Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Overview

Career outlook

Employers hire BSN-prepared registered nurses for direct patient care as well as roles requiring expanded leadership, research, and community-health competencies across nearly every healthcare setting.

Getting in

What Pacific Lutheran University asks for, taken from its own admissions page.

Traditional BSN admits to the nursing major for fall or spring of junior year; students apply through PLU's own application with a $73 fee, essays and a nursing addenda form, minimum cumulative GPA 3.0 and seven prerequisites (A&P I within the last 6 years, chemistry, microbiology, developmental psychology, statistics, nutrition). First-year Nursing Direct Admission deadline is December 1, 2026 and needs a 3.4 or higher weighted GPA plus three or more college-prep math/science courses at B- or better; current PLU students priority February 15; transfer applicants for Spring 2027 were due September 18, 2026. Background check required after admission; no entrance exam stated.

Checked Oct 2026 on the school's site. Requirements change each cycle, so confirm before you apply.

Paths

Routes into BSN. The first step is where you enroll today.

CNA to BSN

CNA BSN

Bridge from frontline care to a four-year nursing degree, with your patient-care hours working for you.

Time

4 years

State

All states

California State University, Fresno

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Georgia CNA to RN Pathway

CNA BSN

Start as a Certified Nursing Assistant in Georgia and earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Georgia State. Begin patient-care work in weeks, then ladder into a four-year BSN that prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-RN.

Time

4 years

State

GA

University of Texas at Arlington

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