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Top Ohio RN to BSN Programs

The healthcare system in the United States is currently ongoing some significant changes. While before most nurses began their careers by earning an associate's degree, today close to half of all healthcare employers want their RN hires to have earned at least a BSN degree, with nearly 9 in 10 employers having a strong preference toward BSN graduates, per American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Thus, scores of RNs who see which way the wind is blowing are going back to school to earn their BSN degrees. It's well known that nurses with BSN degrees have higher earning potentials and better career prospects, among other perks. Having the current trend in mind, colleges and universities have made it cheaper and easier for working nurses to go back to school to earn their bachelor's degree. With loads of institutions offering cheap, flexible, and straightforward RN to BSN programs, however, finding the very best one to fit your needs can be a bit of a daunting task. That's why we've put together a list of the top RN to BSN programs in the state of Ohio.

How to Choose a Top RN to BSN Program in Ohio

The following are attributes to look into as you research RN to BSN programs in Ohio:

  • Acceptance rates
  • Retention/graduation rates
  • Student satisfaction
  • Tuition and fees
  • Faculty experience/reputation
  • Employment data upon graduation
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Internship opportunities and healthcare organization partnerships
  • School and program accreditation
  • Age of the program/institution
  • Scholarship and financial aid availability

Testing and Certification

Nurses enrolled in RN to BSN programs must have already passed the NCLEX-RN exam to earn an RN license, so no further licensing exams are needed at the culmination of the bridge program.

List of Top RN to BSN Programs in Ohio

1. Ohio University

Serving students for over 210 years, Ohio University is a public research university in the city of Athens - the first university of Ohio - and the very first university to be chartered by an Act of Congress. Ohio University offers a fully online, 31 credit hour RN to BSN degree program that gives nurses the flexibility to pursue their BSN degree without interrupting or their career. The courses are delivered in five-week blocks and include courses like Gerontologic Nursing Care, Diversity, and Leadership in Nursing, among many others. New cohorts begin eight times a year.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital
  • OhioHealth Campus Care at Ohio University

Tuition:

To attend Ohio University's RN to BSN program, Ohio residents can expect to pay approximately $7,440 plus additional fees, while out-of-state residents must pay around $7,533 plus additional fees.

2. Mount Carmel College of Nursing

Originally founded in 1886 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Mount Carmel College of Nursing is located on the hospital grounds of Mount Carmel West - a primary care hospital located in downtown Columbus. MCCN offers an online/in-class hybrid RN to BSN program that students can take full or part-time. If taken in a full-time format, students can expect to complete the program in as little as four semesters. During the program, they can expect to tackle courses like Transcultural Nursing, Conceptual Foundations of Nursing, and Statistics, just to name a few. The program boasts a low student-to-faculty. Three start dates are available each year.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital
  • Grant Hospital Columbus Ohio
  • Ohio State East Hospitals

Tuition:

Students looking to attend MCCN's RN to BSN program can expect to pay approximately $13,665.

3. University of Toledo

Founded in 1872, the University of Toledo is a public research university that's located in the city of Toledo. UoT offers a 32 semester credit hour RN to BSN program that's taught by faculty who are distinguished in their field, which emphasizes theory, research, and real-world applications. UoT's online RN to BSN program, which is Ohio's first competency-based education option, is also unique in that it offers students an eLibrary, eTutoring, and an IT help desk to facilitate the very best academic experience. Some courses students can expect to take while enrolled include Applied Health Assessment Across the Lifespan and Informatics in Nursing, just to name a few.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • ProMedica Toledo Hospital
  • Mercy Health - St. Ann Hospital
  • Rehabilitation Hospital of Northwest Ohio

Tuition:

To attend the University of Toledo's RN to BSN program, Ohio residents can expect to pay approximately $10,514 plus additional fees. Out-of-state residents can expect to pay $32,344 plus additional fees.

4. Cleveland State University

Established in 1964, Cleveland State University is a public research university that is situated in downtown Cleveland. CSU's 27 credit hour, online RN to BSN program can be completed by students who are enrolled full-time in just three consecutive semesters or one calendar year. Students who enroll in CSU's RN to BSN program have two options: they can take the program completely online or in a hybrid online/in-class format where classes are held at the Cleveland Clinic or at Metro Health Medical Center. During the program, students will tackle courses like Leadership/Management, Nursing Research, and Gerontological Nursing, just to name a few. Over 95 percent of CSU's nursing students graduate on schedule, with new class cohorts beginning every fall and spring semester.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Cleveland Clinic - Lutheran Hospital
  • Cleveland Clinic - Main Hospital
  • Cleveland Clinic - Fairview Hospital

Tuition:

To attend CSU's RN to BSN program, Ohio residents can expect to pay approximately $6,480 plus additional fees whereas out-of-state residents can expect to pay $6,561 plus additional fees.