Athabasca University’s Post-RN Bachelor of Nursing is designed to meet the specific educational needs of current registered nurses (RNs). You will build on your established nursing practice, augmenting your knowledge and skills in nursing informatics, nursing research, primary health care, leadership, management, family, and community health promotion.
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Knowledgeable, skilled RNs are in high demand locally, nationally and internationally. Whether you wish to work in a hospital or clinic, in health prevention or acute care, in a large city or rural location, with select populations or people of all ages, the number of career avenues open to registered nurses is growing at a rapid pace.
AU offers a broad liberal university education and the flexibility to continue with your work and family commitments while you learn. All courses are delivered via online education with no on-site practical component.
Admission requirements
You must have completed an approved registered nurse (RN) program in order to apply to the Post-RN Bachelor of Nursing program.
You must also provide proof of regulated (practicing) RN registration/licensure within a Canadian province or territory and maintain it while completing the program.
Program details
Overview
Athabasca University's Post-RN Bachelor of Nursing is designed to meet the specific educational needs of current RNs. You will build on your established nursing practice, augmenting your knowledge and skills in:
You can finish this program in as little as 2 years of full-time study. You can also work at your own pace to complete all your requirements within 5 years of your enrolment.
How to apply
You can apply to AU online, anytime. Once you've completed the online application form and paid the one-time general application fee (and transfer credit evaluation fee, if applicable), you're officially an AU student and you can start registering in courses.
Please note: You can take courses while you wait to be accepted into the program, however taking courses before receiving the results of your official evaluation is at your own discretion.
You may want to talk to an academic advisor before enrolling to make sure you take the best courses for your situation.
Make sure you send your transcripts and proof of nursing registration to AU. You can email your practising nursing registration number to enrol@athabascau.ca.
Transfer and advanced credit
You may receive additional transfer credit for courses taken as part of your previous nursing program. You may also be eligible for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR).
nursing theory courses that are more than 7 years old
non-nursing courses that are more than 10 years old
To meet the residency requirements for the Post-RN Bachelor of Nursing program, you must complete a minimum of 15 nursing credits from AU.
Tuition and fees
Once you have paid the initial application fee, tuition is pay-as-you-go for each course registration. Course fees vary depending on your location and other factors.
Estimated program costs are available in the Calendar.
Financial aid and awards
We're dedicated to supporting your academic goals and committed to helping you overcome financial barriers by providing many funding and award options.
In Athabasca University's Post-RN Bachelor of Nursing program, you'll dive into a variety of courses to enrich your nursing practice. Core nursing courses focus on subjects like nursing informatics, research, and leadership, while non-nursing courses and optional credits give you a well-rounded education in areas like English and statistics.
To complete the program you will need to fulfill all the general requirements of the Bachelor of Arts, plus those specific to your major, minor or concentration.
Our program course plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program, and how to plan the order you'll take them in. If you're feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.
Below are some of the courses that our students take in this program. Please consult an advisor to confirm any course planning, as some of these courses may not apply to you.
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Focus areas
Career options
With a Post-RN Bachelor of Nursing from Athabasca University, your career options expand into specialized and leadership roles in various healthcare settings. Whether you're interested in hospital management, public health, clinical research, or nursing education, this program equips you for a diverse range of opportunities.
Depending on your experience, careers options could include but are not limited to:
hospital nurse manager
clinical research nurse
public health nurse
healthcare consultant
nursing informatics specialist
primary care nurse
family health nurse
community health educator
school nurse
occupational health nurse
nurse advocate
palliative care nurse
geriatric nurse
health policy analyst
nursing faculty or educator
Resources and links
Additional information that you need to know about AU and this program.