Online RN to BSN
Program Details
- Next Start Date
- Est. Program Length
- 12-18 months*
- Major Credit Hours
- 42
- Course Length
- 8 weeks
- Cost per Credit
- $375
- Credits Accepted
- 88
*Est time for major completion
Request Information
Complete the form to receive information about your chosen program.
Enter the Next Phase of Your Nursing Career
Illinois’ need for exceptional nurses is as strong as ever. Illinois College supports you as you earn the degree you need to step into a new and exciting role within your field. The CCNE-accredited* RN to BSN online program is designed to educate nurses for the needs of the future and covers a host of essential topics for advancing your education, such as:
- Advanced Health assessment
- Bioethics
- Disease management
- Health Policy
- Health promotion
- Nursing research
- Pathophysiology
- Professional communication
- Serving 21st century populations
- Statistical analysis
After Graduation
We are particularly proud of the professional and personal support network we provide to our nursing students. Although there are no clinical rotations in the RN to BSN program, you will engage in projects to improve patient care. Students who live near our campus can take advantage of our partnerships with Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville, Illinois and Memorial Medical Center and HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
These connections help you network with others in the field, gain real-world experience by contributing to improved patient care and build your reputation as you move ahead in your career. We also ensure that every IC student Graduates READY.
By the time you leave, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of professionalism, leadership, service and respect and care for diverse populations.
Finish in 12-18 Months
The online RN to BSN is offered as a fully online program for your convenience. Pursuing an online degree allows you to earn the credential you need while maintaining your commitments as a busy working adult. IC is conscious of your need to earn a degree in a rapid, flexible, affordable way.
That’s why we offer an accelerated model for the program, where you can finish in one year or take one course at a time and finish the nursing courses in 12-18 months. We know life happens, so we also offer the opportunity to skip an 8-week term and return without reapplying.
The Online RN to BSN is Designed for…
- Individuals who possess a current and active unencumbered RN license issued in the U.S.
- Current registered nurses seeking to advance their education and careers
- Working adults who want to earn their four-year degree in a flexible format designed around their schedule
The online RN to BSN is offered fully online for your convenience. Classes are asynchronous and can be taken wherever and whenever is right for you, allowing you the flexibility you need as a working adult.
The RN-BSN program at Illinois College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
“I am a busy professional and in-person classes don’t fit my schedule. I love the flexibility I have with Illinois College’s RN-BSN program, and it is very important to me that it is affordable. This BSN degree will help me grow in my nursing career and is a stepping stone for my next degree.”
– Vanessa Walker ’20 Nurse Manager, Endoscopy & Interventional Radiology
Faculty
Pamela Brown | RN-BSN
Education Background
- BSN Nursing | Quincy University
- M.S. Nursing | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- Ph.D. Nursing | Wayne State University
Field Experience
I am a strong and longtime supporter of professional nurses, the profession of nursing, ethical nursing practice and nursing education.
I have served at varying levels of leadership at the state and national level.
I am currently the Treasurer for ANA-Illinois and serve on the ANA-Illinois Expert Panel on Workplace Safety. Past positions include Chair of the Illinois Association of Colleges of Nursing, and the Illinois Coalition for Nursing Resources.
In my career, I have held positions of staff and charge nurse, middle manager, Director and most recently as President/CEO for Blessing-Reiman College of Nursing.
I have served as a longtime member of the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She has volunteered for Sexual Assault Prevention and Intervention Services (SAPIS) in Adams County as well as for the Quincy Area Network Against Domestic Abuse (QUANADA).
What Else?
- I earned a certificate for teaching the Gentle Art of Verbal Self Defense (GAVSD) and present programs on the GAVSD, professional communications and assertive communications.
- I have expertise in both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
*The RN-BSN program at Illinois College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Courses and Admissions
The Path Ahead
At Illinois College, our accelerated RN to BSN equips you with a range of academic and practical skills that can get you ahead in this growing field. The program is 120 hours, which includes up to 30 semester hours from an applicant’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), 27-36 semester hours of prerequisites, 18-27 hours of additional transfer courses, 12 hours of NU/CO/JS/PHI courses and 24 hours of nursing courses. Courses begin every 8 weeks.
Note: All degree candidates will hold an associate degree or diploma in nursing and, therefore, possess up to 88 credit hours to transfer into Illinois College. Depending on your total number of transfer credit hours and your individual situation regarding the prerequisites, you may only need to take the nursing program courses (36 hours) to reach the 120 total credit hours necessary for the bachelor’s degree.
Courses
Course Description Credits ENG 104 4 ENG 121 * If you do not have this, you may take an equivalent course at IC.4 BI 315 4 BI 316 4 BI 245 4 MATH 123 ** May be taken concurrently with nursing program courses4 PS 101 A general survey course prerequisite for all courses in the department.4 SOC 101 This course is an introduction to the study of society, including the basic concepts of society, culture and personality, and their relationship to one another. This course is required for majors and minors and is a prerequisite for most 300-level sociology courses.4 ELECTIVE ** May be taken concurrently with nursing program courses4 Applicants transfer their credit hours from previous academic experience.
Students must have 30 electives, both nursing and non-nursing, including internship credit. Students may count a maximum of 16 internship credits towards a degree.
Course Description Credits NS/CO 381 This course focuses on strategies for successful communication within healthcare settings, especially for effectively working within and leading interprofessional teams. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of instructor4 NS/HS 370 This course focuses on meeting the needs of the increasingly-diverse populations served by the U.S. healthcare system, with particular emphasis on Hispanic populations. Basic medical Spanish will be covered. The course will address both theoretical issues such as intercultural competency and barriers to healthcare access, as well as practical strategies for successfully working with diverse communities. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of instructor.4 NS/PHI 214 This course introduces students to matters of social justice related to health. There is a focus on fundamental ethical theories and principles relevant to modern healthcare and health disparities. Case studies are used to emphasize and put into practice ethical decision-making models and processes.4 Course Description Credits NU 320 This course addresses the skills, attributes, and role development of the successful professional nurse. Case studies examine the nurse’s role in essential political, economic, and social forces affecting healthcare. Concepts of multidimensional care, plus skills of inquiry and analysis that inform clinical reasoning, professional judgment, and lifelong learning are integrated into personal space.4 NU 340 This course focuses on the theoretical and practical skills necessary to perform comprehensive physical, psychosocial, and cultural assessments of individuals, families, and groups. Gathering specific data across the lifespan and in vulnerable populations is used to address common health problems.4 NU 360 This course provides an in-depth study of human pathological processes and their effects on homeostasis. The focus is on interrelationships among organ systems in deviations from homeostasis. Etiology, physical signs and symptoms, prognosis, and complications of commonly occurring diseases, their management, and preventive measures inform management of nursing care.4 NU 410 Current theories of management, ethical leadership, and change theories are examined. Students use self- assessment and reflection drawing from ethical principles and virtues, moral theorists, caring and empathy to share how complex ethical decisions are made. Case studies are used to address how leaders manage common ethical issues within healthcare.4 NU 420 This course focuses on caring for vulnerable and other populations in community settings. Central themes include promoting and protecting the health of the public using health promotion, risk reduction, and disease management and control strategies related to vulnerable populations. Evidence based practice is guided by community assessments, epidemiologic data, environmental data, change, political action, and case management frameworks.4 NU 430 This course provides an opportunity for students to continue to develop skills related to nursing research. The capstone project is introduced in NU 320 or NU 360, the project confirmed in NU 410 or NU 420, and is completed during this course. Research skills include design, measurement, statistical analysis, and scientific inquiry. The philosophy about qualitative versus quantitative, versus mixed methods research is reviewed. A capstone project involves choosing a research-based project with the purpose of improving safe quality care.4
Admission Requirements
To qualify for admission to the online RN to BSN, applicants must:
- Have a current and active unencumbered Registered Nurse license issued in the U.S.
- Have earned a 2.5 CGPA in their associate degree or diploma program
How to Apply
Candidates must submit the following:
- An online application
Apply for free at admission.ic.edu/apply - Official transcripts of all college work completed, and/or that has led to the applicant’s receiving a license as a RN.
Tuition
At Illinois College, we feature a high-quality education at a price you can afford. See how your past academic credentials can help you make the most of your college education.
| Curriculum Component | Cost | Total* |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (36 credit hours) | $375 per credit hour | $13,500 |
| Fees (6 terms) | $25 per term | $150 |
| Total with Transfer Credits | $13,650 | |
* Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Career Outcomes
When you earn your RN to BSN online, you’ll Graduate READY to begin an exciting new chapter in your career. The degree can prepare you for any number of jobs, such as the ones listed here.
Why Illinois College?
-
Accelerated study.
You can graduate from the RN to BSN program in 12 months or choose a slower pace and finish in 18-24 months.
-
Professional networking.
Our partnerships with local hospitals make it possible for you to build connections within a vibrant nursing community.
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Future-focused.
Learn to respect and care for growing diverse populations as you study evidence-based, forward-thinking coursework.
Benefits of
Learning Online
Whether it’s increasing your paycheck or advancing your career, an online degree can help you go further.
View BenefitsFrequently Asked Questions
Students who excel in online programs have similar traits and habits that contribute to their success. They possess self-motivation and self-discipline and are willing to commit time and effort to their studies. Additionally, they choose to meet deadlines, follow through on assignments and communicate regularly with their academic support network.
Online degrees provide flexibility to earn a degree at your own pace. Completion times will vary depending on previous college credit and how much time per week you are able to dedicate to academics. Average completion time for our online degrees is 18 months.
We’re glad you’re ready to take the next step in your career! Our application is free and offered fully online for your convenience. In addition to submitting your completed application form, you will need to request and supply your official transcripts from all previously attended institutions and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. If you are applying for the RN to BSN program, you will need to supply a valid RN license.
For specific admissions requirements, visit your program page of interest.