Bachelor of Nursing Degrees
Many future nurses choose to enter the field of nursing by earning a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing(BSN) degree. Graduates can then earn a Registered Nurse (RN) designation after passing a licensing exam. The BSN degree provides job opportunities that aren't available to nurses without this degree and also prepares them to continue on to earn a Master's degree, if they choose to.
The demand for nurses is projected to be very high in the coming decade as our population ages and as preventative care becomes a higher priority. The highest job growth will be in out-patient settings such as doctor's offices, patient's homes and elder care facilities.
Degree Options
There are three main types of BSN programs available to individuals without prior nursing experience, as described below:
- Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) - This is the standard four-year bachelor's degree program designed for individuals who have no prior nursing schooling and don't have a bachelor's degree of any kind.
- Second Degree BSN - These programs allow those who have a bachelor's degree in another subject to get credit for their liberal arts courses and complete their degree in two years or less.
- Accelerated Degree BSN - These nursing programs allow those who have a bachelor's degree in another subject area to complete their nursing degree in less than the usual two years.
Schools
BSN programs can be found at many colleges and universities including a number of online colleges. Most schools offer second degree BSN and/or accelerated programs as well as a standard BSN program.
Coursework
All nursing students take foundation courses in anatomy, physiology, psychology and microbiology as well as courses similar to those described below.
- Nursing Assessment – Teaches students the skills needed to conduct a complete assessment of a patient's health. This course often includes a lab component.
- Nursing Care of the Adult – This course covers all aspects of caring for adult patients with acute or chronic illness including plans for care, patient safety and disease prevention.
- Geriatric Nursing – Students learn how to help elderly patients maintain wellness and manage chronic illnesses.
- Pediatric Nursing - Nursing care of pediatric patients is covered including care of both well and sick children and involvement of parents in patient care.
- Nutrition Health and Disease – Studies include principles of nutrition and nutrition's role in preventing disease and restoring health. Other topics may include the impact of culture and economics and therapeutic diets.
- Pharmacology – This course examines how various drugs affect a person's physiology and includes topics such as drug classifications, patient safety, dosage calculations, monitoring, side effects, drug interactions and reducing medication errors.
Admission Requirements
Many programs require students have completed introductory chemistry and biology classes at the high-school or college level. Most second degree and accelerated programs have specific course pre-requisites and minimum grade point averages that must be met before being admitted to these programs. The course requirements usually include specific science courses as well as general education courses.
Career Options
A graduate of a BSN degree nursing program has the option of working in any number of settings, including hospitals, out-patient surgical facilities, doctor's offices, elder care facilities, patient's homes, among others.
Related Degrees
Other routes to becoming a nurse are described below:
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Program – This is typically a one-year program resulting in a LPN license.
- Diploma RN program – These programs are 18-36 month in length and offered at a limited number of hospitals.
- Associates Degree RN program – This is a two-year program resulting an RN license.
- RN to BSN program – These programs are for RN's without a bachelor's degree who want to increase their salary and job opportunities.
There are also Masters degree programs which are referred to as Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) programs that will lead to one of four designations:
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
- Clinical Nurse Midwife (CNM)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
How to Evaluate Bachelor's Degree in Nursing Programs
Bachelor's degree in nursing programs differ in various ways so prospective students should take into consideration these differences as discussed below:
- Clinical Placements – Some schools put a greater emphasis on clinical experience than others so prospective students may want to consider which is the best fit for them.
- Scholarships and Financial Aid - Financial aid and scholarships vary between schools so talking to the financial aid offices at prospective schools can help determine what aid is likely to be available.
- Waiting Lists - Many nursing schools have waiting lists, so prospective students may have to decide whether to wait to start at their first choice program or go elsewhere and start school sooner.
- Accreditation and state approval - Nursing programs need to receive accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Resources
National Student Nurses Association - Resource for Nursing Students.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing - Provides school and career information for nurses.
RN.org – Provides links to nursing boards and organizations.
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