Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Format: Online

HEGIS Code: 1203.10

Application Deadlines
  • Spring 2024 Priority Deadline: November 6, 2023
  • Spring 2024 Regular Deadline: December 4, 2023

The RN to BS in Nursing online degree program provides registered nurses with the academic credential necessary to retain relevance and positions them to advance in the field. Through the flexibility of online study, students of this program build on prior knowledge gained at the associate's degree level, and explore pressing issues related to today's changing global healthcare environment. The program is designed to assist students in developing intellectual curiosity and a spirit of inquiry essential to professional development.

Dedicated CUNY faculty and expert practitioners draw on the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to help students develop and demonstrate competency in:

  • Health assessment
  • Leadership and management
  • Nursing research
  • Care of culturally diverse populations
  • Global health and policy
  • Nursing informatics

Career and Academic Prospects

The RN to BS in Nursing program prepares licensed registered nurses to assume leadership positions in acute care, as well as community-based and long-term care settings. Students gain the expertise needed to meet the challenges of the evolving healthcare system, as well as the knowledge and experience required to move forward into graduate level studies and advanced practice nursing.

Completion Rates

CUNY SPS RN-BS benchmark for program completion rates:

  • 75% of students will complete the RN- BS program within five years.
  • 2014 cohort completion rate is 78%

Job Placement Statistics

Undergraduate program outcome: 80% of RN-BS alumni will report employment as a RN within six months.

  • 2018 – 90%
  • 2017 – 92%
  • 2016 – 95%
  • 2015 – 95%

Accreditation

CCNE Accreditation SealThe RN to BS in Nursing at CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

This program is registered with the New York State Education Department. 

Nursing Dual/Joint with Queensborough Community College

Qualified students enrolled in the Queensborough Community College AAS in Nursing degree program have the opportunity to seamlessly transition to the BS in Nursing degree program at CUNY SPS. Students interested in this program can learn more here.

Articulation Agreements

Articulation agreements are formal agreements between CUNY SPS and two-year colleges and universities, allowing students to transfer the maximum number of credits with ease to our RN to BS in Nursing program from institutions with which we have an established transfer process in place.

Prior Learning Assessment

Credit for non-collegiate learning is a credit recommendation for college-level learning acquired outside of a college or university.

View Pre-approved Nursing Certifications

The American Council on Education (ACE) and the National College Credit Recommendation Service(NCCR) have evaluated college-level training programs, credentials, and licenses from the military, government, and the public sector that may be eligible for college credit at the CUNY School of Professional Studies.

CUNY SPS also awards credit for currently reviewed licenses and certifications in the fields of Health Information Management, IT, Project Management, Real Estate, Business, and Emergency Medical Technician.

For more information about credit for non-collegiate prior learning please contact us pla@sps.cuny.edu.

Prospective students and applicants may schedule a meeting with an academic advisor to obtain an unofficial credit evaluation for an undergraduate degree program.

Meet our Faculty

Estimated number of adjunct faculty teaching in the program: 50

Margaret Reilly
Professor, DNS, Nursing Science
CUNY Graduate Center
Academic Director – Undergraduate & Graduate

Patricia Bartley-Daniele
Associate Professor, PhD, Nursing Education
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Coordinator MS in Nursing Education
Undergraduate & Graduate

Kenya Harris
Professor, EdD, Educational Administration, Leadership, and Technology
St. John’s University Nursing

Jan Oosting
Assistant Professor, PhD
Johns Hopkins University
Undergraduate

Anne Marie Leveille-Tulce
Assistant Professor, PhD, Nursing
CUNY Graduate Center
Undergraduate & Graduate

Kathleen Marsala-Cervasio
Associate Professor, EdD, Educational Leadership
Northcentral University

Lilly Mathew
Associate Professor, PhD, Nursing
University of Arizona
Coordinator MS in Nursing Informatics
Undergraduate & Graduate

Linda Paradiso
Assistant Professor, DNP, Nurse Executive
Old Dominion University

Admissions Criteria

To qualify for admission to the RN to BS in Nursing program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Associate's degree in nursing from the City University of New York or from a non-CUNY regional or nationally accredited credit-granting institution with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
  • Current licensure in New York State as a Registered Professional Nurse, or eligibility to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination - RN (NCLEX-RN) - in New York State. Students who do not currently hold an RN license may apply to the program in the last semester of their pre-licensure program in anticipation of licensure. Unlicensed students who meet the eligibility criteria will be admitted on a case by case basis and will be required to obtain their RN license before beginning their second term in the program.
  • Nurses who hold a nursing diploma from a non-credit granting institution may also apply. Diploma applicants will be awarded 36 credits for their nursing education, if they have passed the NCLEX-RN and have an NYS RN license to practice, and will be required to complete nursing program and general education coursework to be awarded the BS in Nursing degree.
  • All University policies regarding skills and proficiency testing, grading, transfer credit, and degree completion will apply.

The online application requires students to complete a personal essay that will help us understand your educational goals and readiness to return to college.

Residency Requirement*
In order to enroll in the RN to BS in Nursing program, students must provide documentation of one of the following categories:

  • U.S. Citizenship
  • Permanent Residency
  • Granted asylum, refugee status, temporary protected status, withholding of removal, deferred enforced departure, deferred action status by the U.S. Government, deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or permanently residing in the United States under color of law (PRUCOL)

*International students may enroll in fully online degree programs. However, our online programs do not qualify for student visas.

Students may view the Undergraduate Nursing Student Policies Handbook (PDF). 

See a full list of the online nursing programs offered at CUNY SPS.

Application Deadlines

  • Spring 2024 Priority Deadline: November 6, 2023
  • Spring 2024 Regular Deadline: December 4, 2023
Apply Now

Student/Alumni Profiles

Elena Davarashvili

RN to BS in Nursing

"I feel that I have the ability to inspire and motivate people to become Nurses based on my own personal example."

Baly Cooley

RN to BS Nursing

"I learned that rather than being a liability, my age was a blessing, as my work ethic, professionalism, and ability to self-manage were vital to my success at going to school and working simultaneously."

Nicholas Choi

RN to BS in Nursing

"Taking classes at CUNY SPS truly tests your time management skills. The faculty truly want you to succeed and provide you with various resources to aid in that."

Alex Perez

RN to BS in Nursing 2017

"After completing my degree with CUNY SPS, I have taken on further responsibilities at my job. I started leading nursing patient education sessions [and] I am also serving as a preceptor for students in RN programs...”

Recent News About Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Phara Souffrant Forrest, assemblyperson and CUNY SPS grad of the RN to BS nursing program

The 2023 Brooklyn Power 100: The political royalty of Kings County

August 01, 2023

City & State New York

CUNY SPS alum Phara Souffrant Forrest, a graduate of the BS in Nursing program, was named to the 2023 Brooklyn Power 100 list. Forrest was listed as #16 in recognition for her work in the New York State Assembly, where she advocates for progressive policies such as statewide programs to provide social safety nets.
Portrait of Dr. Bernadette Amicucci, CUNY SPS Nursing program professor

Let’s Hang On! Ramping Up Nurse Resident Retention Strategies After the Pandemic

June 01, 2023

Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing

Dr. Bernadette Amicucci, CUNY SPS nursing associate professor and consortial faculty, published the article "Let’s Hang On! Ramping Up Nurse Resident Retention Strategies After the Pandemic" in the Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing. She published the piece with her colleagues from the White Plains Hospital, where she is the Director of Clinical Education.
Group of multiracial people celebrating at Gay Pride Parade

Celebrating Pride Month 2023

June 01, 2023

Interim Dean Silva-Puras reflects upon recent efforts at CUNY SPS to support the LGBTQIA+ community and offers suggestions for what to read, watch, and do to celebrate this month.

The association between Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care Scores and quality of life in type 2 diabetes patients

May 15, 2023

Journal of Research in Nursing

Dr. Kathleen Marsala-Cervasio, associate professor in the CUNY SPS nursing programs, published "Commentary: The association between Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care Scores and quality of life in type 2 diabetes patients" in the Journal of Research in Nursing.