Earning a BSN is critical if you are a registered nurse wanting to take your career to the next level.
Plus, if you want to finance your education, numerous scholarships and grants are available for nursing students in New York.
Better Patient Care
A BSN is required for nursing leadership positions in some hospitals, and many employers offer tuition reimbursement to help nurses take this next step. The increased knowledge you gain in a BSN program will also enhance your ability to provide better patient care.
Extensive research shows that a more educated nursing team improves patient outcomes. It is why the AACN recommends that nurses pursue their BSN.
Nurses who complete their RN to BSN programs often express their satisfaction with the experience, citing greater confidence in their skills, increased earning potential, and the opportunity to impact patient outcomes. This critical step in your career may seem daunting, but it is worth the effort. A higher degree will allow you to tailor your job to fit your goals and interests.
There are a variety of online RN to BSN programs available, making it easy to find a program that fits your needs and schedule. Many online programs offer accelerated options, allowing you to earn your degree in as little as 12 to 18 months. Online programs also offer flexibility and convenience, allowing you to learn at your own pace and from anywhere in the world.
In addition to the general benefits of earning a BSN degree, online RN to BSN programs can also offer a number of other advantages, such as:
- Affordability: Online RN to BSN programs are often more affordable than traditional on-campus programs. This is because online programs have lower overhead costs.
- Accessibility: Online RN to BSN programs are accessible to students from all over the country. This makes them a good option for students who live in rural areas or who have work or family commitments that prevent them from attending a traditional on-campus program.
- Variety: There is a wide variety of online RN to BSN programs available. This allows students to choose a program that fits their specific needs and interests. For example, some programs offer specializations in areas such as nursing education, clinical leadership, or public health.
If you are an RN who is considering completing your BSN degree, an online program is a great option. Online RN to BSN programs are affordable, accessible, and offer a variety of specializations to choose from.
Higher Earning Potential
Many nurses pursue nursing as a career, not for the financial benefits but to impact patients’ lives. Completing an RN to BSN program is essential for obtaining in-depth knowledge to improve patient outcomes significantly. It also allows for career advancement opportunities. Nurses with a BSN can move into leadership roles, such as nurse managers, which can increase their salary significantly.
A BSN is increasingly becoming a requirement in some nursing careers. For instance, the American Nurses Credentialing Center requires hospitals that apply for magnet status to have a minimum of 80% of their nursing staff holding a bachelor’s degree. This trend will undoubtedly continue as hospitals prioritize improving patient care.
Increased Confidence
A BSN allows nurses to build careers that meet their professional goals and aspirations. Nurses who pursue a BSN can become specialists in specific areas of healthcare, such as working with pediatric or geriatric patients.
When the Institute of Medicine suggested that 80% of registered nurses have at least a bachelor’s degree, it raised some eyebrows in the nursing community. Still, research has shown that the move will improve patient outcomes. Increasingly, hospitals and employers encourage or require nurses to obtain their BSNs.
Career Advancement
By enrolling in a BSN program, you can take a confident step forward in your nursing career, regardless of your experience level. Many hospitals now require new nursing hires to have a bachelor’s degree, as it meets quality standards and ensures patient safety. However, working in the field with a diploma or associate degree is possible.
Earning a bachelor’s degree may seem like a huge commitment, but if you want to further your career in the nursing field, it’s worth it. It’s also a great stepping stone towards getting a master’s in nursing, which can lead to becoming an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). A BSN is a prerequisite for nurses interested in leadership roles or specialty fields. It’s the first step to a more fulfilling and exciting nursing career.
More Job Opportunities
Nursing is one of the fastest-growing careers, and RNs returning to school to earn bachelor’s degrees are in high demand. This is especially true in specialized fields of the industry, where an employer may require a nurse with a bachelor’s degree.
A BSN also opens the door to more advanced job opportunities, such as nurse manager or nursing director positions. These roles require more leadership skills and in-depth knowledge than an RN with an associate degree, and they often lead to a higher salary.
A BSN can also be a stepping stone to pursuing a master’s in nursing, which is required for advanced practice nurses (APRN). It can further open up career opportunities. Some nurses even choose to specialize by earning a specialty certification.
