For current nurses and those working toward careers in the field, the decision to earn a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) is an easy one.
While the degree won’t automatically advance your position within the medical field, it can pave the way to higher earnings and greater prestige. In this guide, we will cover the career advantages of a BSN.
Qualifying for Higher-Level Jobs
While getting a bachelor’s degree in nursing isn’t a legal requirement to become an RN (registered nurse), many healthcare employers cite it as a preference or a must-have.
Depending on your location and job title, you may need a BSN to maintain your professional status. New York, for example, requires nurses to earn their BSNs within a decade of licensing. Even when the degree isn’t needed, many organizations give the best career opportunities to nurses with BSNs.
Upward Mobility
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is a vital step in a nursing career, which typically starts with an ADN (associate degree in nursing) and continues with other, more advanced degrees. If you want to become a nurse practitioner or a licensed practical nurse, the BSN is a prerequisite for most graduate programs. As a registered nurse, a BSN will put specialty positions and leadership roles within your reach.
Crucial Skills
BSN degrees give nurses opportunities to get into specialized areas that receive little coverage during ADN programs. While the latter program usually focuses on high-level skills, BSNs offer a holistic, broad approach to nursing education.
BSN programs emphasize leadership development, health policy, and medical research. With these skills, nurses can prepare themselves to handle complicated procedures and have more autonomy.
Knowledge and Education
While ADNs and other degrees form the foundation of a nursing career, BSNs expand on it, going into the nuances of healthcare and the nurse’s role within it. By exploring topics like disease prevention and public health, BSN degrees give nurses the ability to provide compassionate, proactive care that addresses primary concerns.
Improved Patient Care
Research shows that professionals with BSNs are better equipped to achieve good patient outcomes and improve their satisfaction. One study showed that cardiac arrest patients fared better when treated in hospitals with more BSN degree holders, while another proved that these nurses are less likely to make medication administration errors.
Knowledge of Healthcare
From pharmacology to anatomy, bachelor’s degrees give nurses wider-ranging knowledge. Through rigorous study, nursing students master complex concepts while gaining exposure to advanced medical research.
Real-World Experience
The best BSN programs give nurses plenty of opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills in real-time. It’s a core concept of these programs, which offer the right mix of clinical experience and classwork. BSN degrees allow nurses to integrate practice, theory, and research through clinical, courses, and other experiences.
Further Educational Opportunities
As mentioned, your educational career doesn’t have to end with a BSN. The degree offers other opportunities, including master’s degrees and doctorates. While there’s no bridge program, the path gives healthcare professionals ample clinical opportunities.
It Starts Here
As you prepare to further your nursing career, look at your area’s degree programs to see which one aligns with your goals. Learn more about our BSN program online or call to schedule a consultation with an admissions representative.
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