Advance your nursing career— on your schedule.
Designed for licensed RNs with a diploma or associate degree, our Online RN to BS in Nursing program offers the flexibility you need to take the next step. Customize your study plan and earn your bachelor’s degree—on your time and at your pace.
Program Overview
Why Choose the RN to BS Program at Rutgers?
Courses are delivered online, offering flexibility to study at times that best fit your schedule. Some non-nursing courses are available in person or in a hybrid format at our Newark and New Brunswick campuses. Clinical practicum offers advanced clinical training in specialized areas, allowing students to develop additional skills while working directly under the guidance of experienced preceptors.
Full-time students can complete the program in as little as one year; Part-time students have up to seven years from the time of admission to fulfill all program requirements.
Why Choose Our Program?
- Flexible coursework schedules
- Individualized academic plans
- Transfer-friendly credit policy
- Opportunity to earn 12 graduate credits to apply to a future degree!
Curriculum Overview – RN to BS
Course Format:
- Courses are available online, in-person, or hybrid (Newark or New Brunswick campuses)
- Clinical practicum
Credit Transfer Options:
You may transfer up to:
- 40 nursing credits
- 18 science credits
- 33 general education credits
Residency Requirement:
- At least 30 credits must be completed at Rutgers University to successfully complete the requirements for the degree
View Sample Curriculum
Effective Fall 2023, Rev. March 2025
General Education Courses (33 credits)**
These courses may be transferred or taken at any point in the curriculum:
- Expository Writing I or English Composition I (3 credits)
- Research in the Disciplines or English Composition II (3 credits)
- Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
- Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
- Anthropology/Cultural Studies (3 credits)
- History/Political Science/Economics (3 credits)
- Humanities (3 credits)
- Literature (3 credits)
- 3 Free Electives (3 cr. per course = 9 credits)
Nursing Courses (40 credits)
Registered Nurses can achieve up to 40 credits for the following courses from their nursing program and/or courses completed at Rutgers:
- 34 NCLEX credits (Received from previous nursing associate degree or diploma program)
- Nutrition (students may opt to take challenge exam) (3 credits) ***
- Life Span or Developmental Psychology (students may opt to take CLEP) (3 credits)
Science Courses (18 credits)
The following courses must be transferred or taken at Rutgers before taking any upper-division nursing course:
- Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credits)
- Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credits)
- Microbiology w/ lab (4 credits)
- Chemistry (Chemistry of Life or Organic Biochemistry) (3 credits)
- Statistics (3 credits)
RN to BS Nursing Core Courses (30 credits)
The following courses must be taken at Rutgers and are included in the 30 credits in residency requirements:
- 77:705:355 Integration of Pathophysiology & Pharmacotherapeutics for Clinical Nursing **** (4 credits)
- 77:705:330 Health Assessment & Clinical Reasoning (3 credits)
- 77:705:447 Community & Public Health Nursing (3 credits)
- 77:705:450 RN-BS Practicum (3 credits)
- 77:705:250 Scholarly Writing for the Professional Nurse (2 credits)
- 77:705:328 Introduction to Quality & Safety in Healthcare (3 credits)
- NURS 6060 Clinical Inquiry for Evidence-Based Practice* (3 credits)
- NURS 6930 Information Technology for Evidence-Based Practice* (3 credits)
- CLDR 6400 Leadership Across the Continuum* (3 credits)
- NURS 6040 Determinants of Health* (3 credits)
* Graduate-level course.
** CLEP examinations may be available to meet some of these Rutgers University general education and basic nursing requirements.
*** For students who do not have 40 nursing credits to transfer into the program, Rutgers School of Nursing offers proficiency examinations to earn credit.
**** Science requirement for RN program.
Admissions
Campus Affiliation: New Brunswick | School 77
Fall Start Deadline
- Priority – Feb. 1
- Final – May 1
Spring Start Deadline
- Priority – Oct. 1
- Final – Nov. 15
Ready to take the next step? Here’s what you need to apply to the RN to BS program at Rutgers School of Nursing:
Admissions Requirements
- Preferred GPA: 3.2 or higher
- Transcripts (official)
- Nursing diploma or associate degree from a CNEA or ACEN-accredited program. A passing NCLEX score is required prior to the start of your second semester in the program.
- Current unencumbered RN license. A license in the state where you will complete your practicum will be required after acceptance to the program and within the first semester of study. Students are required to maintain current licensure throughout the program.
- A personal statement is optional, but highly recommended. This statement should highlight your motivation for pursuing a BS in Nursing, your professional goals, and how the program aligns with your career aspirations. Personal statements should be sent to: snadmissions@sn.rutgers.edu Send to:
Send Applicantion Materials to:
Office of University Undergraduate Admissions
Rutgers University
65 Davidson Rd., Room 202
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Phone (732) 445-4636
Fax (732) 445-8088
Apply Now or Get in Touch
Dual Admission Partnership with RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing
Through the dual admission partnership, RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing students can seamlessly advance their education and can earn a Bachelor of Science. Dual admission contingent upon maintaining a 3.2 GPA, earning a B or higher in science courses, and successful completion of the RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing program.
Learn more about the RN to BS program or get in touch with our team about partnership details such as credit transfer and tuition discount rates.
Distance Learning
Distance and Experiential Learning Disclosures and Approvals
Licensure & Clinical Compliance for Nursing Programs
At Rutgers School of Nursing, we are dedicated to preparing ethical and skilled nursing professionals. To be licensed in most states, a criminal history background check is a prerequisite for licensure as a registered professional nurse (RN) per the state’s Board of Nursing. Since eligibility criteria may vary, applicants should check with the Board of Nursing of the state in which they plan to apply for licensure to determine the eligibility criteria.
See our Nursing Licensure Requirements page for more information
All nursing students in clinical courses are required to complete a criminal history background check. Depending on your program, clinical sites may require additional screening, such as drug testing and/or fingerprinting, to ensure compliance with their policies and standards. Please review Clinical Clearance Requirements for individual Rutgers nursing programs. These practices reflect the nursing profession’s commitment to trust, accountability, and community safety. If you have questions or need support, our team is here to help guide you on your journey.
Accessibility Accommodations
Many students have questions about disclosing their disability needs when they apply to Rutgers Health programs. The short answer is you don’t have to disclose if you’re not comfortable sharing that information with us at the application stage. Some examples of accommodations needed may include, but are not limited to, sign language interpreters, interviewing accommodations, or accommodations during visitation. If you need accessibility accommodations during the application or interview process for admissions at Rutgers Health, you can explore your options by contacting the Rutgers Health Office of Disability Services or by calling 973-640-0058.
Rutgers Health doesn’t discriminate against students with disabilities, and students are not required or expected to disclose disabilities when they apply to Rutgers Health Programs, unless accommodations are needed during the application process. You can rest assured that we are committed to creating an equal-access environment and supporting your needs during your time at Rutgers.
Meet the Program Director
Dr. Hollie Gentry began her nursing career at Cleveland Clinic, holding various staff nurse positions in medical-surgical and women’s health, and has been a nurse educator since 2016. She is active with several nursing organizations at the state and national level, including NJSNA, ANA, and AWHONN. Her research and scholarship interests include health policy, nursing education strategies, and women’s health issues.