If you want to become a nurse, it's probably a good idea to start with your BSN or have a clear plan to get your BSN if you have an ADN. Nurses that hold a BSN are more sought after than nurses with a diploma or an associate's degree. Plus, there are many other benefits of getting your BSN degree—from a higher salary to better career options and lots more. How much more? Read to find out about some of the benefits of getting your BSN degree, so you can decide if a BSN is right for you.
What is a BSN?
Having a BSN means that you have a bachelor's degree of science in nursing. Most of the time, receiving a BSN degree means you attended a four-year program. But if you're already an RN and hold an associate's degree (ADN), you may qualify for an accelerated BSN program. Many nurses choose to enroll in BSN programs to further their education in the nursing field from an ADN to a BSN. Nurses with a BSN degree can further their education with a master's or doctoral degree to become a nurse practitioner or nurse educator.
What are the Benefits of a BSN?
1) A BSN Helps You Stay Competitive in The Field.
Having a BSN can make you more competitive in the field. Many hospitals now recommend, and even require, BSN-holding nurses as new hires.
For example, as of 2013, hospitals now require that all of their management staff have a BSN or higher education. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), nearly 50% of employers require BSN-prepared nurses for new RN hires, and 90% strongly favor them.
While you may still have questions on whether or not to pursue a BSN, it may soon become necessary for getting hired. As more and more healthcare facilities start requiring BSN degrees, and more states pass minimum educational requirements, having a BSN will offer you more flexibility in where you work. BSN degrees offer benefits that begin when you enter the workforce and last long into your career.
2) A BSN Gives You More Career Advancement Opportunities.
While having an ADN will allow you to provide basic clinical care at most hospitals, you may find your career options limited. A BSN is the first step to getting more advanced nursing roles with more responsibilities. Nursing jobs, such as nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and clinic nurses, all require a BSN.
Having a BSN prepares you for leadership and management positions in nursing that require advanced decision-making and critical thinking skills. With a BSN, you'll be eligible for jobs with more responsibility, including leadership, management, and teaching positions. You'll have more opportunities outside of basic clinical care, including nursing specialties like psychiatry, pediatrics, oncology, gynecology, surgery, diabetes, and more.
If you choose to pursue a master's or doctoral degree after your BSN, you will be able to expand your career options even more and become part of the next generation of policymakers. For example, if you want to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), having a bachelor's degree is essential.
3) A BSN Increases Your Pay.
Nurses as a whole enjoy careers with excellent earning potential and job security, but nurses with a BSN typically make about 10% more than nurses who only hold an associate's degree. In fact, according to Payscale, nurses with a BSN earn an average of $85,000 per year, while ADN RN nurses with the same level of experience only make $69,000 per year. That's a difference of $14,000! You can give yourself an automatic raise by getting your BSN.
4) A BSN Offers a More Comprehensive Education.
Any nursing program you get into will teach you the basics of providing clinical care. But by pursuing a BSN, your curriculum will cover leadership, communication, and critical thinking—all things you need to advance your nursing career.
The skills that you learn while pursuing a BSN also translates to better patient care. Research from the AACN shows that BSN-educated nurses have lower mortality rates, lower "failure to rescue" rates, and higher proficiency in making good diagnoses.
Studying for your BSN allows you to dive into topics like safety in nursing, population-focused care, and safety in nursing, which will give you a complete understanding of the nursing field and the healthcare landscape in general. By studying these topics, you won't just understand what nurses do, but you'll also know why they do it and how their work fits into healthcare on a broader scale. The knowledge you gain will give you a deeper appreciation for nurses and help you be a better leader and decision-maker as you advance in your career.
Get Your BSN with Achieve Test Prep
Whether you choose a 4-year track or join an accelerated RN-to-BSN bridge program, there are many reasons to pursue a bachelor of science in nursing. With a BSN, you can become more competitive in the ever-changing healthcare landscape. And by capitalizing on prior knowledge and an ADB degree, RNs can maximize their earning potential by achieving their BSN.
Achieve Test Prep offers an RN to BSN program for nurses wishing to advance their degree. Achieve Test Prep makes earning your BSN fast and affordable. Our program uses Credit-by-Exam so that you can test-out of courses and earn your degree faster. Our proven, fast-track program combines the effectiveness of real classroom learning with the speed of test-out. Choose classes around your schedule with both on-site and online options available.
Find out more about Achieve Test Prep's RN to BSN program. Contact us today!
