Program Details
- City: Weatherford
- Length: 12 months
- Tuition: $6,745
- Website: https://wc.edu/programs/all-programs/rn-to-bsn/index.php
The Weatherford College RN-to-BSN program is a fully online degree designed for licensed registered nurses seeking to advance their education.
The program is 12 months long, with courses delivered in three continuous semesters. Students complete nine nursing courses alongside 55 general education semester credit hours to meet degree requirements.
Accreditation
The RN-to-BSN program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), ensuring high academic and professional standards. Graduates are prepared to meet the Texas Board of Nursing Differentiated Essential Competencies and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Baccalaureate Essentials.
Program Outcomes
Completing this degree equips nurses with skills for leadership, evidence-based practice, and healthcare informatics, and prepares them for master’s or doctoral-level nursing programs.
Acceptance Rate
Admission to the RN-to-BSN program is competitive, with applicants ranked based on their GPA in nursing and general education coursework. Preference is given to RNs working in rural areas and Weatherford College ADN graduates.
To qualify, students must hold an unencumbered Texas RN license, maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA in nursing coursework, and submit a letter of recommendation.
Curriculum
The curriculum includes courses in healthcare ethics, leadership, research, population-focused community health, and informatics.
NURS 3350: Transition to the BSN Role
This course introduces the role of the baccalaureate-prepared nurse, focusing on clinical judgment, communication, health promotion, patient education, professionalism, teamwork, and ethical practice. It covers key competencies, including Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) essentials.
NURS 4413: Comprehensive Health Assessment
This course combines theory and laboratory practice to develop skills in comprehensive health assessment. It introduces health promotion concepts and their application in nursing practice, preparing students for advanced patient evaluations.
NURS 4323: Healthcare Organization and Informatics
Students examine the U.S. healthcare system, including delivery models, payment structures, and the role of interdisciplinary teams. The course explores how health informatics supports continuity of care and enhances nursing practice.
NURS 3303: Introduction to Nursing Research
This course introduces qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method research approaches to evaluate evidence-based practice. Students develop critical appraisal skills to assess research findings and apply them to patient-centered care, quality improvement, and safety initiatives.
NURS 3333: Foundations of Comprehensive Pathophysiology
Students explore disease processes, focusing on pathophysiological conditions and their impact on patient health. The course emphasizes evidence-based assessment and intervention strategies for nursing practice.
NURS 4433: Population Focused Community Health
This course prepares students for public health nursing roles, emphasizing population-based care, health promotion, and disease prevention. Clinical experiences focus on vulnerable communities and disaster response, providing real-world application of public health strategies.
NURS 3343: Evidence-Based Practice
Students learn the evidence-based practice (EBP) process, including research evaluation, clinical question formulation, and data analysis. The course emphasizes critical appraisal of research and ethical considerations in healthcare decision-making.
NURS 4303: Ethics in Healthcare
This course examines ethical challenges in nursing, providing frameworks for decision-making and ethical reasoning. Topics include patient autonomy, professional responsibility, and navigating moral dilemmas in clinical practice.
NURS 3423: Leadership Roles
Students explore nursing leadership and management principles, including communication, conflict resolution, budgeting, quality improvement, and decision-making. Clinical experiences provide opportunities to observe and apply leadership strategies in healthcare settings.
More information about the curriculum here: https://catalog.wc.edu/rntobsn/bachelor-of-science-in-nursing-rntobsn
Clinical Requirements
While the program is 100% online, select courses require clinical components, which students fulfill through preceptor-led projects and community health experiences.
Tuition
For in-district students, the total cost of the RN-to-BSN program at Weatherford College is estimated to be around $6,745.
Cost Breakdown
| Residency Status | Total Cost (Tuition & Fees) | Additional Expenses | Final Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-District | $5,500 | ~$1,245 | $6,745 |
| Out-of-District (Wise County) | $6,610 | ~$1,245 | $7,855 |
| Out-of-District (Other Texas counties) | $8,350 | ~$1,245 | $9,595 |
| Out-of-State | $11,110 | ~$1,245 | $12,355 |
Weatherford College offers affordable tuition rates, with in-district students paying $125 per credit hour and out-of-state students paying $312 per credit hour.
Additional costs include textbooks, liability insurance, immunizations, and graduation regalia. A $250 student center fee applies to most students starting in Spring 2025.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Prerequisites
Applicants receive 36 semester credit hours for prior nursing coursework. Prerequisites include English, statistics, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, psychology, sociology, and government courses.
Transfer Credits
Students may transfer courses, but at least 30 semester credit hours must be completed at Weatherford College to meet residency requirements.
Other Nursing Programs Offered
Weatherford College also offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) for those entering the field, with graduates eligible to transition seamlessly into the RN-to-BSN program. Advanced degree pathways, such as nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, and nurse educator, become accessible after earning a BSN.
The RN-to-BSN program at Weatherford College provides a flexible, affordable, and high-quality pathway for registered nurses to advance their careers while balancing work and personal responsibilities.