By Caitlin Hanbury 

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing and VCU Health have announced guaranteed admission for VCU Health employees into the school’s RN to B.S. program – a flexible, six-semester, part-time, online opportunity for registered nurses to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing while continuing to work full-time.

 Enrolling for the fall 2025 semester, the program offers a flexible pathway for registered nurses without a bachelor’s degree to expand their knowledge, refine their clinical expertise, and prepare them for leadership roles in healthcare — all without the need to take time off from their jobs at the health system. The program is designed to support busy health care professionals, combining rigorous academics with the convenience of online learning. 

“This partnership between VCU Health and the VCU School of Nursing demonstrates a commitment to advancing the careers of our dedicated ADNs (associate degree nurses),” said Ellen Derry, D.N.P., interim chief nursing officer for VCU Medical Center. “We’re proud to offer this program to our staff and provide them with the tools they need to grow both professionally and personally.” 

A range of benefits are offered through this program, including guaranteed admission for registered nurses employed by VCU Health who have graduated from a diploma or associate degree program in nursing from a regionally accredited college or university. Those enrolled can take advantage of tuition benefits and reimbursement of their application fee through VCU Health, along with support from a dedicated academic advisor to guide them through the program and ensure their success. 

“This program offers a unique opportunity to both support the development of VCU Health employees and strengthen the workforce by providing nurses with the tools to advance their education while continuing to work in a dynamic environment,” said Patricia Kinser, Ph.D., interim dean for the VCU School of Nursing. “We are excited to be a part of this partnership and for our school to play a key role in helping nurses reach their full potential while investing in their growth and contributing to the long-term success of the healthcare community.” 

The application period for the RN to B.S. Program for VCU Health staff will open on May 1 and close August 1. Nurses interested in applying must complete a screening form and submit their unofficial college transcripts for review to be considered for guaranteed admission to the program. 

More information on the RN to B.S. program at VCU School of Nursing for VCU Health employees

A version of this story was published by VCU School of Nursing

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