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Top Washington RN to BSN Programs

With each passing year, more hospitals and healthcare employers are requiring new nurse hires to have a BSN degree at minimum. Diploma and ADN-educated RNs across the country who have picked up on this trend and who are looking to stay competitive in the field are going back to school to enroll in RN to BSN programs. Higher learning institutions have also started to adapt to the new health care paradigm by making RN to BSN programs more accessible than ever. Today, working nurses and nurses with families can complete RN to BSN programs online, at their own pace, without having to take on massive student loan debt. With so many RN to BSN programs available, finding one that's suited to your needs can be a painstaking task. To help things along, we've compiled a list of the top RN to BSN programs in Washington state.

How to Choose a Top RN to BSN Program in Washington

To choose the right RN to BSN program, a few key factors should be considered. While researching programs, be sure to pay attention to the following:

  • Program acceptance and graduation rates
  • Employment rate following successful completion of the program
  • Flexibility of the program
  • Duration of the program
  • Class sizes
  • Ease of entrance (how often do new cohorts begin)
  • Internship opportunities
  • Instructor experience
  • Cost of attendance
  • Financial aid opportunities
  • Program accreditation
  • How long the program has been operating continually for

Testing and Certification

RNs with associate's degrees are required to pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam before they can become a fully licensed registered nurse. Because RN to BSN students have already passed this exam, they've aren't required to pass it again after finishing their bridge program.

List of Top RN to BSN Programs in Washington

1. Western Governors University Washington

Founded in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors, Western Governors University Washington is a private, non-profit, online university. WGU-W's RN to BSN program offers students an online competency-based learning model as opposed to the traditional, cohort-based class model that's present at the vast majority of universities. In WGU-W's RN to BSN program, students progress through courses by proving they've mastered the defined competencies. During the program, students will encounter courses like Professional Leadership and Communication for Healthcare, Clinical Microbiology, and Applied Healthcare Statistic, among others. While students finish the program at differing rates, 66 percent complete the program in 18 months.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • UW Medicine Valley Medical Center
  • Auburn Regional Medical Center
  • Francis Hospital

Tuition:

Students who enrolled in WGU-W's RN to BSN program are charged at a rate of $3,225 per six-month term. Given that most students tend to complete the program in 18 months, students can expect to pay around $9,675 in total.

2. Olympic College

Established in 1946, Olympic College is a public community college located in Bremerton, Washington. OC's RN to BSN program has been designed to meet the needs of working nurses and nurses with families. During the 45-credit program, classes meet once per week until the last two quarters when classes me twice per week. Since OC's program plans are individualized for each student's unique needs, students can follow either a 1.5 or 2.5 year completion plan. Once enrolled, students will tackle courses like Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems, Professional Writing for Nursing, and Interactive Process of Nursing Communication, and others. New cohorts begin every fall.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Harrison Silverdale
  • Naval Hospital Bremerton
  • Harrison Medical Center

Tuition:

Washington state residents who enroll in OC's RN to BSN program can expect to pay roughly $9,241 in tuition plus additional fees, while out-of-state residents can expect to pay about $9,858 plus fees.

3. Saint Martin's University

Founded in 1895 by monks of the Benedictine Order, Saint Martin's University is a private, Benedictine Catholic, liberal arts university in Lacey. SMU's 30 semester credit RN to BSN program is delivered in a hybrid, online/in-person format. Students attend class just one night per week, so success is entirely possible with a family and/or while working full-time. Students can complete the program in as little as one year. During the program, students will be encounter courses like Promoting Population Health in the Community, Ethical Issues in Health Care, and Translating Research into Evidence-Based Practice. The program boasts scholarship opportunities, small class sizes, the option to attend full or part-time, and flexible start dates.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Providence St. Peter Hospital
  • Mary Bridge Children's Health Center
  • Mother Joseph Care Center

Tuition:

Students who complete SMU's RN to BSN program in a single year can expect to pay around $38,150 in tuition plus additional fees.

4. Washington State University

Founded in 1890, Washington State University is a public research university in Pullman. WSU offers a flexible, 30-credit RN to BSN program that's delivered to students primarily online, with just one on-campus meeting per semester. The program, which can be completed in four semesters, is offered at all five of WSU College of Nursing sites in the state (i.e. Spokane, the Tri-Cities, Yakima, Vancouver, and Walla Walla). During the program, students will encounter courses like Nursing Research, Population Health Theory, Management, and Evidence-Based Practice & Informatics, just to name a few. New students are admitted at the beginning of every fall, spring and summer semester.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Sacred Heart Children's Hospital - Spokane
  • Rockwood Northpointe Specialty Center
  • Deaconess Medical Center

Tuition:

Students who attend WSU's RN to BSN program can expect to pay around $15,150 in tuition plus additional fees.

5. Wenatchee Valley College

Originally opened in 1939 as a private college, Wenatchee Valley College - adopted into the state public education in 1941 - is a public community college located in Wenatchee. WVC's 30-credit RN to BSN is delivered to students in a format that's 80 percent online and 20 percent face-to-face. Apart from the online coursework, students must attend classes at the Wenatchee campus just three times each quarter. Students who enroll full-time can finish in one calendar year while part-time students can complete the program in two years. While enrolled, students can expect to tackle courses like Health Equity and Cultural Competency in Nursing, Economics in Healthcare, and a Community Health Practicum.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Wenatchee Valley Hospital
  • Central Washington Hospital
  • Douglas County Hospital

Tuition:

Washington state residents who enroll in WSU's RN to BSN program can expect to pay $6,453 in tuition plus fees while out-of-state residents can expect to pay $6,870.