Rasmussen University Nursing Programs: A Comprehensive Overview
Rasmussen University offers a variety of nursing programs designed to support individuals at every stage of their nursing career, whether they are just starting or seeking to advance their education. As a national leader in nursing education, Rasmussen University provides flexible options and comprehensive support to help students achieve their goals efficiently.
Nursing Program Options at Rasmussen University
The university's nursing programs cater to a wide range of aspiring and practicing nurses. The first factor is whether you’re a licensed nurse or not. If you aren’t a licensed nurse, the Practical Nursing Diploma, Professional Nursing Associate’s degree (ADN) or accelerated Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) would offer the support you need to launch your career. If you already have your license as a practical or registered nurse, our LPN to RN Bridge and online RN to BSN can help you reach your next goal faster. Once you have your BSN, you can set your eyes on graduate programs. Expand your nursing knowledge and make a lasting impression on the nursing field with your online MSN degree. Choose from three specializations to expand your RN scope in education, leadership and technology. Or, pursue advanced practice with your online MSN-NP program with the choice of four specializations. The online DNP is for nurses called to lead at the highest level of healthcare. Ready for a new specialty or another level of leadership? Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates are perfect for nurses with their MSN or DNP looking to expand their skills.
Pre-Licensure Programs
- Practical Nursing Diploma: This program prepares students to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in as few as 15 months. Graduates are eligible to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination for practical nurses (NCLEX-PN®).
- Professional Nursing Associate’s Degree (ADN): This program is designed for those starting their journey to become a Registered Nurse (RN). The ADN program can be completed in as few as 21 months with the help of transfer credits and $149 self-directed assessments.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Rasmussen University offers multiple entry tracks for the BSN program:
- BSN Standard Degree: For individuals without a prior college diploma or degree, the BSN Standard Degree program can be completed in 33 months.
- Accelerated BSN Second Degree: Designed for those who already have a Bachelor’s degree and want to switch to nursing, this accelerated program can be completed in 18 months.
Post-Licensure Programs
- LPN to RN Bridge: This option is available for current LPNs looking to advance to RN status. The Professional Nursing Associate's degree Mobility Bridge Entrance Option can bring the current LPN to RN status in 18-24 months.
- Online RN to BSN: This program helps RNs earn their BSN degree faster. The remaining classes needed to earn their BSN degree are online, with additional in-person clinicals to ensure full skills advancement.
- Online MSN Degree: Once you have your BSN, you can set your eyes on graduate programs. Expand your nursing knowledge and make a lasting impression on the nursing field with your online MSN degree. Choose from three specializations to expand your RN scope in education, leadership and technology.
- Online MSN-NP Program: Or, pursue advanced practice with your online MSN-NP program with the choice of four specializations.
- Online DNP: The online DNP is for nurses called to lead at the highest level of healthcare.
- Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates: Ready for a new specialty or another level of leadership? Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates are perfect for nurses with their MSN or DNP looking to expand their skills.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Rasmussen University is designed to help students efficiently become registered nurses (RNs) with a BSN degree. The CCNE-accredited BSN program is tailored to support nurses at every level.
Curriculum and Courses
In the BSN program, students take online and on-campus courses and participate in on-site clinicals. As a BSN student, you’ll collaborate with experienced nursing faculty and other Nursing students in state-of-the-art simulation centers and updated labs. You’ll feel prepared for the NCLEX-RN® exam and be on your way to becoming a confident RN.
Some of the courses include:
Read also: Comprehensive Guide to Rasmussen Portal
- Professional Nursing Skills II: Discover higher-level nursing skills for diverse patients across the lifespan to improve patient outcomes and health promotion, including newborn and pediatric.
- Integration of Genetics and Genomics into Ethical Nursing Practice: Study multidimensional components of genetics and genomics in nursing practice. Examine the influences of legal and governmental policies on ethical advocacy for at-risk patients.
- Emerging Healthcare Technologies and Innovation: Compare strategies to integrate principles of quality and safety with innovative patient technology.
Admission Requirements
At Rasmussen University, there are no prerequisite courses for admission into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Students for the standard and second degree Accelerated BSN tracks will need to pass the nursing entrance exam or have a conferred Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral degree with a GPA of 2.25 or higher from an accredited institution of higher learning as recognized by the US Department of Education or by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. You only need to apply once, and you can begin your BSN classes when it’s convenient for you with our eight start dates a year.
Preparation for the NCLEX-RN® Exam
Preparation for the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX®, begins the minute the program does.
Career Opportunities
Equipped with essential nursing training and employer-focused transferable skills, our BSN graduates can confidently pursue in-demand registered nurse roles. Through our accelerated Master’s pathway, you can take up to two Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) courses as a part of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
Common Careers:
- Hospitals
- Clinical Practice
- Administration
- Nursing Education
- Nursing Leadership
Professional Nursing Associate’s Degree (ADN) Program Overview
The Associate’s degree in Nursing can help you get there efficiently. As a registered nurse (RN), you’re making the choice to change lives, including your own.
Read also: Comprehensive Ranking: Women's College Basketball
Curriculum and Courses
In this Professional Nursing program, you’ll take online and on-campus courses, as well as participate in on-site clinicals.
Here are some of the topics you'll cover in this Professional Nursing (ADN) degree program.
- Nursing Care of the Older Adult: Examine how personal attitudes and beliefs about aging impact healthcare for older adults. Discover resources that promote autonomy and safety as patients age.
- Mental and Behavioral Health Nursing: Explore internal and external factors that impact a patient’s balance and well-being. Study the effects of stress on a patient and their family, as well as the complexities of addressing mental health issues.
- Professional Nursing Skills I: Establish the skills to provide basic care and comfort to patients. Learn to care for patients with musculoskeletal, integumentary, and elimination disorders. Practice skills during an on-campus, supervised lab setting.
- Leadership & Professional Identity: Examine professional nursing leadership and management responsibilities. Use evidence-based practice to guide decision-making and support clinical judgment to improve patient outcomes.
Admission Requirements
At Rasmussen University, there is no prerequisite coursework required for admission into the Professional Nursing (ADN/RN) program.
Career Opportunities
If you choose to advance your education beyond ADN/RN, we have Nursing programs and credentials to support your lifelong learning journey, starting with our flexible, online post-licensure RN to BSN and then moving on to MSN and DNP. How far you go is up to you.
Common Careers:
Read also: Phoenix Suns' New Center
- Hospitals
- Clinical Practice
- Administration
- Nursing Education
- Nursing Leadership
Practical Nursing Diploma Program Overview
In our Practical Nursing program, you'll prepare to become an LPN in as few as 15 months.1 You’ll learn from compassionate experts who have centered their working lives around helping nurses grow and succeed-from faculty members and academic advisors to tutors, financial aid experts and 24/7 tech support.
Program Highlights
- Eight start dates per year
- No prerequisite coursework for admission
- No waiting list at many campuses for qualified applicants
- No need to apply twice
Curriculum and Preparation for NCLEX-PN®
Your online and on-campus courses and clinical experiences will help prepare you for the NCLEX-PN®3 licensing exam and become a safe, practicing licensed practical nurse (LPN). In fact, 95.2% of our LPN students in Florida passed the NCLEX-PN in 2024.5
Key Features of Rasmussen University Nursing Programs
Flexible Learning Environment
Rasmussen University offers a hybrid of online and in-person classes. The flexible online courses still give you the knowledge and skills you need through expert instruction and real-life examples. With eight start dates a year, you can get started soon on your Bachelor’s degree.
Accreditation
Employment conditions will vary, but you can feel confident in our CCNE-accredited BSN degree program. Accreditation means that our nursing curriculum is built to CCNE minimum requirements and standards-qualifications that hospitals and clinics are looking for. In addition, all Rasmussen programs are developed with a “backward design” mindset, meaning we prioritize the intended learning outcomes rather than just basic topics to be covered. It’s about how you’ll apply your skills throughout your career. The ABSN meets the educational requirements to apply for licensure as a registered nurse (RN) in Florida, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.
Support Services
Rasmussen University is committed to the success of its students, with support services including academic advising, tutoring, financial aid for those who qualify, 24/7 technical support and more. You’ll find the support you need to grow as a nurse from mentors and faculty in this program. Rasmussen supports a student like this right in the classroom with the instructor.
No Prerequisites and No Waitlists
Unlike many other associate degree nursing programs, there are no prerequisite courses or general education courses in order to apply, and there are no wait lists at many campuses for qualified applicants.
Nursing Information Sessions
A Nursing Information Session is an opportunity for you to get a firsthand look at what our Nursing school has to offer. Get a closer look at the campus, learn more about the labs equipped with the latest healthcare technology and see how we provide a safe learning environment. You can speak with a Nursing-specific admissions representative and get a clear picture of your nursing career path. You'll also have the chance to get your questions answered, start the enrollment process and more. Nursing Information Sessions will be held virtually unless noted. Attend an online Nursing Information Session to learn more about Rasmussen Nursing programs and program requirements. You can start your application right away at no cost. Your admissions representative will reach out to walk you through the rest of the process and help you start with confidence.
Student Experiences
- Crissy B.: A single mom who found support at Rasmussen to balance work, family, and military obligations.
- Vrinda P.: Inspired by her brother's positive experience at Rasmussen during the pandemic and now works as a compassionate nurse.
- Arnold B.: A former Green Beret who chose nursing after being diagnosed with vocal cord cancer, seeking to make an impact on others' lives.
- Carlos S.: A former salesperson who became an RN after his mother passed away from COVID-19, seeking meaning and purpose in his life.
Costs and Financial Aid
Earning your degree is a valuable investment that needs to fit into your budget.
Tuition and Fees (Examples for Florida Students)
- Practical Nursing Diploma: With eight start dates a year and a total of 15 courses, students can finish in as few as 15 months for an estimated $26,533. You could also save up to $2,000 with the LPN Care Grant.
- $373 tuition per credit x 56 total credits = $20,888 total tuition
- $5,645 total fees
- $26,533 estimated total tuition and fees
- -$2,000 potential savings with LPN Care Grant
- $24,533 estimated total tuition and fees with grant
- Professional Nursing (ADN): With eight start dates a year at most campuses and a total of 25 courses-each 5.5 or 11 weeks in length-full-time students can finish in as few as 21 months for an estimated total tuition and fees of $54,551.
- $453 tuition per credit x 102 total credits = $46,206 total tuition
- $8,345 total fees
- $54,551 estimated total tuition and fees
- BSN:
- Standard Degree Courses: 25
- Second Degree Courses: 13
Need Help Paying for College? Higher education should be a manageable investment. You’re not alone figuring out how to pay for college. We offer tuition savings for many employers-see if yours is one of them. Can’t find your employer? Select "Other Employer Not In List" or "Not Employed".
Campuses
At Rasmussen University, our Bachelor of Science in Nursing program provides the benefits of online learning and on-campus experience. Our campus labs have the equipment and supplies needed to practice day-to-day skills and build nursing confidence.
Campuses include:
- Central Pasco campus, located in Odessa, Florida
- Fort Myers campus, located in Fort Myers, Florida
- Mankato campus, located in Mankato, Minnesota
- Ocala campus (with off-campus instructional sites in Orlando and North Orlando), located in Ocala, Florida
- Overland Park campus (with an off-campus instructional site in Topeka), located in Overland Park, Kansas
- St. Cloud campus, located in St.
State Board Approvals
The Rasmussen University Professional Nursing Associate's degree in Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas, Florida and Wisconsin is approved by the Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas, Florida and Wisconsin Boards of Nursing.
Minnesota Board of Nursing - Moorhead Campus
The Professional Nursing Associate’s degree program at the Moorhead, Minnesota campus is approved with conditions by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. On June 5, 2025, pursuant to the authority granted under Minn. Stat. 148.251, the Minnesota Board of Nursing issued a Stipulation and Consent for Correction Order imposing conditions upon the approval of the Professional Nursing Associate’s degree program at the Moorhead campus for having an annual pass rate of less than 75 percent on the National Council Licensing Examination (“NCLEX-RN”) of first-time examinees for three consecutive years.
To be removed from conditional approval and restored to full approval, the program must, by December 31, 2025, achieve an NCLEX-RN pass rate higher than 75 percent based on the cumulative results from the four quarters of calendar year 2025 for candidates from the program who write the licensing examination for the first time. If the program does not achieve the requisite pass rate by December 31, 2025, then the program must achieve an NCLEX-RN pass rate of higher than 75 percent by June 30, 2026 based on the cumulative results from the first and second quarters of calendar year 2026 for candidates from the program who write the licensing examination for the first time. If the conditions imposed on the program are not resolved as described herein, then the Minnesota Board of Nursing will follow the procedure outlined in Minn. R. 6301.2360, Subp.
tags: #Rasmussen #College #nursing #program #overview
