School of Nursing

Online RN to B.S. Classes and Requirements

A nursing student sits with her back against a window doing homework. A bridge and river can be viewed behind her.

A B.S. in nursing from OHSU prepares you for a rewarding nursing career. The curriculum helps you become a skilled nurse. 

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RN to B.S. program curriculum

To earn your Bachelor of Science with a major in nursing, you'll take upper-division nursing classes online from OHSU. These courses expand upon your knowledge as an RN and help you build health care leadership skills for the future.  

  • Location: 100% online. Complete classes and clinical activities asynchronously to fit your schedule. 
  • Length: Nine months (full-time) or up to five years (part-time) 
  • GPA: Minimum OHSU GPA of 2.0 

Sample RN to B.S. classes and programs of study

Get a glimpse of program classes and timelines for full- and part-time RN to B.S. pathways.  

RN to B.S. student learning outcomes

Completing your RN to B.S. at OHSU prepares you for the next step of your career. The curriculum helps you build your skills as a competent nurse and learn to: 

  • Base personal and professional actions on a set of shared core nursing values. 
  • Use reflection, self-analysis and self-care to develop insight. 
  • Engage in intentional learning. 
  • Demonstrate leadership in nursing and health care. 
  • Collaborate as part of a health care team. 
  • Practice within, utilize, and contribute to all health care systems. 
  • Practice relationship-centered care. 
  • Communicate effectively. 
  • Make sound clinical judgments. 
  • Locate, evaluate and use the best available evidence. 

RN to B.S. degree requirements

You need 180 credits to complete the RN to B.S. program. That includes prerequisites you’ll complete before you start and credits taken at an accredited college or university and OHSU.

Credits required to graduate

Upon completing the OHSU School of Nursing RN to B.S. program, you will meet these graduation requirements.

Program course requirements Quarter credits GPA requirements
General education and elective classes* 54 Minimum 3.0
RN to B.S. core nursing classes 33 Minimum 2.0

*These courses may be met by a bachelor’s degree or classes from an accredited college or university other than OHSU:

  • Humanities classes: 9 credits  
  • Social science classes: 6 credits  
  • Statistics: 3 credits
  • Upper-division electives: 15 credits  
  • Lower-division electives: 21 credits 

Ask an admissions counselor.

Credits/prerequisites required before you start

You must complete the following prerequisite courses with a C- or better before you start your program. 

Prerequisite courses Quarter credits
Nursing classes transferred to OHSU 60
Anatomy and physiology, microbiology, human development, nutrition, English and genetics classes 33

  Prerequisite coursework requirement details:  

Anatomy and physiology

You need 12 quarter credits of human anatomy and physiology with lab. This must cover all body systems. You should:  

  • Complete the full sequence 
  • Finish at least one course by the end of the fall term the year before you start the program 
  • Complete all courses before starting the program 
  • Take each course no more than twice in the last 7 years 

If you've taken a course more than twice in 7 years, we'll use your second attempt's grade. 

Microbiology with lab

Microbiology with lab

You need 4 quarter credits of basic microbiology with lab. 

Nutrition

You need 3 quarter credits in nutrition. The course should cover:  

  • Biological functions 
  • Dietary sources of essential nutrients 
  • How diet affects health 

Human development

You need 3 quarter credits in a human development course that covers the social and psychological development of humans across the entire lifespan, from birth to death. Courses that only cover part of the lifespan won’t count. 

Written English/English Composition (WR 121 & 122 or equivalent)

You need 8 quarter credits in English composition. Courses should:  

  • Develop and support ideas in written English 
  • Prepare you for scientific or technical writing 

Note:  

  • Remedial English courses don't count 
  • Writing-intensive college courses can meet this requirement (i.e. WR 121, 122, or 123) 
  • A non-nursing bachelor's degree from an English-speaking country satisfies this, but you may need extra elective credits to graduate 

Introduction to genetics

You need 3-4 quarter credits in a human biology course that includes a human genetics component. The course catalog must specifically mention human genetics. Microbiology or Anatomy and Physiology courses won’t count. 

If you plan on pursuing the full-time track, we recommend completing Statistics before applying. 

Course equivalency guides  

Contact an admissions counselor for an unofficial transcript evaluation. 

Application requirements 

To apply, you must have:  

  • Associate degree (ADN or ASN) from an accredited community college 
  • Current RN license or plans to have an RN license within one term of starting your RN to B.S. program   
  • GPA of 3.0*  

*If you have a GPA between 2.5 and 2.99, you may still apply. Please contact Admissions prior to applying. 

Compliance items required before you start

Before you start, you must:

  • Complete a background check and drug screen (in your home area)
  • Sign five short online compliance forms
  • Complete online modules (about 3 hours)
  • Have a current BLS card
  • Have an Oregon RN license or pass the NCLEX and receive your license by the end of your first term

You do not need to submit immunization records for this program.

Learn more details about compliance requirements.

Application deadlines 

Program start  Application Status  Application Deadline 
Winter 2025  Open  Dec. 1, 2024 
Spring 2025  Open  Jan. 31, 2025 
Summer 2025  Open  May 14, 2025
Fall 2025  Open  Aug. 11, 2025 

How to apply 

Follow these steps to apply:   

  • Check application deadlines. 
  • Go to Nursing CAS and apply. Choose the online RN to B.S. or dual admission RN to B.S. to Master’s in Nursing Education.  
  • Send transcripts to Nursing CAS. Contact Nursing CAS to ensure your transcripts arrive. 

Get application details for international students, veterans and current OHSU employees

OHSU RN to B.S. program classes

During the RN to B.S. program, you’ll take upper-division nursing classes (300-400 level) at OHSU, totaling 33 credits. You must complete all OHSU courses with a minimum GPA of 2.0.

NRS 427 Practice Integration

3 credits. This course is the first course of the OCNE baccalaureate completion program for RNs. The course transitions students into baccalaureate nursing education. Students will examine aspects of their nursing practice and set professional goals. They will also gain experience using available evidence to inform their practice.  

The course is structured around the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education fundamentals: evidence-based practice, leadership, relationship-centered care and clinical judgment. Forum discussions, reflective portfolios, case studies and other course assignments address each of these fundamentals.  

NRS 410A Population Health Practice

3 credits. This course along with NRS 410B prepares nurses in community and population health. Students are given an opportunity to apply population health principles to address health disparities. Community and population health are examined as a synthesis of knowledge from nursing, public health, the social sciences and epidemiology.  

Students analyze prevalent population health issues, explore population interventions and participate with the community to promote quality, culturally proficient, and preventive health care. Frameworks of community and public health are examined, and community assessments are conducted using a systems approach that promotes health literacy and embraces cultural diversity.  

NRS 410B Population Health Practice

6 credits. This course along with NRS 410A prepares nurses in community and population health. Students are given an opportunity to apply population health principles to address health disparities. Community and population health are examined as a synthesis of knowledge from nursing, public health, the social sciences and epidemiology.  

Students analyze prevalent population health issues, explore population interventions and participate with the community to promote quality, culturally proficient, and preventive health care. Frameworks of community and public health are examined, and community assessments are conducted using a systems approach that promotes health literacy and embraces cultural diversity. Prerequisites: 410A prior or concurrent.  

NRS 411 Epidemiology

3 credits. Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of death, disease and disability in human populations. In this course, students will learn the basic principles and methods of epidemiologic investigation; examine studies of the distribution and dynamic behavior of health determinants; understand etiologic factors, modes of transmission and pathogenesis; and explore concepts in social epidemiology. Applying epidemiologic case studies, students will engage systems and complex thinking to evaluate programs and policies in population health and nursing.

412RA: Professional Nursing in Health Policy and Health Care Delivery Systems

3 credits. The course examines the role of the nurse as a leader in nursing and in health care. Focus is on the role of the professional nurse in the broader health care delivery system. Legal, ethical, regulatory, and political factors influencing patient/population health provide context to the learning.

412RB: Nursing Leadership: Health Care Culture and Collaborative Practice

3 credits. This course examines the professional nurse's role within health care teams and the broader health care system. Emphasis placed on the influence of the nurse on health care culture, interprofessional team dynamics, and overall quality and safety of complex systems. Examination of concepts such as complex adaptive systems, Just Culture, interprofessional collaboration and accountability will occur.  

412RC: Nursing Leadership and Management in Health Care

3 credits. In this course the learner considers their role as a leader in nursing and in complex health care systems. Students will examine nursing leadership competencies, behaviors, and skills including their own leadership and followership styles. Self-reflection on leadership behaviors and strategies for professional development will be explored.  

412RD: Nursing Leadership Practice in Quality Improvement

3 credits. In this course, the learner will analyze their role in nursing and health care. Focus is on the knowledge and skills required to improve health care delivery and client outcomes from quality and safely perspectives. The learner will lead, collaborate and implement a quality improvement project (QIP) in a health care organizational system. The clinical prepares the learner for their role as a baccalaureate prepared registered nurse in any health care setting.  

NRS 426A Integrative Practicum

6 credits. This course provides the student with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of and competence in the nursing care of the selected population. Emphasis is on the health care needs of selected populations, and the associated systems and policy issues surrounding them. Includes self-directed study and clinical learning experiences.  

RN to B.S. program faculty

Our faculty and entire team are here to help you succeed in this high-quality online program.

RN to B.S. program leaders

RN to B.S. nursing instructors

Guaranteed scholarship

$2,000 for every new RN to B.S. student. 

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Hear from students

 "Every time I interacted with an instructor or other program staff member, they demonstrated that they are here to support my success in the program." 
— Delia Lagos, RN 

Quality Matters Certified

QM-certified online learning

OHSU RN to B.S. courses meet Quality Matters’ rigorous standards for quality, design and accessibility in online education.

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Accreditation

OHSU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) an institutional accrediting body approved by the U.S. Department of Education.