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Nurses with bachelor's degrees have better patient outcomes, greater career mobility and professional development, and higher-level nursing competencies. The online RN-BS courses at the University of Utah College of Nursing are designed for licensed Registered Nurses who want to take a step up in their career.

The RN-BS program provides learning experiences in health promotion, health care disparities, global and public health nursing, leadership and health policy, and issues associated with special populations. Students complete a clinical capstone in their fourth semester. Exposure to nursing research, evidence-based practice, and community-engaged learning are integrated throughout the program.

Application into this closed major requires both application to the University of Utah and into this program.

At the University of Utah, our courses combine the flexibility of online teaching with the advantages and direct engagement of traditional teaching. Enjoy the benefit of studying online at your own pace while still engaging with classmates and instructors. This flexible way of teaching improves your overall experience and your ability to retain what you learn.

Interactive learning comes in a variety of ways:

  • Group assignments, where you collaborate via email or a discussion forum to answer a problem set.
  • Contributions to a discussion forum, where you directly respond to previous posts.
  • Peer reviews, where you review and comment on assignments from other students.

Our classes also offer multiple routes to stay connected and get help:

  • Communicate directly with the instructor via email.
  • Participate in and guide online discussions.
  • Attend online office hours in discussion threads or on the phone.
  • Instructors are available in “real” office hours for students on or near campus; for some courses we offer Q&A sessions in a classroom.

Eligibility

  • Completion of an Associate Degree (AS or AAS) from a regionally accredited institution in Nursing from a nursing program recognized by the University of Utah prior to starting the RN-BS program.  
  • Current, unencumbered license as an RN or successful completion of NCLEX within two months of starting RN-BS program.
  • An applicant can have up to three prerequisite courses in-progress by the application deadline. It is the applicant's responsibility to submit updated transcripts to ensure the review of the application.
  • Completion of nursing prerequisite courses from a regionally accredited university with a grade of C or higher. 
  • Minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on a scale of 4.0 for all prerequisite courses.
  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on a scale of 4.0.
  • Minimum 3.0 nursing program grade point average on a 4.0 scale

Please note that meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission to the RN-BS program.

Prerequisite/Corequisite Courses

Completion of ALL 9 nursing prerequisites is required prior to entry into the RN-BS program. All prerequisites must have a grade of C or higher.

Principles of Biology
Human Anatomy
Human Physiology
Elementary Chemistry
Introduction to Statistical Inference
Nutrition Intervention
Human Development: Lifespan
Pathophysiology
Medical Microbiology

Course Equivalencies

If a course is not listed on the College of Nursing Course Equivalency Chart below, it is the responsibility of the applicant to contact the College of Nursing to ensure that the course meets the prerequisite requirements.

View Prerequisite Course Equivalency Chart for the State of Utah (PDF)

The Geriatric Nursing Leadership (GNL) program offers a specialty track within the University of Utah’s online RN-BS program.

  • Designed to improve geriatric nursing care
  • Incorporates the principles of cultural competence in the care of elders
  • Focuses on leadership skills and competencies
  • Includes principles of supervising culturally diverse workers
  • Enhanced geriatric clinical content in courses
  • Emphasis on the care of older adults in all settings
  • Geriatric Nursing Leadership emphasis is indicated on your transcript

Courses Required for RN-BS GNL:

NURS 3107

Nursing and Health Promotion

GERON 5100

Applications of Research in Aging

NURS 3106

Complex Concepts of Health Assessment for RNs

NURS 3113

Nursing Across Systems and Populations for RNs

NURS 4110

Global Health Nursing

NURS 4116

Public Health Nursing for RNs

GERON 5050

Best Practices in Geriatric Nursing

NURS 4140

Enhanced Professional Nursing for RNs

NURS 4150

Nursing Initiatives

Courses required for the RN-BS degree:

In addition to the following courses, one approved upper-division elective is required.

NURS 3107

Nursing and Health Promotion

NURS 3108

Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing

NURS 3106

Complex Concepts of Health Assessment for RNs

NURS 3113

Nursing Across Systems and Populations for RNs

NURS 4110

Global Health Nursing

NURS 4116

Public Health Nursing for RNs

NURS 4140

Enhanced Professional Nursing for RNs

NURS 4150

Nursing Initiatives

 

$260/credit*

*Subject to change without notice
For an estimate of the full course, use the TUITION Estimator

Scholarships

There are College of Nursing Scholarships available for qualified RN-BS students. 

FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid

The FAFSA is the application to receive federal funding such as Pell Grants, Student Loans, and more.  The FAFSA needs to be completed each year.

Information about FAFSA from the U of U Financial Aid Office

Applications are accepted every semester. Individuals preparing to apply to the RN-BS program are strongly encouraged to review the application instructions and/or meet with the RN-BS Program Manager.

To attend the RN-BS program with the University of Utah you will need to apply to the University as a transfer student and apply to the program.

Step 1 – Submit University of Utah Application as Transfer Student

Transfer Applications & Instructions

  • $55 application fee for the U of U Application (for Fall 2020 and after April 1, there is an additional late fee of $40)
  • Send official transcripts to the Office of Admissions from each school you’ve attended (can be emailed from the school to admisstranscripts@sa.utah.edu).

Step 2 – Submit RN-BS Program Application: (can be done concurrently with the University of Utah Application)

APPLICATION DETAILS

There is NO application fee for the RN-BS program application.

 
Last Updated: 3/5/24