When you begin a new career path, planning for success can go a long way toward ensuring you achieve the future you want. If you have been working as a registered nurse and are happy in your career, it may be time to consider elevating your skills and resume with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. With a BSN, you can be improve your chances for a stable career.
What Is a BSN Degree?
A BSN degree is designed to build on the skills you learned in your diploma or associate degree program. Experienced RNs often find that the BSN degree enhances their already vast repertoire of skills. For example, BSN programs teach students about in-depth clinical subjects, strengthen nursing leadership and management skills, enhance decision-making and critical thinking skills, and prepare students to use evidence-based knowledge for individual cases.
While your RN program prepared you to provide quality patient care, your BSN program will amplify your existing skills and build a strong foundation for the rest of your career. Students of the online RN to BSN program at Arkansas State University complete courses such as HP 3413 Cultural Competence in the Health Professional, NRS 3713 Evidence-Based Practice, and NRS 4733 Nursing Management. These and other courses prepare BSN students for opportunities to advance their careers into higher-paying, more prestigious positions.
Most students who decide to complete their BSN are already working in the field of nursing, and online programs are designed to work with their busy schedules. At Arkansas State University, students taking the RN to BSN path are required to complete a total of 36 credit hours, consisting of 12 online courses. Each course is only seven weeks long, which allows students to complete their BSN degree in as few as 12 months.
Why Is a BSN Important?
Over the past three decades, the nursing profession as a whole has developed a greater appreciation for higher education. Jobs that required a nursing diploma 15 years ago now require a BSN or higher. This trend is continuing and becoming more popular among employers. Earning a BSN degree today can ensure your preparedness for a range of employment opportunities in the future.
Furthermore, recent studies show that nursing teams with a higher number of BSNs have better patient outcomes. Employers and patients are recognizing that nurses with more training and education are able to provide higher quality care, which amounts to lives saved.
How Can a BSN Degree Help Me?
If you enjoy your career but you want more, a BSN degree can help you achieve your dreams. According to the 2016 Nurse Career Satisfaction Report, only 6 percent of LPNs say they would choose the same educational preparation, which typically consists of a 12-month vocational training and certification program. The report also found that one of the biggest complaints nurses have is not being paid enough for their work. A BSN degree can increase your earning power and job satisfaction.
With a BSN degree, you will have a multitude of job options to choose from. Nurses who earn their BSN earn an average of $67,490 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. BSN holders also have greater opportunities for moving into management positions such as nurse case manager, nursing manager and director of nursing. Should you decide to pursue an advanced degree such as a master’s or doctorate, your BSN degree will give you the preparation you need to get into the right program and succeed in your studies.
If you would like to continue along the nursing career path with improved skills and knowledge, prepare for your future by earning a BSN degree. With an online RN to BSN program, you could be a proud BSN graduate in just one year.
Learn more about the Arkansas State online RN to BSN program.
Sources:
PayScale.com: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree Average Salary
Nursing.org: The Importance of the Bachelor’s in Nursing Degree (BSN)