Registered Nurse to Bachelor of
Science
in Nursing

Elevate Your Career With
SMU’s RN to BSN Program

  • 12 Months to Complete and Fully Online
    12 Months to Complete and Fully Online

    Our program is designed to fit your schedule as a working professional.

  • #1 Ranked School in California for Post-Grad Jobs
    #1 Ranked School in California for Post-Grad Jobs

    Our alumni are among the nation’s top earners.

  • Affordable Excellence
    Affordable Excellence

    Get a top-tier education for just $14,000 a year, well below the national average.

  • Discounts for Sutter Health and Kaiser Permanente Employees
    Discounts for Sutter Health and Kaiser Permanente Employees

    Get a top-tier education for just $14,000 a year, well below the national average.

Discover How SMU Can Help 

You Grow Your Nursing Career

Advance your nursing career with Samuel Merritt University’s online RN to BSN program. Designed for working RNs,
you can earn your degree in as little as 12 months—without pausing your career.
Learn more about financial incentives that reduce hurdles.

Why Select SMU’s RN to BSN Program?

Flexible Learning

Top-Tier Nursing Education

Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from one of California’s top nursing schools in just one year.

Flexible & Affordable

Complete our online RN to BSN program in just 
12 months for an affordable path to advancing your career—designed to fit your schedule as a working professional.

A Unique Caritas Curriculum

Meeting You Where You Are

Rooted in the Caritas philosophy, our program supports our student’s growth—whether it’s in a current role or preparing for new opportunities.


Holistic & Personalized Learning

Small class sizes, faculty support, and a patient-centered approach ensure that our graduates thrive in any healthcare setting.

Career-Ready Education

Develop Advanced Nursing Skills

Gain expertise in evidence-based care, broaden the understanding of public health issues, and build teamwork and communication skills.

Exclusive Career Opportunities

SMU is ranked #1 in California for post-graduate career  placements, with alumni among the nation’s top earners.

Quick Facts

Format

Online

Upcoming Deadlines

July 15, 2025 : Fall Application December 1, 2025 : Spring Application

Locations

Online

Accreditations

WSCUC

Duration

12 months

Pre-requisites Snapshot

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Active, unencumbered RN license in an approved state
  • Minimum recommended GPA of 2.5 or higher 
  • An associate degree in nursing or enrollment in an associate degree in nursing program
  • Official transcript from an accredited nursing program or international equivalent
  • 30 transferable semester credits—all credits count toward the associate degree in nursing
  • Government-issued photo identification from an approved state

Good clinical sites, great faculty support and involvement in the profession has been a great influence on the students.

Rebekah Chung

DNP-A ‘26

Elevate Your Career With SMU’s

RN to BSN Program

Designed for working registered nurses

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Need More Information?

Schedule your one-on-one session to learn about the RN to BSN program. Get answers to your questions and explore the curriculum, career opportunities, and more.

Our Campuses

Samuel Merritt University offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and nursing certificate programs at three campuses in Northern California and online.

Oakland

3100 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, California 94609
800.607.6377

Sacramento

2710 N. Gateway Oaks Dr.
Suite 360
Sacramento, California 95833
800.607.6377

Fresno

1791 E. Fir Avenue
Fresno, California 93720
800.607.6377

San Francisco Peninsula

1720 South Amphlett Blvd.
Suite 300
San Mateo, California 94402
800.607.6377