Where you get your BSN matters because it's a degree that will open professional doors. Gina Minerva is a full-time registered nurse (RN) at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. Her daughter Jayna Baker is an RN in an infant care unit at Excela Health in Westmoreland County. Read their story.

Earn your BSN at Carlow University 

Are you a busy RN looking for a competitive edge? Each year, more and more employers are requiring nurses to obtain their BSN degree (Bachelor of Science in Nursing). At Carlow, we offer an RN to BSN online (in addition to all in-class, or a hybrid of online and in-class). Our program provides an excellent base for lifelong learning, professional employment, and graduate school.

Up to 12 credits of graduate coursework can be taken as part of the RN to BSN program. Those credits are also priced at the undergraduate credit rate of $495. This allows students to save up to $10,000 off an MSN degree!

It's time to advance your professional career and earn a BSN degree from Carlow University.  In our highly flexible program, you will be able to balance school, work, and other life commitments while earning an impactful degree. A nationwide goal is to have 80% of the nursing workforce be BSN-trained by 2020. Employers will look to hire and promote nurses with their BSNs, so now is a great time to take your nursing career one step further.

Ready to move up in the nursing world? Apply now!

Scholarship Opportunity

Due to a generous donation from Highmark, there are a limited number of $5,000 scholarships available for RN to BSN and Second Degree BSN students who demonstrate financial need and who will enroll at least half-time at Carlow University as undergraduate students in Fall 2018. Click here for more information and to apply.

RN to BSN Highlights
  • Receive 30 credits for your RN license*
  • Complete your BSN in as few as 11 months
  • Take classes online or at the Greensburg, Cranberry, and main Oakland campuses
  • Carlow accepts up to 88 transfer credits—a minimum of 32 credits must be completed at Carlow
*A license in the state in which the nurse is currently practicing is required. This program is designed for registered nurses seeking a BSN degree. Limited clinical practicum is required, as the program relies heavily on the experience gained during completion of the RN licensure.

RN to BSN Admissions Requirements

A current, active, valid, unrestricted nursing license as a Registered Nurse in the state or commonwealth of active practice is required. Candidates must be a graduate of an accredited nursing program. The RN to BSN major requires 120 credits for graduation. Of this total, 30 credits are advanced standing for the RN license, 24 credits are in the nursing major, and 66 credits are in general education, support, and liberal arts, including university core curriculum requirements.

Manjit Bhullar, RN, BSN student

Meet Manjit Bhullar, RN, BSN '14 and read his story. 

Partnerships For Students Beginning in Fall 2018

Nurses working for the following Healthcare Systems can receive a 10% tuition reduction if they enroll in the RN to BSN nursing program for Fall 2018:

Joint Admissions

In partnership with the local community colleges (CCAC, CCBC), and UPMC Schools of Nursing (Shadyside, Mercy, and St. Margaret), Carlow offers a joint admissions RN-BSN program. For more information on the joint admission program, view the webpage or contact Wendy Phillips.

RN to BSN Notable Courses 

NU 405 Nursing Leadership and Management for the RN

This required course focuses on the concepts of nursing leadership and the management skills that are as important to professional nurses as clinical knowledge and skills. Although management theory and process is universal, and its principles are used in a variety of organizational settings, this course will focus on the process in nursing administration and the management of health care units, agencies, and workers.

NU 450 COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING FOR THE RN

Come out of the hospital and into the community! NU 450 provides Registered Nurses with the opportunity to identify, discuss, and evaluate current issues related to community based nursing and public health practice. Students will work with individuals, clients and community groups toward the achievement of mutually agreed upon health-related goals.

NU 435: CAPSTONE: EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE

Make a difference in the delivery of quality and safe care practice. NU 435 is a culmination of the learned experiences of the student in the RN-BSN nursing program. The focus of this course encompasses Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competencies, knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are goal directed.

Note: this is just a small sample of the variety of classes you'll be taking. for more details about these classes and more, please visit the Course Catalog section of our website or request more information to hear from an Admissions Counselor.