Hybrid RN to BSN bridges the gap for international nurses

An RN to BSN program allows registered nurses (RNs) with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). This degree can open doors to advanced career opportunities, higher salaries, and leadership roles while meeting the growing preference among hospitals for BSN-prepared nurses.  
 
For international nurses in the U.S., earning a BSN can be a challenge. These international students face a unique obstacle: visa regulations that require a portion of their coursework to be completed in person. Almost all RN to BSN programs in the U.S. are entirely online.  

 RN to BSN

Recognizing this gap, Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) launched a hybrid RN to BSN pathway, making it one of the few programs in the country designed to accommodate international students. 

Amber Reed, RN to BSN Program Coordinator at MSUM, explains the motivation behind the program. 
 

“We developed the hybrid option to meet the needs of international nursing students who are living in the U.S. on an F1 visa. This population of students is required to have a percentage of their classes in-person,” she says. “We have also heard from other students who prefer to have in-person meeting dates to collaborate with their peers and faculty.” 
 

However, most RN to BSN programs in the U.S. are fully online, making them inaccessible to international students who need in-person coursework to maintain their visa status.  
 

“There are few RN to BSN programs in the U.S. offering the in-person component,” Reed says. “It has been challenging for international nursing students to continue their nursing education with the flexibility of course scheduling and at a reasonable cost.” 
 

For international nursing students like Hung Nguyen, MSUM’s hybrid RN to BSN program was a rare find. Originally from Vietnam, Nguyen spent weeks searching for a program that met both his visa requirements and budget. He created a script of questions to determine if a program met his need, but found very few checked all the boxes.  
 

“I spent an entire week, constantly calling universities from every state,” Nguyen says. “Most of the universities would say no at the third question: ‘Is your RN to BSN program in person?’” 

After personally contacting more than 80 schools, Nguyen found MSUM’s hybrid RN to BSN program—one of the few that fit his needs.  
 

“I’m just very happy that I finally found one,” he says. 
 

Since launching in Fall 2024, the program has quickly gained momentum.  
 
“We just started offering the RN to BSN hybrid pathway in Fall 2024, and we have already doubled our enrollment for Spring 2025,” Reed says. “There has been much interest, with many students reaching out to ask questions about the program and pathway. The majority of those students have gone on to apply to our program.” 
 

The second hybrid RN to BSN cohort | Jan. 2025

For Amen Ayemhokhai, a student originally from Nigeria, MSUM’s program stood out for several reasons.  

“The program is flexible, allowing students to take classes during the summer, fall, and spring semesters,” she says. “Additionally, the program is affordable while maintaining a high standard of education.” 
 

Students also appreciate the personal support they receive from faculty. Nguyen noted that the ability to attend in-person classes has made a significant difference in his learning experience.

“I just love the in-person and face-to-face interaction,” he said. “Most RN to BSN programs are entirely online, where you never meet the instructor. But with this program, if I have any questions, I can just ask the instructor directly.” 
 

With international nurses playing an increasingly vital role in the U.S. healthcare system, MSUM’s hybrid RN tot BSN program offers a crucial pathway for career advancement. Reed emphasizes that the university remains committed to expanding access to nursing education. 

 
“We are excited to continue growing the RN to BSN program,” she says. “We encourage any student interested in continuing their nursing education to consider MSUM."
 

For many international students, earning a BSN isn’t just about professional growth—it’s a step toward securing their future in the U.S. and fulfilling their dreams in the nursing profession. Thanks to Reed and MSUM’s innovative approach, more nurses now have that opportunity.