Locations and Delivery Methods Designed to Meet Your Learning Needs
Our nursing degrees and tracks as well as delivery methods are designed to meet your learning needs - with the traditional BSN program offered on the main campus and at Radford University Carilion, the accelerated BSN offered at Radford University Carilion, and the R.N. to BSN fast track program offered 100% online.
Traditional BSN - Main Campus
The Main Campus BSN experience is structured as a traditional journey to a degree. Students enter as direct admission Nursing majors. Transfer students will need to be admitted to Radford University prior to applying to the School of Nursing. Both Pre-Nursing and admitted Transfer Students will need to apply to the School of Nursing during their sophomore year.
Traditional BSN - Radford University Carilion
The Radford University Carilion BSN location allows traditional BSN students to enter the nursing program from day one of admission, with a qualification requirement to enter upper division nursing in the third year.
Accelerated BSN - Radford University Carilion
The Accelerated BSN at RUC is designed for students committed to earning the BSN under a condensed four-semester, 16-month timeline. It is also designed for students with undergraduate baccalaureate degrees in non-nursing disciplines seeking to transition into nursing.
R.N. to BSN - Fast Track, 100% Online
The RN-to-BSN track of Radford University's undergraduate nursing program provides flexible, affordable and online learning opportunities for students who are graduates of diploma schools or community colleges and who are already licensed Registered Nurses (RN).
Why Study Nursing at Radford?
- You’ll experience a collaborative learning environment.
- Our clinical experiences are at a variety of hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings to gain hands-on real-world exposure.
- We have two state-of-the-art simulation centers.
- Small classes allow for individualized attention for our students.
- You get direct admission and progression in the traditional BSN program.
- We are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Admission Requirements - Traditional BSN at Main Campus
TBSN-Main Campus Students must meet all first and second-year requirements to continue as a nursing major and prior to taking upper division nursing courses. Students who do not meet progression requirements will be changed to a pre-nursing major and are eligible to apply during the second semester of the sophomore year once the application requirements are met.
Year 1
Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above at the end of their second semester of freshman year to progress in the nursing program.
Year 2
Students must meet all of the following criteria in order to progress into upper division nursing:
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above o Grade of “C” or above on all prerequisite courses
- No more than 1 prerequisite course repeated due to unsuccessful completion (C-, D, F), not including withdrawals
- Completion of prerequisites for nursing: NUTR 214, STAT 200 or 130, CHEM 120 or equivalent, SOC 110, PSYC 230, BIOL 310 & 311, BIOL 334, NURS 321
Students eligible for progression to upper-division nursing courses are required to complete a criminal background check and drug screening during the term prior to upper-division courses and every semester thereafter. If there are any areas of concern on the criminal background check or student conduct violations that would prohibit the student from attending clinical rotations, the student may not be able to continue in the nursing program and would thus be dismissed from the program. Students with a positive drug screen will be dismissed from the program. If an offer of admission is revoked, the School of Nursing will notify the student by e-mail or by phone call.
Year 3 & 4
Once in upper division nursing courses, 2 NURS course failures and/or withdrawals will result in program dismissal.
Beginning Fall 2023, newly admitted freshmen can receive direct admission to the nursing major on main campus if they meet both of the following criteria:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher, AND
- Have received high school/college credit for either: a) Anatomy and Physiology or b) Biology and Chemistry
Apply Now: Traditional BSN - Main Campus
Admission Requirements - Traditional BSN at Radford University Carilion
Freshman applicants for the B.S.N. program must meet the following requirements to be considered for direct admission:
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Completion of 1 Biology & 1 Chemistry course or Anatomy & Physiology course with a C or higher
Transfer applicants may be offered admission if space permits.
Apply Now: Traditional BSN at Radford University Carilion
Admission Requirements - Accelerated BSN at Radford University Carilion
This four-semester, 16-month program is designed for students looking for an intensive, accelerated path to the BSN. Students entering are expected to have an earned bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field and have the commitment to study full-time for 16 months, including fall, spring, and summer semesters.
It is a full-time program thus students are not encouraged to carry outside employment while enrolled as an A.B.S.N. student. We are looking for motivated students with backgrounds that demonstrate the ability to handle challenging work in a fast-paced environment.
In addition to the above, the following requirements must be met:
- A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher
- Completion of the following prerequisite coursework:
- 4 credit Chemistry I and II (must include a lab)
- 4 credit Anatomy and Physiology I and II
- 4 credit Microbiology
- 3 credit Nutrition
- 3 credit Lifespan Development
- 3 credit Introduction to Statistics
- A writing sample, one page or less, double-spaced, 12-font on the following topic: Please describe your motivation for pursuing a BSN degree and why you want to do so at Radford University Carilion.
- A resume documenting previous education and work experience.
- Completion of all prerequisite coursework by the end of the semester preceding the cohort start.
Students seeking entry into the Accelerated Bachelor of Science Nursing program who have been program dismissed from another nursing program must wait for 2 years to be considered for admission at Radford University Carilion
Students who have failed 1 nursing course at another institution must submit a letter of good academic standing from their previous nursing institution.
Note: The deadline for receipt of completed applications is 5 p.m. January 15 for the Fall cohort and 5 p.m. September 15 for the Spring cohort.
Apply Now: Accelerated BSN at Radford University Carilion
Careers and Internships
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Radford University School of Nursing provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue various nursing careers. Overall, a BSN degree provides students with a strong foundation in nursing that opens up a variety of career opportunities in the healthcare field.
A BSN degree can offer graduates a range of professional paths, such as:
- Clinical nursing: A BSN degree prepares students for a career in clinical nursing. This may include working in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, or other healthcare settings.
- Advanced nursing practice: A BSN degree is a requirement for many advanced nursing practice programs, such as nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, and clinical nurse specialist.
- Nursing education: A BSN degree can prepare students for a career in nursing education. This may include teaching in nursing programs, conducting research, or developing a nursing curriculum.
- Nursing administration: A BSN degree can lead to a career in nursing administration, such as managing a healthcare facility or department.
- Public health: A BSN degree can prepare students for a career in public health, such as working for government agencies, non-profits, or community health organizations.
Opportunities for Nursing students at Radford
The BSN program builds upon a strong foundation of general education courses and prepares students to take the National Council Licensure Exam-RN (NCLEX-RN).
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Top 10 Radford University’s School of Nursing programs
named among the 10 Best in the Commonwealth of Virginia by nurse.org
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100% Online option available
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10 months to complete with the accelerated option
“The Radford University Nursing Program has offered me an amazing education through hands-on learning. Each professor I’ve had has worked diligently to make sure that each student has an in-depth understanding of the material we would be learning. It has been an incredible experience.”
