“Salem’s RN to BSN program is perfect for a working RN interested in continuing their education. The education was excellent and allowed me to gain the knowledge and confidence needed to be successful as a BSN.”
~ Lisa Galford
Grant Available for RN to BSN Online Program
Salem University is pleased to announce our New Student Success Grant! New students enrolling in our 100% online or on-campus associate and/or bachelor’s degree programs at Salem University who are residents of Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or Virginia are now eligible for our New Student Success Grant. This opportunity will reduce your cost of attendance to just $425 per credit!
The online RN-BSN program at Salem University picks up where your experience and RN licensure left off, giving you the critical, creative, and reflective thinking skills you need to take your career to the next level.
The demand for nurses with a BSN degree is on the rise. Not only are many hospitals and other healthcare agencies around the country requiring their nurses to hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing, but the significant pay raise nurses enjoy after earning this credential offers a substantial incentive for RNs to hit the books!


About Salem’s Online RN-to-BSN Program
Designed by Nurses for Nurses:
Salem’s accelerated, flexible, and convenient RN-BSN degree completion program focuses on working nurses’ needs. Experiential learning activities are woven throughout the program and can be accomplished on the job, at your workplace, or in your community.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (“RN-BSN Program”) is a non-licensure, degree completion program for licensed RNs. The online RN-BSN program is delivered entirely via distance education with experiential activities. Consistent with all baccalaureate programs at Salem, the program requires the successful completion of 120 semester credit hours, including a maximum of 90 transfer credits. The accredited RN to BSN online program requires the student to achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.5 for all courses completed at Salem.
As a professional nurse with an unencumbered and active RN license issued by one of the United States or the District of Columbia, each student will be granted at least 60 transfer credits. Credits earned beyond or in addition to the associate degree in nursing program may also apply for a maximum of 90 transfer credits. Therefore, depending on the number of transfer credits, students may be able to complete their BSN within ten (10) months of continuous, successful enrollment. See the Transfer Credit section of the Academic Policies, Procedures & Practices chapter of the University Catalog for more information.
Fully Online & On Your Schedule:
Have you wondered, ‘Are there RN to BSN programs near me?’ With 100% online courses in an asynchronous format, there’s no need to look for programs nearby. Students in the fully online RN-BSN program have the flexibility and convenience they need to earn their degree while also working as a practicing RN. Access course materials when it is most convenient to you. There are no mandatory login times. Our one-course-per-month delivery allows students to focus on completing their courses without having simultaneous competing course demands on their time.
Admission
Admission to Salem is open to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, or ability/disability. Anyone wishing to attend Salem can obtain the necessary application from the Office of Admissions or apply online. The completed application should be submitted to the Office of Admissions at the earliest possible date. The University admits students on a rolling, monthly start basis. Acceptance is within the discretion of Salem University; some programs have additional admissions requirements.
Additional Requirements Prior to Enrollment:
- An associate degree in nursing from an accredited institution recognized by the Department of Education.
- A cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
- A current, unrestricted RN license in the United States.
- As a Registered Nurse, you will automatically be awarded at least 60 transfer credits for your associate degree in nursing and professional experience as an RN before you begin. Additional courses may be transferred in up to a maximum of 90 transfer credits.
Transcripts
Students applying to one of Salem’s nursing programs must have their official transcripts sent to Salem from each post-secondary academic institution they have previously attended, regardless of whether or not they want to transfer any courses. All official transcripts must be received by the end of the student’s first course or the student will be administratively dropped from the nursing program.
Note:
Due to COVID-19, the deadline for receipt of “official” transcripts may be extended. Should a nursing student fail to receive notice from any academic institution (before their start date) confirming that their “official” transcript has been sent, they must contact Noel Shaver at noel.shaver@salemu.edu for an appropriate extension. If students have further concerns regarding this requirement, please contact Noel Shaver for clarification.
Accessible & Engaged Faculty
Experienced nurse educators that are ready to help you bring your practice into the classroom and the classroom into your practice. Engaged faculty available to you in every course, with their contact information available for personalized attention during each of your online RN-BSN program courses.
Resources for Adult Learners
- Your Support Advisor: Who is focused on helping you reach your educational goals and dedicated to adding BSN after your name.
- Your Support Team: They will advise you academically and financially throughout your program.
- Online Library: 24-hour access to the library with the ability to contact a librarian for support.
- Tutoring Services: A tutor should you need additional academic assistance.
- Success Strategies: Access to the Student Advancement & Success (SAS) strategies include information on success in online courses, time management, scholarly writing, test-taking tips, ways to reduce stress, and more.
Feel confident with Salem’s online RN-BSN program and its up-to-date curriculum designed to enhance and advance your role as a professional nurse.
The RN-BSN Core Curriculum
- Professional Role Transition
- Health Assessment
- Nursing Research
- Legal & Ethical Issues in Nursing and Health Care
- Complex Health Problems
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Special Topics/Problems in Nursing
- Nursing Leadership & Management
- Community Health Nursing
- Nursing Capstone
The final capstone project allows you to apply the concepts learned from coursework and your years of nursing experience. The portfolio of activities that you complete throughout the program will showcase your professional role development, values, competence, and critical thinking skills – enhancing your professional advancement.
Why Should I Choose Salem University?
Since 1888, Salem University has built upon our tradition of accessible, affordable higher education by constantly innovating and looking to the future. We aim to develop lifelong learners who embrace problem-solving with a global perspective. We offer:
- Accelerated undergraduate and graduate programs of study with continuous enrollment via distance education or on-campus
- A unique one-course-a-month format that allows students to focus on a single subject at a time and build their knowledge in a way that feels natural
- Online courses are structured to work within the constraints of full-time employment, allowing you to earn your degree with minimum disruption to your busy schedule
- Supportive faculty and staff who serve as thought leaders and mentors
- A beautiful 100-acre campus situated in the Smoky Mountains where programs of study are available for campus residents and commuter students
Take the Next Step
If you’re interested in getting started on your RN-BSN degree completion program from Salem University, now is a great time to request more information or, better yet, chat with us live.
While there are many important factors when choosing a nursing education program, national accreditation should be a crucial decision-making factor when pursuing any nursing degree. Below are the main reasons it is important to enroll in a nationally accredited nursing program.
Salem University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) program (delivered via distance education) 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 number: 202-909-2487.
Vision of the School of Nursing
The School of Nursing will provide accessible, state-of-the-discipline education. The School will focus on fostering the preservation, promotion, and restoration of health in the international community. Our graduates will be highly competent practitioners grounded in a sense of inquiry and committed to human caring across the lifespan within a climate of diversity.
Mission of the School of Nursing
The mission of nursing education coincides with that of the University. It is committed to preparing professional nurses who utilize a systematic approach in assessing and managing actual or potential health needs across the life span of a diverse population. A commitment to lifelong learning will serve as the catalyst that propagates career advancement.
National Accreditation of Nursing Programs
National accreditation is a process that evaluates the quality of nursing programs to determine if they are meeting specific state and national standards. Nursing programs nationally accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the US Department of Education, such as CNEA, ensure the public that their program is held to a common set of quality standards across the United States. This process improves the quality of nursing education, creates a culture of continuous improvement of academic quality, keeps the curriculum up to date on current trends and advances in nursing and healthcare, and greatly enhances the overall quality of care administered by nurses who graduate from a nationally accredited program.


The Salem University Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program is pursuing accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20037; phone 202-909-2487. Interested parties are invited to submit third-party comments in writing directly to NLN CNEA, attention Dr. Teresa Shellenbarger, NLN CNEA Executive Director, no later than October 4, 2023, to cneaaccreditation@nln.org.
Note: Salem’s RN-BSN program was initially accredited by NLN CNEA in 2018 and is now seeking continuing accreditation from NLN CNEA.
Attending a National Accredited Nursing School:
- Enables students to be eligible for funding support from federal and state agencies and foundations.
- Is required by many nursing programs for admission to graduate programs.
- Is required by some state regulatory agencies for their nursing employees.
- Assists employers seeking graduates who are competent practitioners.
- Facilitates the transfer of credit using the following considerations:
- The educational quality of the institution from which the student transfers;
- The comparability of the nature, content, and level of credit earned from the programs offered by the receiving college or program;
- The appropriateness and applicability of the credit earned from the programs offered by the receiving college or program.
Salem Offers the Perfect Opportunity to Continue Your Education Without Sitting in a Classroom
Take the Next Step Toward Your Future in Healthcare