RN to BSN in North Carolina

Now is a great time earn a BSN as a North Carolina RN. The North Carolina Action Coalition is working to increase the number of RNs with BSNs to 80% by 2025, and the project is going well. North Carolina has one of the highest RN employment numbers for nonmetropolitan areas in the country, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Winston-Salem has one of the highest concentrations overall, with 38.72 RNs per 1,000 jobs. The annual mean wage for RNs in North Carolina is $61K, with wages a little bit higher in the Durham area. Scroll through the information below to find the school that’s right for you, and start your journey from RN to BSN today.

RN-to-BSN Programs in North Carolina

Here we have compiled a comprehensive listing of North Carolina’s RN to BSN programs. In the summaries below, you will find all the essential program information to help you quickly and easily narrow down your RN to BSN search. NCLEX-RN pass rates are as reported by the school.

Appalachian State University
$ 145 per credit hour

Application Deadlines

March 15th and November 15th
  • The program is approximately 12 months long.
  • 124 credit hours are required to graduate.
  • Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0.
 Online Dougherty Administration Building
Boone, NC 28608

Barton College
$ 1,066 per credit hour

Application Deadlines

Rolling Admissions
  • The program consists of 126 credit hours total.
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 required for admission.
  • Designed for part-time students to accommodate working individuals.
 Campus 200 ACC Drive NE
Wilson, NC 27893-7000

Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
$ 375 per credit hour

Application Deadlines

February 1st and October 1st
  • This program offers full and part-time options.
  • Full time students can graduate in six semesters.
  • Classes are entirely online, with the exception of one class that requires three on-campus meetings.
 Online 401 Medical Park Drive
Concord, NC 28025

East Carolina University
$ 520 per credit hour

Application Deadlines

March 15th
  • There are no placement examinations in this program.
  • For more information call 252.744.6470
 Hybrid East 5th Street
Greenville, NC 27858-4353

Fayetteville State University
$ 300 per credit hour

Application Deadlines

March 30th and September 30th
  • The program totals 120 hours.
  • Two courses require clinical components.
  • This program can be completed in between 2.5 – 5 semesters.
 Hybrid 1200 Murchison Rd
Fayetteville, NC 28301

Gardner-Webb University
$ 1,867 per credit hour

Application Deadlines

For more information about admissions call 704.406.4360.
  • Gardner-Webb is a liberal arts, Christian college.
  • For more information on this program call 704.406.4360.
 Online Main St
Boiling Springs, NC 28017-0997

Lees-McRae College
$ 615 per credit hour

Application Deadlines

May 1st
  • This program is entirely online.
  • Designed for working students, the program can be completed in four semesters over a two-year period.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required overall.
  • Full and part-time options are available.
 Online 191 Main Street
Banner Elk, NC 28604

Lenoir-Rhyne University
$ 720 per credit hour

Application Deadlines

Rolling Admissions
  • The program consists of 128 credit hours.
  • Students can graduate in as little as three semesters.
  • Call (828) 328-7300 for more information.
 Campus 625 7th Avenue NE
Hickory, NC 28601

North Carolina A&T State University
$ 123 per credit hour

Application Deadlines

May 1st and October 1st
  • Choose from online or face-to-face classes
  • Full time and part time options available.
 Campus and Online 1601 E Market St
Greensboro, NC 27411

Queens University of Charlotte
$ 475 per credit hour

Application Deadlines

Rolling Admissions
  • A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher is required for admission.
  • Program may be completed online or on campus.
 Campus and Online 1900 Selwyn Ave
Charlotte, NC 28274-0001

University of Mount Olive
$ 420 per credit hour

Application Deadlines

For more information on admissions, call 800.653.0854
  • This is a small, liberal arts university.
  • The program is 100% virtual and has no traditional clinical requirements.
  • Every student is given an online admissions counselor.
  • For more information contact Nina Ciric, online admission counselor, at 919.346.7046
Online 634 Henderson St
Mount Olive, NC 28365-0919

University of North Carolina - Charlotte
$ 453 per credit hour

Application Deadlines

March 15th and September 15th
  • The program is a total of 122 credit hours.
  • Students can graduate one calendar year.
  • Two applications are required for admissions; see the above link for details.
 Campus and Online 9201 University City Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28223-0001

University of North Carolina - Greensboro
$ 250 per credit hour

Application Deadlines

March 1st and November 15th
  • The program is a total of 122 credit hours.
  • Residence hours are required in this program.
  • Day and evening classes available.
 Campus 1400 Spring Garden St
Greensboro, NC 27402

University of North Carolina - Pembroke
$ 215 per credit hour

Application Deadlines

Rolling Admissions
  • Minimum GPA of 2.8 required overall and as a prerequisite.
  • Two and three semester plans of study are available.
 Campus One University Drive
Pembroke, NC 28372-1510

Western Carolina University
$ 200 per credit hour

Application Deadlines

March 10th and September 10th
  • The coursework is entirely online.
  • Clinical hours are required.
  • For more information contact Student Service at WCUnursing@wcu.edu
Online Highway 107
Cullowhee, NC 28723

Winston-Salem State University
$ 105 per credit hour

Application Deadlines

September 21st and February 11th
  • Undergraduate tuition is 50% cheaper than the national average.
  • There are 18 locations as well as an online option.
  • The program only accepts new students for spring and summer terms.
 Campus and Online 601 Martin Luther King Jr Dr
Winston-Salem, NC 27110-0001

Please contact the RN to BSN program in North Carolina that you are interested in enrolling in to confirm details and to learn more. If you run an accredited RN to BSN program in North Carolina that is not listed above; please reach out to us with program information and proof of accreditation. Thank you!

State Commitment to RN to BSN Education Paths

The Future of Nursing campaign is a nationwide effort to bring the country up to the standards of nursing as outlined in the 2010 Institute of Medicine Report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. As a part of the effort, North Carolina has formed a State Action Coalition with the singular objective of achieving the goals set forth by the campaign. Having at least 80% of the nursing workforce hold a BSN degree is an integral part of this initiative and we have outlined below the ways in which North Carolina is actively progressing on this front.

  • Education
  • Leadership
  • Practice & Care
  • Interprofessional Care
  • Diversity
  • Data
Education

What is being done to increase the number of North Carolina RN’s with a BSN?

The AC is working to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate or higher degree to 80% by 2025, through easing and advocating academic progression for nurses.

Are students enrolled via identified promising models of education progression?

Yes. State or Regional Shared Curriculum
Leadership

What programs are being implemented to prepare nurses to lead change to advance health?

The AC is developing a ”leadership incubator” and mentoring program to promote participation of nurses on decision-making boards.
Practice & Care

Is the Coalition working to remove barriers to RN level of care?

Yes. The AC is supporting legislation that will ease and expand the role of nurses as care providers.

Are they advancing state policy to remove barriers to care provided by APRNs?

Yes. The AC is supporting legislation that will ease and expand the role of advanced practice nurses as care providers.
Interprofessional Care

Is the state working to improve communication, transparency, and cooperation between healthcare providers?

No specific plans announced.
Diversity

How are they improving diversity of the nursing workforce and care provided?

No specific plans announced.
Data

What steps are being taken to remove gaps in workforce and health care data?

The AC is working with the NC Board of Nursing to revise the license renewal process to gather more relevant data from nurses in the state.

Contact Info

Diana Hatch

Past State President
AARP North Carolina
919.481.9449

Polly Johnson

President & CEO
Foundation for Nursing Excellence
919.810.6754

Source: Campaign for Action

For a detailed progress report and additional workgroup contact information, please see the North Carolina Action Coalition page and their Action Coalition Status Report (opens as PDF).

North Carolina Licensing

North Carolina is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If you move to another state participating in the NLC (pictured in green), you can practice without getting a new license. For licensing information, visit the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

licensure map

Nursing Employment Outlook

Nursing Supply and Demand Projections

Source: " The Future of the Nursing Workforce," US HRSA, accessed June 2015.

What Nurses Make on Average in Major Cities

Source: BLS OES, May 2013. Accessed May 2014. Some data not provided.

Additional Information


Other State RNtoBSN Information

Looking for other RN-BSN information in a nearby state? We’ve got you covered:

Alabama RNtoBSN Information
Florida RNtoBSN Information
Georgia RNtoBSN Information
Mississippi RNtoBSN Information
South Carolina RNtoBSN Information