Online RN-BSN Bachelor’s Degree Pathway
Maintain your full-time nursing role while earning your BSN online.
Finish your bachelor's degree without putting your nursing career on hold. The fully online RN-BSN at Shawnee State is built for working RNs — flexible, ACEN-accredited, and one of the most affordable nursing degrees in Ohio.
The RN to BSN program is ranked among the top 4 Most Affordable Nursing Degrees in Ohio by CollegeChoice.
Program Overview
Shawnee State University’s fully online RN to BSN program is designed for working nurses ready to take the next step in their careers. Whether you're looking to expand your clinical expertise, take on leadership roles, or prepare for graduate-level study, our flexible and affordable program helps you reach your goals without putting your career on pause.
With small class sizes and experienced nursing faculty who are committed to your success, our program delivers a student-first experience in a convenient format. The curriculum is ACEN-accredited and built to meet the real-world demands of modern healthcare—giving you the advanced skills and credentials employers are looking for.
Ranked among the top four most affordable nursing degrees in Ohio, our RN-BSN pathway lets you earn a respected degree with minimal cost and maximum return on investment. Scholarships are available for qualifying students, and our team is here to guide you through each step of the admission process.
At Shawnee State, you’ll have the flexibility to learn on your schedule, while gaining access to a network of supportive advisors, faculty, and resources that will help you thrive. Start building your future in nursing today—on your time, and on your terms.
Career Outcomes
How to Apply
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Start your application
Free, takes about 15 minutes.
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Send transcripts
Have your high school guidance counselor send them to admissions@shawnee.edu
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Send Admissions your ACT/SAT scores
If you have a copy of your report, email it to admissions@shawnee.edu. Your high school counselor may also be able to include your ACT/SAT score on your transcript. You may also contact ACT or College Board to have your scores officially sent to Shawnee State. If you listed Shawnee State at the time that you took your test, we will receive your scores automatically.
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Submit the Selective Admission Application
Submit before the deadline to be considered.
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File the FAFSA
School code 009942. Required for Free Tuition.
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Get your decision
Most decisions in under 7 days.
Selective Admissions
This program has a rolling start date. The next start date is October 19.
Schedule an appointment with a Selective Admissions team member to get started or discuss your options. The Selective Admissions team can guide you through the process of preparing for and applying to one of our competitive health science programs.
Before applying for this program, you must have:
- An associate degree or nursing program diploma
- A college GPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale
- A current, non-restricted RN license
Proof of a current, non-restricted RN license and transcripts from all previous attended institutions must be submitted to an enrollment counselor.
Selective Admissions Team
Phone: (740) 351-3187
Email: chhs@shawnee.edu
Schedule an advising appointment
Program Contact
Dr. Kimberley Dinsey-Read
Title: Director, School of Nursing
Email: kdinseyread@shawnee.edu
Phone: (740) 351-3446
Online RN-BSN Bachelor’s Degree Pathway
Degree
B.S.N.
Length
As few as 9 months; typically 9–18 months
Credits
27–28 nursing credits (plus general education and electives)
Transfer Credits Accepted
90
Class Size
12:1
Next Start Date
6 entry points; next start date October 19
Why Study Online RN-BSN Bachelor’s Degree Pathway at Shawnee University
100% online with 7-week course sessions and multiple start dates each year, so you can fit school around shift work.
Among the top four most affordable nursing degrees in Ohio — and scholarships are available for qualifying students.
Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and taught by faculty who've practiced in the settings you're working in.
Designed to be finished in as little as nine months if you want to move quickly, or stretched over 18 months at a slower pace.
A clear stepping stone toward graduate study, leadership roles, and the MSN.
The curriculum builds on what you already know as an RN. Courses run in 7-week sessions and focus on the skills employers increasingly require at the BSN level.
- Nursing research and evidence-based practice
- Community and public health nursing
- Leadership and management in nursing
- Health assessment
- General education and electives to round out the degree
Because you're already working as an RN, the program treats your job as part of the learning. Leadership coursework and community health projects connect directly to your practice — so what you learn shows up in how you work the next shift.
By graduation, you'll be able to:
- Apply advanced clinical reasoning and critical thinking
- Integrate evidence-based practice into patient care
- Use leadership skills in clinical and community settings
- Promote health and wellness across populations
- Advocate for patients and uphold professional standards
Fully online through SSU Online Campus.
A BSN opens the door to:
- Charge nurse, team lead, and unit-management roles
- Specialty units that prefer or require a BSN
- Public and community health nursing
- Case management and care coordination
- Magnet-designated hospitals and federal nursing positions
- Graduate study toward an MSN or DNP
Many employers now prefer or require a BSN for promotion and specialty roles.
Free Tuition and Financial Aid
Shawnee State's tuition is among the lowest in Ohio, and the Shawnee Advantage Tuition Guarantee keeps your rate flat for four years. Scholarships including Choose Ohio First and the Pell-Eligible Free Tuition Program may also apply.
See if you Qualify for Free Tuition
Ohio students can apply to receive a $1,500 scholarship up to full-tuition when you apply and are accepted.
Learn More about Choose Ohio FirstOnline RN-BSN Bachelor’s Degree Pathway Frequently Asked Questions
Anywhere from 9 to 18 months, depending on your pace and course load.
You'll need an active, unrestricted RN license to be eligible, but you don't have to be currently employed.
Yes. Courses run year-round in 7-week sessions, so there are several entry points each year.
International students residing outside the United States of America may apply and enroll into the Shawnee State University's RN to BSN degree. The program is administered all online and the international student will maintain a full course of study. Admitted students will not be issued an I-20 for entry into the United States. The program will be completed by the student from their home country. Please refer to www.studyinthestates.dhs.gov for more information pertaining to enrollment in an online program from your home country.
Program handbook
Refer to the most current Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook (PDF) on the School of Nursing site for policies and academic requirements. Enrollment advisors are also available at 855-815-0323 or chhs@shawnee.edu.
Accreditation
The RN-BSN program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Shawnee State University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
