San Diego, CA – The University of San Diego (USD) Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science (HSON) has launched a new online RN to BSN program, a flexible pathway designed for working registered nurses who hold an associate degree or nursing diploma and are ready to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The first cohort begins in Fall 2026.
The program delivers USD’s academic rigor in a format built around the realities of working nurses, preparing graduates to step into expanded roles in leadership, population health, and evidence-based practice across hospitals, community agencies, and healthcare organizations.
“The RN to BSN Program meets nurses where they are,” said Jannise Baclig, PhD, RN, and Nadine Kassity-Krich, MBA, BSN, RN, PHN, CNL, Co-Program Directors of the RN to BSN Program. “Every element of this program was designed with the working nurse in mind. Students will be supported from the first interview through graduation.”
A Program Designed Around the Working Nurse
Nursing is a profession that rarely pauses. Asynchronous online coursework lets students complete assignments on their own schedule, with an estimated weekly commitment of 15 to 20 hours, and courses are thoughtfully sequenced across five semesters so students can earn their BSN in as few as 20 months without stepping away from their nursing roles. Fall, spring, and summer start dates give prospective students the freedom to begin when the timing works best for them.
A Curriculum Focused on Leadership, Population Health, and Evidence-Based Practice
Depending on transfer credits, the curriculum spans 43 to 52 units and builds on the scientific and clinical foundations nurses bring from their associate degree programs, with coursework in leadership, clinical reasoning, and population health. Signature courses include:
- Evidence-Based Nursing: From Theory to Practice
- Healthcare Systems Leadership: Promoting Quality, Safety, and Innovation
- Population Health and Advocacy in Nursing
- Health Information Technology: Enhancing Care and Communication
The curriculum also reflects USD’s distinctive liberal arts core, with courses such as Nursing in Literature, Patient Stories, and Ethical Foundations of Nursing that cultivate reflective practice, narrative competence, and empathy-driven critical thinking.
Two clinical practicums anchor the later semesters: a Nursing Leadership Practicum and a Population Health and Advocacy Practicum. Both are hybrid experiences, combining in-person and remote work, and all placement costs are included in tuition. Rather than asking students to find their own sites, USD’s clinical placement team collaborates with each student to coordinate a preceptor and clinical site aligned with their career goals.
Who the Program Is Built For
The RN to BSN program is designed for:
- Registered nurses with an ADN or nursing diploma who want to earn their BSN while continuing to work.
- Working nurses seeking career advancement into leadership, population health, telehealth, nurse education, and similar roles.
- Nurses at Magnet-designated hospitals and other employers that require or prefer BSN-prepared staff.
- RNs planning for graduate study, who want to build a strong foundation before pursuing an MSN.
The cohort brings together students from a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and career stages, from those who have recently passed the NCLEX-RN to nurses with decades of bedside experience. That mix reflects the communities nurses serve and creates a built-in peer network throughout the program.
Support From Application Through Graduation
Students are supported by a full team that includes academic directors, the program coordinator, faculty, compliance staff, and student success staff. Both academic directors are personally involved from the interview stage forward, offering mentorship and coaching through regular check-ins, open office hours, and active engagement in each student’s progress.
“Adult learners returning to school deserve a program that respects their time, their experience, and their goals,” the co-directors said. “No one navigates the journey alone.”
A Clear Pathway From BSN to MSN
For nurses who see graduate education on the horizon, the program offers a meaningful head start. Nine units earned during the final two semesters apply toward both the BSN and USD’s MSN in Nursing Leadership, creating a clear, cost-effective pathway from ADN to MSN within a single institution. Motivated nurses can complete both degrees in as few as three years.*
*Pending approval
Admissions and Enrollment
Applicants can begin the application process while their NCLEX-RN results are pending, though an active, unencumbered RN license is required before starting coursework. The program is currently authorized in 14 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Texas, and Virginia. Tuition is set at $600 per unit, the same for all students regardless of residence, with no hidden fees.
The priority application deadline for the first cohort is July 6, and the final deadline is July 31. Applying by the priority date gives students earlier admissions decisions, more time to finalize financing, and additional opportunities to connect with future classmates.
Healthcare employers across California and the country increasingly expect bachelor’s-prepared nurses, particularly for roles in leadership, population health, and academic settings. For associate-degree nurses ready to take the next step, the RN to BSN program offers a rigorous, supportive path toward the leadership roles healthcare needs most.
Prospective students can explore curriculum details, admissions requirements, and start dates, or connect directly with the USD admissions team, at onlinedegrees.sandiego.edu/contact-us.
About the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science
The Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science at the University of San Diego prepares nurses to lead with competence, empathy, and evidence across every level of healthcare. HSON offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including the new online RN to BSN Program, the MSN in Nursing Leadership, and doctoral degrees in nursing practice and philosophy. Faculty bring active clinical practice and national expertise into the classroom, and the school’s commitment to inclusive excellence ensures that students reflect the communities nurses serve.
About USD
The University of San Diego is a private, Catholic institution dedicated to academic excellence, ethical leadership, and social responsibility. USD offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across disciplines including business, engineering, law, education, peace studies, and nursing and health science. Through its teaching, research, and community engagement, USD prepares students to become compassionate, knowledgeable leaders who drive positive change in their professions and communities.
