Application Requirements

Apply to the RN-to-BSN Program 

Applications for 2023-2024 are now being accepted. New cohorts start Fall Quarter.

• Western and RN-to-BSN Application

Re-Applying

Any applicant who defers admission, withdraws from the program or is not accepted to the program must reapply to both Western Admissions and the RN-to-BSN Program for future consideration. Contact the program more more information bsn.applications@wwu.edu.

What Happens After Application to the Program?

• Applicants to the program will receive an email confirming receipt of their program application within 7 business days of submission. If you do not receive this confirmation, please email bsn.applications@wwu.edu
• Successful applicants will be offered acceptance into the program via email generally within 60 days of the application deadline. Upon being offered acceptance, applicants must declare their intent to accept within seven days.
• All applicants will be periodically contacted during the application review process regarding their status. 
• Depending upon the number of qualified applicants and subsequent cancelations, offers may be made to qualified applicants up to the start of class for qualified applicants remaining on the waitlist.

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Admission requirements

• Associate degree (ADN) or diploma in nursing. Nursing DTA/MRP associate degree preferred. 
• Completion of at least 90 transferrable quarter-system credits including the following nursing prerequisite courses:
  • English Composition (5 credits)
  • Chemistry with lab (5 credits)
  • Anatomy & Physiology with lab (10 credits)
  • Microbiology (5 credits)
  • Introduction to Psychology (5 credits)
  • Lifespan Psychology (5 credits)
  • Statistics (5 credits)
  • Humanities electives (12 total credits required; 5 of which are included in the program)
• Applicants must show evidence of good academic standing with a grade of 2.0 or higher for each RN-to-BSN program prerequisite and a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher. RN-to-BSN applicants with a GPA below 2.75 may contact the program to discuss the admissions exceptions policy. A personal interview will be required.
• All courses in the major have an online learning component. Students are expected to have internet access and a willingness to learn new technologies.
• Successful completion of NCLEX-RN examination.
  NOTE: Pre-licensure nursing students may apply if graduating before the RN-to-BSN program start date. New graduates may be offered provisional admission pending successful NCLEX-RN examination and RN licensure. Students must be licensed as an RN by the start of winter quarter. Successful completion of the NCLEX-RN examination provides 30 upper-division credits and 15 lower-division elective credits awarded towards the BSN degree.
• Verification of current licensure to practice as a registered nurse in Washington State.
  NOTE: Applicants licensed in other U.S. states or in other countries will need to visit the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (NCQAC) website for information on how to become licensed in Washington State.

Application process

Consideration for program acceptance will be given to applicants submitting all of the following requirements:

• RN-to-BSN Application (this is a combined Western and program application) and non-refundable application fee
• Official transcript from all colleges and universities attended
• Goal statements and resume
• Academic and professional references (2)

Major Declaration Process

An offer of admission to the RN-to-BSN program satisfies the major declaration process.

Additional Requirements for Practice Experience Placement

Upon acceptance and continuation in BSN Major:

• Declaration of all Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended immunizations for Health Care Provider (HCP):
  • Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR)
  • Hepatitis B
  • TDap
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox)
  • Influenza
  • Annual two-step testing for tuberculosis (PPD or IGRA)
• COVID-19 vaccination (waiver of vaccination cannot be accepted for clinical placement)
• Healthcare Provider CPR
• Background Check
• Malpractice/Liability Insurance
• Personal Health Insurance
• Essential Functions Agreement to maintain nursing professional behaviors for admission, progression and graduation
• Drug Screening
• Additional requirements for clinical practice experience placement will be completed during the first quarter of the program.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C or better is required for a Nursing student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.