10 Best Online RN to BSN Programs in North Carolina

As more and more of the population of the United States ages and needs more intense medical care, the role of a nurse has expanded. As nursing roles have expanded, their educational requirements have become more rigorous.

Registered nurses (RNs) need to get their BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) just to remain in their field.

That's why there are so many options for RN to BSN programs online in North Carolina to help active nurses pursue a higher education without giving up on their current work. Here are some of the state's best programs and other RN to BSN programs in the US.

Top North Carolina RN to BSN Programs Online

These programs assume you have an active, unrestricted registered nursing license in the state of North Carolina, so students who want to pursue a bachelor's before completing licensure should consider other programs. Learn more about the cheapest online RN to BSN programs available to North Carolina nurses.

1. North Carolina Central University

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is a public historically black university originally founded during the Chautauqua movement. It's a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

NCCU's 30 credit hour RN to BSN program is all about meeting the needs of RNs with associate degrees who need flexibility to complete their bachelor's. The program is offered online and can be completed in one year, assuming GEC courses were completed prior to admission.

2. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington

The University of North Carolina (UNC) at Wilmington is a public research university that's part of the University of North Carolina System and offers undergraduate and graduate programs on campus and online.

At UNC Wilmington, nurses can use the online RN to BSN program to advance their career into administrative, research, consulting and teaching fields.

In only one year, new nurses will gain real-world nursing knowledge from experienced faculty and will be able to expand and bolster their nursing careers.

3. Appalachian State University

Originally founded as a teachers college, Appalachian State University (App State) is a public university in Boone, North Carolina that's accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

App State's part-time RN to BSN program is 30 credit hours, though 120 total are needed to graduate. The online courses offered by the program provide flexibility and unique learning opportunities for working nurses.

Students can choose between the one-year, two-year, and three-year programs to reduce the hours per work they need to dedicate to coursework.

4. Western Carolina University

Western Carolina University (WCU) is a public university in Cullowhee, North Carolina that's part of the University of North Carolina system.

Enhance your knowledge and prepare for master's coursework with WCU's specialized online RN to BSN program. It emphasizes communication between healthcare providers and patients, as well as professional communication within the field alongside important nursing instruction.

As part of the NC promise program, tuition for in-state students is capped at $500 per semester for all undergraduate students.

5. North Carolina Wesleyan University

North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is a private Methodist university that specializes in liberal arts and graduate programs for traditional and working adult students.

Learn how to drive change in the healthcare field through NCWU's RN to BSN program. Gain the knowledge you need to advance your career from an RN to a member of nursing management in as little as 12 months, making it one of the shortest online RN to BSN programs in the state.

Courses in the program are offered online in eight-week accelerated terms, and nurses can pursue the program as part or full-time students.

6. East Carolina University

East Carolina University (ECU) is a public research university in Greenville, North Carolina, that has main and health science campuses offering undergraduate, graduate, and online programs.

ECU offers a personalized educational experience and flexible online classes as part of its RN to BSN program.

Specifically designed for busy working nurses, the part-time curriculum allows students to complete their bachelor's in as little as 16 months so they can move on to advanced careers and graduate programs.

7. Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville State University (FSU) is a public historically black university in Fayetteville, North Carolina, that's part of the University of North Carolina System and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

With FSU's RN to BSN program, current nurses can increase their responsibilities, career prospects, and earnings by learning the communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills that a nursing bachelor's program teaches.

With the Online Degree Completion (ODC) Option at FSU, registered nurses can complete a bachelor's degree's upper-division courses online. For the RN to BSN program, this means all general education requirements � which RNs with associate degrees have already completed.

8. Barton College

Barton College is a private liberal arts college in Wilson, North Carolina, that's affiliated with the Christian Church and accredited by the SACSCOC.

In partnership with North Carolina Community Colleges, Barton College offers a seamless transition from an associate nursing program to the online RN to BSN program it offers. The program is designed to prepare aspiring nurses for roles in multidisciplinary health teams and nursing leadership.

It can be completed in one year and has multiple start dates for working or delayed degree completion students.

9. Campbell University

Campbell University is a private Christian liberal arts college in Buies Creek, North Carolina. In addition to having multiple satellite campuses, this university offers online education through its Adult & Online Education system.

With active nurses as faculty, online classes for convenience, and accelerated eight-week terms for the busy working adult, Campbell University's RN to BSN program gives nursing students everything they need to succeed.

The program is designed to lay a solid groundwork for future education and careers through teaching advanced nursing knowledge and important communication skills.

10. Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is a historically black public university that's part of the University of North Carolina. It was the first black institution to provide specialized training for teachers.

WSSU's fast, flexible RN to BSN program provides insight into health equity and social justice in nursing. It offers two education options for nurses: a fast-track full-time path to complete the program in a year, or a slower, more flexible path for busy nurses that can be completed in five semesters.

What Is an RN to BSN Program?

An RN to BSN program is a bachelor's program, usually two years or shorter, designed to help registered nurses with prior education complete a nursing degree. The programs are accelerated and often offered in flexible formats for working nurses.

Why Is RN to BSN Important?

It's important that nurses are able to pursue an RN to BSN degree in North Carolina because many nurses are already established in their field and unable to take time off for education, but still need that education to maintain or advance their careers.

With a focus on building upon a nurse's knowledge and giving working individuals the flexibility to complete a degree on their own time, RN to BSN programs have become a vital part of nursing education.

Requirements for RN to BSN Programs in North Carolina

Students interested in pursuing an RN to BSN degree in North Carolina need to provide these for admission to a program:

• all prerequisites passed with a C or higher
• up-to-date immunization records
• a criminal background and drug screening check
• proof of minimum GPA (3.0 or higher for most programs)
• a complete program application, potentially with a personal statement

Many programs also require that you have a current and unrestricted North Carolina registered nursing license, although the easiest RN to BSN programs online sometimes have different requirements.

Begin Your Online RN to BSN Program Today

Now that you know about your options for an RN to BSN degree in North Carolina, it's time to pursue your own bachelor's program to give yourself a competitive edge in today's fast-paced nursing field.