The state of Washington has at least 15 colleges and universities with an accredited bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree program. The traditional prelicensure BSN program requires four years of study. It is open to all individuals who meet general university requirements (UCORE) and have completed certain nursing prerequisites. Graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN national licensure examination before practicing. Alternatively, existing registered nurses (RNs) who already hold an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) can earn a baccalaureate degree by enrolling in an RN-to-BSN program. These degree completion programs take two years or less to complete, because they credit nurses for prior coursework and experience.
Both traditional BSN and RN-to-BSN programs train registered nurses to practice in multiple settings, including outpatient care, accident and emergency, public health, pediatrics, and oncology. The curriculum is grounded in medicine, physiology, anatomy, psychology, current health issues, and research methods. This rigorous course of study equips BSN graduates to be leaders in the medical industry.
To help both aspiring and existing nurses complete their baccalaureate education, we’ve profiled below the best BSN programs in Washington. You’ll find them grouped by major metropolitan area, with a profile of students’ recent NCLEX test scores where available.
