Benefits of BSN-Prepared Nurses
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree can open up a world of opportunities in the nursing profession.
As a working RN, you already know that nursing is one of the most critical and in demand careers. By investing in your BSN degree, you’ll have a significant advantage in the job market. With the skills, knowledge and experience that employers expect, you’ll be well-positioned to take advantage of the many nursing job opportunities available to you.
BSN degree jobs are actively hiring in a variety of settings, including:
- rural and urban hospitals
- clinics
- long-term care facilities
- community health centers
Registered nurses with a BSN degree have clear paths toward advancing their careers as:
- charge nurses
- travel nurses
- directors of nursing
- chief nursing officers
- case managers
- clinical research coordinators
- insurance specialists
- medical writers
- specialized nursing roles in critical care, oncology, pediatrics and emergency medicine
What Makes BSU One of the Best Online RN to BSN Programs
Bemidji State University’s fully accredited nursing program has a 30-year history of educating thousands of nurses in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota.
Our affordable online nursing degree program is designed just for you, the working RN, so you can take your nursing career to the next level without sacrificing your work schedule or breaking the bank. With 100% online coursework, you’ll study at your own pace and on your own schedule, taking 1 or 2 classes at a time or enrolling as a full-time student.
Guided by a student-centered approach, our program offers broad practical experiences, deep technical education and courses in nursing theory, research and leadership, as well as hands-on community practicums to prepare you for diverse career opportunities.
Whether you’re a recent ASN graduate or a seasoned nurse, earning a BSN degree with us will equip you to make a positive impact in the lives of your patients.
Return on Your Investment
Invest in your nursing career and fast track your earning potential with our BSN program.
- Over 40% of hospitals and clinics now require new hires to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing
- 77% of employers strongly prefer BSN program graduates
- Nurses with a BSN degree have the potential to earn higher salaries
The evidence is clear — earning your BSN has never been more essential to your career success.
And if you’re looking to work at the best hospitals in the business, Magnet hospitals recognize the value of a BSN degree. Nursing managers at these top-tier hospitals prefer to hire staff with a bachelor’s in nursing.
Flexibility for Your Busy Schedule
Our accelerated nursing program provides the flexibility you need to reach your goals in as little as one year, whether you start in the Fall, Spring or Summer semester.
With two options available, you can choose the track that best fits your lifestyle.
- Part-time: Complete the RN to BSN program part-time over 5 semesters
- Full-time: Take the full-time option, completing the program in just 3 semesters
It’s important to note that most classes are only offered once a year, so selecting your preferred track early and following its schedule will help you stay on track for graduation. If you have any non-nursing requirements, our advisors are here to guide you and ensure you make the most of your time.
You’ll have up to six years to finish the program from the time you start, making it easier to balance work and life responsibilities while still advancing your career.
Stand Out in the Job Market
Our small class sizes ensure that you’ll receive personalized mentorship to help you develop critical skills in rural health, family health and palliative care.
By joining our program, you’ll be well-equipped to serve the diverse needs of patients in your community. Our experienced faculty will be there to guide you every step of the way and provide you with the knowledge and expertise you need to thrive as a nurse.
An Affordable Online Nursing Degree
We understand that finances can be a major barrier to pursuing higher education, which is why our banded tuition is a game-changer.
- Full-time students pay under $11,000 whether they sign up for 12 credits or up to 18, making our program one of the most affordable online nursing degrees available. This means you can fast track your nursing degree while saving time and money.
- What’s more — with over $20,000 in scholarships awarded annually, our program becomes even more accessible.
Our program is designed to give you the flexibility and affordability you need to achieve your career goals, while providing a quality education from experienced faculty.
Don’t let finances or a busy work schedule hold you back — apply for free now and take the first step towards advancing your nursing career with our accredited RN to BSN online program.
RN Advantage
Receive 15 upper-level credits when you receive your unencumbered RN license — a value of $5,000
RN-BSN Program Admission Requirements
If you’re interested in the RN-BS program at Bemidji State University, there are a few admission requirements you’ll need to fulfill. Here’s what you’ll need:
- BSU application: You must be fully admitted to Bemidji State University.
- RN-BS application: You need to submit a Department of Nursing application.
- GPA: You should have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in your ADN or Diploma program.
- Online access: You must have internet access that is suitable for delivery of online courses, practice experiences and peer collaboration.
Residence and License Eligibility
- State of residence: You must live in Minnesota, North Dakota or Wisconsin. If you change your state of residency while in the program, you may not be able to continue unless you move to North Dakota, Wisconsin or Minnesota. In this case, you must notify the Department of Nursing.
- Previous education: You must have earned an associate degree or diploma degree as a registered nurse or be a licensed RN by the end of the first semester in the BSU RN-BS program.
- Unencumbered RN license: You must licensed to practice as a registered nurse or be a graduate with a state license pending in Minnesota, Wisconsin or North Dakota. Full admission to the program requires unencumbered licensure. If you do not have an RN license by the end of the first 16 weeks of the program, you will not be able to progress in RN-BS nursing courses. If your RN license is encumbered, you are not eligible for the program.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Department of Nursing. We’re here to help you every step of the way!
Take Your Next Steps
- Apply to Bemidji State University
- Complete the RN to BS-Nursing Program application
- Apply for Financial Aid (if necessary)
- Contact the Nursing Student Services Coordinator to register for classes
RN-BS Fall Start Advising Handout (part-time & full-time)
RN-BS Spring Start Advising Handout (part-time & full-time)
For more information on the courses in this program, visit the course catalog.
Contact
Get in touch with the Nursing Student Services Coordinator if you have any questions about the RN to BS-Nursing, submitting your application, registering for courses and everything in between!
Michael Simpson
Nursing Student Services Coordinator
Location: Bensen Hall 223
Phone: (218) 755-2486
Email: michael.simpson@bemidjistate.edu
FAQ
Bemidji State’s RN to B.S. courses are 100% online, and there are no required campus visits. Some courses might also include assignments that require travel (i.e. site visits, patient assessments, etc).
We offer two options. Students can either complete the RN to B.S. program part-time (over 5 semesters) or full-time (over 3 semesters).
Most courses are only offered once a year, so choosing a track early and following its schedule will help you stay on track for graduation. If you have other non-nursing graduation requirements, you will want to discuss them with your advisor.
Students have six years to finish the program from the time they start NRSG 3100: Concepts of Nursing in Healthcare.
Use the tuition calculator to get the most up-to-date cost estimate. Bemidji State University offers banded tuition, which means that full-time students pay the same tuition cost when they take between 12-18 credits.
(Note: The tuition calculator does not include the cost of books or an additional tuition charge of $36.20 per credit for any nursing (NRSG) course.)
Our program has five official starts. See below:
| Program Start | Date |
| Fall | Late August |
| Fall (mid-semester) | Mid – October |
| Spring | Early January |
| Spring (mid-semester) | Mid – March |
| Summer | Mid – May & Early June |
Yes! — even if you don’t expect to receive financial aid. You never know what you might qualify for.
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Yes, students are encouraged to apply and get accepted for the next available semester. You would have the first 8 weeks of that semesters to submit your unencumbered RN license.
No, but you just need to make them part of your graduation plan. Most students will integrate these courses into their existing nursing program, but sometimes students will finish their nursing major and then take a semester or two to finish those requirements. Students going full-time should consider taking advantage of banded tuition (12-18 credits is the same price during the fall/spring semester). Students can also complete credits at a Community College and transfer them back to BSU. Unlike the courses in the nursing major, students have the option to take Core Curriculum every semester.
No, we don’t require students to complete a statistics course. However, many nursing graduate programs include that as a pre-requisite, so discuss any future education plans with your adviser.