RN to BSN

#10

Online bachelor's programs in the nation, US News ranking

100%

Asynchronous online

Now accepting applications for Fall 2025

Application Deadline: June 30, 2025

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Program Overview

The RN to BSN degree program is a fully online, 3 semester program, designed for the Associate Degree or Diploma prepared licensed Registered Nurse who desires to expand their scope of practice and build on previous knowledge. The program focuses on the knowledge, skills, and values deemed essential for professional nursing practice with a specific focus on leadership, care coordination, evidence-based practice, and teamwork/collaboration skills in today's multifaceted health care system. Your BSN journey will include exciting and innovative inter/intraprofessional opportunities.


Why MUSC's RN-BSN Program

  • Fully online, asynchronous designed specifically for the working adult
  • Full-time (3 semesters)
  • Cohort-based
  • Clinical/Practicum experiences (1 per semester) focus on gerontology, community/public health, and leadership/quality improvement.
  • Dedicated RN-BSN faculty with expertise in nursing education and adult learning

Curriculum

Students enrolled in the RN to BSN Nursing degree program must earn 125 semester hours to complete degree requirements. Students may start in Fall semester.

Year 1, Fall

NURSU 356 Dynamics of Professional Practice & Interprofessional Nursing Care 3
NURSU 412 Information Management 2
NURSU 359 Healthy Aging & Health Promotion 4
NURSU 411 Research & Evidence-Based Practice 3
Semester Total 12

Year 1, Spring

NURSU 357 Health Assessment for Rn 3
NURSU 358 Pathophysiology 3
NURSU 413 Community & Population Focused Nursing 6
Semester Total 12

Year 1, Summer

NURSU 426 Leadership and Management 3
NURSU 427 Health Systems & Policy 3
NURSU 428 Practicum-Clinical Management & Decision-Making 5
Semester Total 11
Curriculum Total 35
Prerequisite Credit Hour Total 60
Pre-Licensure Total 30
Required Credit Hour Total 125

Year 1, Fall

NURSU 356 Dynamics of Professional Practice & Interprofessional Nursing Care 3
NURSU 411 Research & Evidence-Based Practice 3
Semester Total 6

Year 1, Spring

NURSU 357 Health Assessment for Rn 3
NURSU 358 Pathophysiology 3
Semester Total 6

Year 1, Summer

NURSU 426 Leadership and Management 3
NURSU 427 Health Systems & Policy 3
Semester Total 6

Year 2, Fall

NURSU 412 Information Management 2
NURSU 359 Healthy Aging & Health Promotion 4
Semester Total 6

Year 2, Spring

NURSU 413 Community & Population Focused Nursing 6
Semester Total 6

Year 2, Summer

NURSU 428 Practicum-Clinical Management & Decision-Making 5
Semester Total 5
Curriculum Total 35
Prerequisite Credit Hour Total 60
Pre-Licensure Total 30
Required Credit Hour Total 125

Course Equivalencies

Prerequisite coursework for the RN to BSN program may be completed at any South Carolina Technical College or accredited University before matriculating at the College of Nursing.

Review Equivalencies

Clinical Experience

The RN-BSN Program provides rich and varied opportunities to assist the practicing nurse/student integrate new practice-related knowledge and skills that will transition them from the Associate Degree or diploma to the baccalaureate level of proficiency.

There are clinical courses with a focus on the following: gerontology, community/public health, and leadership. The clinical hours will consist of a project that may include virtual or live work.

Out-of-state students are responsible for contacting their state nursing board to verify any requirements that are needed in order to conduct clinicals as a distance student.

Admissions

Prepare to empower patients and promote evidence-based care. Look toward the next stage by applying to one of the College of Nursing’s degree or certificate programs.

Review Requirements
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Financial Aid & Scholarships

Learn more about Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), loans, and financial aid resources.

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FAQs

Discover answers to commonly asked questions about the College of Nursing, admissions, and academic programs.

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Meet Your Lead Faculty, Dr. Kristen Poston

poston headshot

Kristen Poston
DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CHSE
Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies
Assistant Professor
mcdanikf@musc.edu

Dr. Kristen Poston is an Assistant Professor and the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs in the College of Nursing (CON) at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). She earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of South Carolina, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, her Master of Science in Nursing, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from MUSC.

Dr. Poston has been a faculty member at the CON since 2017. Prior to serving as the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs, she was the Lead Faculty for Undergraduate Programs.


She is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE). She spent her time as a Registered Nurse working in neurology and neurosurgery at MUSC, and has extensive experience as a FNP in urgent care and rural health. In addition to her roles at the CON, Dr. Poston has served as the President of the South Carolina Nursing Education Simulation Alliance and on the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Nurses Foundation.

Dr. Poston’s scholarship interests are centered on practice readiness, simulation, immersive virtual reality, and the development of clinical judgment in prelicensure nursing students. She is passionate about preparing high-quality nurses for certification and practice, primarily through experiential learning and simulation. Dr. Poston aims to inspire excitement and growth in students via supporting their development to become the next generation of nurse change-makers. She considers it an honor and a privilege to empower students to reach their professional goals at the MUSC College of Nursing.

Undergraduate Program Coordinator

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LaChone Taylor
Undergraduate Program Coordinator
taylolac@musc.edu

  • RN-BSN/ABSN admissions coordination and letters
  • NursingCAS SuperUser
  • RN-BSN/ABSN registration, LOA, withdrawal processing
  • RN-BSN/ABSN orientation coordination
  • Convocation and graduation coordination

State Authorization

MUSC is approved by South Carolina to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education.  MUSC is authorized to offer online distance education programs to students who live in all NC-SARA states, which includes all states except California.  MUSC is also authorized to offer distance education programs to students who live in California because MUSC is a public institution of higher education, and California has no restrictions on such institutions providing distance education to its residents.

Before applying, please ensure your state of residence is authorized Click here for more information

Professional Licensure

The Board of Nursing for each state dictates licensure requirements for Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. MUSC College of Nursing applicants and students should familiarize themselves with the requirements for the state(s) in which they intend to practice using the links below. Additional questions may be directed to the Director of Student Services and Alumni Affairs: Jessica Williams

MUSC is approved to offer online distance education to all SARA states and California.

The MUSC College of Nursing BSN and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). BSN graduates are eligible to sit for national licensure (NCLEX-RN) and DNP graduates are eligible to sit for national certification (ANCC, AANP, PNCB) in their specified track (A/GNP, FNP, PMHNP, PNP). Passing these exams meet the requirements for professional licensure in South Carolina but other states may have additional requirements.

International Applicants

Due to several distance-education components of this program, MUSC is unable to issue- I-20 forms to allow students to obtain F-1 student visas. Only U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and those holding other valid U.S. visas will be accepted.

College of Nursing Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program, master's degree program, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the MUSC College of Nursing are accredited by:

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
655 K Street NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001

Phone: 202-887-6791

Undergraduate Program

The Undergraduate Program is fully approved by:

South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Board of Nursing
Synergy Business Park
Kingstree Building
110 Centerview Drive, Suite 202
Columbia, SC 29210

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 12387
Columbia, SC 29211-2367

Phone: 803-896-4550
FAX: 803-896-4525
https://www.llr.state.sc.us/

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Track

The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner track of the masters program is fully approved by:

National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses
800 South Frederick Avenue, Suite 104,
Gaithersburg, MD 20877-4150.

Phone: 888-641-2767
FAX: 301-330-1504
https://www.pncb.org