As healthcare administrators and nurse leaders attempt to eliminate the nursing shortage, there is an increased demand for intuitive and qualified registered nurses. While you can pursue your license to practice as a registered nurse with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), you may find that there are additional opportunities throughout your nursing career if you earn a BSN degree.
The BSN degree is considered one of the most desirable educational qualifications for registered nurses, and graduates with a BSN degree may have more opportunities for growth and development throughout their careers. As the modern healthcare landscape continues to change and evolve, now may be the perfect time to consider pursuing your BSN degree.
Understanding the BSN Degree
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is one of the most in-demand educational qualifications for registered nurses. This four-year bachelor’s program provides aspiring nurses with an overview of the profession and advanced clinical training, preparing graduates for work in various complex, fast-paced clinical settings.
While graduates with either an ADN or BSN degree are eligible to pursue their license to practice as a registered nurse, the BSN degree offers a broader scope that promotes the development of advanced nursing skills.
What Is a BSN in Nursing?
The BSN degree program is a four-year undergraduate degree that prepares students for a career as a registered nurse. This degree program combines traditional coursework with clinical training, allowing students to develop the practical and technical skills needed to work directly with patients at the point of care.
Most students will find that the coursework for a BSN degree is anchored by math and science courses as well as nursing-specific courses. In addition, students may have to complete courses in the liberal arts and social sciences. All BSN students are required to complete clinical rotations that allow them to develop an in-depth understanding of the modern healthcare landscape as they perfect the clinical skills required by the nursing profession.
BSN vs. ADN: Key Differences
Graduates with either an ADN or BSN degree are eligible to pursue their license to practice as a registered nurse, but there are key differences between these degree programs that are essential to understand.
According to the American Nurses Association, an ADN degree is an entry-level nursing degree program that typically takes about two years to complete. This program is designed for aspiring nurses who want to enter the workforce as soon as possible, and it often covers the core courses required to practice as a registered nurse. Graduates can expect to develop basic bedside clinical skills that will allow them to pursue entry-level positions as an RN.
The BSN degree, on the other hand, is a four-year bachelor’s degree program that provides aspiring nurses with a more comprehensive education and prepares them for a wider range of responsibilities. A 2022 National Nursing Workforce Survey found that more than 70 percent of RNs have a BSN degree, making it the most common educational qualification in the nursing profession. The BSN degree has long been the preferred degree, but an increasing number of healthcare facilities and hospital systems are requiring all nurses to have a BSN degree.
Reasons to Pursue a BSN in Nursing
Considering the fact that you can pursue work as a registered nurse with either an ADN or BSN degree, you might find yourself wondering why a BSN in nursing is important. The fact of the matter is, there are a wide range of benefits associated with obtaining a BSN in nursing, such as more career advancement opportunities, increased earning potential and the ability to have a direct impact on better patient outcomes.
Career Advancement and Specialization
Earning your BSN degree opens doors to a wider range of career opportunities and specializations in nursing. Some of the specialized positions and leadership opportunities that you may be eligible for as a BSN-prepared registered nurse include:
- School Nurse
- Nurse Manager
- Critical Care Nurse
- Public Health Nurse
- Nurse Case Manager
- Nurse Informatics Specialist
By pursuing a BSN degree, you can develop an advanced understanding of the nursing profession and discover specialized opportunities that may interest you within the field.
Increased Earning Potential
One of the top questions among aspiring nurses who are considering a BSN is, “How much do BSN nurses make?” It’s a valid question, as most students want to know that their financial investment in their education is going to pay off throughout their career.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that the median salary for registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree is about $86,000 per year, and the demand for registered nurses with a BSN is expected to rise by about 6 percent between 2023 and 2033. It’s crucial to note, however, that specific nursing salaries can vary significantly based on the nursing position, the hospitality or healthcare facility where a nurse works, and the geographic location of the position.
Improved Patient Outcomes
Given the depth and breadth of the knowledge acquired throughout the BSN degree program, it’s not surprising that BSN-prepared nurses can play a pivotal role in improving patient outcomes at a healthcare facility. Both research findings and anecdotal evidence suggest that in healthcare facilities with a higher volume of BSN-prepared nurses there are lower mortality rates, fewer medication errors and fewer accidental falls.
For example, recent research published in the Health Affairs Journal revealed that hospitals that have a higher percentage of BSN-prepared registered nurses demonstrated improved outcomes for patients suffering from cardiac arrest. The research found that increasing the number of BSN-prepared nurses in a healthcare facility by 10 percent was associated with a 24 percent increase in survival rates and positive outcomes among patients who suffered cardiac arrest in the hospital facility.
Personal and Professional Growth
While the ADN degree program is designed to provide aspiring nurses with the basic clinical skills required to pursue an entry-level position as a registered nurse, the BSN degree program offers a more comprehensive curriculum that fosters critical thinking and leadership skills. The nature of this bachelor’s degree program allows aspiring nurses to develop a deeper understanding of today’s modern and complex healthcare system, allowing graduates to enjoy a greater sense of job satisfaction and career fulfillment. The BSN degree program can open the door to niche opportunities in the nursing profession that allow nurses to align their professional paths with their personal passions.
Greater Autonomy and Responsibility
Many BSN degree programs require nurses to complete coursework in nursing role development and nursing leadership, allowing graduates to feel confident and assured while making complex clinical decisions. As a result, BSN-prepared nurses often enjoy more autonomy and greater responsibility within their roles, which can be incredibly rewarding.
Eligibility for Graduate Studies
To pursue advanced degrees in nursing, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (DNP), you will typically need to first complete a BSN degree program. These graduate degree programs are designed to provide experienced nurses with the advanced, industry-specific skills required in specialized nursing positions, such as a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist or nurse educator.
Meeting the Demands of a Changing Healthcare Landscape
As healthcare administrators, providers and nurses continue to adapt to meet the increasingly complex needs of patients, the healthcare landscape will keep evolving over time. There is currently a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice, patient-centered care, and interprofessional collaboration in nursing. This trend highlights the importance of developing creative, critical-thinking, and leadership skills—all of which are cultivated in a BSN degree program.
Is a BSN in Nursing Worth It?
It’s not uncommon for students researching nursing degree programs to ask, is it worth getting a BSN in nursing? Generally, a BSN degree provides you with a wider range of career opportunities and often leads to higher earning potential over the course of your career. However, this degree does require a greater investment of your time and financial resources, which is important to consider when choosing the nursing degree program that is right for you.
Weighing the Costs and Benefits
As a four-year bachelor’s degree program, a BSN degree sometimes requires higher tuition, fees and living expenses. That said, the initial costs of the degree may be offset by the long-term benefits that may include career advancement opportunities, a higher earning potential and an increased sense of personal satisfaction.
The Growing Demand for BSN-Prepared Nurses
Demand for BSN-prepared nurses in the healthcare industry is on the rise, with many hospital systems and healthcare facilities beginning to require a BSN degree for their registered nursing positions. The BSN degree may be able to provide you with the competitive advantage needed to secure the position that appeals to you most in the local job market.
Is It Worth Getting a BSN in Nursing? Invest in Your Education at Nevada State University
A BSN in nursing can provide you with the advanced clinical experience and knowledge needed to pursue a higher-level or specialized nursing position. At Nevada State University, we offer an RN to BSN online program that allows you to build upon your existing experience as a nurse and streamline your path toward your BSN degree. With a curriculum that emphasizes evidence-based care in nursing and nursing informatics, our RN to BSN online program allows you to improve your skills and advance your nursing career.
Request more information about our nursing degree programs today.