Nursing, B.S. (RN to B.S.N.)

Saint Louis University's Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing's online RN to B.S.N. program is designed to meet the needs of registered nurses who wish to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. This nursing degree can be completed completely online as part of a collaboration between SLU's School for Professional Studies and the Valentine School of Nursing.

SLU's RN to B.S.N. students are supported through individualized curriculum plans, faculty mentorship and online access to the library and writing center.  The Valentine School of Nursing is renowned for excellence in nursing education.  In 2021, Niche ranked Saint Louis University’s Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing as the No. 8 best college in the country for nursing. Additionally, U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks our MSN-NP program as a top 50 program in their Best Graduate Schools survey.

Curriculum Overview

Students can choose from either a full-time or part-time option. No testing is required to validate previous nursing education.

Students will complete a total of 120 credits in this program. Thirty of the final 36 credits must be completed at Saint Louis University.

Once credit for the pre-nursing courses have been satisfied, students transfer to the Valentine School of Nursing and can complete their B.S.N. courses in as little as two semesters.

Thirty-eight credits of nursing coursework can be awarded by passing the NCLEX exam or through prior experience. Remaining nursing coursework must be completed through the School of Nursing.

Careers

A bachelor's degree in nursing makes graduates strong candidates for promotion, particularly for administrative and managerial jobs. Graduates are also qualified to teach students at technical and community colleges who are enrolled in licensed practical nursing programs and certified nursing assistant programs. Additionally, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) strongly believes that RN's should be, at minimum, prepared with the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Graduates may also go on to pursue advanced practice roles, including nurse practitioner, clinical nurse leader and nurse anesthetist with additional graduate-level coursework.

Admission Requirements

The Saint Louis University Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing adheres to the principles of a holistic admission process in which selection criteria are broad-based and linked to our University’s and school’s mission and goals. While we do consider academic metrics we also look at applicant experiences, attributes, potential for success, and how applicants may contribute to the school’s learning environment and to the profession.

Licensure Disclosure

The curriculum for this program meets the educational requirements for licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of Missouri.  Note that the Missouri Board of Nursing may impose additional requirements on candidates prior to granting a license; we encourage you to investigate these requirements.

The Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing has not determined whether the curriculum for this program meets the educational requirements for nursing licensure in any other states or territories. We encourage you to investigate the requirements in your state or territory prior to accepting an offer of admission at the Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing.

State Requirements

Saint Louis University Valentine School of Nursing accepts applications to its RN to B.S.N. program by registered nurses who are residing in one of the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Note: Enrolled students must live in one of the listed states throughout all course work at Saint Louis University.

Prior Education

To be considered for admission, you must have completed an associate degree or hospital diploma program at a regionally accredited institution and have an unencumbered RN license. 

Application Process

Step 1 — Complete Application
Complete the School for Professional Studies application online.  Applications are accepted and processed on a rolling basis. Students are encouraged to apply for admission at least one month before the term in which they wish to enroll.

Apply Now

Step 2 – Request Official Transcripts
Have official transcripts mailed directly from all previously attended colleges to:

School for Professional Studies
Attention: Admissions
3840 Lindell Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63108

Step 3 — Meet with Admission Counselor

Contact an SPS admissions counselor at sps@slu.edu or 314-977-2330 to discuss the status of the application and educational and career goals. Students may schedule an appointment to speak with an admissions counselor at the St. Louis campus or over the phone in certain instances. Appointments are available during business hours and weekday evenings.

A writing and/or math assessment test may be necessary during or shortly after the admissions meeting.
 

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.

Discounted Tuition Options

Partnerships

Saint Louis University partners with several St. Louis area health care providers to offer its employees discounted tuition rates. Ask your employer if SLU is an educational partner for our RN to B.S.N. program.

Employment Training Grants

The RN to B.S. program is eligible for federal funding for qualified students who are displaced, unemployed, underemployed, veterans or economically disadvantaged. Funding sources include the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and Dislocated Worker Programs.  To determine eligibility, students should contact the Missouri Division of Workforce Development at jobs.mo.gov or 1-866-506-0251.

Active Military and Veterans

Students may be eligible for a reduced tuition rate of $410 per credit for this program. In addition, Saint Louis University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program for eligible students.

1. Graduates will be able to relate to people as unique individuals possessing worth, dignity, and potential for self-actualization.
2. Graduates will be able to synthesize theoretical and empirical knowledge from the humanities and natural, social, behavioral, and nursing sciences to provide safe, effective nursing care.
3. Graduates will be able to establish relationships based on an understanding of self and others, and of interpersonal and group dynamics.
4. Graduates will be able to practice in a variety of settings with clients of all ages and diverse sociocultural backgrounds.
5. Graduates will be able to utilize critical thinking and problem-solving skills, in the application of the nursing process, to achieve optimal client adaptation.
6. Graduates will be able to assist clients, at any point on the health-illness continuum, to mobilize and use adaptive resources for promotion, maintenance and restoration of health.
7. Graduates will be able to collaborate with interprofessional colleagues, community representatives and consumers to enhance health care.
8. Graduates will be able to apply evidence-based knowledge as the basis for safe, effective nursing practice.
9. Graduates will be able to apply the professional code of ethics and professional standards to clinical practice.
10. Graduates will be able to demonstrate personal and professional responsibility, accountability and self-direction.
11. Graduates will be able to demonstrate leadership principles in professional and interprofessional practice.
12. Graduates will be able to demonstrate understanding of health care policy issues, trends and strategies as they influence accessibility, accountability and affordability in health care delivery.
13. Graduates will be able to utilize appropriate information and health care technologies to enhance the delivery of client care.

A minimum of 120 credits is required; 30 of the final 36 credits must be completed through Saint Louis University or an approved study abroad program. 

To reach the required 120 credits students will receive 38 automatic credits, complete or transfer 55 credits of core requirements and complete 27 credits of nursing coursework. 

Nursing Core (55 credits)

Continuation Standards

The Valentine School of Nursing requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Full-Time Plan Option (One Year)

Part-Time #1 Option (One-and-a-Half Years)

Part-Time #2 Option (Two Years)

Program Notes

1. You must inform SPS or SON if you have a change in job status and this impacts cohort coding.
2. You must inform SPS or SON if you change states as this might impact receiving your degree.
3. Health assessment & nutrition taken in your RN degree program may be accepted for transfer.
4. No transfer course will be accepted if the student received a letter grade below “C” or a grade of "P" (passing).
5. Transfer courses do NOT count towards last 30 credits at SLU.
6. No SPS or nursing course will be accepted towards degree completion if the grade received is below “C”.
7. CLEP courses may be accepted for course credit per SLU policy.
8. Total credits must equal 120 or higher.
9. Thirty of the final 36 credits must be completed at SLU.  The Nutrition HESI does not count toward the 30 credits as it is a test-out option.
10. Be aware: once you transfer from SPS to SON there is a price change.
11. Students will be eligible to transfer to the school of nursing with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher. Holistic admissions will be considered on an individual basis.  
    1. *RNs who do not meet the GPA requirement at the time of SPS admission may be required to take a minimum of six credits at SPS and earn a grade of "C" or better in all SPS courses in order to be eligible for transfer/admission to the School of Nursing.
    2. *RNs who meet the GPA requirement at the time of SPS admission and have completed all required Arts and Science courses (including elective credits) may transfer to the School of Nursing and take nursing electives as needed to fulfill requirement number nine.
12. Students are subject to dismissal from the School of Nursing for academic or professional reasons including being placed on academic or clinical probation for a second time, and “failing” two or more courses during the course of study. 
13. Please note that upon transfer to the SON, students will need to complete a criminal background check, drug check and HIPAA and blood-borne pathogen training. Students will need to submit a copy of current CPR certification, influenza vaccination, TB testing and other information prior to starting the community project course to Castlebranch.  For the community project course, students complete a project with a preceptor in their community.  A one-time fee is required for CastleBranch registration, drug screen and background check.

14. *Students are responsible to review and adhere to the BSN handbook on the SON site for all policies.

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions please contact:
Scott Ragsdale
Recruitment Specialist
SLU Valentine School of Nursing
314-977-8995
slunurse@slu.edu