30 BEST VALUE COLLEGES FOR NURSING IN THE SOUTH: RN-BSN DEGREE PROGRAMS

The RN-BSN program at the University of North Florida focuses on preparing registered nurses to excel in the job market, with a special emphasis on community health topics. The program requires 27 credits of general education course work and 30 credits of nursing course work, with an additional 30 credits awarded for passing the NCLEX examination. The online track is open to any active RNs licensed in their home state, while the on-campus track is open only to nurses licensed in Florida. Courses offered include Nursing Ethics, Management, and Community Health. Students are required to complete experience hours at a community agency as well as attend nursing conferences and civic meetings.

Nursing students at the University of Virginia get to experience small, intimately sized classes with world-class professors. The RN-BSN program requires 49 credits of general education course work and 30 credits of nursing course work, with 41 additional credits awarded to licensed RNs. The program is part-time and can be completed in less than 2 years. Courses meet on campus once a week and include graduate level classes on subjects such as Nursing Theory, Evidence-based Practice, Health Policy, and Epidemiology, as well as a clinical practicum. Students are also often excited to hear that UVA guarantees them an interview at the UVA Medical Center.

The RN-BSN program at James Madison University teaches students how to be comfortable with and take advantage of advancements in the nursing field, while also emphasizing care of underprivileged patients. Nursing courses are taught online and cover subjects such as community health, pathophysiology, aging, management, and research. Students can choose between enrolling full time for one year or enrolling part time for two years. The RN-BSN program requires that prospective students have either been practicing as a registered nurse for six months, or plan to practice while studying at James Madison.

Students pursing an RN-BSN at William Carey University can take courses that cover diverse, useful topics including pathophysiology, gerontology, management, research, and professional writing. The RN-BSN program requires 66 credits of general course work and 30 credits of nursing course work, and is designed to accommodate the busy schedule of a registered nurse. The nursing component can be completed in 12 months and is available in a flexible online format, requiring only three on-campus meetings per semester. Students can choose from two campuses in Mississippi and one in Louisiana. Prospective students who already possess their RN licensure can start their studies with up to 24 credits already applied toward their degree.

Lincoln Memorial's Caylor School of Nursing holds its students to high moral and ethical standards with a strong sense of personal responsibility and a belief in service to humanity. Courses are taught by highly qualified and distinguished faculty who are both professional educators and dedicated health care practitioners. Graduates are prepared to work in major medical centers or small community hospitals or to continue on to earn their master's degree. Students begin coursework in the fall, meet on campus one day per week, and can expect to complete their studies in only nine months after completing RN to BSN general education course requirements.

Students at the University of Central Florida are afforded the flexibility of an RN-BSN program that may be attended completely online or face-to-face, full-time or part-time, with admits in both fall and spring. Opportunities to engage in faculty-led undergraduate research projects in fields of study such as Computer-Based Simulation for Pediatric Pain Management Education and "Asking Questions, Understanding Asthma" (AQUA) are available. Graduates will be prepared to advance their careers in nursing and continue on to UCF's graduate online nursing program, which was named one of the 25 best online graduate programs by US News & World Report.

The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing offers a selective and competitive ADN-BSN program to prepare nurses to provide a higher quality of care to their patients and to lead interprofessional teams in a variety of clinical settings. Students will take classes both online and on campus one or two days each week. Full-time and part-time options are available and most students finish in 12 to 18 months. All students must begin coursework in the fall semester. Classes include Global Health, Genetics in Health Care, and Spanish for Health Care Professionals.

The Mississippi College School of Nursing endeavors to assist students in providing professional and high-quality patient care in addition to becoming positive and productive members of society who demonstrate the principles of Christian living in their professional and personal lives. Graduates will be prepared to demonstrate a philosophy committed to servicing humankind through the practice of nursing. The School offers an online RN-BSN track for current registered nurses who may begin coursework in either the spring or fall semester. Nursing students may participate in exciting activities and organizations such as Clinical Learning, Health Fairs, the Mexico Mission trip, and Congressional Health Nursing.

This faculty-led, completely online RN-BSN program is specifically designed for currently registered nurses interested in achieving professional advancement and personal enrichment. Students learn in both synchronous (live, real-time) and asynchronous (on their own, not live) formats with alternative options for most synchronous sessions. Students take eight courses and will typically complete the program in 18 months to two years, with accelerated and slower-paced options available as well. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on all coursework completed, although provisional admittance with a 2.7 GPA is available. The Georgia Southern University School of Nursing is especially dedicated to producing graduates who meet the health care needs of underserved and underrepresented, culturally diverse rural populations through the use of health promotion and an illness/disease prevention model.

At the University of Chattanooga School of Nursing, working nurses will visit campus once for orientation in either January or August, and then may avoid commutes and tend to their careers and families thanks to their new 100% online format of study. UTC believes that personal attention makes the difference, and helpful program advisors will assist students with creating an individualized course of study, while technology coordinators walk students through their intuitive online classrooms. In addition to enjoying coursework in areas like Pathophysiology and Issues in Professional Nursing, UTC students also receive amenities such as free admission to the Aquatics and Recreation Center, lending privileges at the Lupton Library, and free CARTA bus transportation.

An accelerated RN-BSN is available for nursing students to complete their requirements by attending full-time online classes for one year; part-time options are also available. Nurses may begin instruction in either fall or spring. The George Mason School of Nursing emphasizes early detection of health problems and disease prevention. Graduates will be well-equipped to provide unrivaled patient care and handle the managerial responsibilities of the fast-paced and increasingly challenging field of nursing. This highly competitive program is accredited by the Virginia State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. RN-licensed students will take classes in various subjects such as Epidemiology, Advanced Composition, and Vulnerable Populations, and are required to maintain licensure throughout the duration of the program.

This affordable and fully accredited online program accommodates licensed working professional nurses who wish to obtain their RN-BSN degree in three short semesters. Applicants may be admitted in either fall or spring and will increase their current knowledge and skills by taking courses in areas such as community health, legal and ethical aspects of professional nursing, and nursing research. The Georgia College School of Nursing focuses on preparing nurses who are highly trained medical professionals, but who are also well-rounded, compassionate, and caring individuals with strong critical and clinical reasoning. They will emerge comfortable serving diverse populations, and with superior written and verbal communications skills to ensure clear explanation of treatments and procedures.

The Career Mobility RN to BSN is a flexible program designed for working registered nurses who wish to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing. Students may earn 30 units through advanced standing and will earn the other 30 units over nine months (August to May) by attending classes on Saturdays and online. Part-time options are also available. Graduates of the program will be prepared to provide safe, ethical, and competent care to patients of diverse backgrounds in various health care settings. Courses include Community-Focused Nursing, Human Experience of Disability, and Leadership in Nursing Practice. Clinical coursework may often be completed in the student's current place of employment.

Charleston Southern University, recently named the top university in Charleston metro by the South Carolina State Board of Nursing for its 95% NCLEX pass rate, offers its students in the RN-BSN program a high-quality, affordable education. The dedicated instructors at CSU are committed to deepening knowledge and promoting critical thinking, leadership, and research skills while training nurses to provide a compassionate and mindful brand of care. This program meets the needs of working professional nurses by offering all its courses online. Full-time and part-time options are available. Students may complete the program in one-year by taking a full course load in summer, fall, and spring semesters.

At the University of South Carolina Aiken School of Nursing, students will receive the education and preparation to practice professional nursing in a variety of settings and the background to continue on to graduate level studies. The Aiken School believes that nursing is a life-changing experience, and faculty is devoted to preparing students with both the knowledge and skills required to change the lives of the patients who trust them with their care. Nursing students will learn in a variety of settings, including hands-on lab experiences, high-fidelity simulation, and actual clinical practice in a variety of health care settings. There is one admission deadline each year in the spring.

The mission of the RN-BSN program at the University of Mobile is to prepare nurses who have completed a nursing program in the past three years or who have practiced nursing in three of the past five years to gain the qualifications necessary to advance in their field. Courses may be completed in three academic periods by attending courses in a day-long Friday format or through the Center for Adults Program in an evening/weekend format. Students will complete 58 hours of nursing courses in areas such as Pathopsychology, The Community as a Client, and Principles of Nursing Research. The college will validate up to 30 hours of nursing credit.

The Capstone College of Nursing at the University of Alabama is committed to improving the health of the state's residents. The college boasts an average NCLEX yearly pass rate of 96%-100% each year. The program is focused on preparing students to become public servants who work in diverse areas of health care such as community health, mental health, adult care, and labor and delivery, to name a few. Sensitive to the needs of working professionals, students pursuing an RN-BSN will take all classes online and the college makes every effort to place students in an area close to home to complete their clinical activities.

The Georgia Baptist School of Nursing offers licensed registered nurses the opportunity to complete their esteemed RN-BSN program by taking classes either full-time or part-time. Most students attend both face-to-face and hybrid classes only one day each week to accommodate their careers and busy lives. Students have the option of starting the program in August, January, or May. Full-time students who start in May can successfully complete the program in only three semesters, and students who start in August or January can finish in only 17 months. Classes include Microbiology, Intro to Psychology, and Cultural Appreciation.

Nursing students at Eastern Mennonite University can expand on their current knowledge of medicine by taking classes in nursing theory, evidence-based practice, management, policy, and family health issues. The RN-BSN program takes an appropriately interdisciplinary approach to a healthcare system that grows more complex with each passing day, while qualified instructors ideally equip graduates to understand and succeed in diverse environments, from hospitals to nursing homes. Prospective students can enroll in classes in either Harrisonburg or Lancaster, Pennsylvania, but should note that Virginia-based courses are only available in the evening. Many students also appreciate the small class sizes (capped at 22 students) and the option to accelerate their studies and finish in just 17 months.