Nursing RN-to-BSN

Western’s RN-to-BSN program is designed for registered nurses ready to take the next step in their professional journey. This one-year degree-completion program builds on existing nursing education with online and hybrid options.

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What is Nursing RN-to-BSN?

An RN-to-BSN degree is specifically designed for nurses who have completed an associate's degree in nursing (ADN) and hold an RN license, or who will pass the NCLEX-RN exam before the winter quarter. Students transfer to Western and begin coursework after graduating from a community or technical college nursing program. Students in the final year of their ADN program may apply, provided they can obtain an RN license before the winter quarter. The program is unable to admit students without an ADN or those with a pre-nursing associate degree.

Nursing RN-to-BSN Degree(s)

Nursing, BSN

Western’s RN-to-BSN is a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) completion program for graduates of associate degree in nursing (ADN) programs. The program includes GUR courses and 45 upper-division major credits, allowing students to earn their BSN in four quarters with two pathways, online and hybrid.

Contact

Rika Winquist, Program Manager
bsn.applications@wwu.edu | 360-650-6700

Department Website(s)

RN-to-BSN Program

View in Catalog

Nursing, BSN

  • Nursing RN-to-BSN at Western

With Western’s program, students can choose between online for maximum flexibility and hybrid for a mix of online learning and in-person connection. Both options include 100 hours of practice experience arranged in your own community, so students can build new skills while continuing to live and work where they are.
The program’s innovative curriculum teaches students to lead population health and health equity work in their communities. Faculty and staff have created a supportive, engaged, and diverse learning community and provide a caring, nurturing environment.
Whether your goal is leadership or continuing your education to a master’s or doctoral degree, as a graduate of the RN-to-BSN program, you’ll be well-prepared for your next step.

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Western Washington University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

The RN-to-BSN Program holds full approval from the Washington State Board of Nursing (WA BON).

The RN-to-BSN program is part of Woodring College of Education.

Student Experiences

Examples of course projects include:

  • Investigating the barriers to providers accepting Medicaid
  • School nurse leadership strategies for managing Type-1 Diabetes
  • Evidence-based interventions for night shift nurses to address fatigue
  • Enhancing symptom management in patients receiving hospice care
  • Post-delivery debrief in obstetrical teams for building resilience
  • Expanding naloxone implementation and education in university settings
  • Sleep hygiene to improve patient outcomes in hospitals
  • Enhancing end-of-life education in skilled nursing/long-term care
  • Interventions for compassion fatigue among nurses in hospital settings
  • Hunger on campus: a barrier to student success
  • Increasing healthcare team knowledge of healthy living programs
  • Education strategies for nurses who treat patients ​with opioid use disorder
  • Improving postpartum discharge processes for limited English proficiency patients
  • Telemedicine to improve rural pediatric T1DM care access​
  • Outcomes of supplemental autism education for nurses

  • What can you do with Nursing RN-to-BSN?

Western’s RN-to-BSN program prepares nurses for administrative, management, or other leadership roles and enhances patient care and advocacy skills developed in associate degree nursing programs and through work experience. Earning a BSN is the next step in continuing education to graduate and doctoral degrees in nursing.

Employers of Western Nursing Graduates:

  • PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center and Medical Groups
  • PeaceHealth United General Hospital
  • Skagit Valley Hospital
  • Whatcom County Health & Community Services
  • Providence Medical Group & Hospital
  • Public school districts
  • Correctional facilities
  • Home health agencies

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