Bachelor of Science
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
RN-to-BSN Program Overview: The RN-to-BSN
The Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) program is for individuals who hold a current license as a registered nurse (RN). Applicants are required to have completed an associate degree prior to enrollment in the RN-BSN Program. Program coursework is completed online, except for experiential learning hours and practicum. The program can be completed in as little as three semesters or as slowly as taking one course at a time.
Program Plan Information:
+ Admission Requirements
General Information
Students must first apply to Polk State College and meet all general admission requirements for baccalaureate programs. Students who are already Polk State Students will need to apply to the College as a returning student to declare the baccalaureate in nursing as the desired program. Students must have an active RN license to begin and to progress through the program (with the exception of concurrent enrollment (see below)). If you encounter any issues with the application process, please feel free to contact Professor Amy Lewis for assistance at alewis@polk.edu.
Felecia Zimmerman
Senior Student Success Advisor, Advising
Phone: 863.837.5942
Internal Extension: 5258
Email: fzimmerman@polk.edu
Office: LTB-1283, LakelandLavern Williams
Student Success Advisor, Senior, Advising
Phone: 863.297.1010
Internal Extension: 5684
Email: lawilliams@polk.edu
Office: WAD-189, Winter HavenNew Applicants
A student must first apply to Polk State College and meet all requirements for admission to the College as a baccalaureate student. Official transcripts of all completed college work must be submitted to the College. Students must also apply to the RN to BSN program via Etrieve application. The student must provide verification of nursing licensure as a registered nurse in the Etrieve application.
Returning Polk State College Students
A student who has already taken classes at Polk State must still apply as a returning student to update records and declare the Bachelor of Science in Nursing as the desired program code (V6100) for matriculation. Students must also apply to the RN to BSN program via Etrieve application. The student must provide verification of nursing licensure as a registered nurse in the Etrieve application.
Transfer Students
A student who has started an RN-to-BSN Program at another institution may be eligible to transfer to Polk State College. The transcript is reviewed on a course-by-course basis to determine equivalency to Polk State College’s courses.
+ Program Cost, Scholarships, and Aid
Program Cost (RN-to-BSN Courses Only)
Note: The following list of tuition costs and fees are estimates and are subject to change without notice. A student may be required to take additional General Education requirements to meet the 120 hours required for a baccalaureate degree, and this may incur a higher cost than represented below. The Program Requirements Section provides more details about these requirements.
Upper-Division Nursing Coursework Tuition Florida Residents: 32 credit hours x 123.89 per credit hour $3,964.48 Out-of-State Residents: 32 credit hours x 469.70 per credit hour $15,030.40 Books $500 Fees (included in the cost of tuition) N/A Total In-State Cost $4,464.48 Total Out-of-State Cost $15,530.40 Scholarships and Financial Aid
There are opportunities for nursing-based scholarships available for RN-to-BSN Program students throughout the Academic Year. More information can be found on the Polk State College Foundation Scholarships website (http://foundation.polk.edu/scholarships/).
Financial aid is also available through Polk State College. The College’s Financial Aid page provides more information regarding these opportunities (https://www.polk.edu/admission-aid/financial-aid/).
+ Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at Polk State College, offered on both the Lakeland Campus and the Winter Haven Campus, is accredited by:
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Inc.
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
404.975.5000Polk State College has achieved Continuing Accreditation status through the ACEN Board of Commissioners for both the Associate of Science in Nursing Program and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. The next accreditation visit for both programs is in the fall of 2025. Publicly disclosed information regarding ACEN accreditation can be viewed online (http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm).
