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Online RN to BSN

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Why Earn Your Online BSN Degree at Etown?

Elizabethtown College's RN to BSN program stands out for its global perspective and flexible scheduling, ideal for working nurses. The experienced faculty are practicing professionals, providing education grounded in real-world experience. Additionally, the program offers various scholarships, making it financially accessible while equipping you with advanced skills for a competitive edge in the nursing field.

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Online

Program Format

125

credits required

to graduate

5-Week

Accelerated Courses

Salary Range

$67k - $98k

Per Year

According to glassdoor.com

The RN to BSN program at Etown SGPS offered well-prepared instructors, an excellent program director, and a helpful clinical coordinator who all showed genuine interest in my success.

Understand Tuition Costs and Explore Scholarship Opportunities

The RN to BSN program is priced at $525 per credit. Scholarships and financial aid are available to make your Etown SGPS education even more affordable. Below are just a few of the scholarships and programs available to students:

Small scholarships are generously given by the College’s Alumni Association; students should check with their own professional organizations for funding opportunities. Depending on funding, federal loan forgiveness programs are sometimes available for full-time (9 credits in fall/spring, 7 credits in summer) students who teach in schools of nursing upon receipt of their degree. Small awards are available to support dissertation research through the College of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International chapters, and through the American Nurses Foundation Awards given through the regional research organizations (SNRS, ENRS, MNRS, WIN). Additional scholarships may be available for nursing students through AACN.

  • Deborah E. Trautman Future Nurse Leader Scholarship: Funded by Liaison International, AACN’s partner in Nursing CAS, this scholarship and leadership development program was created in honor of AACN’s President and CEO Dr. Deborah Trautman. This $3,500 scholarship is designed to recognize graduate nursing students who aspire to leadership positions in academic nursing www.aacnnursing.org.
  • Alumni Scholarship: 15% tuition discount, available to Elizabethtown College alumni.
  • Affinity Partner Scholarship: 15% discount, offered to employees of organizations partnered with Etown SGPS.
  • Jay Fellowship Referral Program: This is a referral program that benefits both current students/alumni and prospective students. When a student or alum refers a new student, both the referrer and the referred student receive a complimentary credit for their program of interest.

Tuition and fees are reviewed and subject to change annually.

Financial Aid Office & Staff

The Financial Aid Office at Elizabethtown is always here to serve students and families.  We strongly encourage students and families to contact our office whenever they feel they need our assistance - that is why we are here! Some of the services we provide include: information on institutional, federal, state and private aid options, budgeting, debt management, and financial aid counseling. Appointments may be scheduled between the hours of 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Our office is located in Zug Hall, Room 208. A link to the Office of Financial Aid is here.

Tuition & Aid 

Take the Next Step in Your Nursing Career and Develop Essential Skills

Nationally the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is becoming the standard entry-level degree for registered nurses. In response to this shift, we offer an RN to BSN program tailored specifically for licensed registered nurses who already hold an associate degree or a nursing diploma (ADN). Commonly referred to as a 'bridge' or 'completion' program, our RN to BSN program stands out for its accelerated and flexible design. It's crafted to accommodate the busy schedules of practicing nurses, offering them the freedom to progress at a pace that suits their personal and professional commitments. This approach ensures that our nurses can advance their education and career without putting their current roles on hold.

Translate and assimilate knowledge borrowed from other disciplines, to form a strong liberal arts curriculum cultivating advanced clinical judgment and innovation in nursing practice.

Nurture caring and interprofessional partnerships with patients and families, and the global community that delivers holistic, compassionate, person-centered care that is safe, equitable, and respects cultural fluidity.

Promote optimal patient, family, and community outcomes through advocacy, by managing disease, healthy lifestyle choices, and minimizing the impact of social conditions across the healthcare delivery continuum.

Collects best evidence, analyzes, interprets and disseminates data using the nursing process to promote optimal health of individuals, families, and global communities.

Integrates best practice metrics in safety science using a systems-based approach to inform nursing practice and to solve complex healthcare challenges.

Maintain and support an open line of respectful communication among interprofessional teams to create a culture of safety that promotes optimal care and outcomes for patients, families, communities.

Integrates and analyzes disparate data to support clinical decision-making and planning to improve care, optimize outcomes, and to reduce healthcare costs.

Pursue a sense of purpose that inspires a commitment to lifelong learning and meaningful work that  inspires personal and professional growth, sound health, resilience, and well-being.

Cultivate a professional identity founded upon high ethical and moral standards, and accountability, that promote the discipline of nursing and the obligations of the profession.

Develop as an emerging leader by using effective communication, sound leadership strategies, and employs data as a strategic asset to achieve optimal health for patients, families, and across the community and the globe.

RN to BSN Requirements, Courses and Transfer Credits

We have established a generous transfer credit evaluation process, aiming to make your transition to Etown as seamless as possible. Whether you've completed coursework at another institution or have earned an associate degree, we're here to assist you in maximizing your credits toward your academic goals. For those who have successfully earned an associate degree, our transfer credit evaluation may allow you to waive the Core Program requirements, allowing you to focus on your nursing courses and additional general elective courses required for obtaining your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. If you're interested in learning more about how your specific credits will transfer and the potential Core Program waiver, we encourage you to reach out to our admissions representative,  Donald Sharples .

In addition to our general transfer credit policies, we have established a special Transfer Agreement with Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC). This agreement ensures that HACC students who have earned an associate degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher are guaranteed admission to Elizabethtown College's School of Graduate and Professional Studies (SGPS). This partnership simplifies the admissions process and provides a clear pathway for HACC students to continue their education with us.


Furthermore, all nursing graduates of HACC (within two years of their degree conferral date) will receive three free courses and one free Edge Bundle (2-3 credits) from SGPS. This opportunity allows you to further enhance your education and skills, all while enjoying the advantages of additional courses at no cost.

Nursing Core (30 credits)

  • NUR 300 Growth and Development in Nursing (3 credits)
  • NUR 310 Holistic Assessment in Nursing (3 credits)
  • NUR 315 Population Health (3 credits)
  • NUR 320 Health and Social Policy (2 credits)
  • NUR 330 Nursing Informatics (1 credit)
  • NUR 340 Systems Thinking (3 credits)
  • NUR 350 Compassionate Care (3 credits)
  • NUR 352 Nursing Scholarship (3 credits)
  • NUR 380-R Clinical Immersion I (1 credit)
  • NUR 385-R Clinical Immersion II (1 credit)
  • NUR 450 Leadership Emergence (3 credits)
  • NUR 495 & NUR 495-R (Didactic (3 credits) + Clinical (1 credit) = Total (4 credits))

Nursing Elective (Select One)

  • NUR 405 Integrative Care (3 credits)
  • NUR 410 Gerontology Nursing (3 credits)
  • NUR 415 Organizational Dynamics (3 credits)
  • NUR 420 Healthcare Communication (3 credits)
  • NUR 425 Principles of Primary Care (3 credits)
  • NUR 430 Transcultural Nursing (3 credits)
  • SP 331 Medical Spanish I (3 credits)
  • SP 332 Medical Spanish II (3 credits)

Application Requirements & Process

Previous Academic Experiences

Elizabethtown College Nursing is a diploma-friendly institution and will evaluate previous academic coursework to determine credit transfer. Elizabethtown College accepts 64-credits from 2-year program alone or accept 95 credits from 2 & 4-year program institutions combined.

For students planning to apply to the RN-BSN program who have not earned a bachelor’s degree in another area, you will need to:

  • Have an associate degree or diploma in nursing with official transcripts from all collegiate experiences
  • Have a current, unrestricted United States RN licensure
  • If you are preparing to take the NCLEX, you are welcome to apply and start the program on a provisional basis. Once you successfully pass your RN licensure, you may enter into the RN to BSN program
  • Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate study
  • GPA waivers are available, contact Donald Sharples, Admissions Counselor sharplesd@etown.edu for the form and information
  • Have a current resume or curriculum vitae (CV)

The preferred minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Students must earn a minimum grade of "C" in prerequisite courses. Course work may be in progress at the time of application but must be completed by the initial date of enrollment. Students will receive 35-credit hours demonstrating competency in their RN education. There is no time limit on coursework.

  •  Contact or meet with our admissions staff for guidance and to find out more information.
  •  Complete the undergraduate application via the online portal and submit application documents.
  •  After submitting your application, the SGPS Team will review it and make an admissions decision.
  •  If accepted, you will receive an initial offer letter via the applicant portal, which you must accept to proceed with matriculation.
  •  Once admitted to the RN to BSN Program, you will be assigned to a dedicated nursing advisor. Your nursing advisor will partner with you to address questions and concerns, discuss registration for your first course and connect you with orientation activities. Students who are admitted and accept the admissions offer (matriculate), must undergo a criminal background check, complete a, health screening, and proof of current immunizations prior to the beginning or coursework.
  •  Documentation of Federal Criminal Background and Child Abuse Clearance
  •  Current AHA or ARC Basic life support (BLS) [Adult, Child, Infant and AED]
  •  Health insurance & medical malpractice insurance.
  •  View more information on Clinical Practice Experience Documentation Requirements after acceptance.
  •  If there are any questions or concerns, the admissions team will contact you for further discussion.

Meet the Nursing Program Director

Nakiya Torres, DNP, MSN-ED, RN

717-361-3700 | torresn@etown.edu

Dr. Torres is a Registered Nurse and holds a baccalaureate degree in nursing, a master’s degree in nursing education from Chamberlain University, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Grand Canyon University. She has shown exceptional leadership and educational skills throughout her career. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she led a front-line team and managed a Covid decompression field facility, while also providing hands-on clinical training and contributing to educational efforts. She played a crucial role in enhancing nursing skills and competency during this historic time. In addition to her pandemic leadership, Dr. Torres led multidisciplinary teams in quality improvement and infection prevention. Her efforts resulted in decreased hospital-acquired infections and the implementation of risk reduction strategies. She also contributed to accreditation processes, policy development, and sepsis recognition rates in a trauma emergency department as a doctoral student, further improving clinical outcomes.

Dr. Torres has a passion for teaching and has served as a faculty member in various nursing programs. She has taught diverse health courses and settings, including mentoring on nursing mentor committees. Her commitment to student success and creating positive relationships and work environments is evident throughout her career. With her effective communication skills, respect for diversity, and dedication to shaping the future of nursing in a positive way, Dr. Torres is well-suited to navigate the future of nursing.

Nakiya Torres Headshot

Accreditation

  • Regionally Accredited with Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  • Member and approved by the NC-SARA to improve the quality, value, and student experience of our distance education programs.
  • The baccalaureate program in nursing at Elizabethtown College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
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Elizabethtown College