Program Overview
Strong outcomes at a sustainable pace, with serious financial support — Robert Morris University’s 15-month Second Degree BSN posts a 98% five-cohort NCLEX pass rate (100% most recently), offers up to $40,000 in loan repayment through health-system partnerships, and trains students in a nationally accredited simulation center.
Robert Morris University’s Second Degree BSN is a 15-month, on-campus, cohort-based program for career changers who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Spread across four manageable semesters, RMU intentionally structures the credit load to avoid the burnout associated with more compressed 12-month formats. The program totals 120 credits overall, with only 60 credits taken at RMU, which keeps tuition lower than many comparable programs.
Students train in RMU’s Regional Research and Innovation in Simulation Education (RISE) Center — one of only a few freestanding nursing programs worldwide accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare — and have access to an optional international travel component focused on global health.
A standout financial incentive: eligible students can receive up to $40,000 in loan repayment through partnered health systems Penn Highlands Healthcare and Temple Health, in exchange for a three-year post-graduation employment commitment.
Accreditation & Outcomes
The baccalaureate, master’s, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Robert Morris University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the pre-licensure BSN programs are fully approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
RMU is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The program reports a 98% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate over the last five cohorts, with the most recent cohorts achieving a 100% pass rate.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN in any state.
Admissions Requirements
RMU’s admissions criteria are straightforward, with a notable emphasis on math and science performance beyond GPA alone.
- Degree: Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field from an accredited institution
- GPA: Minimum 3.0 cumulative QPA
- Math & Science Grades: B or better required in all math and science courses
- Chemistry: Satisfactory completion of a chemistry course with lab (high school or college, whichever is more recent), documented via transcript
- Resume: Current resume required
- Transcripts: Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Enrollment Deposit: Due December 1
Pre-clinical requirements (before the first clinical course) include health insurance confirmation, required immunizations and health forms, AHA Healthcare Provider CPR certification, and drug screening and background clearances standard for clinical placement.
Prerequisite Courses
All 30 prerequisite credits must be completed before the start of classes, with official documentation submitted by the Friday before classes begin. Prerequisites may be completed at any accredited institution, including online.
- Statistics (3 credits)
- Anatomy & Physiology I with lab (4 credits)
- Anatomy & Physiology II with lab (4 credits)
- Microbiology with lab (4 credits)
- Human Growth & Development / Lifespan (3 credits)
- Nutrition (3 credits)
- Pathophysiology (3 credits)
Note: Pathophysiology is a prerequisite at RMU (not a curriculum course), which helps reduce the in-program credit load and overall tuition compared to programs that include it. A further 30 advanced-standing credits are automatically awarded upon completion of the first bachelor’s degree (covering General Psychology, Literature, Sociology, Economics, History/Political Science, Arts/Humanities, Communication Skills, and open electives). One course (Healthcare Information System, 3 credits) may be taken during the 15-month curriculum.
Curriculum
The program requires 60 nursing credits and provides immersive learning through RMU’s Regional Research and Innovation in Simulation Education (RISE) Center.
Fall Term (1) – 16 credits
NURS 1010 Introduction to Professional Nursing (Online)
Introduces students to the nursing profession, its history, and its role in healthcare. Covers critical thinking, ethical principles, and professional values such as autonomy, integrity, and social justice. Explores the nursing process and global healthcare perspectives.
NURS 2020 Nursing Assessment & Health Promotion
Teaches students how to assess physical, psychosocial, and developmental aspects of health. Emphasizes the nursing process, therapeutic communication, and health promotion strategies in classroom and lab settings.
NURS 2021 Nursing Assessment & Health Promotion Lab
Lab-based course that applies health assessment techniques through hands-on practice. Students develop skills in interviewing, physical examination, and data collection.
NURS 2115 Foundations of Nursing Practice
Covers essential nursing care concepts, including therapeutic interventions and clinical decision-making. Students practice psychomotor skills and apply critical thinking through simulations and lab activities.
NURS 2116 Foundations of Nursing Practice Lab
Provides hands-on practice in fundamental nursing procedures. Focuses on skill development, patient safety, and integrating nursing concepts in a controlled lab setting.
NURS 3030 Pharmacology for Health Professionals
Introduces fundamental drug actions, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. Covers major drug classifications, adverse reactions, interactions, and patient safety considerations.
NURS 3020 Management of Adult I
Focuses on the care of hospitalized adults with acute or chronic illnesses. Students apply critical thinking to implement nursing interventions, emphasizing common health conditions and disease management.
NURS 3021 Management of Adult I Clinical
Provides direct patient care experience in managing adult health conditions. Students develop competency in assessment, intervention, and treatment planning under faculty supervision.
Spring Term (2) – 18 credits
NURS 4014 Community Health/Health Promotion Theory
Explores community health nursing concepts, including epidemiology, population health, disaster preparedness, and public health systems. Addresses care for vulnerable populations and strategies for health promotion.
NURS 4013 Community Health/Health Promotion Practice Clinical
Provides real-world experience in outpatient and community settings. Students apply concepts from community health theory through clinical practice and simulations.
NURS 4020 Advanced Management of Adult Health II
Focuses on complex and acute illnesses in adult patients. Students learn to prioritize care, collaborate with healthcare teams, and implement advanced therapeutic interventions.
NURS 4021 Advanced Management of Adult Health II Clinical
Students provide direct care to patients with complex health conditions. Clinical experiences enhance decision-making, problem-solving, and patient management skills.
NURS 4025 Nursing Care of Psychiatric Clients
Examines mental health nursing, covering major psychiatric illnesses, treatment approaches, and therapeutic communication. Students learn to assess and implement care plans for clients with mental health disorders.
NURS 4026 Nursing Care of Psychiatric Clients Clinical
Provides hands-on experience in psychiatric care settings. Students practice assessment techniques, therapeutic interventions, and develop individualized care plans.
INFS 3440 Health Care Information System (or NURS 6340 Nursing Informatics)
Explores healthcare technology and informatics. Covers electronic health records, data security, and the role of technology in improving patient outcomes.
Summer Term (3) – 13 credits
NURS 3050 Nursing Care of Mothers, Newborns, and Families
Focuses on maternal and newborn nursing care, emphasizing health promotion and patient-centered care. Covers pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and neonatal care within the family context.
NURS 3051 Nursing Care of Mothers, Newborns, and Families Clinical
Provides clinical experience in maternity care settings. Students practice skills in labor and delivery, postpartum care, and newborn assessment.
NURS 3055 Nursing Care of Children and Families
Covers pediatric nursing, emphasizing health promotion, disease prevention, and managing health conditions in children. Addresses ethical and legal considerations in pediatric care.
NURS 3056 Nursing Care of Children and Families Clinical
Hands-on clinical experience in pediatric nursing. Students assess, plan, and implement care for children in hospital and community settings.
NURS 3060 Nursing Ethics (Online)
Examines ethical issues in nursing, including moral decision-making, patient rights, and healthcare policies. Discusses topics such as cultural differences, professional obligations, and end-of-life care.
Fall Term (4) – 13 credits
NURS 4032 Transition to Professional Practice
Prepares students for the transition from nursing student to professional nurse. Students work with preceptors in clinical settings, assuming responsibilities in patient care management.
NURS 4035 NCLEX Licensure Prep for Success
Focused NCLEX preparation course that includes test-taking strategies, content review, and practice exams. Helps students build confidence and readiness for the NCLEX-RN exam.
NURS 4041 Preparation for Professional Practice
Explores leadership and management roles in nursing. Covers healthcare policies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ethical responsibilities in professional practice.
NURS 4140 Nursing Research
Introduces the principles of nursing research and evidence-based practice. Students learn to critically analyze research findings and apply them to clinical decision-making.
NURS 4160 Nursing Care of the Aging Adult
Focuses on geriatric nursing, covering age-related physiological and psychological changes. Addresses health promotion, chronic disease management, and ethical considerations in elder care.
More detail is available in the RMU nursing course listings.
Clinicals & Simulation Labs
Clinical experiences are integrated throughout all four semesters alongside coursework, with students rotating through community and hospital settings under faculty supervision. RMU’s RISE Center (Regional Research and Innovation in Simulation Education) serves as the primary on-campus simulation facility — a 5,000-square-foot space with four simulated hospital rooms, two exam rooms, a skills lab, and a home health suite, and one of only a few freestanding nursing programs worldwide accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.
An optional international travel experience is available, allowing students to engage with global health contexts alongside RMU nursing faculty.
Tuition
RMU prices the Second Degree Nursing program at a dedicated per-credit rate significantly lower than the standard on-campus nursing flat rate, keeping costs competitive for career changers.
- Second Degree Nursing rate: $910 per credit
- Total RMU nursing credits: 60
- Estimated total tuition: ~$54,600
The 30 prerequisite credits are completed outside the RMU nursing curriculum at the institution of the student’s choosing (costs vary), and the 30 advanced-standing credits are awarded automatically based on the prior bachelor’s degree (no additional tuition). Eligible students may qualify for up to $40,000 in educational loan repayment through RMU’s Nursing Scholars partnerships with Penn Highlands Healthcare and Temple Health, contingent on a three-year post-licensure employment commitment.
Financial aid is available (FAFSA school code 003359).
Confirm current figures via the official tuition page.