN-to-BSN programs, a minimum of 120 credits are needed to earn your BSN degree:

• 48 general education credits, which can be taken at your local community college
• 42 nursing credits, transferred in from your associate’s degree or diploma program
• 30 RN to BSN credits, taken at UVA

Please see the UVA Undergraduate Record for information about transferring credit. Questions regarding acceptability of specific courses for transfer should be referred to the School of Nursing's Office of Admissions and Student Services.

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to meet with a School of Nursing admissions counselor Kim Dieber to discuss how their prior credits would apply to the University’s general education requirements, or use the UVA Transfer Credit Analyzer.

How do I apply?

You submit the Common Application through the UVA Office of Undergraduate Admission. Before beginning this application, we recommend that you speak with Kim Dieber, coordinator of transfer admissions at the School, who can guide you through questions on the Common Application that may seemingly not apply to your unique situation in returning to school.

Where do I get an application?

Applications are available from the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

How do I notify you of my choice of campus location?

We will contact you after your offer of admission to ask you to designate the location you wish to attend.

Am I able to switch between the Charlottesville, Richmond, and Northern Virginia locations for class?

No, once students select their location, they will attend the monthly in-person classes in that location, and cannot alternate locations from month to month or semester to semester.

Are applications accepted on a rolling admissions basis?

Students are only admitted for the fall semester, and the applications are reviewed after the March deadline. Decisions are posted by May 1.

How many credits do I need to complete before applying?

RN to BSN applicants need to complete the general education requirements by the time they enroll in classes at UVA. Most students prefer to complete these courses at their community college before starting the program.

How can I find out if the courses I have taken will transfer to UVA?

Kim Dieber can answer questions about transfer credit. For information on transfer credit, please visit the Transfer Credit Analyzer.

Do I need to meet with someone at the nursing school? Does the nursing school interview applicants?

While applicants are not required to have an interview, setting up a meeting with Kim Dieber to complete a transcript review before applying is helpful.

Where should I mail my transcripts?

Official transcripts should be sent to the University of Virginia, Office of Undergraduate Admission, PO Box 400160, Charlottesville, VA 22904.

Do I have to have my RN license before I apply to the program?

No, but you must have your RN license by the time you begin classes. You will not be allowed to enroll in any RN-to-BSN classes without a copy of your license on file in the School of Nursing Office of Admissions and Student Services.

What kind of financial aid do you offer?

All financial aid for undergraduate students at UVA is administered through UVA Student Financial Services (SFS). To apply, you must complete the federal FAFSA form and the CSS/Profile form. All aid is need-based; the University meets 100% of demonstrated need. You are strongly encouraged to apply for financial aid as our strong nursing alumni base is very supportive of scholarships and other sources of funding. Many RN to BSN students use education benefits from their workplace tuition programs; many also qualify for scholarships and aid through the School (including the 60% in FY24 who paid $0 in tuition to attend).

What kind of program do you offer LPNs?

UVA currently does not offer a transition program for LPNs. We are happy to work with you to create a plan to complete your RN elsewhere and then apply to complete your BSN with us.

Can I attend the program full-time?

The RN to BSN program is a part-time program. The School of Nursing advocates this approach, respectful of the importance of work-life-school balance and the need to take care of oneself to take care of others.

Can I take courses before being admitted?

You may take up to three RN to BSN classes before being admitted into the program (pathophysiology, health policy, leadership, research, or the University elective).

How many courses are taught online?

The RN to BSN program is now being offered in a hybrid model that blends online and traditional in-person learning. Students meet in person for classes once a month, and all other learning occurs online.

Are there clinicals in this program? 

There are no direct clinical hours right now, which may change based on the latest guidelines.

What if my nursing program did not require lifespan development?

This course must be completed before enrollment. Many community colleges offer lifespan courses (such as PSY 230 in the Virginia Community College System).

Why doesn’t my developmental psychology course count toward the required social science/history credits?

You do get credit for developmental psychology, but it is transferred in with the 42 credits for your previous nursing courses.

What if my nursing program did not require microbiology?

This course must be completed before enrollment. Many community colleges offer microbiology courses (such as BIO 150 or BIO 205 in the Virginia Community College System).

What type of classes transfer in as elective credit?

Almost anything; however, there is a limit to the number of performance credits that can be transferred (e.g., physical education, studio art, music, etc.). It is best to consult with Kim Dieber or refer to the Transfer Credit Analyzer.