If you’re a licensed registered nurse looking to advance your nursing career, a 12-month online BSN program could be your fastest path forward. Designed for working RNs, the RN to BSN nursing program from St. Thomas University (STU) offers a flexible, fully online format that helps you earn a respected baccalaureate degree without stepping away from your job.
Backed by accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), this program builds on your existing knowledge and experience to support your long-term goals — whether that’s expanding into leadership, continuing into graduate study or improving the quality of patient care in your current role. This article explores how this 12-month RN to BSN program works and help you decide if STU’s accelerated curriculum is the right nursing school option for you.
What Is an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)?
An accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) is an intensive degree pathway designed for individuals who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and want to transition into nursing. Unlike traditional nursing programs that take several years to complete, an ABSN program condenses coursework and clinical rotations into a fast-paced format, allowing students to earn a baccalaureate degree in nursing in 12-24 months.
This nursing program is ideal for career changers who are ready to move into health care quickly. It combines rigorous academic study with hands-on experiences to prepare graduates for licensure and immediate entry into professional practice.
While ABSN programs are designed for those entering the profession, the rest of this article focuses on the St. Thomas University 12-month online RN to BSN program — a degree pathway for licensed RNs seeking to advance their careers.
Why Choose St. Thomas University’s 12-month RN to BSN Program?
The online RN to BSN program from St. Thomas University (STU) offers a fast, flexible way for licensed RNs to earn their bachelor’s degree. Here’s what makes STU a standout choice in nursing education:
- Supportive learning environment: STU’s College of Nursing offers small class sizes, faculty mentorship and a student-centered culture focused on professional growth.
- Faith-based, service-driven mission: The school of nursing integrates spiritual values and ethical leadership into its curriculum, emphasizing compassionate care and social responsibility.
- Flexible online format: Courses are delivered 100% online with six start dates per year and the option to complete all coursework (including required general education) through STU at the same tuition rate. With RN to BSN enrollment declining by 16.9% nationally in recent years, there’s a growing need for programs designed to meet working nurses where they are — and STU’s flexible, transfer-friendly model rises to the occasion.
- High earning potential: Registered nurses with a BSN earn an average annual salary of $90,046 as of June 2025, compared to $80,321 for those with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
- Job placement success: Nationally, 84% of BSN graduates receive job offers at graduation, showing the ongoing demand for baccalaureate-trained nurses.
- Affordable, straightforward tuition structure: STU’s RN to BSN program’s flat-rate tuition applies to both in-state and out-of-state students.
STU’s RN to BSN Curriculum Overview
St. Thomas University’s RN to BSN online program expands on the foundational knowledge licensed RNs already possess. Through a series of targeted courses, the degree program emphasizes leadership, critical thinking, and advanced concepts in nursing care that prepare students for broader professional roles and future graduate study.
Specialized Topics in Nursing
Beyond foundational nursing knowledge, the RN to BSN curriculum at STU explores specialized topics that prepare nurses to lead, educate and advocate for patients in diverse care settings. These subject areas reflect the evolving demands of modern nursing and help graduates pursue advanced roles or graduate study:
- Mental health: Develop skills for understanding psychosocial well-being, therapeutic communication and culturally sensitive care across communities
- Health promotion: Focus on strategies that prevent illness, promote wellness, and improve public health outcomes through courses like Health Assessment & Promotion and Community Health Nursing
- Leadership and informatics: Prepare for supervisory and administrative roles by exploring nursing leadership and the use of technology in clinical decision-making.
- Ethics and professional identity: Engage in critical thinking and values-based discussion through coursework that covers nursing ethics, Catholic bioethics and diverse faith perspectives
- Culturally responsive care: Expand your ability to care for individuals from various backgrounds through studies in multicultural nursing and population health
Clinical Experiences
While St. Thomas University’s RN to BSN program is delivered fully online, it does include two practicum-based courses that require in-person clinical experiences: NUR 419 Nursing Leadership and NUR 420 Community Health Nursing. Each of these courses includes a 54-hour clinical practicum, giving students the opportunity to apply leadership and population health concepts in real-world settings.
To support flexibility, STU encourages students to secure their own preceptors and clinical placements so they can plan experiences around their existing work and personal commitments. This blended approach ensures that nursing students graduate with the theoretical foundation and the practical leadership skills necessary for advanced professional roles.
Admission Requirements and Eligibility
To meet admission and transfer criteria, students must:
- Submit a completed, free application
- Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Hold an active and unencumbered RN license issued in Florida or Georgia (including NCLEX passage verification)
- Reside in Florida or Georgia for participation in required clinical practicums
- Provide transcripts from all accredited post-secondary institutions (Unofficial transcripts accepted during application)
- Submit high school transcripts if no college-level coursework has been completed
Application Process
Once eligible, students can complete the application in just five steps:
- Submit the online application. Visit the STU website to complete the form and select a preferred start date.
- Upload supporting documents. This includes official transcripts, proof of RN licensure and any additional materials requested by admissions.
- Connect with an enrollment advisor. An STU advisor will guide you through the final steps and help confirm your application is complete.
- Watch for your admissions decision. Decisions are typically issued promptly after all documentation has been received and reviewed.
- Meet the application deadline. Be sure to submit all materials before the posted deadline for your chosen term.
🗓️ Upcoming RN to BSN Start Date
- Apply by: August 8, 2025
- Classes begin: August 23, 2025
Start your journey toward earning your BSN with a flexible, fully online format designed for working RNs.
What Can You Do With a BSN?
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) opens the door to a wide range of professional opportunities and advanced education pathways. With the growing demand for highly educated nurses, BSN graduates are positioned to:
- Qualify for higher graduate programs: A BSN is the minimum requirement to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), master’s degree-prepared nurses are in high demand as expert clinicians, nurse executives, clinical educators, health policy consultants and research assistants.
- Pursue clinical specializations: Professional health sciences, such as pediatrics and pharmacology, become more accessible with a BSN foundation.
- Advance into leadership: Many health care organizations seek BSN-prepared nurses for supervisory and nurse manager roles.
- Enhance patient care quality: BSN-level training deepens understanding of professional nursing standards and complex patient care needs.
- Teach or mentor: BSN holders may qualify for clinical educator roles or work as preceptors in nursing education programs.
Start Your Nursing Journey at St. Thomas University
St. Thomas University’s accelerated nursing program offers a fast, flexible pathway to completing your BSN degree. Delivered fully online, this nursing program is designed for working registered nurses who want to grow professionally without putting their careers on hold.
With affordable tuition, a student-centered environment and state-of-the-art online learning tools, STU supports success every step of the way. Plus, students can complete required coursework and general education courses at the same tuition rate — and explore financial aid options if eligible.
Take the next step in your nursing journey today. Contact STU for an information session and apply to the RN to BSN online program today.
FAQs About RN to BSN and Accelerated Nursing Programs
If you’re exploring accelerated nursing options or planning your next step as a registered nurse, these answers to common questions can help clarify your path.
Is there an accelerated RN to BSN program online?
Yes — STU’s RN to BSN offers part-time, online pathways that allow registered nurses to earn their BSN while continuing to work full time.
Can I get a nursing degree in 1 year?
With the right transfer credits and full-time study, STU’s RN to BSN program can be completed in as few as 12 months.
What is the easiest accelerated nursing program to get into?
While “easy” depends on the individual, STU’s program has accessible admission requirements and accepts transfer credits for prerequisite courses and general education.
What is the fastest program to become an RN?
The quickest way to become a registered nurse (RN) is usually by earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which takes about two years. Another fast-track option for those who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree is an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, which can take as little as 16 months to complete.
