Skip to main content

Nursing

 

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree prepares graduates for the professional roles of a registered nurse who are prepared to deliver and evaluate patient-centered care while demonstrating clinical competency, critical thinking skills and caring behaviors. The prelicensure BSN builds upon a strong foundation of general education courses and prepares students to take the National Council Licensure Exam-RN (NCLEX-RN).

nursing student putting things away in a shelf

For more than 50 years, Radford University’s outstanding reputation across Virginia for graduating exceptional students makes it one of the premier institutions for earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Employers frequently request our graduates because they are ready to practice in caring for patients in today’s healthcare environment.

Our full-time, in person prelicensure BSN track prepares students for licensure in Virginia as a registered nurse and entry to practice upon graduation.  The fast track, 100% online RN-to-BSN is designed for the working RN ready to increase their opportunities and expand their leadership capabilities.

Prelicensure BSN Overview

Our in-person prelicensure BSN offers the opportunity to gain nursing competencies across the full spectrum of patient care settings, with skills and health assessment labs and a state-of-the-art clinical simulation center. Direct admission is available for high-achieving incoming freshmen. Pre-nursing pathways are offered for all students with a secondary application to nursing.

There are two pathways at Radford University College of Nursing with which to complete the prelicensure BSN: the Traditional pathway and the Accelerated pathway. Students on both pathways follow the same curriculum.

Traditional BSN pathway: Students attend classes in both the fall and spring semesters each year they are enrolled for the four-year program. Students in the prelicensure track need to maintain continuous registration during fall and spring for nursing major courses.

Accelerated BSN pathway: Students accepted to the accelerated pathway will first complete their general education coursework in the normal manner. Then once accepted to upper division nursing courses, these are taken for 16 months/four consecutive semesters, including during the summer semester.

Prelicensure BSN offered at two locations

  • On-site in Radford
    Offers a traditional pathway to the BSN, with classes taught in fall and spring semesters
  • On-site in Roanoke
    Offers both traditional and accelerated pathways to the BSN, with nursing classes taught year-round.

Post-licensure RN-to-BSN Overview

RN to BSN, online
For working registered nurses, a fast track to the BSN is offered 100% online in 7-week sessions.

Prelicensure Admission Requirements

  • All applicants interested in the prelicensure BSN will apply to Radford University and the Pre-Nursing major. A 3.0 High School GPA is required for the Pre-Nursing major.
  • Once accepted to Radford University, students will complete all pre-requisite courses and general education requirements, then apply for competitive admission into the prelicensure BSN. Admission to the Nursing major will be limited to space availability.
  • Incoming freshmen have the opportunity to enter directly into the prelicensure BSN major (direct admission) and may remain in the Nursing major by continuing to meet progression requirements. A 3.5 High School GPA, and completion of Biology and Chemistry or Anatomy & Physiology is required for Direct Admission to the BSN major.

Apply Now: Prelicensure BSN

Post-licensure RN-to-BSN Admission Requirements

Students admitted to Radford University wishing to enter the post-licensure RN-to-BSN track must meet eligibility through one of two options.

Option 1

The student:

  1. holds an associate degree or diploma in nursing
  2. holds a current unencumbered RN license, AND
  3. has completed all nursing pre-requisites (or equivalencies) with a grade of “C” or better

Option 2

The student:

  1. is actively enrolled in a VCCS AAS in a nursing program,
  2. has completed one year of the nursing program
  3. has a 2.5 cumulative GPA on all nursing courses attempted and on all cumulative college work, AND
  4. has completed all nursing pre-requisites (or equivalencies) with a grade of “C” or better

Apply Now: Post-licensure RN-to-BSN

Clinical Rotations

Prelicensure BSN students at Radford University have access to obtain clinical rotations at two large magnet hospitals which are Level 1 & 2 trauma centers with state-of-the-art facilities as well as multiple community hospitals. Students perform more than 500 direct care hours with adults, children, babies, and older-adults across acute care, long term care, and community based settings.

RN Licensure after Graduation

The BSN program builds upon a strong foundation of general education courses and prepares students to take the National Council Licensure Exam-RN (NCLEX-RN) in Virginia.

Accreditation

CCNE accredited logo for Nursing

The State Council of Higher Education in Virginia has certified Radford University to operate in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The address for the university’s main campus is: Radford University, 801 East Main Street, Radford, Virginia, 24142

Radford University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, specialist, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Radford University.

The College of Nursing pre-licensure degree programs are approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico Virginia 23233-1463.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the master's degree program in nursing, the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and the post-graduate APRN certificate program at Radford University School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

The College of Nursing is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the National League for Nursing (NLN).

 

  • Top 10 Radford University’s College of Nursing programs

    named among the 10 Best in the Commonwealth of Virginia by nurse.org

  • 100% online RN-to-BSN

  • Learning Locations Classes available in Radford and Roanoke

  • Outstanding Facilities State-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Center in Radford and Roanoke

“The Radford University Nursing Program has offered me an amazing education through hands-on learning. Each professor I've had has worked diligently to make sure that each student has an in-depth understanding of the material we would be learning. It has been an incredible experience.”

Rory Croke ‘23

Rory Croke, nursing student class of 2023

To learn more about the Prelicensure or Post-licensure BSN at Radford University please email us at nursing@radford.edu.