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Top Washington, DC RN to BSN Programs

The U.S. healthcare system is currently undergoing a considerable overhaul. These days nearly one in two employers in the healthcare field require RN hires to have earned at least a bachelor's degree, with close to 9 in 10 employers expressing a strong preference for BSN graduates, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. As a result of this change in the field, nurses across the country are heading back to the classroom to earn their bachelor's degrees via RN to BSN bridge programs. With many colleges and universities offering these RN to BSN programs, finding the best ones out there can be an arduous task. To help make that process a bit easier, we've compiled a list of the top RN to BSN programs in Washington, D.C.

How to Choose a Top RN to BSN Program in Washington, DC

To find the right program, some research is required. As you consider your options, keep the following in mind:

  • Student to instructor ratio
  • Acceptance rates
  • Ease of entrance (how often do new cohorts begin)
  • Student satisfaction rate
  • Flexibility of the program
  • Duration of the program
  • Scholarship opportunities
  • Hospital partnerships
  • Instructor experience
  • Program accreditation
  • Age of the college or university
  • Cost of attendance
  • Employment rate following successful completion of the program

Testing and Certification

Nurses with ADN degrees are required to have passed the NCLEX-RN licensing exam before they're eligible to receive their licenses. Since RN to BSN students have already passed this exam, they do not need to pass any additional licensing examinations.

List of Top RN to BSN Programs in Washington DC

1. Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, historically black university. HU offers students a 30 semester unit RN to BSN bridge track that can be completed mostly online in one calendar year of full-time study. Part-time study plans are also available to students. While enrolled in the program, students can expect to tackle courses like Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Health Policy and Economics, as well as Nursing of Infants and Children.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • George Washington University Hospital
  • Sibley Memorial Hospital
  • Howard University Hospital

Tuition:

Howard University's tuition and fees can be found by calling (202)-806-6100.

2. Trinity Washington University

Founded in 1897, Trinity Washington University is a private, Catholic university which maintains its original status as a liberal arts women's college, while men attend the university's other schools. TW offers a 30-unit hybrid online/in-class RN to BSN program which seeks to improve upon the critical thinking skills of nurses so that they can function more independently. The program, which can be completed full-time in just one calendar year, is tailored to meet the needs of working nurses and nurses who have families. During the program, students will take courses like Policy and Politics in Nursing, Nursing Research, and Contemporary Issues in Nursing and Health, among others.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Sibley Memorial Hospital
  • Providence Health System
  • Washington DC VA Medical Center

Tuition:

Students who attend Trinity Washington University's RN to BSN program can expect to pay around $24,220.

3. University of the District of Columbia

Originally established in 1851, the University of the District of Columbia - the only public university in the city - is a historically black university. UDC offers a flexible RN to BSN bridge program that's designed for working nurses that can be completed in just 18 months of full-time study. Students will have the chance to take courses like Leadership and Management Theory, Professional Nursing Issues, and Legal Issues and Healthcare Policy, among others. The program is delivered in a hybrid online/in-class format.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • BridgePoint Hospital Hill
  • Sibley Memorial Hospital
  • Physician Hospital of America

Tuition:

Washington, D.C. residents can expect to pay roughly $22,410 to attend UDC's RN to BSN program whereas non-residents can expect to pay around $32,310.