RN to BSN Nursing Program

Earn Your Bachelor's In Nursing Online And Finish Your Degree Fast

Tackle the increasingly complex health care environment and meet the demand for highly skilled nurses with Utica University’s online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN). The program builds on Utica’s more than 25-year history of educating nurses to provide the best possible care to each patient.

Now’s the time to build on your RN: The American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice both recognize the Bachelor of Science in Nursing as the minimum education required for professional practice. Plus, states like New York have passed BSN in 10 laws, requiring nurses to earn their BSN within 10 years of initial RN licensure.

With no residency required, the 100% online RN to BSN is geared toward professional working nurses and offers small class sizes and qualified faculty who are committed to mentorship. With up to 90 transfer credits accepted, you could complete your program in as few as five semesters (20 months).

Our RN to BSN alumni are confident that you’ll get the most out of your experience at Utica – they’ve referred more than one-third of our current students! They know you’ll benefit from a quality program that focuses on nursing leadership and critical thinking skills, all delivered through a convenient and flexible online platform.

Higher Education, Better Outcomes

The RN to BSN degree program was developed by industry experts to help you advance your career in a growing field. When you complete the program, you’ll be fully equipped for professional success.

There’s urgency around this degree for a big reason: More highly educated nurses produce better patient outcomes. One study found that when hospitals increase their hiring of BSN-prepared nurses by 10 percent, they see a 7 percent decrease in patient mortality.¹

In 2017, New York passed the BSN in 10 law, requiring all nurses to earn their BSN within 10 years of initial licensure. Healthcare continually evolves, and advanced education enhances the nurses' ability to adapt to technological advancements, new treatment protocols, and changing patient needs. With your BSN, you'll be a part of this movement toward higher education for nurses. In addition, a BSN is often the first step toward advancing to higher degrees, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which can lead to careers as nurse practitioners (NPs), nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), or nurse educators.

Qualify for Leadership Roles in Nursing

Take on roles that demand critical thinking, quick decision-making, thoughtful communication, and leadership with our online BSN nursing program. You’ll also be prepared for continuing education should you choose to pursue a graduate degree in nursing.

The average salary for BSN-prepared nurses is $98,000.² That’s $30,000 more than the $68,000 average for nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing.³

Plus, many of the most in-demand nursing specialties — including informatics, management, oncology, and perioperative — now require a BSN.⁴ Tap into more opportunities, more earning potential, and more ways to provide the best care to your patients.

Your BSN places you on career paths such as:

► Clinical Nurse Manager
Median annual salary: $83,427²

► Nursing Manager
Median annual salary: $85,369²

► Nursing Director
Median annual salary: $90,204²

Examples of Career Opportunities

Clinical Nurse Manager

$83,427/year

In this high-level, managerial position in nursing, you would direct, organize, and supervise your nursing staff. Clinical nurse managers (also referred to as “head nurses”) are considered middle management and report to either the chief nursing officer or the director of nursing services. This position has a job satisfaction score of 5/5 on Payscale.

Sources:

1. “Building the Case for More Highly Educated Nurses,” Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Retrieved March 2021 from https://www.rwjf.org.
2. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree. (n.d.). Retrieved September 4, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Bachelor_of_Science_in_Nursing_(BSN)/Hourly_Rate
3. Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Degree. (n.d.). Retrieved September 4, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Associate_Degree_Nursing_(ADN)/Hourly_Rate.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Advancing your life and career with an online degree comes with lots of questions, and we want to ensure your search for answers is effortless. If you have a question we haven’t covered, call (315) 792-3006 to speak with an enrollment manager.

The RN to BSN program enables you to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 20 months if you:

This timeline requires you to complete one class every eight weeks. You could graduate faster by transferring up to 90 credits from four-year institutions or 60 credits from two-year institutions. Visit the courses page to review curriculum information for this program.

Have an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
Previously completed a Diploma Nursing Program (DNP)

Although scholarships are not available for the online RN to BSN program, non-traditional students can pursue numerous third-party scholarships. Plus, be sure to review these financing options:

Complete the FAFSA® to determine your financial aid eligibility. Utica University’s FAFSA® code is 002883.
Apply for a Sallie Mae loan.
If you’re a military veteran, a member of the reserves, or currently serving in the U.S. military, you and any dependents are eligible for several financial assistance options. Utica University also offers a 10-percent tuition discount for you and your spouse.

To learn more, call (315) 792-3006 or request more information.

Yes, this online RN to BSN program is accredited by CCNE. Additionally, Utica University (formerly Utica College) is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. These accreditations mean that you will engage in a rigorously evaluated education as you advance toward your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree online at Utica.

Utica University has made it easy to apply to the online RN to BSN program. Click here to see how to start your online application. To apply, you will need to have:

Earned an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program
Completed a Diploma Nursing Program (DNP) and earned an associate or bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
Earned 57 credits from an accredited institution

To review the program requirements with a Utica University enrollment counselor, call (315) 792-3006 or email admiss@utica.edu.

Yes. Utica University helps you complete the RN to BSN program faster by accepting up to 90 credits from two-year or four-year institutions or 60 credits from two-year institutions. Learn more by reviewing this program’s admissions requirements (see above).

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education now suggest the BSN as the minimum credential for practice. What’s more, New York now requires each nurse to acquire a BSN within 10 years of attaining licensure. This program also instills the knowledge and skills to advance your career. To explore some of the job opportunities that you can pursue after graduation, see above.

Faculty: Career-Ready Skills from Seasoned Professionals

Our faculty are recognized for their clinical expertise and knowledge of professional nursing. Your instructors will help you reach your academic goals and support you every step of the way, via email, phone, and our online learning platform.

This program meets Utica’s commitment to advising and mentoring. You’ll be in touch with nursing experts in a variety of specialties who can help you reach your next step.

Amy B. Haver, M.S.
Assistant Professor of Nursing

Amy Haver is an assistant professor of nursing who joined the faculty in 2007. She is a graduate of the Utica College nursing program, and continued her education at Binghamton University where she received her MS degree in community health nursing. At Binghamton University she was prepared for dual roles as a nurse practitioner and nurse educator. Her clinical background as an RN includes medical/surgical nursing and critical care nursing. She has taught students in a variety of settings including the traditional classroom, on-line, and in the clinical environment. She actively practices as a nurse practitioner in cardiology, and is board certified by ANCC. Her research interests include cardiology, and online learning. fication and accreditation. Hobbies include coaching and playing soccer, and long-distance running.

Curriculum

In our online RN to BSN program, you’ll focus on patient-centered health care and gain the most up-to-date nursing knowledge available about our ever-changing health care environment. You’ll also round out your learning by choosing from a selection of liberal arts courses that have been tailored to the needs of the nursing profession.

This CCNE-accredited nursing curriculum is aligned with the Baccalaureate Essentials determined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Through hands-on experiential learning, you’ll master concepts essential for modern nursing, including:

Patient-centered care
Evidence-based practice
Health informatics
Cultural sensitivity
Interprofessional Education (IPE)
Practice across the life span

Plus, our bachelor’s in nursing online curriculum has been carefully built to fit your life, so you can continue your practice as a registered nurse while you learn.

Explore Courses

Apply: Admission Requirements

To apply to our online RN to BSN program, you need an ADN from a regionally accredited college, a Diploma Nursing Program (DNP), or 57 credits from a four-year college and an RN license. Your RN license should be active now or within six months of your enrollment.

Your application to the online BSN nursing program requires:

$40 application fee
Completed application
Transcripts proving your previously earned credits or ADN
Proof of these prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better: Intro to Psychology, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and Microbiology
There is no minimum GPA required to apply to this program

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Tuition and Financial Aid

You can expect to take 31–61 credits depending on the total number of transfer credits approved. The program costs $295 per credit hour for a total estimated tuition ranging from $9,145–$17,995. Utica University is dedicated to making an advanced education accessible and affordable and offers many avenues for financial aid.

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