By: The Capella University Editorial Team with Buddy Wiltcher, EdD, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, Interim Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Reading Time: 9 minutes
If you’re a licensed registered nurse (RN) with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), you may be wondering if a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree means retaking courses you already covered years ago. Good news: it doesn’t.
Online RN-to-BSN programs with no prerequisites admit you based on your active RN license and ADN qualification, so you can move straight into BSN-level coursework without unnecessary detours.
Discover what these programs actually require, what to look for when comparing them and why a BSN may matter more than you think.
Ready to move forward in your nursing career? Explore Capella’s online RN-to-BSN program.
“No prerequisites” means there’s no requirement for additional coursework before you enroll. Admission is based on your existing nursing credentials.
Admission requirements are the criteria you need to meet before enrolling. That means if you’re a licensed RN with an ADN, you can directly apply to an RN-to-BSN program with no prerequisites. You don’t need to retake science or general education courses.
Graduation requirements are the coursework you complete during the BSN program to earn your degree. These might include specific nursing courses or general education credits. You might also need to complete practicum hours during the program.
ADN programs typically cover both nursing and general education coursework, including English, math, social sciences and humanities alongside the clinical nursing courses. These are the same general education subjects that RN-to-BSN programs require for graduation, which means the credits are usually transferable.
At Capella University, online RN-to-BSN program students can transfer up to 135 quarter credits in the GuidedPath learning format, covering most or all of those requirements.
To enroll in an online RN-to-BSN program with no prerequisites, you typically need to meet the standard admission requirements.
Knowing what you need to enroll is the first step. The next is finding the program that works for you.
When comparing online RN-to-BSN programs, you need to ensure you’re choosing a quality degree. You’ll also want to consider the university and degree program’s transfer credits policy, so you know how many courses you’ll need to take to complete the degree. Additionally, different learning formats could influence your ability to fit the work around your current responsibilities.
A BSN from an unaccredited program may not be recognized or accepted by graduate nursing programs, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
Also, if your hospital offers education benefits, they may apply only to accredited programs, so it is worth confirming before you enroll.
Capella University’s RN-to-BSN program is CCNE-accredited. Capella is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The maximum credits a program accepts directly affects how long you spend completing the degree and how much you pay.
Programs that accept more credits allow you to graduate faster if you’re able to complete the coursework. Before enrolling, request a transcript evaluation, know exactly how many credits carry over and how much coursework remains before graduation.
For a nurse managing rotating shifts, the program format could matter as much as the curriculum. Asynchronous programs let you complete coursework on your own schedule without mandatory login times or live sessions. Some universities, like Capella, offer a flexible learning format in select programs, called FlexPath, that lets you move faster when your schedule allows and slow down when it doesn’t.
Compare the formats to find the right fit for how you work and study.
Capella University’s RN-to-BSN is an online completion program for licensed registered nurses. That means if you already hold an ADN, you can pursue the coursework to earn a full bachelor’s degree. There are no prerequisite courses required before enrollment and no application fee.
The curriculum aligns with the 2021 AACN Essentials for professional nursing education, with coursework in evidence-based practice. You study patient safety, population health, nursing informatics and patient-centered care coordination. The program includes a capstone with 40 practicum hours, where you apply what you learn to real-world workplace scenarios.
The online program is available in two learning formats.
FlexPath is self-paced, with no set deadlines. You take one or two courses at a time within a 12-week billing session and pay a flat tuition fee per session, so completing courses faster directly reduces your total cost. You also get feedback from scholar-practitioner faculty, access to resources and career support services.
“I completed my BSN online in 2020 through Capella University, an education partner of [my employer]. I chose the FlexPath option since it worked well with my work schedule and allowed me the flexibility to complete classes at my own pace. The topics covered were all applicable to real-life scenarios that I encounter in my current position as a nurse manager. Whenever I talk to staff who are interested in pursuing their BSN, I always recommend Capella’s FlexPath learning format.” – Marissa Miller, BSN, FlexPath
GuidedPath follows a set schedule with weekly assignments. While you can access the course room 24/7 and study at your convenience, the deadlines are established to help you stay on track. You pay per credit across 10-week courses, planning your degree around your budget and timeline.
“I was in the GuidedPath learning format of my program. It was a great experience because I enjoyed the course interaction with my professor and classmates. It was also great having set deadlines to keep me on track with completing my assignments and discussion posts. GuidedPath provided the structure and interaction that I needed to be successful in my courses.” – Latasha Lee, EdD
In the GuidedPath learning format, you can transfer up to 135 quarter credits, which typically covers most or all general education requirements. In FlexPath, you can transfer up to 68 out of 90 total program points.
To enroll in Capella’s online RN-to-BSN program, you need:
No SAT or ACT scores are required for admission.
If you opt for the FlexPath learning format, you need:
For transitioning to FlexPath with a GPA below the admission requirement, you must complete at least two GuidedPath courses, or 8 credits, whichever is greater.
For more program-specific fees or tuition details, you can check the University Catalog.
Note: Capella’s RN-to-BSN program is currently unavailable in Washington state, Washington, D.C., American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
A BSN could broaden both where you work and the roles you take on. It prepares you for management and leadership responsibilities and equips you with the skills to meet the standards that top healthcare facilities require.
A BSN curriculum teaches you to evaluate research and apply it directly to patient care decisions. You learn to lead and coordinate across an interdisciplinary team. You also study how to identify and address gaps in care quality at a unit or systems level.
The BSN curriculum typically integrates a capstone experience with practicum hours, providing you with an opportunity to apply your learning to solve real-world problems.
For example, an oncology registered nurse regularly navigates treatment decisions that involve ethical considerations and patient advocacy. A BSN prepares you to approach these situations with a clear understanding of professional nursing standards, so you can better make and communicate your clinical judgment.
The degree may help you qualify for positions across a wider range of settings, including general medical and surgical hospitals, home healthcare services, ambulatory care and nursing care facilities. Each draws on skills the BSN curriculum builds. Two examples:
The program may also open a wider range of roles.
Capella does not guarantee a job, a salary increase or a specific career outcome. The settings and roles listed are examples, not a complete list.
“I loved that I was able to complete the program at my own pace, and I still had support from staff members when I needed it. The flexibility was important to me, as I was working full-time 12-hour shifts while going to school. I love being a nurse and completing my BSN showed me I want to keep learning.” – Danielle Shumway, BSN, FlexPath
The Magnet status is awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to hospitals that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence and patient outcomes. The ANCC requires 100% of nurse managers and leaders at Magnet hospitals to hold a BSN or higher degree.
Beyond leadership roles, many Magnet hospitals also have established internal policies that require a BSN degree for managerial positions.
If your goal is to pursue a role in a Magnet hospital but you’re not licensed yet, Capella’s BSN (Prelicensure) program can help you prepare for licensure exams. You learn nursing theories, develop skills like professional communication and experience what it’s like to work in a care setting.
Note that this is a full bachelor’s degree program with general education requirements, available in select states. It is a separate path from the RN-to-BSN program.
Earning your BSN as a working nurse is more achievable than you think. And the opportunities that open up after could be broader than what an ADN alone can get you.
For many RNs, the hesitation to take the first step is about whether the timing and the format will work around their full-time nursing schedule.
If a BSN has been on your radar, Capella University’s online RN-to-BSN program is specifically designed for working RNs, with learning formats that fit around your shifts so you can pursue your BSN degree without putting your career on hold.
We've received your message and will get back to you soon.