Bachelor of Science in Nursing: RN/ADN to BSN Program

Nurses with their stethoscope

At Charter Oak, we’re educating the nurse of the future with our online Nursing: RN/ADN to BSN program! If you have an active RN license and are seeking a trusted online educational partner to earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing, our program has been created with you in mind.

In addition to CCNE Accreditation, the program is licensed and accredited by the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education.

Currently Charter Oak may enroll students from all US states except GU, IA, MI, MS, SD, TN, VT, WA, WI, and WY. According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the boards of nursing in these states require specific approval of any RN/ADN to BSN program that enrolls RNs from their state. Charter Oak is currently seeking approval in these states; as these approvals are granted this webpage will be updated.

CCNE Accreditation

The Nursing: RN/ADN to BSN program at Charter Oak State College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Read the CCNE Accreditation Announcement

This major requires a minimum of 120 credits. All major requirements must be completed with a grade of 'C' or higher. Applicants may transfer in two (2) courses from another RN/ADN to BSN program with grades of ‘C’ or above, from other regionally accredited institutions. The credits must be equivalent to the content and credit amount offered in one of the required courses of the program, subject to approval of the Nursing Director.

  • NUR 301: Baccalaureate Nursing Role

    3 credits
  • NUR 310: HC Policy, Economics, Regulation, & Ethics

    3 credits
  • NUR 315: Nursing Research & Expanded EBP

    4 credits
  • NUR 320: Population Health

    4 credits
  • NUR 400: CQI, Safety, & IP Collaboration

    4 credits
  • NUR 410: Systems Leadership/Continuum of Care

    4 credits
  • NUR 494: Final Preparation for the Baccalaureate Nursing Capstone

    1 credit
  • NUR 495: Baccalaureate Nursing Capstone

    4 credits

Admission to the Nursing: RN/ADN to BSN program is selective. Candidates to the program must have:

  • A minimum calculated Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.3, based on the Charter Oak State College Nursing Program of Study (Advising Worksheet).
  • Graduated from a nationally accredited (ACEN, CNEA) Associate Degree in Nursing or Diploma Nursing Program. *
  • A current, unencumbered RN license from a territory or state of the United States of America. **^

* Applicants who hold a current, unencumbered RN license from a US state or territory, but did not graduate from a nationally accredited (ACEN,CNEA) Associate Degree in Program in Nursing or Diploma Nursing Program, will be subject to the following admissions conditions:

  • Credentials from non-U.S. colleges must be evaluated by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or World Education Services (WES). The College must be determined to have the equivalent of US Regional Accreditation by ECE or WES in order for the credits to be transferable.
  • Once admitted to the College the student must successfully complete IDS101 and NUR 301 on the first attempt or will be withdrawn from the Nursing Program.

** Applicants who have not yet received their RN license, but meet other admissions requirements, will be permitted to enroll in the college for one semester. Proof of RN licensure must be provided for continued enrollment.

Stephanie G. Knutson
Ed.D, RN

Kathryn Murphy

Kathryn Murphy
Ed.D, MSN, RN, CHSE

Ellen O. Duell
APRN, CWOCN, ACNS-BC

Lisa Rioux
CNML, MSN, BSN, RN

Linda Perfetto

Linda M. Perfetto
PhD, MS, RN, CNE, CNOR, FAADN

Samantha Parillo
BSN, MSN

Tara DeGros
DNP

Jessica Gabriele
ASN, DNP

Dawn Bunting

Dawn Bunting
EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, FAADN

Rachael Smith

Rachael Smith
CNE, CEN, CCRN, CPEN, TCRN

Sheila Solernou

Sheila Solernou
EdD, MSN, BSN, RN

Korrine Roth

Korrine Roth
MSN, RN, FACHE

Deirdre Doyle

Deirdre Doyle

Q: What is the CT Health Horizons Scholarship?

CT Health Horizons is a statewide higher education initiative. Launched by Governor Ned Lamont in August 2022, this three-year program plans to address shortages in nursing. Charter Oak State College is one of the awardees of this scholarship to provide tuition assistance for RN/ADN to BSN students.

Q: Who may be eligible for this scholarship?

Charter Oak RN/ADN to BSN students that are Connecticut residents may be eligible if they meet one of the two (2) following criteria.

  1. Have a home address in an Alliance school district.

    • The current list of eligible school districts are: Ansonia, Bloomfield, Bridgeport, Bristol, Danbury, Derby, East Hartford, East Haven, East Windsor, Enfield, Groton, Hamden, Hartford, Killingly, Manchester, Meriden, Middletown, Naugatuck, New Britain, New Haven, New London, Norwalk, Norwich, Plainfield, Putnam, Stamford, Stratford, Thompson, Torrington, Vernon, Waterbury, West Haven, Winchester, Windham, Windsor, Windsor Locks.
  2. Meet the income criteria for federal Pell grant eligibility.

    • There is no exact income number that qualifies you for a Federal Pell grant. Your eligibility depends on multiple factors. The best way to find out if you may qualify for Pell is to visit Charter Oak’s financial aid website and begin the free FAFSA application process.

Q: I do not live in an Alliance school district and I am not Pell eligible, but I am experiencing a financial hardship, is there a way I can qualify?

If you are a Connecticut resident that does not meet either of the two (2) criteria, but you are experiencing a financial hardship, you may be able to qualify.

To document a financial hardship, you would need to provide a written narrative on your current financial situation. In the narrative, include any financial implications that impact your eligibility. For example, loss of employment, reduction in work hours, unexpected expenses (mortgage arrearage, increased housing costs or medical bills). You would also need to have documentation to go along with the narrative. Contact Charter Oak’s Financial Aid office by email at sfa@charteroak.edu or phone at (860) 515-3703 to receive more information about the hardship process.

Q: Can the CT Health Horizons Scholarship assist me with more than tuition expenses?

Yes. The CT Health Horizons Scholarship can provide a financial scholarship that can cover the following enrollment items/services:

Tuition, application fees, books, educational supplies, and technology required for the program.

Q: Is the CT Health Horizons Scholarship just for new RN/ADN to BSN students or can current RN/ADN to BSN students be eligible?

Both new and current RN/ADN to BSN students that are residents of Connecticut and meet either or both criteria can be eligible for the scholarship.

Q: My employer provides tuition reimbursement benefits, but I cannot afford the upfront costs of college. Can I use this scholarship instead of tuition reimbursement by my employer?

Yes. If you meet either or both criteria can be eligible for the scholarship, you can utilize the CT Health Horizons Scholarship and not worry about the upfront costs to get started, or continue, on your RN/ADN to BSN path.

Q: How long does the scholarship last?

The scholarship can be used for up to two (2) years.

Q: It looks like I am eligible, how do I get started?

  • IF YOU ARE A CURRENT STUDENT, make sure you have started the FAFSA process and then contact financial aid to let them know you would like to be considered for the CT Health Horizons Scholarship.
  • IF YOU ARE NEW/PROSPECTIVE STUDENT, let your Admissions Counselor know you are interested in the CT Health Horizons Scholarship and they will guide you through the process.

Outcomes & Pathways

Students who graduate with a major in Nursing: Nursing: RN/ADN to BSN will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a strong foundation in evidence-based nursing practice through purposeful, informed, outcome-oriented thinking and action that reflects a commitment to lifelong learning.
  2. Utilize and apply knowledge, critical thinking, and clinical decision-making skills to make sound clinical judgments that identify and address individual, population, and organizational challenges.
  3. Integrate leadership skills of systems thinking, communication and change facilitation to meet patient care and organizational needs across the continuum of care.
  4. Guided by the acquisition of a liberal arts education, utilize an ethical framework to advocate for patients amid economic, political, social, and demographic forces affecting the delivery of regional, national, and global healthcare.
  5. Integrate determinants of health and patients’ cultural beliefs and practices into the delivery and management of care to promote health across the lifespan.
  6. Interact using effective communication skills with patients, families, and interprofessional team members that fosters mutual respect and shared decision making to enhance patient satisfaction and health outcomes.
  7. Apply evidence-based practice models to identify and integrate scientific evidence to address practice issues and assure quality nursing care outcomes.
  8. Advocate for and participate in patient safety and quality initiatives as a member of the interprofessional healthcare team.
  9. Utilize informatics and patient care technology to enhance communication in the provision and management of safe, effective patient care.
  10. Incorporate professional nursing standards and accountability into practice as a member of the interprofessional healthcare team.

Question: How do I redeem my qualified credential(s) for undergraduate and/or graduate college credit with Charter Oak?

Answer: Tell us which credentials/certifications you’ve earned when you apply along with your member ID. We’ll do the rest. View the full list of evaluated professional credentials for credit.

  • Certified Coding Associate (CCA) up to 20
  • Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) up to 23
  • Certified Documentation Improvement Practitioner (CDIP) up to 19
  • Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC) up to 17
  • Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA) up to 10
  • Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) up to 4
  • Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring (CNIM) up to 35
  • Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) up to 23
  • Certified Professional Biller (CPB) up to 9
  • Certified Professional Coder (CPC) up to 19
  • Certified Professional Compliance Officer (CPCO) up to 23
  • Health Information and Management Systems, Certified Professional (CPHIMS) up to 9
  • Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA) up to 25
  • Certified Phlebotomy Technologist (CPT) up to 4
  • Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) up to 23
  • Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) up to 29
  • Emergency Medical Services Responder (EMR) up to 2
  • Emergency Medical Services Technician (EMT) up to 6
  • Emergency Medical Services Technician, Advanced (EMT-A) up to 8
  • Health Services Executive (HSE)* up to 19
  • Nurse, Licensed Practical (LPN) up to 16
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging technician (MRIT) up to 16
  • Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT) up to 3
  • Registered Electroencephalographic Technologist (RET) up to 19
  • Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) up to 48
  • Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) up to 37
  • Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) up to 24
  • Nurse, Registered (RN) up to 64
  • Radiologic Technologist (RT) up to 33
  • Paramedic up to 41

*Approved for Graduate level.

Why Charter Oak State College?