If you're a Registered Nurse (RN) looking to take the next step in your career, then it may be time to pursue your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) by completing an RN to BSN program.
What is RN to BSN? This unique type of program is specifically designed for working nurses with unencumbered RN licenses to apply previous coursework from an ADN program to earn a BSN in as little as one year.
While no two RN-to-BSN stories look exactly alike, those who end up in these programs feel a strong calling to help others and advance beyond their RN roles.
If you ask many nurses (RN or otherwise) what first led them to the field, there's a good chance they will describe it as a "calling" of sorts. Nurses, by their very nature, are the type of people who want to selflessly help others. Nurses find deep satisfaction in making a tangible difference, offering compassionate care to patients during their most vulnerable moments.
Of course, there are additional benefits to becoming a nurse, including a strong sense of job security and high demand. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for RNs is projected to grow 5 percent between 2024 and 2034, which is faster than the national average for all occupations.
Meanwhile, nurses also enjoy the opportunity to pursue roles in many different areas of healthcare. While many people may think of nurses as working primarily in hospital settings, the reality is that skilled nurses are needed in schools, doctors' offices, long-term care clinics, and beyond.
RNs can enjoy very rewarding careers, playing a critical role in the direct care of patients. At the same time, you can only go so far professionally with an RN license alone. For those who are interested in taking their nursing education and opportunities to greater heights, a BSN may be the next logical step.
For starters, a BSN can be beneficial when it comes to securing sought-after roles in the nursing field, especially as more employers now prefer to hire BSN-educated nurses. Recent research has shown that more than 80 percent of employers "show a strong preference for hiring BSN nurses," with up to 43 percent of healthcare employers actually requiring a BSN for all new nurses.
As part of a BSN program, you may also be able to specialize in a particular area of the nursing field, such as critical care or cardiology. With coursework tailored to your professional interests and a BSN under your belt, you may be in a better position to explore more advanced and niche nursing roles.
Finally, if you have plans to someday earn your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), then a BSN will be required to be considered for any graduate-level program in the field.
So, what does the path of an RN to BSN graduate look like? One of the most important objectives of this type of program for students is to focus not just on academic growth, but leadership and other career-ready skills. For many, becoming an RN to BSN graduate marks a pivotal turning point in their nursing journey, where academic growth meets the development of real-world leadership skills. Each RN to BSN graduate exits the program with greater confidence, a stronger professional voice, and the tools needed to make an impact beyond the bedside.
This program is an essential step for those seeking nursing career advancement through specialized roles and leadership positions.
Compared to the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) curriculum followed to become an RN, a BSN program exposes students to new perspectives, theories, and evidence-based nursing practice with coursework in such relevant topics as:
Likewise, as part of an RN to BSN program, students will have the opportunity to make valuable connections between what they learn in the classroom and how they work with patients directly. More specifically, an RN to BSN grad should be able to collaborate effectively with other healthcare providers to evaluate evidence-based practice for patient-centered care using clinical judgment and the nursing process to meet the diverse needs of their patients.
RN to BSN programs also equip graduates with leadership concepts and skills rooted in accountability, ethics, and professional standards. This prepares them for leadership positions such as charge nurses and nurse managers.
Nursing career advancement is among the most common reasons RNs decide to pursue a BSN, and for good reason. These programs focus on empowering nurses to become confident and capable leaders who are ready to advocate for their patients and get involved in big-picture healthcare policy discussions.
While not all BSN graduates will choose to transition away from bedside roles, many will use this credential as a stepping stone into direct leadership roles where they are responsible for overseeing teams of RNs and LPNs as charge nurses and nurse managers. In these types of roles, nurses may be responsible for such tasks as scheduling, delegating, and maintaining regulatory compliance while keeping teams motivated to provide the highest standard of care.
Meanwhile, some nurses will apply the knowledge and skills gained from a BSN program to pursue more specialized unit roles. For example, a BSN-educated nurse may have taken dedicated coursework in pediatrics, preparing them to move into supervisory and leadership roles in specialized pediatrics units.
With a BSN education, nurses may also be better prepared to advocate not just for their patients, but for other nurses and healthcare professionals as well.
With a better understanding of how healthcare policy can directly impact patient care and the nursing profession, BSN-educated nurses may be prepared to participate in important discussions about healthcare policy and regulatory actions at the local, state, and even federal levels.
Their direct experience of working with patients, combined with their advanced education, gives nurses with BSNs an advantage when it comes to advocating for patients and influencing decision-making at all levels.
Because BSNs typically have plenty of experience working directly on the front lines of healthcare, they see first-hand what it's like not just to be a healthcare worker, but a patient as well. This experience is invaluable when it comes to voicing concerns and raising issues that may need to be addressed, such as gaps in care or work-life imbalances among nursing professionals.
With their advanced collaboration, communication, and leadership skills gained in a degree program, BSN-educated nurses may also be better equipped to drive lasting change in healthcare by working with other healthcare professionals to raise concerns, advocate for change, and be a part of decision-making at a higher level.
As BSN-educated nurses work to drive meaningful change within the profession, this can cause a ripple effect that not only improves the field for future generations of nurses, but inspires others to advocate for change as well.
When BSN-educated nurses are part of high-level decision-making, they demonstrate to other nursing professionals that it's possible to make a difference without being a physician, policymaker, or politician. Nurses who engage in advocacy prove time and time again that their experiences and voices from the front lines matter.
BSN-prepared nurses can also serve as mentors for aspiring nurses and LPNs or RNs who are just starting out in the field. BSN-educated nurses can act as mentors, using their experience to guide and support other nurses in their professional development, effectively extending a hand to help others advance in their careers.
If you're thinking about pursuing your RN to BSN, keep this advice from previous graduates in mind to help you make the most of the experience. Every RN to BSN story is unique, shaped by personal goals and challenges along the way.
One of the biggest obstacles many RN to BSN students encounter is simply maintaining a healthy balance between work, school, and everything else going on in their lives. This can be especially challenging if you plan to continue working as an RN part- or full-time as you pursue your BSN.
Before you even enroll in an RN to BSN program, consider whether you should pursue part- or full-time coursework based on your work and other schedule demands. In general, it's better to take fewer classes (especially at the start of your program) than to overwhelm yourself with a full-time course load and become burnt out by the end of the first semester.
RNs thinking about pursuing their BSNs should also take the time to consider their long-term career goals, as this could help them decide what they want to get out of the program and what kinds of specialized courses they may want to take.
If you're overwhelmed by the thought of returning to nursing school as an RN, think big-picture. Many RN to BSN programs are designed to be completed in anywhere from one to two years. In the grand scheme of things, that's a very short amount of time — especially when you consider the numerous career benefits and advancement opportunities you may be able to explore with a BSN.
With a better idea of what to expect from an RN to BSN education and how you may be able to apply what you learn in a BSN program to your current and future work, is this the right path for you? If so, it's time to write your own RN to BSN story at Nebraska Methodist College (NMC).
In our RN to BSN program, you'll enjoy the flexibility of online classes, and both part- and full-time options to suit your busy schedule. Get in touch to learn more about this program or apply now to take the next step.
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