RN-BSN Overview

• The baccalaureate degree in nursing program, master’s degree in nursing program and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at James Madison University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
• Is fully approved by the Virginia State Board of Nursing
• Leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN)

As a graduate of the James Madison University (JMU) School of Nursing RN-BSN pathway, you will be prepared to practice as a baccalaureate registered nurse and provide nursing care to patients in a variety of settings. Graduates will also have developed the skills needed to pursue advanced nursing studies. The RN-BSN pathway is respected across Virginia and in broader professional communities

Teaching Methods

Online Format: RN-BSN didactic courses are offered in an asynchronous online format. To support and enhance student learning in this fully online pathway, all entering students are required to participate in a one-day synchronous virtual orientation. Students returning after an extended leave of absence may be required to repeat the orientation. All online courses within the RN-BSN pathway are delivered using the learning platform provided by JMU.

Community Health Clinical: Students participate in a single 45-hour community clinical experience during one summer semester. This clinical consists of 36 direct contact hours and 9 indirect hours.

Textbooks

The School of Nursing faculty members have selected textbooks best identified to promote mastery of nursing knowledge and clinical reasoning as students’ progress through the RN-BSN curriculum. Students have the choice of purchasing either standard textbooks or electronic textbooks. Some texts are used across courses.

Tuition and Estimated Costs

The Financial Aid Office considers expenses on this list in determining financial need and eligibility levels for nursing students. This is the list of estimated expenses to assist the student in submitting financial aid applications.

The following expenses are reasonable anticipated costs based on the following rates:

New Students:
In-State: $475 per credit hour
Out-of-State: $495 per credit hour

The table below is based on in-state tuition rates.

*Textbook costs based on the price of new books purchased on Amazon. Does not include optional textbook costs.

*Summer tuition is based on the regular undergraduate rate for online courses. These are the 2024-2025 rates and will change when the new academic year rates are posted

Students who are considering the Costa Rica study abroad to satisfy their community health clinical hours should be aware that the tuition is governed by the Centre for Global Engagement and may be higher, especially for out of state students. This should be considered during planning. More information can be found at the Study Abroad Short-Term Program Fees page.