UTMB RN to BSN Program

UTMB offers a fast, two-semester online RN to BSN with an MSN option.

  • School of Nursing
  • City: Galveston, TX
  • Length: 2 semesters or 8 months
  • Cost: $11,979.04
  • Website

The University of Texas Medical Branch RN to BSN program is a fast-track, two-semester program designed for working registered nurses.

It combines online coursework with community-based clinical experiences, allowing students to balance professional and personal commitments.

The program equips nurses with leadership skills, emphasizing healthcare policy, advocacy, and team management. Graduates are prepared for roles such as Clinical Nurse Leader, Nurse Manager, and Public Health Nurse.

Dual RN to BSN-MSN Option

For RNs with at least one year of experience, UTMB offers a dual application option to pursue a BSN and MSN simultaneously. Leadership tracks include Clinical Nurse Leader, Executive Nurse Leader, and Nurse Educator.

Graduates of the program are well-prepared to advance their nursing careers, taking on leadership roles or pursuing additional credentials, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

RN-to-BSN Admission Summary

RN license & credits

  • Active, unencumbered RN license.
  • At least 40 of 60 prerequisite credits completed.
  • Minimum GPA 2.5.

Application materials

  • Resume/CV.
  • Official transcripts.
  • Personal statement.

Admissions timeline

  • Rolling admissions with priority fall deadlines.
  • Early applicants get guaranteed review and decisions by April 15.

Prerequisites

  • Courses in life/physical sciences, social sciences, English, and mathematics.
  • Prereqs must be from an accredited college and finished before enrollment.

Program note

  • Accredited, flexible format focused on professional growth and leadership.

Curriculum

The curriculum comprises two semesters of focused courses totaling 30 credit hours.

Key topics include:

NURS 3211 – Foundations for Evidence-Based Practice
This course introduces RN-BSN students to effective methods for electronic database searching, internet exploration, and evidence-based literature review. Students develop skills in outlining and writing to support evidence-based nursing practice.

NURS 3308 – Contemporary Professional Nursing
This course facilitates the transition of Registered Nurses into baccalaureate-level nursing by expanding knowledge of holistic nursing practices, nursing theories, and contemporary health care policy. Emphasis is placed on ethical and legal accountability, cultural diversity, and promoting health and healing.

NURS 4238 – Evidence-Based Practice & Research
This course focuses on the skills needed to access, understand, and utilize nursing research in clinical practice. Students develop critical thinking skills to apply evidence-based solutions to professional nursing challenges.

NURS 3363 – Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare
Students build a knowledge base on laws, regulations, and ethical principles guiding nursing practice. Through case studies, they learn to analyze clinical situations and apply ethical decision-making to promote legal and ethical interventions in health care.

NURS 3214 – Career Pathway I: Assessment & Development
This course introduces the RN-BSN student to a career pathway project. Students define the scope of their clinical pathway project, complete a literature review, and focus on professional growth to enhance patient care outcomes.

NURS 4352 – Meeting Challenges in Healthcare
Students explore health care systems, risks, and quality issues to become proactive participants in decision-making. The course prepares nurses to address system challenges affecting nursing practice, patient care, and health care quality.

NURS 3341 – Clinical Reasoning in Health Assessment
This course focuses on history-taking, physical assessment, and decision-making skills for common disease processes. Students develop critical thinking and nursing actions through analysis of clinical scenarios and presenting data.

NURS 4517 – The Community & Population-Based Care
This course examines professional nursing practice in community health settings. Students collaborate to assess at-risk populations, develop health promotion programs, and focus on disease prevention and health improvement strategies.

NURS 4510 – Leading and Managing in Nursing
Students build foundational skills for nursing leadership and management within health care organizations. The course emphasizes critical thinking, communication, ethical principles, and the integration of leadership and management roles.

NURS 4202 – Career Pathway II: Expanding Horizons
In this course, students implement and evaluate their clinical pathway projects within their health care settings. The focus is on professional development and applying project outcomes to improve nursing practices.

More curriculum information here:

Students also complete personalized clinical activities in their communities.

Tuition

The estimated tuition for the 30-credit RN to BSN program is $11,979.04.

Cost Breakdown

Breakdown for 15 Credit Hours:

  • Total Tuition for 15 Credit Hours: $5,989.52

Tuition for 30 Credit Hours:

  • 30 Credit Hours = 15 Credit Hours x 2
  • Total Cost for 30 Credit Hours:
    $5,989.52 × 2 = $11,979.04

More tuition information here:

https://www.utmb.edu/enrollmentservices/resources/studentaccounts/son-undergraduate-fee-sheet-details

Accreditations

The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Texas Board of Nursing. UTMB itself is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Other Programs Offered

UTMB also offers MSN, DNP, and PhD programs, providing additional pathways for nursing career advancement. Elective opportunities include cooperative nursing experiences and specialized nursing courses.

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