Founded in 1971 as Regents College, in 2001 the Albany, New York-based institution changed its name to Excelsior College, enrolling nearly 30,000 students in a variety of associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs. Nursing education at Excelsior is a focal point for the school, with an online RN to BSN degree completion program that gives registered nurses with a diploma or ADN and RN credential the opportunity for career advancement.
Degree in Nursing Accredited by NLNAC
Excelsior College's School of Nursing is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and was named an NLN Center of Excellence for Nursing Education for 2005-2008 and again for 2008-2011. According to M. Bridget Nettleton, Ph.D., R.N., Dean of Nursing, "The typical student in the RN to BSN program is an adult learner who is licensed as a registered nurse in the United States and interested in completing the next educational credential beyond their entry as an associate degree or diploma graduate."
While the non-profit Excelsior College enrolls nearly 30,000 adult learners each year, Dr. Nettleton notes that the online RN to BSN nursing degree program currently enrolls 1,378 nursing students. Excelsior claims that it is the largest educator of nursing students via distance learning in the United States, with a long history of working with students to earn a degree in nursing.
Online RN to BSN Degree Completion Program
While many nursing students complete an associate degree in nursing at a local community college, or earn a diploma in nursing through an accredited hospital program, even with the Registered Nurse, or R.N. credential, nurses without a Bachelor of Science in nursing may hit a wall in their careers. As Nettleton notes, "The [BSN] degree provides opportunities for advancement in their current role as well as preparing students for graduate study."
Admissions requirements for the RN to BSN program require an associate degree or diploma in nursing, as well as the registered nurse license. Transfer credit from an associate degree or diploma shortens the 121-credit BSN considerably, with students assumed to have a minimum of 30 credit hours completed from prior learning.
Nursing Online at Excelsior College - Tuition and Fees
The nursing online program does allow for federal, state, and private financial aid to be applied to tuition and fees. For a student entering with 30 transfer credits, the complete program could cost approximately $21,000 total, using 2010-2011 tuition and fee figures.
Each student comes with a different portfolio of prior college degree experience, however, and may be able to shave costs depending on transfer credits. Speak with an enrollment adviser and financial aid specialist for more information.
RN to BSN Nursing Degree - Why Excelsior College?
With so many online RN to BSN nursing degree options from established, non-profit universities being added regularly to the array of choices for students seeking an online nursing degree, why should a student consider the Excelsior College degree completion program?
"Ours is a very flexible program that offers both examinations and on-line courses as means of fulfilling degree requirements," says Nettleton. "Students have access to faculty members who have excellent credentials and expertise, and to master's-prepared academic advisers who work closely with students in completing their program of study. The program also offers seamless articulation with graduate education programs, [such as] Excelsior's Master of Science in nursing program as well as others."
To learn more about the online RN to BSN degree completion program at Excelsior College, call 888-647-2388.