Working as a registered nurse (RN) is a rewarding career with a bright future. If you love your job taking care of patients, then you’re in the right place.
But if you want more professional opportunities, would like to advance your education, or need a higher salary, consider getting a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN).
Find RN to BSN Programs in Your State:
Getting a BSN if you already have a RN
A BSN can open many doors in the nursing profession. You can work in hospitals, as 60 percent of RNs do, or you can work in almost any other area of healthcare that has a need for nursing skills or expertise. Nurses with BSNs also hold education or management positions, work as consultants, or use their specialized knowledge to work in a private business or the public sector. Having your degree is the first step toward furthering your education—such as earning an MSN, Ph.D., DNP, or entering advanced practice as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, or nurse anesthetist.
RN to BSN programs can be found at four-year colleges or universities. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), 633 programs are available in the U.S. and they are growing in popularity in response to demand.
These programs can be one to two years in duration, depending upon the individual institution’s requirements. More than 400 programs have at least a partial online component, and some offer family- or work-friendly schedules such as weekend or evening classes.
The most common admission requirements are having an RN license, and having a certain amount (approximately 60 to 80) of qualifying transfer credits from your previous training program. Your GPA is considered, as is your work experience.
Some colleges may also require you to complete non-nursing classes that are required for a bachelor’s degree such as English, sociology, or history. The program’s nursing classes focus on topics such as critical thinking, leadership, ethics, and social/cultural issues in healthcare. Aside from core content, you also may need to complete an independent project or research paper.
The biggest advantage of RN to BSN programs? Depending on your work experience, you may be able to waive clinical classes and graduate quickly.
