A national leader in nursing education since 1928, the School of Nursing offers top-ranked programs.
Saint Louis University holds its curriculum to the same high-quality academic standards—whether programs are offered on campus or online.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 (TBVSON) 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 TBVSON.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing is fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice at the Valentine School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation) and approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. To achieve its educational objectives, the school uses the hospitals within SSM Health and many health care organizations of greater St. Louis.
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.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
College core requirements | 55 | |
NURS 3807 | Conceptual Framework for Practice | 3 |
NURS 3447 | Public Health Nursing for RNs | 4 |
NURS 4107 | Leadership and Management for RNs | 3 |
NURS 3457 | Community Project for RNs | 2 |
NURS 3377 | Essentials of Therapeutic Nutrition for RNs Credit by Exam (Credit by Examination) | 3 |
NURS 3207 | Health Assessment for RNs | 3 |
NURS 4147 | Research and Evidence Based Practice | 3 |
NURS 3107 | Healthcare Policy, Finance and Regulatory Environments for RNs | 3 |
NURS 48xx Nursing Elective | 3 | |
Total Credits | 82 |
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Communication | 6 | |
Any ENGL 1900 or above, Literature, Technical Writing, Speech or Communication, or an Interpersonal Relations course | ||
Managing Information | 3 | |
Any Informatics, Computer Technology, Computer Science or Computer Information Systems course | ||
Ethics | 3 | |
Any Ethics, Bio-or Medical Ethics course | ||
Social and Behavioral Sciences | 6 | |
Any Psychology, Social Science, History, Public Policy, Government, Anthropology, Education, Organizational Studies, Economics, Social Work, or Growth and Development course | ||
Humanities and Fine/Performing Arts | 6 | |
Theological Foundations 1 | ||
Plus, any Theology above 1000; plus, any Theology, Religion, Fine or Performing Arts, Philosophy, Foreign Language, or Women’s Studies course | ||
Mathematics | 3 | |
Any college Algebra (no intermediate or basic/elementary), Mathematics, or Data Analysis/Statistics level 1000 or above course | ||
Life and Physical Sciences | 6 | |
Any Anatomy, Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Astronomy, Microbiology, or other life/physical science 1000 level or above course | ||
Other Arts and Sciences Electives | 22 | |
Total Credits | 55 |
1 | Or transfer any THEO 1000 Theological Foundations (0,3 cr) or above |
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.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
NURS 3807 | Conceptual Framework for Practice (Fall 1, 8 weeks) 1 | 3 |
NURS 4147 | Research and Evidence Based Practice (Fall 2, 8 weeks) 2 | 3 |
NURS 3107 | Healthcare Policy, Finance and Regulatory Environments for RNs (Fall 1, 8 weeks) 3 | 3 |
NURS 4107 | Leadership and Management for RNs (Fall 2, 8 weeks) 3 | 3 |
Credits | 12 | |
Spring | ||
NURS 3447 | Public Health Nursing for RNs (Spring, 16 weeks) 4 | 4 |
NURS 3457 | Community Project for RNs (Spring, 16 weeks) 4 | 2 |
NURS 3207 | Health Assessment for RNs (Spring 2, 8 weeks) 3 | 3 |
Nursing Elective (Spring, 16 weeks) 5 | 3 | |
Credits | 12 | |
Total Credits | 24 |
1 | This course is only offered during the Fall 1 term. |
2 | This course is only offered during the Fall 2 term. |
3 | Note: This course is sometimes also offered during the summer term. However, this course can only be offered, if 10 or more students are enrolled. |
4 | This course is only offered during the Spring term. |
5 | Note: One 8-week nursing elective is sometimes offered during the summer term. However, this course can only be offered, if 10 or more students are enrolled. |
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
NURS 3807 | Conceptual Framework for Practice (Fall 1, 8 weeks) 1 | 3 |
NURS 4147 | Research and Evidence Based Practice (Fall 2, 8 weeks) 2 | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
NURS 3447 | Public Health Nursing for RNs (Spring, 16 weeks) 3 | 4 |
NURS 3457 | Community Project for RNs (Spring, 16 weeks) 3 | 2 |
Credits | 6 | |
Summer | ||
NURS 3107 | Healthcare Policy, Finance and Regulatory Environments for RNs (Summer, 8 weeks) 4 | 3 |
NURS 3207 | Health Assessment for RNs (Summer, 8 weeks) 5 | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
NURS 4107 | Leadership and Management for RNs (Fall 2, 8 weeks) 6 | 3 |
Nursing Elective (Fall, 16 weeks) 7 | 3 | |
Credits | 6 | |
Total Credits | 24 |
1 | This course is only offered during the Fall 1 term. |
2 | This course is only offered during the Fall 2 term. |
3 | This course is only offered during the Spring term. |
4 | Note: This course is also offered during the Fall 1 term, for the full-time plan. Students can take this core nursing course during the fall or summer. However, this course can only be offered, if 10 or more students are enrolled. |
5 | Note: This course is also offered during the Spring 2 term, for the full-time plan. Student can take this core nursing course during the fall or summer. However, this course can only be offered if 10 or more students are enrolled. |
6 | Note: This course is also offered during the Fall 2 term, for the full-time plan. Students can take this core nursing course during the fall or summer. However, this course can only be offered if 10 or more students are enrolled. |
7 | Note: Students can choose to take 1 of the offered 16-week nursing electives during either the fall or spring terms. One 8-week nursing elective is sometimes offered during the summer term. However, this course can only be offered, if 10 or more students are enrolled. |
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
NURS 3807 | Conceptual Framework for Practice (Fall 1, 8 weeks) 1 | 3 |
NURS 4147 | Research and Evidence Based Practice (Fall 2, 8 weeks) 2 | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
NURS 3447 | Public Health Nursing for RNs (Spring, 16 weeks) 3 | 4 |
NURS 3457 | Community Project for RNs (Spring, 16 weeks) 3 | 2 |
Credits | 6 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
NURS 3107 | Healthcare Policy, Finance and Regulatory Environments for RNs (Fall 1, 8 weeks) 4 | 3 |
NURS 4107 | Leadership and Management for RNs (Fall 2, 8 weeks) 4 | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
NURS 3207 | Health Assessment for RNs (Spring 2, 8 weeks) 4 | 3 |
Nursing Elective (Spring, 16 weeks) 5 | 3 | |
Credits | 6 | |
Total Credits | 24 |
1 | This course is only offered during the Fall 1 term. |
2 | This course is only offered during the Fall 2 term. |
3 | This course is only offered during the Spring term. |
4 | Note: This course is sometimes also offered during the summer term. However, this course can only be offered, if 10 or more students are enrolled. |
5 | Note: Students can choose to take 1 of the offered 16-week nursing electives during either the fall or spring terms. |
*Students are responsible to review and adhere to the BSN handbook on the SON site for all policies.
1 | See the BSN Student Handbook on the School of Nursing website for policy details. |
For additional admission questions please contact,
Scott Ragsdale
Recruitment Specialist
SLU Valentine School of Nursing
314-977-8995
slunurse@slu.edu