RN to BSN
The RN to BSN option is focused on advancing the skills and preparation of current Associate Degree and Diploma nurses.
Quick Facts
100% on-line courses.
60 Clock-Hour Leadership Clinical Experience May be Required.
Nine courses equal to thirty-two credits.
Students are admitted in Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.
General education courses can be taken before, during or after completing nursing courses.
Admissions Criteria
Final Policy
Admission criteria will change effect Fall 2022 (June 1st application deadline)
Minimums: Overall GPA 3.0,
Math/Science GPA minimum 2.6
Admission - Admission to the university as a HPNU - Nursing Interest Advising major does not assure admission to the major.
- Applicants must be in progress or have completed all ETSU General Education courses* (or equivalent from a Transfer Institution) including the four (4) Nursing Pre-requisite classes: Anatomy and Physiology I and II (with labs), Intro to Microbiology (with lab), and Probability and Statistics. At least three (3) of the four (4) pre-requisite math/science classes must be completed prior to the application deadline.
* Applicants with greater than two (2) unsuccessful attempts to complete all required pre-requisite math/science courses will be ineligible for admission to the College of Nursing. Grades below a “C” (C-, D+, D, and F) are considered unsuccessful attempts.
* Applicants with completed Bachelor’s degrees are exempt from taking General Education Requirements (by virtue of the completed degree) but must complete the four pre-requisite math/science courses or equivalents with at least three (3) of the four (4) completed prior to the application deadline.
*Transfer students are responsible for making sure courses taken at other institutions are equivalent to ETSU General Education courses. For further information about transfer equivalency, go to: https://www.etsu.edu/articulation/equivalencies.php . For a list of ETSU General Education requirements, go to: https://www.etsu.edu/uged/gened.php .
- A minimum cumulative College Level Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.6 as computed by
East Tennessee State University (excluding developmental coursework) is required.
- RN to BSN applicants must apply to the College of Nursing Using NursingCAS www.nursingcas.org
- Official Transcripts from all higher education institutions must be sent to CAS. Students
must also apply for General Admission to ETSU. This should be done well in advance
of the application deadline. Detailed instructions and information are available at:
https://www.etsu.edu/nursing/default.php
- Applicants, with the exception of LPN to BSN and RN to BSN, must submit (electronically) all scores
from the standardized entrance exam. (TEAS) The standardized entrance exam may be
taken twice within a two year period, but not twice in the same semester. Scores
are valid for two (2) years.
- ETSU College of Nursing does NOT require references, a personal statement or professional
experience for admission.
- Applicants, with the exception of LPN to BSN and RN to BSN, are ranked by a point
system which includes 100 possible points in four (4) areas: Overall GPA, Math/Science
Nursing Pre-requisite GPA, Adjusted Individual Total Score, score of the standard
entrance exam for a total of 400 possible points. Applicants are admitted in point
order. LPN to BSN and RN to BSN applicants are ranked by overall Grade Point Average
(GPA) and admitted in ascending order.
- Applicants who are admitted to ETSU as freshman with a high school GPA of 3.5 or above, ACT cumulative score of 29 or above, and maintain an ETSU overall GPA of 3.2 or higher, will be guaranteed admission to the nursing major. Students must complete the College of Nursing application process and meet all other established admissions criteria.
Application Details
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Application Process & Selection
Admission criteria will change effect Fall 2022 (June 1st application deadline)
Minimums: Overall GPA 3.0,
Math/Science GPA minimum 2.6 and
minimum on TEAS 58% overallThere are 2 applications to the program:
- Apply to the ETSU, click here.
- Please apply as a Transfer Student and select HPNU - Nursing Interest Advising (Pre-BSN) for the major.
- Request ALL college and university transcripts, and high school transcript (if you graduated High School Fall 1989 or after) be sent to ETSU. It is the student’s responsibility to follow up with the Admissions Office regarding university acceptance (423-439-4213).
- If you have been accepted at ETSU previously, please complete the online Re-admit Form to the university and request all official updated transcripts be sent to ETSU. No Re-Admission fee required.
- Complete the found on NursingCAS www.nursingCAS.org
You can apply to ETSU and complete the RN to BSN Application in the same time frame. The College of Nursing will accept RN to BSN applications for the Spring, Summer and Fall semesters (refer to deadlines). Admitted students will be classified as Pre-BSN students until they are accepted into the program. The College of Nursing will change the status to BSN when accepted. Pre-BSN status does not guarantee admission to the RN-BSN major.
To receive full consideration, students must be fully admitted to East Tennessee State University by the nursing application deadline dates. Since admission to the university can take several weeks, students are encouraged to apply well in advance of the nursing deadlines. Consideration for the nursing major cannot be guaranteed if full admission to the university has not been obtained.
NOTE:
- ADN graduates- Students sitting for licensing exam (but do not have results) should attach a copy of NCLEX-RN registration as proof of eligibility for licensure
Transfer of Nursing College credits: All nursing courses, in which a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher was earned, will be transferred in as nursing electives. Nursing courses, in which a grade of “C-“ or less was earned, are considered nursing failures. Please contact the Office of Student Services regarding the nursing failure policies and procedures.
Selection Process:
Students are ranked according to a points-system that includes:
- Overall GPA (excluding developmental coursework) * - 100 points available
- Math-Science Requirements GPA (at least 3 of 4 courses must be complete upon application with remainder in progress and completed by end of term)** - 100 points available
200 Total points are available.
Admission points breakdown:
OVERALL GPA* - 100 Points Available
- GPA 3.8 to 4.0 = 100 Admissions Points
- GPA 3.6 to 3.79 = 90 Admissions Points
- GPA 3.4 to 3.59 = 80 Admissions Points
- GPA 3.2 to 3.39 = 70 Admissions Points
- GPA 3.0 to 3.19 = 60 Admissions Points
- GPA 2.8 to 2.99 = 50 Admissions Points
- GPA 2.6 to 2.79 = 40 Admissions Points
- GPA of less than 2.6 = 0 points
Math-Science Requirements GPA** - 100 Points Available
- GPA 3.8 to 4.0 = 100 Admissions Points
- GPA 3.6 to 3.79 = 90 Admissions Points
- GPA 3.4 to 3.59 = 80 Admissions Points
- GPA 3.2 to 3.39 = 70 Admissions Points
- GPA 3.0 to 3.19 = 60 Admissions Points
- GPA 2.8 to 2.99 = 50 Admissions Points
- GPA 2.6 to 2.79 = 40 Admissions Points
- GPA 2.2 to 2.59 = 20 Admissions Points
- GPA 2.0 to 2.19 = 10 Admissions Points
- GPA of less than 2.0 = 0 points
Also required:
General Education Courses will be required to graduate from ETSU with the BSN Degree.
East Tennessee State University is fully in accord with the belief that educational and employment opportunities should be available to all persons without regard to age, sex, color, race, religion, national origin, veteran status, or sexual orientation.
**NOTE: General education courses can be determined through individual program planning.
**NOTE: Students who enroll in and successfully complete CSCI 1100/NFS 1010 will receive college credit. College credits are not awarded for the proficiency exam.
- Apply to the ETSU, click here.
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Out of State Applications
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Course and program availability varies by state and is established by each individual State Board of Nursing.
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Students who reside outside of the state of Tennessee are responsible to contact their State Board of Nursing to confirm whether the course or program meets online degree program requirements in their state of residence prior to application.
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Articulation Agreements Credits
Upon successful completion of NRSE 3200 Advancing to Professional Nursing Practice and NRSE 2030 Health Assessment Students will be awarded 8 – 12 articulation course credits identified in the articulation agreements at specific community colleges.
Hospital diploma graduates upon successful completion of NRSE 3200 Advancing to Professional Nursing Practice and NRSE 2030 Health Assessment will be awarded 42 semester credits in nursing.
Questions? For additional information contact Matt Johnson in the Office of Student Services by email or at 423.439.4528.
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Application Deadlines
- Spring Semester - October 1 ( Note: Applications will continue to be accepted after this date pending availability.)
- Summer Semester - February 1 ( Note: Applications will continue to be accepted after this date pending availability.)
- Fall Semester - June 1 ( Note: Applications will continue to be accepted after this date pending availability.)
Contact Us
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Program Curriculum
Semester 1
NRSE 2030 – Health Assessment- NRSE 2016 - Pathophysiology
- NRSE 3010 - Pharmacology
Semester 2
NRSE 3200 – Professional Nursing Practice- NRSE 3510 – Population, Community, and Public Health
- NRSE 3525 – Health Promotion and Research
Semester 3
NRSE 4355 - Health Care Systems and Informatics- NRSE 4620 – Leadership and Professionalism
- NRSE 4062 – RN Practicum
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FAQs
Admission criteria will change effect Fall 2022 (June 1st application deadline)
Minimums: Overall GPA 3.0,
Math/Science GPA minimum 2.6 and
minimum on TEAS 58% overallIs this program totally online?
Yes!
What is the application process?
This is a 2 part process:
1) Apply to ETSU by clicking this link: Admissions Login. Apply as a Transfer, HPNU - Nursing Interest Advising student, $25.00 fee.
2) Complete RN to BSN application form by clicking here.
What happens after I apply?
Once your application to ETSU has been processed you will receive an email with further instructions from the RN to BSN advisor.
What is general education curriculum?
Required academic courses in addition to the nursing core courses are required to complete the B.S. degree. The specific requirements are also listed at the following ETSU site: General Education and Graduation Requirements. For further information about transfer equivalency, go to: https://www.etsu.edu/articulation/equivalencies.php . For a list of ETSU General Education requirements, go to: https://www.etsu.edu/uged/gened.php
Are clinical healthcare requirements mandatory?
Yes. Students will receive a current clinical healthcare requirement package via email upon admission to the program. Students should begin completing these requirements and uploading their documentation into Project Concert during their first semester in the program. All clinical healthcare requirements must be completed and submitted into Project Concert to be eligible for successful completion in the RN Practicum NRSE 4062 Clinical course.
Do I need to be at the computer on designated days/times for my courses?
No. Courses are accessible anytime. Courses have “windows” of time to submit homework, projects, take exams, etc.
Is there an expiration date for previously taken transfer general education courses or health science courses?
No. ETSU courses and transfer courses do not expire.
What does the Practicum consist of in this program?
- The Practicum requires all students to complete clinical healthcare requirements prior to entering the course.
- The Practicum is comprised of two parts: Change Project and Clinical.
- Students currently employed as an RN will have the option of receiving credit for the clinical hours required by successfully completing RN-BSN essentials checklist.
- The Practicum is the last of the nursing courses taken in the program. It can be taken in conjunction with other RN to BSN nursing courses or by itself.
When I complete the RN to BSN Program, am I required to take the NCLEX-RN, again?
No.
If I am finishing an Associate RN Program and have not taken the NCLEX-RN, yet, am I allowed to start the program?
Yes. Eligible new graduates from an Associate RN Program are allowed to take one semester of BSN nursing courses, but must pass the NCLEX-RN before being allowed to proceed in the program.
After I complete the Associate RN Program, am I required to re-apply to ETSU or NursingCAS?
No. If a student is not active for one or more semesters he/she must re-admit to ETSU, then contact the RN-BSN advisor. These students are not required to pay the admission fee again.
Note: Students are responsible for submitting all updated transcripts to ETSU Admissions following completion of the Associate RN Program. Failure to submit their transcripts could prevent registration and graduation from ETSU.
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Learn More
Current College of Nursing Application Checklist
Spring deadline is October 1st- Virtual Informational Sessions
- If you would like more information about this program, please feel free to join a virtual informational Zoom session on one of the following dates below. For a link to the Zoom session, please send your request to duranj@etsu.edu
March
April
May
June
Thursday, March 24th-5:00-6:00pm EST
Tuesday, April 19th: 5:00-6:00pm EST
Thursday, May 19th:5:00-6:00pm EST
TBD
NursingCAS Information Sessions
For the zoom link, please contact nursing@etsu.edu
- Friday May 6th at 10am Eastern
- Tuesday May 10th at 12pm Eastern
- Wednesday May 18th at 4pm Eastern
- Thursday May 26th at 2pm Eastern
NOTE: Because of state regulatory requirements for nursing programs, students residing outside the state of Tennessee may be required to complete clinical hours in a Tennessee institution or agency.
East Tennessee State University offers many programs of study which lead to the ability to be licensed or certified in a profession by individual states. Each program is listed below with information whether the program's curriculum meets a state's educational requirements for licensure or certification.
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Bachelor’s in Science in Nursing (BSN)
The College of Nursing has determined that its Bachelor’s in Science in Nursing (BSN) program curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure and/or certification for the following states:
Alaska
Arkansas
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Indiana
Kansas
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Tennessee
Virginia
Wisconsin
For all other states, the college has not yet made a determination whether the Bachelor’s in Science in Nursing (BSN) program curriculum meets state specific requirements for licensure and/or certification.
These states include:Alabama
Kentucky
New York
Texas
Arizona
Louisiana
Ohio
Utah
California
Minnesota
Oklahoma
Vermont
Colorado
Montana
Oregon
Washington
Illinois
Nevada
Pennsylvania
West Virginia
Iowa
New Hampshire
South Carolina
Wyoming
Idaho
Students with questions about licensure or certification should contact the appropriate licensing agency in the state of interest.Each State Board of Nursing can be found on the website for the National Council of State Boards of
Nursing (www.ncsbn.org). -
Master of Science in Nursing
The College of Nursing has determined that its Master of Science in Nursing program curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure and/or certification for the following states:
Alaska
Arkansas
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Indiana
Kansas
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Tennessee
Virginia
WisconsinFor all other states, the college has not yet made a determination whether the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program curriculum meets state specific requirements for licensure and/or certification.
These states include:Alabama
Kentucky
New York
Texas
Arizona
Louisiana
Ohio
Utah
California
Minnesota
Oklahoma
Vermont
Colorado
Montana
Oregon
Washington
Illinois
Nevada
Pennsylvania
West Virginia
Iowa
New Hampshire
South Carolina
Wyoming
IdahoStudents with questions about licensure or certification should contact the appropriate licensing agency in the state of interest.
Each State Board of Nursing can be found on the website for the National Council of State Boards of
Nursing (www.ncsbn.org). -
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
The College of Nursing has determined that its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure and/or certification for the following states:
Alaska
Arkansas
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Indiana
Kansas
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Tennessee
Virginia
WisconsinFor all other states, the college has not yet made a determination whether the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program curriculum meets state specific requirements for licensure and/or certification for the following states:
Alabama
Kentucky
New York
Texas
Arizona
Louisiana
Ohio
Utah
California
Minnesota
Oklahoma
Vermont
Colorado
Montana
Oregon
Washington
Illinois
Nevada
Pennsylvania
West Virginia
Iowa
New Hampshire
South Carolina
Wyoming
IdahoStudents with questions about licensure or certification should contact the appropriate licensing agency in the state of interest.
Each State Board of Nursing can be found on the website for the National Council of State Boards of
Nursing (www.ncsbn.org). -
Tennessee Joint Doctor of Nursing Practice (TN Jt DNP)
The College of Nursing and their partner, Tennessee Tech University Whitson-Hester School of Nursing, has determined that its Tennessee Joint Doctor of Nursing Practice (TN Jt DNP) program curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure and/or certification for the following states:
Alaska
Arkansas
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Indiana
Kansas
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Tennessee
Virginia
WisconsinFor all other states, the college has not yet made a determination whether the Tennessee Joint Doctor of Nursing Practice (TN Jt DNP) program curriculum meets state specific requirements for licensure and/or certification for the following states:
Alabama
Kentucky
New York
Texas
Arizona
Louisiana
Ohio
Utah
California
Minnesota
Oklahoma
Vermont
Colorado
Montana
Oregon
Washington
Illinois
Nevada
Pennsylvania
West Virginia
Iowa
New Hampshire
South Carolina
Wyoming
Idaho
Students with questions about licensure or certification should contact the appropriate licensing agency in the state of interest.Each State Board of Nursing can be found on the website for the National Council of State Boards of
Nursing (www.ncsbn.org).
Nursing Process, an online resource for nursing students, ranked East Tennessee State University's RN to BSN program #1 in the state of Tennessee out of 30 and has made it to their national list of "Best RN to BSN program in Every State for 2021". The ranking was established after thoroughly evaluating all the accredited RN to BSN programs across the nation.
The Baccalaureate degree in nursing program, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and
post-graduate APRN certificate program at East Tennessee State University are accredited
by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
The ETSU College of Nursing BSN program is approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
Tennessee Board of Nursing
665 Mainstream Drive
Nashville, TN 37243
Telephone 1.615.532.5166
The ETSU College of Nursing BSN program offers eligible candidates membership in the Epsilon Sigma Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, the International Nursing Honor Society.