The program can be completed in as little as one year (three semesters) for full-time students, while part-time students have up to seven years to finish. The curriculum includes two practicum courses requiring 60 clinical hours, which can be arranged locally to suit students’ schedules.
The online format allows students to work at their own pace and complete the program anywhere, even outside of Peoria. Courses are designed with flexibility in mind, integrating asynchronous learning with practical clinical experiences in students’ local communities.
Admission Requirements
- Active RN license
- Diploma or associate degree in nursing from an accredited institution
- Minimum GPA: 2.0 on prior college coursework
- Transfer credit: up to 90 credits toward the 120-credit BSN (including prior nursing credits)
Curriculum
The RN-BSN curriculum builds on existing nursing knowledge and includes courses in:
This course combines theory and clinical practice to explore primary care nursing in community settings. Students focus on health promotion, disease prevention, and addressing diverse population needs. Working alongside healthcare professionals, students prepare educational materials and evaluate the nurse’s role in community health. Upon completing this course and an epidemiology requirement, students earn a Primary Care Registered Nurse Certification.
This online course spans 16 weeks and builds on prior nursing education to prepare nurses for global healthcare roles. Using frameworks such as the AACN’s “Essentials of Baccalaureate Education” and QSEN competencies, the course covers professional communication, evidence-based practice, teamwork, patient-centered care, and healthcare technology management. Experienced nurses can fulfill course requirements through an E-portfolio aligned with designated outcomes.
This course prepares nurses to lead the application of evidence-based practice (EBP) by exploring applied statistics, research methods, and EBP processes. Students identify clinical problems, conduct literature appraisals, and create scholarly projects to inform practice. Emphasis is placed on critically analyzing evidence and translating findings into actionable clinical applications.
This non-clinical course focuses on the nurse’s role in complex healthcare systems. Students explore leadership, interprofessional collaboration, and healthcare policies at local and global levels. Emphasis is placed on assessing healthcare quality and understanding programs, regulations, and policies that influence professional growth and patient care outcomes.
This course enhances understanding of the nurse’s role in integrating health information systems, improving quality and safety, and achieving outcomes. Students explore systems theory, healthcare trends, and issues affecting nursing practice. The curriculum incorporates Institute of Medicine competencies in informatics, safety, and quality improvement.
This course introduces population-focused nursing and public health concepts. Students apply theories from nursing and social sciences to design competent care for at-risk populations, emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention. The course includes 60 clinical hours in a community health setting, providing hands-on experience aligned with theoretical knowledge.
This course examines nursing leadership and management roles in interdisciplinary collaboration. Topics include change and conflict theories, workplace violence, and strategies for fostering supportive environments. Students also explore nursing’s expanding role in community-based care as patient care shifts away from acute care settings.
More curriculum info here: https://www.methodistcol.edu/filesimages/Catalog-Handbook/Methodist%20College%20Catalog%202024-2025%20-%20Final.pdf#page=138
Tuition
The estimated total cost of the program is $18,048.
- Tuition: $16,248 (12 credit hours per semester for the academic year)
- Fees: $1,800
- Tuition + Fees = $16,248 + $1,800 = $18,048
Get more tuition details here: https://www.methodistcol.edu/cost-of-attendance.aspx
Students may qualify for financial aid, and Methodist College collaborates with employers, such as Carle Health, to offer tuition reimbursement. Carle Health employees also receive a 25% discount on tuition.
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the RN to BSN program gain competencies in:
- Evidence-based practice and policy leadership.
- Delivering holistic, patient-centered care.
- Leadership and management within healthcare systems. The program emphasizes advancing nurses’ careers by preparing them for leadership roles and enhancing their ability to meet employer demands for BSN-prepared nurses.
Accreditation
The RN to BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensuring adherence to national standards of quality in nursing education.
Additional Nursing Programs
In addition to the RN to BSN program, Methodist College offers other nursing pathways, such as:
- BSN (Prelicensure, Accelerated, Second Degree, and LPN-BSN)
- MSN (Generalist and Nurse Educator tracks) These options provide opportunities for further academic and career advancement.
Conclusion
Methodist College’s RN to BSN program is ideal for working nurses seeking a flexible and accredited pathway to advance their education and career. With its competitive cost, emphasis on evidence-based practice, and robust curriculum, the program aligns with the needs of modern healthcare professionals.
More RN to BSN Programs in the Central Illinois Area
- Eastern Illinois University - Charleston, IL
- Illinois State - Normal, IL
- Lakeview College - Danville, IL
- St Johns College - Springfield, IL