Nursing

If you do not have an RN, you are considered a pre-licensure nursing student.

Our Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) track prepares students for licensure in Virginia as a registered nurse and entry to practice after graduation.

This program is full-time and delivered in-person. We offer this program at two learning locations:

• Main Campus in Radford: Offers a traditional pathway to the BSN, with classes taught in fall and spring semesters.
• On-site in Roanoke: Offers both traditional and accelerated pathways to the BSN, with nursing classes taught year-round.

Traditional BSN pathway: Students attend classes in person at one of our two locations in both the fall and spring semesters. 

Accelerated BSN pathway: Students work with an advisor to determine if a summer session is available to speed up completion. 

New Freshmen - Direct Admissions with Flexible Progression

Direct admission Requirements: High school graduates with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher are admitted directly as a Nursing major. Progress requirements must be met to maintain eligibility in the nursing major. 

New Transfer - Admissions 

Incoming transfer students interested in the Pre-Licensure BSN should apply to Radford University and the Pre-Nursing major. A cumulative 3.0 GPA across all colleges attended is required for admission.

Pre-nursing applicants for fall semester entry who do not have an overall 3.0 GPA will have the opportunity to be put on a waitlist for a second review with mid-term or final grades. If their GPA does not improve, the student will need to choose another major for admissions consideration.

After students are accepted as a Pre-Nursing student, they will complete all pre-requisite courses and general education requirements, then apply for competitive admission into the Pre-Licensure BSN.

How to Apply

To apply as an incoming freshman to our BSN, please complete the following:

1. Submit Radford’s Undergraduate Admissions Application or list Radford on the Common App. (There is no fee to submit your application!)
2. Send us a copy of your high school transcripts that display a minimum 3.0 GPA.
3. Check the status of your application on the Highlander Portal to make sure all materials are received. 

Request Progression: Prelicensure BSN (Direct Admit)

Apply Now: Prelicensure BSN (Competitive Admit)

Students admitted to Radford University wishing to enter the post-licensure RN-to-BSN track must meet eligibility through one of two options.

Option 1

The student:

1. holds an associate degree or diploma in nursing
2. holds a current unencumbered RN license, AND
3. has completed all nursing pre-requisites (or equivalencies) with a grade of "C" or better

Option 2

The student:

1. is actively enrolled in a VCCS AAS in a nursing program,
2. has completed one year of the nursing program
3. has a 2.5 cumulative GPA on all nursing courses attempted and on all cumulative college work, AND
4. has completed all nursing pre-requisites (or equivalencies) with a grade of "C" or better

Apply Now: Post-licensure RN-to-BSN Online

Expense	Estimated Cost	Notes
Tuition and fees	Visit the Office of the Bursar for tuition options.
Clinical Clearance	$600	(Examples: background check, Castle Branch, CB Bridges, Physical, vaccinations, etc.)
ATI	$2,000	(NCLEX prep, practice tests, electronic textbook)
Textbooks	$1,500	(Other purchase or rental options available)
Supplies	$325	(Examples: stethoscope, skills pack, BP cuff, scissors, etc)
Uniforms	$350	(Examples: shoes, scrubs, lab coat, etc.)
Graduation Costs	$100-$400	(Examples: cap and gown, nursing pin, composite picture, etc.)
NCLEX and State Board of Nursing Application	$400

*Costs are approximated and subject to change.

Prelicensure BSN students at Radford University have access to obtain clinical rotations at two large magnet hospitals which are Level 1 & 2 trauma centers with state-of-the-art facilities as well as multiple community hospitals. Students perform more than 500 direct care hours with adults, children, babies, and older-adults across acute care, long term care, and community based settings.

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) in Virginia.