Nursing: RN to BSN
As a dedicated registered nurse, you deserve a program that not only builds on your expertise — but propels you forward. UNCP’s fully online RN-to-BSN completion pathway is designed for seamless flexibility — offering accelerated 12‑month and customizable part-time tracks that fit your life and schedule. With flexible online courses and expert professors, you'll deepen your expertise and open new career opportunities.
Degrees
Play VideoElevate Your Nursing Journey
Our program equips you to lead with excellence in today’s healthcare environment. Through engaging eight-week online modules taught by experienced nursing faculty, you’ll advance your clinical judgment, critical thinking, and leadership—so you can:
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Collaborate confidently within interdisciplinary care teams
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Translate evidence-based research into improved patient outcomes
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Lead innovative solutions to challenges in modern healthcare
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Advocate for community well-being through preventive care initiatives
Backed by UNCP’s dedication to accessible, high‑quality education for diverse students, your RN-to-BSN journey will position you for greater career growth and deepen your impact across settings.
Program Highlights
Discover what makes our RN to BSN school stand out. Explore key program highlights designed to advance your nursing career and academic journey.
Immersive Simulation Training
Clinical Learning Center
Boost Community Health
Mobile Clinics
Requirements & Resources
To be admitted into the RN-BSN program, students need to:
1. Be admitted to UNCP by meeting general requirements for admission as a regular degree seeking student.
2. Present evidence of having earned an Associate Degree in Nursing or a Hospital Diploma in nursing, from an accredited program.
3. Have a current, unrestricted North Carolina nursing license or a license with multistate practice privileges by authority of the Nurse Licensure Compact.
4. 3. Successfully complete the following courses (or equivalents) with a grade of C or better prior to enrolling in the first nursing course: CHM 1300/1100 (Chemistry I and Lab), MAT 2100 (Statistics) and MAT 1050 or higher. Students missing one or more of the above courses, or at the discretion of the RN-BSN Coordinator, may receive provisional acceptance with conditions needing to be met before full acceptance can be offered.
5. A GPA of 2.5 (4.0=A) is required for admission consideration. Each student’s GPA is calculated on the required 62 hours of general education nursing core courses and the 16 hours of nursing pre-requisite coursework.
6. A GPA of 2.5 in the following mathematics and science courses is required for admission consideration: MAT 1050 or higher, BIO 2110, BIO 2120, BIO 3150, CHM 1300, CHM 1310, CHM 1100, and CHM 1110 (or equivalents).
Communication Skills – 6 Credit Hours
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ENG 1050 – English Composition I (3 credits)
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ENG 1060 – English Composition II (3 credits)
Arts & Humanities – 12 Credit Hours
Choose one course from each of the four areas:
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Fine Arts
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ART 1450, 2050, 2080, 2090
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MUS 1020, 1040, 1060, 1090, 1210, 2940, 2980
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THE 2500, HON 2050, MCM 2500
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Literature
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ENG 2010, 2020, 2030, 2050, 2060, 2080, 2090, 2100
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ENG 2180, 2190, 2200, 2230, 2240, 2410, 2470, 2480
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AIS 2200, 2410
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History
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HIS 1010, 1020, 1030, 1100, 1110, 1140, 1150
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AIS 1100, 1110
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- Philosophy
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PHI 1000, 1010, or 2040
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Social Sciences – 9 Credit Hours
Choose three courses from different disciplines. PSY 1010 is required.
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Required:
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PSY 1010 – Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
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Choose two additional courses from different disciplines:
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Economics: ECN 1000, 2020, 2030, 2410
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Geography: GGY 1010, 1020, 2000, 2060; ECN 2060
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Political Science: PLS 1000, 1010
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Sociology: SOC 1020, 1050, 2090; AIS 1050
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Honors: HON 1000, 2750
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Mathematics – 3 Credit Hours
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Choose one: MAT 1050, 1070, 1080, 1090, 2150, or 2210
Natural Sciences – 4 Credit Hours
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CHM 1300 – General Chemistry I (3 credits)
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CHM 1100 – General Chemistry Lab I (1 credit)
Physical Education – 1 Credit Hour
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Choose one: PED 1010, 1300–1390, 1410, 1450, 1460, 1770, 1790
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PED/MSC 1800, PED/THE 1810 or 1820, PED 1900, 1910, 1950
General Education Electives – 3 Credit Hours
Choose from any of the following areas:
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American Indian Studies: AIS 1010
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Fine Arts: ART 1010, 1450, 2050, 2080, 2090
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Theatre: THE 2010, 2500
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Music: MUS 1020, 1040, 1060, 1210, 2980
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Literature & Speech: ENG 2010–2480, SPE 2000, 2010
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History: HST 1010–1150
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Philosophy & Religion: PHI 1000–2110, REL 1020–2180
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Economics/Finance: DSC 1590, ECN 1000–2410, FIN 2050
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Geography: GGY 1010–2060, ECN 2060
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Political Science/Public Admin: PLS 1000, 1010; PAD 2010
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Sociology: SOC 1020, 1050, 2090
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Study Abroad: WLS 2990
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Honors: HON 2000, 2010
Other Requirements
Foreign Language
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Two courses in the same language
Library: LIB 1000
Psychology: PSY 2050
Support Courses – 19 Credit Hours
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BIO 2110 – Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
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BIO 2120 – Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
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BIO 3150 – Microbiology (4 credits)
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MAT 2100, PSY 2080, or SOC 3600 – Statistics (3 credits)
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NUR 2020 – Critical Thinking in the Nursing Discipline (1 credit)
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NUR 3250 – Pathophysiology (3 credits)
All RN-BSN students are granted 30 credits toward graduation after completion of NUR 3000 and NUR 3200. These two courses validate lower level division nursing courses taken in the ADN or diploma program of nursing. The thirty semester hours are entered on the student's official university transcript.
All nursing courses in the RN-BSN Program are completely online. Some tests and final examinations may require a proctor. Please note: Students must take NUR 3000 in their first semester of the RN-BSN Program. Students must take NUR 4550 in their last semester of the program.
Practicum: The courses NUR 4120 and NUR 4350 will have required practicum hours that must be completed.
- NUR 3000 - Transition to Professional Nursing: (8 weeks. 100% online.) Includes discussion boards/modules, mid-term, final exam and a nursing philosophy paper
- NUR 3200 - Health Assessment: (8 weeks. 100% online.) Students will purchase Shadow Health, which costs $99.00 for this course. Instructions will be in the syllabus. This course does require testing
- NUR 3100 - Transcultural Nursing: (8 weeks. 100% online.) This course uses discussion boards/modules and testing/quizzes and assignments beyond discussion boards
- NUR 3300 - Gerontological Nursing. (8 weeks. 100% online.) This course uses discussion boards/modules and testing/quizzes and assignments beyond discussion boards
- NUR 3250 - Pathophysiology: (8 weeks. 100% online.) This course uses discussion boards/modules and testing/quizzes and assignments beyond discussion boards
- NUR 4000 - Nursing Research: (8 weeks. 100% online.) This course uses discussion boards/modules and testing/quizzes and assignments beyond discussion boards
- NUR 4120 - Nursing Leadership: (8 weeks. 100% online. Didactic.) Requires 90 hours of practicum experience outside coursework. Students will work with a BSN nurse in a leadership role and will complete a Change Project. Students will have a Preceptor Manual for the Preceptor/Nurse Leader to complete. This course uses discussion boards/modules and testing/quizzes and assignments beyond the Change Project.
- NUR 4350 - Community Health Nursing: (8 weeks. 100% online. Didactic.) Requires 90 hours of practicum experience outside coursework. Students will work with someone in the community settings, such as the Health Department, to help determine and create a Community Health Assessment Paper. The student will complete a Community Service Project and attend at least two Board of Health meetings during this time. This course uses discussion boards/modules, testing/quizzes and assignments beyond the Community Health Assessment Paper.
- NUR 4550 - Professional Nursing Issues in Practice: (Capstone Experience.) The student will complete a detailed professional portfolio along with discussion boards/modules and assignments beyond the portfolio. This course is taken the semester the student is ready to graduate. It can not be taken before then.
- NUR 2020 - Critical Thinking in Nursing Discipline: (8 weeks. 100% online.) This course uses discussion boards/modules, testing/quizzes and other required assignments.
After UNCP
I had so many great professors who were influential and passionate about nursing. Seeing how they cared about their students showed me how I need to care for my patients that way. The faculty is there for their students.
Second Lt. Keely Jones Aliseo
Common Careers
- Nursing Manager, *$93,946
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Nursing Shift Supervisor, *$82,890
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Utilization Management Nurse, *$78,568
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Nurse Case Manager, *$78,063
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Nurse Coordinator, *$76,308
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Nurse Unit Manager, *$66,587
*Reflects annual median salary
A simplified Path
At UNCP, we make it simple for you to continue your nursing education. We work with other North Carolina schools to help you advance seamlessly, without extra courses, costs or hassle.
RN-BSN Bridge
The RN-BSN Bridge Program is an agreement between UNCP and local community colleges for ADN graduates to pursue their RN-BSN. Registered nurses who complete Nursing 3000 and 3200 at UNC Pembroke receive 30 credit hours for their prior nursing knowledge. Students can transfer up to 62 credits, including general education and prerequisites, from six partner community colleges. This leaves only seven nursing courses to complete the BSN. Participating community colleges include:
Bladen Community College
Brunswick Community College
Richmond Community College
Robeson Community College
Sandhills Community College
Southeastern Community College
NC Uniform Articulation Agreement
The University of North Carolina BSN Programs (including UNCP) and the NC Community College System (NCCCS) signed a state-wide RN-BSN agreement. This helps RNs seamlessly continue their education at RN, BSN schools without taking extra courses.
If you believe the RN to BSN agreement hasn't been honored by a UNC institution, you can use the RN to BSN AA Transfer Credit Appeal Procedure. The procedure is detailed in the articulation agreements. You can view the state-wide and UNCP-specific agreements and the appeal form below.
State-wide articulation agreement
UNCP articulation agreement
RN to BSN Transfer Credit Appeal Form
Resources & FAQs
While all nursing courses in the RN-BSN Program are available online, some prerequisite courses may not be offered online through UNCP. You may use various options to take online courses elsewhere and transfer the courses to UNC Pembroke.
When you find a course you need, please use the Transfer Equivalency Tool to verify if the course will transfer to UNC Pembroke.
You may use UNC Online to find equivalent coursework at another UNC institution that is being offered online. The UNC Online system provides an easy-to-use search to find the course and register. With UNC Online, tuition for the course is typically added to your UNCP bill and billed appropriately (except for courses through UNC-Chapel Hill, which are billed directly through them).
NC Community Colleges
You may take online courses at a North Carolina Community College. Use the VLC Search Tool to locate online sections of courses offered throughout the state. You are responsible for applying, registering and paying for the courses taken at a community college. If enrolled at UNCP, you must fill out and submit the Request to Take a Course as a Visitor at Another University form. You are also responsible for ensuring a final transcript from the community college is sent to UNC Pembroke.
UNCP accepts credits regardless of how long ago the course was taken. There is no expiration date for any coursework.
Please use the Transfer Equivalency Tool to see which courses transfer from other schools. Use the following checklists to see what courses are required.
Second Degree Advising Action Checklist
Using the Checklists:
- RN-BSN students should use either the RN-BSN checklist or the Second Degree Seeking Checklist to view the prerequisite courses required for the upper-division nursing program at UNC Pembroke.
- Students with an Associate Degree in Arts, Associate Degree in Science, or any bachelor's degree should use the second-degree seeking checklist.
- Students with an Associate Degree in Applied Science or without any degree should use the regular RN-BSN checklist.
How can I get a transcript review?
When you apply to UNC Pembroke, your transcripts will be reviewed by the Office of Admissions and Registrar's Office. These offices will input your confirmed transfer coursework onto your UNC Pembroke Transcript. We do not perform transcript reviews for students who have not been admitted into the university and who have not completed the orientation process.
What courses will transfer to UNC-Pembroke?
To view the course equivalencies, please see the Transfer Course Equivalency Tool. Simply select your state, college, and course subject to view courses which will transfer to UNC Pembroke. Then compare these courses to the checklists.
I already have a bachelor's degree. What courses do I need to take?
Please review the second-degree seeking checklist. After you have been accepted into the university, you should contact the McKenzie-Elliott School of Nursing to request a second-degree audit.
A course did not transfer in. Why?
If you feel like a course you have taken previously should transfer to UNC Pembroke, you will need to provide a copy of that course's syllabus to the chair or department head of the equivalent department at UNC Pembroke. The department head will make the final determination for transfer courses.
Want to Learn More?
or call us at 910.521.6262
Send us a message and one of our counselors will get back to you
Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing and Clinical Learning Center Coordinator
Faculty
Martha Hepler
910.521.4139
Similar Programs
UNC Pembroke's nursing baccalaureate and master degree programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is currently pursuing initial accreditation by CCNE. Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.