Nursing is a challenging, yet highly rewarding career.  There is a growing need for nursing professionals who can assume leadership roles to advocate for patients and their fellow professionals. To fill this need, The University of Texas Permian Basin offers an Online RN to BSN program for RNs to elevate their education to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

The RN to BSN program is designed by, and for, nurses. It is an affordable, convenient way to earn your BSN, preparing you for higher-acuity patients and even high-level management roles in healthcare. We’re here to discuss how our online nursing program works, detail its benefits and learning outcomes, and help you determine whether pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is right for you. Let’s begin!

The Convenience of Online Courses

Time is a precious commodity, especially in healthcare. When not with patients, nurses are likely with their family or friends, only making time here and there for their own interests. Long shifts can leave nurses feeling exhausted, challenging their work-life balance. This is why we designed our online RN to BSN program to be as flexible as possible.

With the exception of two clinical courses—we’ll talk about those later—our program is 100% online and asynchronous. This means that you can log-on to Canvas, our learning management system, and engage with course materials anywhere, and anytime, you want. Watch a recorded lecture at home after a shift or take a quiz at a coffee shop over a long weekend – you determine your study schedule.

Take On Only What You Can Handle

As a rule of thumb, one credit hour corresponds to three hours of work per week. So, expect to spend about nine hours a week studying and completing assignments in a 3-credit course. How many courses you take in a given semester is up to you. Graduate in as little as one year or take your time pursuing your BSN. You’re trusted in your nursing career to deliver effective patient care and make critical decisions, and deciding the pace of your education should be no different.

Learn Under Nursing Leaders Who Came Before

Our online RN to BSN is led by a dedicated team of educators, all nurses with firsthand experience of the challenges facing today’s nursing profession. Some faculty members are even online learning alums, so they know how to balance the rigors required of a nursing program with the flexibility students need. They also respond promptly to emails, usually within 24-48 hours, and will answer any questions you may have as you work toward your BSN.

Course Spotlight: Informatics and Innovation

Let’s take a look at our online course Informatics and Innovation to give you a better idea of how our online RN to BSN program works. This 3-credit hour course explores the impact of technology on clinical decision-making and patient outcomes. Courses like Informatics and Innovation are located in our learning management system, Canvas, where you’ll submit assignments, post on discussion boards, and take quizzes. By the time you complete this course, you’ll have gained a deeper understanding of legal and ethical issues associated with technology, as well as its impact on workflow and the role of healthcare providers.

Attend an Accredited Nursing Program

UT Permian Basin’s School of Nursing is accredited by the prestigious Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). This accreditation demonstrates the quality and integrity of our nursing programs that include the traditional BSN and online RN to BSN programs.  

The Practicality of Clinical Courses

As a student, you’ll be required to complete two clinical courses conducted in-person with a local nurse preceptor of your choice. Your preceptor must have at least a BSN degree and be working in a leadership role. Clinical courses will give you the opportunity to apply what you learn in class to your career. By working with a nursing leader you respect, you’ll learn what it takes to succeed in high-level management roles while developing your own leadership style.

Like the rest of our online RN to BSN program, clinical courses require no UT Permian Basin campus visits.

Who Can Enroll in the Online RN to BSN Program?

UT Permian Basin’s online RN to BSN program is open to any Registered Nurse (RN) holding a current license from any state in the USA. 

Ready to Get Started?

We hope this discussion has shed some light on our CCNE-accredited online RN to BSN program, how it works, and what you have to gain by earning your BSN. UT Permian Basin offers critical, comprehensive instruction in a convenient online format. Through our program, you’ll learn how to better provide for patients and fellow nurses by:

  • Addressing organizational issues;
  • Promoting evidence-based practice; and
  • Fostering a healthy work environment.

Join our online nursing program and gain a prestigious degree and a highly sought-after skillset. You’ll also have the opportunity to procure a Nurse Manager Certificate from Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society for an additional fee. Together, these credentials and skills will help you advance your career, advocate for change, and provide patients with the high-quality healthcare they deserve.

Interested in learning more about our online RN to BSN? Visit our Program page, and apply now to begin the next phase of your career.