Registered nurses (RNs) who have an associate degree or a nursing diploma can expand their career opportunities in many directions by pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN). The RN to BSN programs are designed specifically for RNs to take into consideration their previous training. These programs provide education in areas that are important for healthcare administration roles as well as more complex direct-care scenarios. For RNs, getting a BSN can mean:
- An increase in salary in their current position.
- An increase in responsibilities.
- Increased flexibility to work in non-hospital settings.
- Being prepared to pursue a master's degree in nursing.
- Being qualified for many management and administrative positions.
Degree Options
The RN to BSN degree is a general degree which covers all areas of nursing. Most programs allow students to chose some electives where they can delve deeper into a particular aspect of nursing such as holistic nursing, leadership or nursing education.
Schools
RN to BSN programs are available through hundreds of colleges and universities. These programs are typically designed for RNs who will continue working while attending school. They offer flexible schedules and often have multiple start dates during the year. There is also a trend for courses and even entire programs to be available online to provide even more flexibility. Many employers of RNs offer tuition reimbursement for RN to BSN programs.
The number of 100 percent online programs available for RN to BSN degrees is growing quickly, and some are nationally accredited. To provide clinical experience opportunities, some programs coordinate with a medical facility affiliated with the online school that is geographically as close as possible to the student.
Coursework
Coursework for a BSN is divided between class time and supervised clinical experience. Courses typically include:
- anatomy and physiology
- chemistry
- microbiology
- nutrition
- behavioral sciences such as psychology
- leadership, communication and negotiation
- ethics and critical thinking
- nursing
Clinical experience opportunities are coordinated through hospitals and other care facilities such as residential care, home health agencies, ambulatory clinics and public health departments.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have earned an associate degree in nursing or a nursing diploma and in many cases, must be an RN in the state where they will attend school. Some RN to BSN programs require applicants to pass a pre-admission test called the National League for Nursing (NLN) pre-admissions exam. For the more competitive schools, prior GPA’s and SAT scores may also be considered.
Career Options
Earning a BSN opens up many new options for nurses since this degree is required for most managerial positions as well as many positions outside of hospitals. Below are some of the possible career opportunities:
- Head nurse
- Hospital Administrator
- School Nurse
- Pediatric Nurse
- Physician’s Office Manager
- Nurse Educator
- Home Health Care Manager
- Mental Health Nurse
- Clinical Consultant Manager
- Clinical Researcher
- Hospice Clinical Supervisor
Related Degrees
Once a nurse has received their BSN degree, they may decide to continue on to earn a Masters degree. All nurses with Masters Degrees are referred to as Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs). They will choose from one of the following degrees:
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
- Clinical Nurse Midwife (CNM)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Resources
RN.org – Provide links to nursing organizations.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing - Provides school and career information for nurses.
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