RN to BSN in Ohio
The best Ohio online RN to BSN nursing schools have accredited programs that offer working RNs a flexible path to earn a bachelor’s degree. In Ohio, now is a great time for working RNs to begin the process of going back to school or also to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
What makes now a great time for that? There is no time like today to better assist patients and coworkers in the healthcare field. With improved and enhanced skills and a deeper theoretical understanding of nursing as a practice nursing is an ideal career. Especially in Cincinnati, which is one of the highest-paying cities for nurses. So, ensure your job security and improve your working conditions today by considering some of these TopRNtoBSN programs.
RN To BSN In Ohio: The Online Option
The following TopRNtoBSN programs are the 15 Best Online programs for RN to BSN students in the Buckeye State. Our editors compiled this list with educational programs that have accreditation from the CCNE. Each is affordable, convenient, and everything a busy Ohio nurse needs to finally finish up their BSN. Additionally, Ohio also has two of the nation’s most affordable online RN to BSN programs. The top 15 are ranked evenly by 3 qualifications:
- Reputation (the institution’s CollegeConsensus.com Consensus Score)
- Cost (per online credit)
- Success Outcomes (from the Department of Education’s College Scorecard)
For the sake of your work, stop thinking about going back to school, and start going back to school. It also means you already have one of the biggest skills to complete the following top online RNtoBSN degree programs. Make the birthplace of aviation also the birthplace of your next big career move. You will not regret it.
1. Miami University
Miami University is a public post-secondary institution located in Ohio. Established in 1809, Miami U’s name honors the Native American tribe that once lived in the Miami Valley region. The tribe now lives in Oklahoma but maintains ties with the university. The main campus is in Oxford, Ohio, and is only 35 minutes north of bustling Cincinnati. Total enrollment is around 17,000 undergraduates and 2,300 graduate students. Additionally, the school offers over 120 fields of study. Programs include over 60 master’s and doctoral degree programs. The school also offers a variety of bachelor’s and associate degree programs in various disciplines.
One of Miami University’s exciting program offerings is the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Completion Program. Furthermore, this course of study has an entirely online format. Therefore, students have the flexibility to keep life commitments while being successful in their studies. Students can choose to study with full-time or also part-time status and work at their own pace. There are 12 classes to complete within the program. Two classes are clinical courses. Student nurses must work in work in a healthcare facility with a preceptor and also finish a project-based placement. Prospective students must already have a nursing license in the state of Ohio.
Accreditation: CCNE
10 Best Nursing Schools in Miami
2. Ursuline College
Ursuline College opened in 1871 by the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland. This institution of higher learning is a renowned Catholic college and was the first women’s catholic postsecondary institution in Ohio, and one of the first in the country. Located on a gorgeous campus just 13 miles to the east of Cleveland, Ursuline is in the small town of Pepper Pike. Their primary student population consists of women, however, 9 percent of the student body are men. Their program offerings include 30 undergraduate courses of study, as well as 9 graduate programs. Additionally, this catholic community provides value-based learning infused with the tenets of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
In collaboration with Lakeland Community College, Ursuline College offers an RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Students can complete it almost entirely online with a hybrid option. Students also have the opportunity to complete their coursework at an accelerated pace. The flexible online format allows students to continue working in the field of nursing while completing the program. Furthermore, students can complete the program in as little as 12 months with full-time status. Every class allows students to have an intimate cohort experience, allowing for a great deal of personal attention, with a collaborative community element that is paramount to student success.
Accreditation: CCNE
3. Mount Carmel College of Nursing
Mount Carmel College of Nursing opened in 1903 as a Catholic postsecondary institution. Located in Columbus, Ohio, on an urban campus, they are a private four-year College. The nursing school has affiliations with the Mount Carmel Health System, and Trinity Health. Many people refer to students at Mount Carmel by the nickname, “the nightingales.” The school mascot is “the mighty night,” illustrated by the colors burgundy and gray. They offer one of the largest baccalaureate nursing programs in all of Ohio, with 41,069 students enrolled. 40 percent of their student population are non-traditional learners, and over 90 percent receive financial aid.
Mount Carmel College offers a fully accredited RN-Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing Completion Program, that can be achieved in an entirely online format. The course of study was developed to work around the schedule of a busy professional student, and as a result, is tailored meet to each individual’s needs. The program features a liberal arts and sciences foundation that incorporates cutting-edge health information and developments. They have a low student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring that each student is granted the personal attention they deserve for the successful completion of their learning path. Students can choose to study on a full-time or part-time basis, depending on what works for their life circumstances.
Accreditation: CCNE
4. Ohio University
The history of Ohio University dates back to 1786. A group of men convened at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern in Boston and walked away with the idea that a school as a means of education should be built and encouraged. The university officially opened its doors in 1803 with one small building, one professor, and three students. Their primary campus is currently located on 1,803 acres of land on a rural campus in Athens, Ohio, and they also offer a variety of programming online. Ohio university’s total enrollment is close to 37,000 students with a variety of disciplines and degree programs.
Ohio University offers an online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that does not require campus visits. This degree program is flexible enough to allow students to continue working as an RN while successfully completing their coursework. They also offer flexible payment options that make it easier for students to get started. Additionally, there are eight start dates per year. Most general education classes are five weeks long, as well as all of the nursing classes. This program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, as is the online BSN to MSN program, which is an encouraging option for graduates of the BSN program.
Accreditation: CCNE
5. Malone University
Malone University first opened its doors with the name Northeastern Ohio Bible and Training School in 1892. From its inception, the institution has built a foundation on christ-centered learning, service, leadership, and community that favors a liberal arts education based on biblical faith. They have a large variety of disciplines, including 51 undergraduate majors, 49 undergraduate minors, 12 graduate degree programs, and 7 distinct pre-professional programs. The evangelical principles that ground the university, frame Christ’s Kingdom as the most important entity that is easily integrated into all of the practices of education and service. Their affiliation is with the Evangelical Friends Church.
Malone University offers an accelerated Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing Program from students who have already achieved an Associate’s in Nursing or RN accreditation. The program can be completed in as little as 14 months, either entirely online or with the hybrid format, depending on what works best for the student’s schedule and life commitments. Some of the program’s features include the opportunity to take one class at a time, the incorporation of Christian values into nursing practice, highly experienced faculty, the potential for tuition reimbursement for eligible students, and expert faculty who offer one-on-one experience. For those who choose to study in the traditional classroom environment, classes are offered one night per week.
Accreditation: CCNE
6. Mercy College of Ohio
In 1917 Mercy College of Ohio was established as Mercy School of Nursing, by the Sisters of Mercy. Their first-class consisting of 10 students was charged with caring for patients who were suffering from the Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1918. The school offers a variety of online degree and online degree completion programs, while also providing traditional in-class coursework at both of their campuses in Toledo and Youngstown Ohio. Additionally students can choose from 2 master’s programs, 5 bachelor’s degree programs, 5 associate’s degree programs, and 6 credit certificates. They are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
The online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing completion program (RN to BSN) option at Mercy College of Ohio students will be challenged to become even better nurses than they already are. Providing a strong foundation for a cutting-edge career as a nurse, Mercy offers a blend of critical thinking and caring and provides RNs with the option of career mobility through professional development, leadership, and management skills in a flexible format. Online course enrollment begins in the fall (August), spring (January), and summer (May) semesters. With dedicated online nursing faculty, students receive an education that was crafted for the online format, with instructors who excel in this teaching delivery style. This option can be completed in one academic year.
Accreditation: CCNE
7. Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences first received approval to become a nursing school in 1916 and has been evolving ever since. Since 2009, they have been fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2010, they developed the Associate’s of Science in Radiology degree program, for which the first class graduated in 2013. The average age of the student body at Aultman is 27, with a total enrollment of just below 400 students. Most Aultman students come from five neighboring counties. They are known for their significant contributions to healthcare professional in Northeast Ohio and beyond.
Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers a comprehensive RN to Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing Completion Program that can be completed in as little as five semesters. The program features a flexible online hybrid program that enables students the necessary flexibility to still maintain professional RN positions and manage life responsibilities; the classes feature intimate learning environments with a low student-to-faculty ratios, ensuring that each student receives individual attention. Expert faculty, who are leaders in the field have the current information for students to seamlessly achieve success in a variety of nursing settings upon graduation. Applicants must have a 2.5 or higher in their previous nursing-related education.
Accreditation: CCNE
8. Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University is located in Bowling Green, Ohio, just 30 minutes south of Toledo, in the Northwest region of the state. The campus sits on 1,338 acres of land and includes 119 buildings spread throughout the park-like setting. Established in 1910, they have been consistently ranked by the US News and World Report as one of the leading universities in the country. They are committed to a low student-to-faculty ratio throughout all of their programs, averaging 20:1. Their student body includes just over 19,000 students from all 50 states and 70 countries around the world.
Bowling Green State University offers an RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree completion program. This course of study offers flexibility for students to complete much of the coursework online, including all of the nursing core courses, and students then get to choose one of four study plan options to complete the program. With full-time status, the program can be completed in as little as two semesters, or students can choose to work at their own pace and finish the degree in 3 to 8 semesters. Graduates walk away with an unencumbered active nursing license. Applicants must have a cumulative of 2.5 GPA for admission into the program.
Accreditation: CCNE
9. Mount St. Joseph University
Mount St. Joseph University, or simply “the Mount” as familiars call it, is a four-year post-secondary institution that offers a liberal arts and sciences foundation within its five academic schools. Since its founding in the early 20th century, the Mount has taken seriously the call to care for the students associated with the university, as well as the community around it. Established by the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, the Mount opened its doors to the first 20 students in 1920 as the first Catholic university for women in Southwestern Ohio and remained that way until it was declared coeducational in 1986.
The online RN to BSN at the Mount builds on the education that an experienced RN has already achieved. This program also adds theory and practice to a student’s repertoire. The Mount has been teaching nursing for over 80 years, and in that time, few fields have changed as much. This long-standing commitment to nursing education gives Mount St. Joseph nursing students an advantage over others with less of a history of excellence. In line with the Mount’s long-standing commitment to improving student lives and community lives, students will gain an emphasis on becoming strong patient advocates and evidence-based practitioners. The completion program offers 8-week courses over an 8-semester term, providing the flexibility that working RNs need to advance their professional standing and grow their skills in their field.
Accreditation: CCNE
10. Walsh University
On a 136-acre campus located in North Canton, Ohio, Walsh University has a long-standing tradition of excellence in liberal arts education. Founded in its present form and location in 1960. The school’s name honors Bishop Emmett Michael Walsh of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown. With an emphasis on infusing Catholic values and the teachings of Jesus Christ, with modern concepts of building strong leaders and strong communities, Walsh affords many opportunities to students to develop practices that will not only make them succeed as professionals but also succeed in their own communities. Surrounded by beautiful buildings and a gorgeous natural environment, Walsh students can take advantage of all of the benefits of the call of Pope John Paul II to Catholic Universities, to maintain the objective of a Catholic University, and assure in an institutional manner the Christian goals of confronting the great problems of society and culture.
The RN to BSN Online Nursing program at Walsh University prepares students for careers as registered nurses (RNs). Its strong academic programs focus on real-world experience and Judeo-Christian values. As a program for registered nurses who have an associate degree, the online RN to BSN simply improves upon the depth of theory and experience that RNs have, to make them even better nurses. The curriculum embraces the educational foundation and work and life experiences of a nurse. And is a flexible option for adult students who can choose from a part-time or full-time basis.
Accreditation: CCNE
11. University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati (UC) is on 137 tree-lined acres of land on the Ohio River. Founded as Cincinnati College in 1819, UC is the second-largest university in Ohio and one of the largest in the U.S. Boasting dozens of highly ranked degree and certificate programs, UC provides a unique and challenging public university liberal arts education. With accomplishments like inventing Benadryl, being a leader in administering the Polio vaccine, and many others, the over 44,000 students who choose the University of Cincinnati each year are in good hands, no matter the path they take during their time there.
For RNs who wish to achieve their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), the University of Cincinnati offers a flexible online RN to BSN program that is sure to meet the needs of students. With many start dates throughout the academic year and a leadership-focused curriculum, UC nurses have been gaining marketable skills in nursing since 1889. Its core mission is to develop empowered nurse leaders who can generate, explore, and apply nursing knowledge to evolving healthcare environments. Students can complete some of the additional admission prerequisite courses as co-requisites in applicant’s the first year. However, students need permission from the dean of the College of Nursing.
Accreditation: CCNE
12. The University of Akron
The University of Akron started in 1967. Since then, Akron has been a leader in educational excellence offering the 22,000 students the option of more than 300 associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, and law degree programs. Outgrowing its religious affiliation in 1907, the University of Akron became a non-denominational institution, which also made them more compatible to receive institutional funding from the Carnegie Foundation. The University of Akron is located in a town that once housed the rubber tire manufacturing giants, Goodyear, Goodrich, and Firestone. As such, they also taught one of the first polymer science and rubber chemistry courses in the world, and still offer a comprehensive education in these fields in the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering founded in 1988, another first in the world.
The RN to BSN program at the University of Akron encourages the RN to empower themself by becoming a leader and patient advocates in the nursing field with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Akron offers the expertise, knowledge, and confidence to take on advanced roles within the healthcare community. It also employs a faculty committed to a student-centric approach to learning. The coursework is 100% online, and valid state nursing license holders become automatically matriculated students in the nursing department. The exact course load and length of time in the program vary student by student, as an advisor will help students develop a plan of study that will best meet their needs.
Accreditation: CCNE
13. The University of Toledo
The University of Toledo (UT) is a public university located in Toledo, one of the northernmost towns in Ohio. Toledo borders the Great Lake Erie and is only an hour and a half from Detroit, Michigan. UT is a large research university, with nearly 23,000 enrolled students, and over 300 academic programs for these students to choose from. Founded in 1872 as a trades and arts school, UT has come a long way, closing down several times in the 20th century, only to reemerge with better and more resourced programs and bigger and better-placed buildings and grounds. Now the university has its sights on holistic sustainability through efforts like reusable and compostable dining hall dishes and containers, as well as plans for solar energy use for university buildings and surrounding Toledo, both in practice and as a university research focus.
This University of Toledo program supports students with an RN so they are successful in achieving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with an entirely online format. The consortium of Toledo and Bowling Green State University (BGSU) provides an innovative and unique baccalaureate nursing program. Students choose the university (BGSU or UT) that best meets their needs for general education, liberal arts, and sciences. Then they complete online nursing courses in the major through The University of Toledo. This option makes it easy for graduates to find immediate employment upon graduation. Applicants must have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA from their previous nursing-related education. Additionally, students can complete the degree with one year of full-time study. Part-time students complete it in two years.
Accreditation: CCNE
14. Ashland University
Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio is a private school with a long history of serving students from all over the midwest. Originally affiliated with the German Baptist Brethren Church, community members raised $10,000 in 1877 to help found a university in their community. They met the challenge, and a new school was born. With an enrollment of around 7,000 students today, Ashland is a small, student-focused non-profit university, with a dedicated instruction staff, and a very active student governing body. Holding the philosophy of the accent on the individual, Ashland students can expect personal attention from professors who want to ensure they succeed.
One of the effective and student-focused online programs at Ashland University is their RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. This division of study has full accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The CCNE ensures an institution meets national standards in its approach to nursing education. Students will graduate from the program with all of the necessary skills to be leaders in the field of nursing in a variety of professional settings, while also having the foundation to continue their education to achieve a Master’s in Nursing or beyond. Students have the option of taking an accelerated path with full-time status and accomplishing their BSN in only two semesters.
Accreditation: CCNE
15. Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University is a public research institution in Cleveland, Ohio that began as a community-focused YMCA program, offering free classes for local people in 1870. Over time, the school evolved to create more of a strict post-secondary impact for students, acquiring the land and buildings of nearby Fenn College, and then doing the same with the Cleveland-Marshall Law school, ultimately creating the University System of Ohio 4-year school that is today. Situated in the heart of downtown, The Rock and Roll Capital of the World is a great place to get an education, no matter what focus you have.
One of these unique and innovative offerings at Cleveland State University is their online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion Program. The program is for students who are already working in the field as an RN and have achieved an Associate’s degree or equivalent in nursing. Students have the choice of completing the program with full or part-time status. However, they must complete the coursework within 5 years of enrollment. Conversely, students can complete it in as little as three semesters. All classes are online. The degree in its entirety consists of 48 credit hours, which includes 36 that are 300 level or above.
Accreditation: CCNE
How Do I Become a Nurse in Ohio?
The Ohio Board of Nursing manages the procedures required to obtain an Ohio Nursing license. Additionally, the state Board of Nursing offers an Ohio nursing license endorsement program for temporary licensing. It is for nursing professionals who a) hold nursing licenses issued by other jurisdictions, and b) meet the eligibility requirements set forth by the Ohio Board of Nursing.
Each school of nursing in Ohio and even accredited nursing schools in Ohio offer a variety of programs for students reaching for the several levels of nursing licenses offered through the Ohio Board of Nursing. A school of nursing in Ohio or accredited nursing schools in Ohio may offer these programs.
- Licensed Practical Nurse — LPN to RN programs in Ohio
- Registered Nurse — RN programs in Ohio
- RN to BSN programs in Ohio
The RN programs in Ohio prepare nursing students to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) required to obtain an Ohio nursing license. NCLEX is the national exam that tests nursing graduates in nursing practice competencies.
For those nursing professionals who already hold an Ohio Registered Nurse license must renew it periodically with the Ohio Board of Nursing to maintain an active license. The criteria for the Ohio Board of Nursing license renewal is available on the Ohio Board of Nursing website.
How is the Job Market for Nurses in Ohio?
Nursing is one of only a handful of growing professions. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects nursing jobs to grow at a rate six percent (6%). And according to the federal government, the nursing profession will add more than 195,400 jobs between 2021 and 2031.
These statistics reveal positive news for nursing professionals looking for LPN Jobs in Ohio and Registered Nursing Jobs in Ohio. Much of the industry’s strong demand comes from the increasing need to care for the aging baby-boomer population. A Georgetown University study revealed a potential, looming nursing shortage, as well as an increase in preventative care, for chronic conditions like obesity and diabetes.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the state of Ohio is predicted to employ nearly 182,000 nurses by the year 2030. LPN jobs in Ohio and nursing jobs in Ohio should remain plentiful, especially for those nursing professionals who decide to seek advanced training in the many nursing specialties within the medical industry.
How Much Do Nurses Make in Ohio?
Have you wondered how much an LPN salary in Ohio will be? Or, how much do Nurse Practitioners make in Ohio? The salaries for nursing in Ohio professionals vary by experience, education, and position. The variations in these different nursing specialties are not unique to the state of Ohio as they differ among nursing specialists throughout the country as well.
Therefore, it is highly likely that a Nurse Anesthetist’s salary in Ohio will be different from the Nurse Practitioner’s salary in Ohio. Nursing employment in Buckeye State offers a range of salaries. And Ohio nursing compensation packages differ among different positions.
- Average Nurse Practitioner salary Ohio
- Entry level RN salary Ohio
- LPN Salary in Ohio, or LPN hourly wage in Ohio
- New Grad RN salary Ohio
- Nurse Anesthetist salary Ohio
- Nurse Practitioner salary in Ohio
Nursing salaries for the various specialties in Ohio follow the national salary averages disclosed on the federal government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website. According to the BLS, the median RN nursing salary in the nation for 2022 was $81,220.
| Type | Ohio | US |
|---|---|---|
| CNAs | $34,110 per year (BLS) | $35,760 per year (BLS) |
| LPNs | $52,330 per year (BLS) | $54,620 per year (BLS) |
| RNs | $78,450 per year (BLS) | $81,220 per year (BLS) |
| Nurse Midwives | $124,560 per year (BLS) | $120,880 per year (BLS) |
| Nurse Practitioners | $117,440 per year (BLS) | $121,610 per year (BLS) |
| Nurse Anesthetists | $197,630 per year (BLS) | $203,090 per year (BLS) |
Nurse Salaries in Ohio
Job Growth
Job growth in the healthcare field is incredible – many states are experiencing growth rates of 15 % or more. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates that the number of available nursing positions will increase by nearly 500,000 in the United States by the year 2026, twice this number for high population states. That is half a million to a million jobs just in the next decade! Of the nearly 128 thousand nurses currently working in Ohio, each earns an average of $63,000 per year, the highest of these represented by bachelors and higher degree holders.
Two other big incentives for nurses who have yet to complete their BSN include the fact that soon, it may not be an option. The National Council of the State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is considering a proposal to make the bachelor’s degree the minimum licensing degree for registered nurses. In addition, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition program requires the staff of hospitals to have 80% BSN holders.
Related:
- Nursing in Ohio
- 10 Best Nursing Schools Columbus Ohio
- 10 Highest Demand Areas for Nursing Shortage By State
- Top 25 Residential BSN Programs
- Residential Accelerated BSN Programs
- Best Online RN to BSN Programs
- 15 Best Online Accelerated BSN Programs
- 25 Best Cities for Nurses for Salary, Jobs, and Living
