When you have already been working as an RN, you might wonder if you should pursue a BSN degree. Earning a RN to BSN means going back to school, which can involve considerable time and money on your part. Is it worth it? Keep in mind that this type of degree is more advanced than an ADN and can provide you with notable benefits. Find out more about why a BSN in nursing is important and how it could help you build a more rewarding nursing career.
What Is a BSN Degree?
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or BSN, is a four-year degree in nursing that provides you with a more in-depth study of the nursing field. Those who plan on pursuing graduate degrees in nursing will need to earn a BSN first. BSN programs cover a wide range of subjects, including nursing research, case management, healthcare delivery and quality outcomes, leadership and strategic planning, community health, and more. The knowledge you gain in a BSN program can prepare you for a more challenging career in nursing. This kind of degree program also provides you with an opportunity to learn new skills and improve on existing ones.
Benefits of a BSN in Nursing
Having a BSN offers important benefits for your nursing career. From potential earnings and job opportunities to improved patient outcomes and better care, earning your BSN is a smart step to take on your career path as a nurse. Learning more about the following benefits can help you understand why you should get your BSN degree.
1. Higher Earning Potential
Earning your BSN could come with a higher earning potential. You can find up-to-date information for salary estimates on the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Keep in mind that RN salaries with a BSN can vary depending on the kind of facility you work at and other factors, such as your location or job title.
2. Career Advancement Opportunities
Working as an RN with a BSN means you can explore advanced job opportunities, since you should have acquired more in-depth knowledge and skills. If you are looking for a leadership role, having a BSN could lead to opportunities to become a nurse manager who supervises nursing units, but many units, especially magnet facilities, may require a MSN. Other career advancement opportunities could include working as a critical care nurse or a public health nurse. When you have your BSN, you can pursue a graduate degree, which can open up even more advanced job opportunities, such as nursing director.
3. Improve Your Knowledge and Skills
Studying for your BSN allows you to gain more in-depth knowledge of the nursing field and develop new sets of skills. You will also have a chance to improve your current nursing skills during this degree program, which could boost job performance and result in the possibility of more job opportunities. As a BSN student, you can expect to learn and develop critical thinking skills, case management skills, leadership skills, communication skills, and more. This can help you provide better care on the job or prepare you for taking on more challenging roles in a medical setting.
4. BSN Nurses Are in Demand
The demand for BSN nurses has been on the rise and will continue to increase in the coming years. This is due in part to a greater focus on improving the quality of care hospitals and other medical facilities provide. For example, some hospitals have earned a Magnet status, which indicates that these facilities have achieved a recognized high standard of care. In order to do so, these hospitals typically require nurses to have at least a BSN degree. Some states are also focusing on requiring nurses to have at least a BSN in order to work as an RN.
5. Opportunity to Focus on Certain Areas
When you have a BSN, this gives you an opportunity to focus on a specific area of care within the nursing field. Some nurses with a BSN choose to work with pediatric or geriatric patients rather than patients of all ages, for example. RNs with a BSN can also choose to focus their career on a specific area of practice, such as cardiac care or cancer care. This gives you a chance to build a career that fits your interests and goals.
6. Improved Quality of Care
As an RN with a BSN, you can expect to gain the training needed for improved patient care. Developing new skills, improving existing skills, and gaining new knowledge can help you provide patients with higher quality care. This could lead to improved patient outcomes and offer you greater job satisfaction. Magnet hospitals also focus on providing a higher quality of care, which includes requiring nurses to have a BSN at minimum.
7. Step Towards Graduate Education
Taking the time to earn your BSN can bring you one step closer to earning a graduate degree, which could result in more advanced career opportunities. When you have your BSN, you can then focus on earning a master’s degree and eventually a doctoral degree, if desired. Going through a BSN program helps prepare you for studying nursing concepts and principles in greater depth and expanding your skill set. There are also programs available to go from RN to BSN to MSN all in one program.
8. Flexibility of Programs
Earning your BSN takes time and effort. If your schedule makes it hard to go back to school for this degree, there are flexible options to consider. Some schools offer online BSN programs, which allow you to earn this degree without having to disrupt your work schedule. With an online program, you can take classes and complete assignments at your own pace within a determined period. Since you are able to access everything you need for school virtually, you do not have to worry about adjusting your work schedule in order to attend classes in person. Online BSN options provide a convenient way for RNs who work to earn this degree.
If you’re interested in earning a BSN in order to explore other nursing career opportunities or advance your career, please contact American Sentinel College of Nursing and Health Science at Post University. Our RN to BSN online program offers an accelerated path for registered nurses to earn a BSN degree. This online program allows you to transfer in 90 out of 120 credit hours needed and has monthly start dates available.
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American Sentinel College makes no representations or guarantees that completion of American Sentinel College coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential. For more information about nurse practitioner certification exams, students should visit the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners at www.aanpcert.org, the American Nurses Credentialing Center at www.nursingworld.org/ancc, or other nurse practitioner certification exam websites.
Please note jobs, career outcomes, and/or salaries highlighted in this blog do not reflect jobs, career outcomes, and/or salaries expected from any Post program. To learn more about Post’s program and their outcomes, please fill out a form to speak with an admissions representative.