UT College of Nursing Launches Online RN to BSN Degree Program

MEMPHIS (July 28) — The University of Tennessee Health Sciences College of Nursing has opened an RN to BSN program for registered nurses (RN) to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree completely online in just 12 months.

Applications are open, and the deadline is Nov. 1. Classes begin in January 2027. One unique facet of the program at UT Health Sciences is that BSN graduates can bridge directly to the college's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.

A nursing career often starts with a diploma or associate degree, but it doesn’t have to end there. RNs who earn the BSN can take their careers anywhere.

“The RN to BSN degree opened doors to new opportunities in leadership, education and administration, ultimately helping me advance throughout my career,” said College of Nursing Dean Wendy Likes, PhD, DNSc. 

Increasingly, a BSN degree or higher is required for administrative nursing positions or nursing roles in research, consulting and teaching, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The RN to BSN is a bridge to a broader career for RNs who have entered the nursing profession by earning a diploma or an associate’s degree in nursing.

Data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing 2025 Survey shows the number of students in RN to BSN degree-completion programs increased last year following five consecutive years of decline. 

“Today, as dean of the College of Nursing at UT Health Sciences, I continue to draw upon the foundation that my BSN education provided. My RN to BSN experience not only enhanced my practice as a nurse but also inspired my commitment to lifelong learning, mentorship and preparing the next generation of nursing leaders,” Dr. Likes said.

The mission of the University of Tennessee Health Sciences is transforming lives through collaborative and inclusive education, research, scholarship, clinical care and public service. UT Health Science has six colleges — Dentistry, Graduate Health Sciences, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy — at its main campus in Memphis, in addition to educational and clinical campuses at major hospitals in Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Nashville, and sites across the state.