Hybrid RN to BSN bridges the gap for international nurses

In one year, Minnesota State Moorhead's new hybrid RN to BSN program has grown from seven students in its first cohort to 52 international nurses accepting offers for Fall 2025. The program is gaining national attention for addressing a problem few have tackled. 

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.

Most RN to BSN programs in the United States are entirely online. This presents a major barrier for international nurses on student visas, who are required to complete a portion of their education in person to maintain their status. Moorhead's hybrid pathway offers a rate solution by blending online flexibility with scheduled in-person coursework. Students in the program can live anywhere they want in the United States, so long as they can travel to campus on set dates throughout the semester.

RN to BSN

Amber Reed, RN to BSN Program Coordinator at Moorhead, helped launch the pathway in Fall 2024, making it one of the only such programs in the United States. 

“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.”

Reputation, affordability, and its rare in-person component are fueling the program's early growth.

“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."

For international nursing students like Hung Nguyen, Moorhead’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 Moorhead’s hybrid RN to BSN program – one of the few that fit his needs.

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

The hybrid format also appeals to Students who want real-time interaction with faculty and classmates.

“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, Moorhead’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.”

Reed poses with a nursing cohort during the Spring 2025 semester

With international nurses playing an increasingly vital role in the U.S. healthcare system, Moorhead’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 Minnesota State Moorhead."

For many international students, earning a BSN is a huge step toward securing their future in the U.S. and long-term stability in the profession they love. Thanks to the innovation and purpose behind the program, more nurses now have a clear path forward.