All Washington, DC RN-BSN Programs

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Get the hard facts on D.C. Online RN to BSN programs! Use our state listings to explore ACEN- and CCNE-accredited options. Discover the best Online RN to BSN programs in Washington, D.C. Apply for D.C. RN to BSN scholarships and special hospital tuition discounts. And find answers to FAQs, including details on 100% online programs.

Best RN to BSN Online Programs in Washington, D.C.

1. George Washington University

Program: Online RN to BSN
RN to BSN Credits: 36
Length: 4 Semesters/15 Months (Part-Time; Fixed Schedule)
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes—Check State Authorizations
NCLEX Pass Rates: N/A

GWU’s 100% Online RN to BSN has everything going for it! GW Nursing earns superb rankings for its online programs. It has tight relationships with local institutions & community colleges (e.g. Guaranteed Admission). It offers discounts & tuition coverage through Hospital Partnerships and the GW Hospital Nursing Scholars Program. And it has developed a great Online RN to BSN plan of study. Along with the typical array of leadership and 400-level nursing subjects, the 15-month curriculum includes 6 credits of 600-level electives and a Nursing Advancement Professional Portfolio.

2. Howard University

Program: Online RN to BSN
RN to BSN Credits: 30
Length: 12 Months (Full-Time) or More (Part-Time)
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
NCLEX Pass Rates: 88.89%

Howard has a long & proud history as a historically black research university, so faculty within the Department of Nursing are refreshingly diverse. Better yet, in 2022, the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences (CNAHS) received a $2 million endowment to hire new nurse educators, offer student scholarships, and support the creation of a DNP program. You should have plenty of graduate opportunities after you earn your Online RN to BSN! One thing to note—although most of this program is 100% online, the course in Ethics for Health Care Professions is held face-to-face.

Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs in Washington, D.C.

Online RN to BSN programs in D.C. are far from cheap. Even the most reasonable options are still going to be a lot more expensive than degrees from other areas (e.g. Florida, North Carolina, etc.). And none of them qualify for our Cheapest rankings.

Before you make a decision, talk to your supervisor & mentors. If you can get an Online RN to BSN tuition deal through a hospital partnership, you may be able to bring the price down. We also recommend you have a look at our rankings of the Most Affordable Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.

Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in Washington, D.C.

To appear in our Fastest rankings, Online RN to BSN programs must be available in a plan of study that takes less than 3 semesters/1 year to complete on a full-time schedule. We didn’t find any degrees in D.C. that met these criteria. The fastest programs (e.g. Howard and TWU) tend to take 1 year.

For alternatives, browse through our rankings of the Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in the U.S. There are plenty of affordable—and accredited—2-semester and self-paced options available.

RN to BSN Scholarships in Washington, D.C.

Statewide Scholarships for Washington, D.C. RN to BSN Students

D.C. Nursing Organization Scholarships

The District of Columbia Nurses Association (DCNA) is the major professional organization for D.C.-based RNs. However, unlike other state associations, it doesn’t appear to offer scholarships.

Instead, we recommend you check out Black Nurses Association of Greater Washington, D.C. Area (BNA of GWDCA) Scholarships. The Felicia C. Brady Memorial Scholarship is open to RNs who wish to return to college to pursue a higher degree.

D.C. Healthcare System & University Partnerships

Do you work for a D.C.-area hospital or healthcare system? Be sure to talk to your HR representative before you decide on a program! You may be eligible for all kinds of benefits & tuition breaks (e.g. MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Education Assistance). Examples include:

GWU’s Hospital Partnerships and GW Hospital Nursing Scholars Program. GWU will cover 100% of Online RN to BSN tuition for GW Hospital RNs.

In certain cases, D.C. hospitals offer their own scholarships (e.g. Washington Hospital Service League Scholarships).

D.C. Community Foundation Scholarships

You might also take a moment to find your local Community Foundation in D.C. and ask about scholarships for college-level students. Although most foundation awards are reserved for recent high school graduates, there are exceptions to the rule. And it never hurts to inquire!

University Scholarships for Washington, D.C. RN to BSN Students

Institutional aid in D.C. will depend on the school—universities with big reputations & large endowments (e.g. GWU) are going to offer the most awards to nursing students. We’ve also included links to university-wide scholarships, but read the fine print to see if online & upper division students are eligible. Many of these awards will be for “traditional” 4-year undergraduates.

George Washington University

Howard University

HU Scholarships & Grants

University of the District of Columbia

RN to BSN Requirements in Washington, D.C.

RN Licensure: Online RN to BSN degrees are classified as “post-licensure” programs. D.C. universities will expect you to have—or be in the process of earning—an RN license. Some schools may be willing to consider Online RN to BSN applicants who are waiting to sit the NCLEX exam. Talk to the RN to BSN program coordinator about your options.

Questions about state RN licensure can be answered by the DC Health Board of Nursing.
The BON also posts reports on Approved D.C. Nursing Schools & NCLEX Pass Rates. NCLEX stats don’t apply to post-licensure programs, but they’re a useful quality marker. Avoid Schools of Nursing with poor results.

State Authorization: Do you live outside of D.C.? Before you commit to an Online RN to BSN in the District, just be sure you’re eligible to apply. For example, GWU’s 100% Online RN to BSN is subject to State Authorizations and is unavailable in a few states.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are 100% Online RN to BSN Programs in Washington, D.C. Available?

Yes. All of the Online RN to BSN programs in our D.C. listings look to be 100% online, with no campus visits required. Just keep in mind that you will still need to make time for practicums & fieldwork experiences.

Can I Choose a “No Clinicals” Online RN to BSN in Washington, D.C.?

Because of accreditation rules, CCNE- and ACEN-accredited Online RN to BSN programs almost always include some kind of practicum. But the good news is that BSN-level practicums in online degrees:

Primarily deal with training in community/public health and nursing leadership & management.
Can be completed in your local area and/or place of employment.

Do I Need Statistics to Apply for a D.C. Online RN to BSN?

Maybe. We saw statistics listed as a standard prerequisite for GWU, HU, and TWU. But UDC’s Online RN to BS is a bit ambiguous—statistics is available as an elective. Talk to the school. If you don’t have statistics on your transcript, you may be able to take it as a “co-requisite” while you start RN to BSN coursework.