Overview
Get to Know Our Online RN to BSN Program
The innovative and student-centered RN to BSN online program from the School of Health Science and Wellness at Northwest Missouri State University gives professional nurses enhanced abilities to meet the needs of diverse patient populations.
Taught by experienced, supportive faculty, our advanced nursing courses provide the evidence-based approach you need to provide patients a higher level of expert care. You will learn how to analyze research findings that influence evidence-based practice; to integrate values and ethics into your responsibilities; and to use leadership skills and healthcare policy to advance your safe, professional practice.
Our engaging and practical curriculum emphasizes skills and knowledge you can use immediately to elevate your nursing practice.

The Northwest Missouri State University Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN, distance education) program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037; phone: 202-909-2526.
The RN to BSN degree program prepares nursing students to:
- Assess principles of prevention and health promotion when providing care to individual, families and communities
- Demonstrate effective professional communication and collaboration to provide quality client care
- Analyze research findings that influence an evidence-based nursing practice
- Use leadership skills and knowledge of healthcare policy, fiduciary responsibility, and regulatory systems to advance a safe, professional practice
- Integrate health information technology into nursing practice to deliver quality client care
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Tuition and Fees
Discover the Value of Our Low-Cost Tuition
Our RN to BSN online program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition for general education courses will be $280 per credit hour for students enrolled in the online nursing program.
Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course Fee | Per 3-Credit Hour Course | Per 4-Credit Hour Course | Per Program |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RN to BSN | $280 | $30 | $840 | $1,120 | $8,670* |
Important Refund Information
1st day of class | Last date for 100% refund for dropped course |
2nd day of class | Last date for 75% refund for dropped course |
3rd day of class | Last date for 50% refund for dropped course |
4th day of class | Last date for 25% refund for dropped course |
Required Fees:
Application fee: $50
International application fee: $75
Required fee per course: $30
Graduation fee: $56
*Tuition and fees are subject to change. Current amounts are based on 2020-21 tuition rates. Textbooks and laptops are not included with tuition.
Northwest Missouri State University is ranked #1 among the "Best Online Colleges in Missouri" by SR Education Group (2019).
Calendar
Important Dates for Our Students
Northwest Missouri State University online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.
Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spring 1 | 01/13/21 | 12/18/20 | 01/04/21 | 01/06/21 | 01/08/21 | 03/05/21 |
Spring 2 | 03/15/21 | 02/23/21 | 03/01/21 | 03/09/21 | 03/10/21 | 04/30/21 |
Summer 1 | 05/11/21 | 04/21/21 | 04/27/21 | 05/04/21 | 05/06/21 | 06/25/21 |
Summer 2 | 06/28/21 | 06/08/21 | 06/14/21 | 06/21/21 | 06/23/21 | 08/13/21 |
Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from Northwest?
Admissions
Steps to Being Admitted into Our Online Program
At Northwest, we’ve streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the RN to BSN online, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them. The requirements include:
View all admission requirements
To successfully complete the application process, you will need to:
- Complete the undergraduate studies online application
- Submit the non-refundable $50 application fee
- Request official transcript(s) documenting coursework from regionally accredited colleges/universities attended
- Hold a minimum 2.0 GPA in previous coursework
- Hold a valid RN license (obtained by the end of your first semester)
We also encourage you to learn more about our pre-admission process and view our RN to BSN Student Handbook.
Official transcript(s) can be emailed to: [email protected]. To submit official documents by mail, send them to:
Northwest Missouri State UniversityOffice of Admissions
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468-6001
Have a question? Call us at 844-890-9304.
Courses:
A Look at the Online RN to BSN Curriculum
For the RN to BSN online, the curriculum is comprised of nine core nursing courses that include several embedded clinical experiences and total 30 credit hours. As part of the BSN, you must complete 120 total hours, including 47 credits of general education courses, and receive 43 nursing course credits for RN licensure.
NURS 01-301: Theories and Models of Nursing
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the theoretical foundation of the professional nursing practice. Emphasis is placed on exploration of various nursing theories, models, and philosophies that can aid the professional nurse in effectively promoting health and making sound nursing decisions. Focus will be on the role expectation(s) for theoretical evidence-based professional nursing practice. Concepts and models for professional nursing practice are presented.
NURS 01-311: Health Care Delivery Systems
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on the health care delivery system, how those systems affect nursing practice and the consumers of health care. Emphasis is placed on quality, safety, policy, insurance issues, technological resources, budgeting and the future of the nursing profession. This course seeks to enhance the administration and effectiveness of health care services.
NURS 01-302: Professional Role Transitions
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course challenges the RN to BSN student to broaden their perspectives of their professional nursing role. Emphasis is placed on the student's critical thinking skills and the importance of their personal and professional growth throughout this educational journey.
NURS 01-303: Nursing Law and Ethics
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
The course will examine and evaluate personal and ethical factors that influence a professional nursing career. Emphasis is placed on the legalities and ethical situations facing the nursing profession.
NURS 01-401: Leadership and Management in Nursing
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on the importance of leadership and management for the BSN level nurse. Emphasis is placed on the role of the nurse leader in various areas of health care. This course is designed to provide the professional nurse with the essential information and key skills that nurses must learn to succeed in today's health care environment. ***Includes an experiential learning experience
NURS 01-411: Health Assessment
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course reviews a systematic approach to the assessment of individuals and groups of all ages. Emphasis is placed on the pathophysiology and nutrition impact on each system, the cultural needs of clients, analysis and synthesis of data to differentiate between normal and abnormal states of health, health risk prevention strategies, and health promotion. Students will apply this knowledge to a clinical experience. ***Includes an experiential learning experience
NURS 01-421: Community Nursing
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course applies nursing concepts to the community environment. This course explores community epidemiology in relation to the environment. Emphasis is placed on the identification of resources that facilitate health promotion and illness prevention. ***Includes an experiential learning experience
NURS 01-481: Evidence Based Nursing Practice
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course introduces evidence based nursing practice and research methods used by professional nurses. Emphasis is placed on the evaluation of nursing research studies and the need for ethical research. Students will apply their knowledge of research to an evidence based practice initiative. ***Pre-requisite: Math 17-114
NURS 01-454: Nursing Informatics
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course identifies the importance of information technology in nursing practice advancements and the influence those concepts have on health care outcomes. Emphasis is placed on learning how to access information technology records and identifying current and future technological needs within the nursing field.