The fully online RN-to-BSN program is designed for registered nurses seeking to advance their professional practice and expand their impact on the health of individuals and communities. Grounded in caring science, the curriculum emphasizes reflective practice, advocacy, leadership, and the use of evidence to improve health outcomes. Students deepen their understanding of diverse populations, health disparities, and the unique needs of vulnerable communities while preparing to lead and contribute meaningfully in today’s evolving healthcare environment.
What to Expect Studying at Notre Dame of Maryland University
Our fully online RN-to-BSN program offers a supportive and engaging learning environment designed for working nurses. Personalized faculty mentorship and meaningful interaction create a sense of connection where students are known, valued, and encouraged to grow. Through relevant coursework, reflection, and application to professional practice, students strengthen their knowledge, leadership, and advocacy while preparing to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities.
Accelerated Format
This fully online program offers Courses range from five to 10 weeks in length convenient for working students.
Registered nurses who hold an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) can earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in as little as one year, depending on their individual pace and remaining degree requirements.
Evidence-based Practice Project Opportunities
Throughout the nursing program, students engage in evidence-based practice and scholarly inquiry to strengthen clinical decision-making and improve nursing practice. In the Nursing Research course, students explore clinical questions and develop an evidence-based practice project. This learning culminates in the Capstone course, where students develop a focused clinical question, design an evidence-based practice project, and share their work through a scholarly poster presentation.
Clinical Experiences
You will have an opportunity to gain experience in a clinical setting by working with patients and their families under the supervision of a clinical instructor.
Clinical Sites Include
- University of Maryland Medical Center
- Johns Hopkins Hospital
- University of Maryland St. Joseph’s Medical Center
- Mercy Medical Center
- Greater Baltimore Medical Center
- Good Samaritan Hospital
Simulation Labs
In addition to clinical sites, you will also spend time in our state of the art simulation labs which allow you to practice your response to realistic medical situations in a safe environment.
Study Abroad
Participate in study abroad opportunities to gain a unique global perspective while also partially fulfilling requirements of select nursing courses.
Additional Info
Credits Needed from Notre Dame
A minimum of 30 earned credits from Notre Dame of Maryland University is required for graduation. The final 30 credits for the degree must be earned at Notre Dame of Maryland University.
Specific course requirements for the RN to BSN program include:
General Education requirements (21 Credits)*
200-level Philosophy (3)
200-level Religious Studies (3)
English Composition (3)
Literature (3)
History (3)
Math (Basic Statistics) (3)
*The General Education Requirements for Natural and Social Sciences are part of the Department requirements.
Department Requirements for the Nursing Major
Core
Human Anatomy & Physiology (4)*
Human Anatomy & Physiology II with lab (4)*
Microbiology (4)*
General Chemistry with lab (4)
Introduction to Psychology** (3)
Human Growth & Development ** (3)
Introduction to Sociology (3)
**Challenge Exam Available
Upper-Level Nursing Courses
30 upper-level nursing credits from an associate degree or diploma program may be granted through the Maryland Nursing Education Articulation Model.
Upper-level Nursing courses at Notre Dame (30 credits)
NUR-306 Writing for Professionals (1)
NUR-309 Foundations of Caring Science: Nursing Situations, Scholarly Analysis, and Calls for Justice (3)
NUR-314 Nursing Situations in Palliative Caring (3)
NUR-319 Holistic Health Assessment & Nutrition Across the Lifespan for Professional Nurses (5)
NUR-400 Information Systems for Caring Practice (3)
NUR-411 Healthy Aging for Professional Nurses (3)
NUR-412 Population Health through a Caring Lens (4)
NUR-420 Nursing Research for Professional Nurses (3)
NUR-440 Caring Nursing Leadership for Professional Nurses (3)
NUR-450 Capstone Experience (2)
- All students who matriculate with a nursing major must meet the admission requirements for students entering the College of Adult Undergraduate Studies (CAUS). Applicants must matriculate prior to taking courses in the College of Adult Undergraduate Studies.
- Graduation from a diploma or associate degree in nursing program with a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.5 (on a four-point scale). Students with a GPA between 2.0 and 2.49 may be required to take and pass the Adult Placement Exam in order to qualify for admission and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Students must have earned a grade equivalent to “C” (2.0 or higher) in all courses that must be completed prior to beginning the upper division nursing major courses. Examples of courses that must be completed are: English Composition; Anatomy and Physiology I and II; Microbiology; Introduction to Psychology; and Human Growth and Development.
- When previous coursework has not been completed, for example Human Growth and Development, admission to the program and timeframe to complete courses will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
- Students who matriculate into the nursing major must meet additional requirements:
- Active RN license or verification of licensure through a “compact” state in which they currently reside; or NCLEX-RN eligible.
- Students who begin the RN to BSN program without a RN license will not be permitted to enroll in NUR-412 Population Health through a Caring Lens and NUR 450 Capstone until they receive a license. The Adult Student Advisor must be notified when students receive a RN license.
- Students who are considered Associate to Bachelor (ATB) students cannot enroll in NUR-412 Population Health through a Caring Lens and NUR-450 Capstone until they receive a license. The Adult Student Advisor must be notified when students received a RN license.
6. Additional Information
- The Registrar Office determines the maximum number of credits accepted for transfer. Generally, up to 68 credits can be transferred.
- No community college nursing credits will be transferred.
- All RNs with an active license in Maryland or a compact state will be granted 30 upper-level nursing credits per the Maryland Articulation Model.
- RNs will complete the remaining 30 upper-level nursing credits and any additional program requirements through Notre Dame
- Students who are considered Associate to Bachelor (ATB) students cannot enroll in NUR-412 Population Health through a Caring Lens and NUR-450 Capstone until they receive a license. The Adult Student Advisor must be notified when students received a RN license.
- Students who begin the RN to BSN program without a RN license will not be permitted to enroll in NUR-412 Population Health through a Caring Lens and NUR 450 Capstone until they receive a license. The Adult Student Advisor must be notified when students receive a RN license.
- Active RN license or verification of licensure through a “compact” state in which they currently reside; or NCLEX-RN eligible.