How an RN to BSN Program Improves Patient Outcomes

In recent years, RN to BSN online programs have become more popular, particularly among registered nurses who have earned an associate degree and want to apply their existing credits to advance their education. These innovative programs provide nurses with a unique opportunity to expand on their professional experience and develop the advanced nursing skills required to pursue specialized and leadership positions in nursing.

Introduction to the RN to BSN Program

The RN to BSN program is an undergraduate degree program designed for registered nurses with an associate degree in nursing or who have earned a nursing diploma. It is ideal for registered nurses who want to increase their earning potential, take on more complex tasks in clinical settings and explore more rewarding nursing positions.

What Is an RN to BSN Program?

According to the American Nurses Association, the RN to BSN program is an accelerated undergraduate degree program allowing registered nurses to earn their BSN  in as little as two years. Traditionally, a BSN program would take about four years to complete. Still, those with an associate degree in nursing can apply their previous credits to accelerate their path toward earning a BSN degree.

Key Differences Between an RN and a BSN Nurse

Graduates with an associate degree in nursing or bachelor's degree in nursing are eligible to become licensed to practice as a registered nurse. However, BSN-prepared nurses have completed more comprehensive coursework throughout their program. This allows them to better apply nursing theory in clinical settings and implement evidence-based care strategies.

The Impact of an RN to BSN Program on Patient Care

The RN to BSN program essentially builds upon the first two years of coursework students complete during their associate degree program. It allows them to explore more complex nursing topics, such as nursing theory, public health, and evidence-based care. As a result, this program has a direct impact on patient care in a variety of ways, such as:

Improving Critical Thinking and Clinical Decision-Making

Students enrolled in the RN to BSN program already have proficiency with the basic nursing skills required to care for patients. During this program, they often focus on the interpersonal skills that can have a direct impact on patient care, such as critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills. The curriculum for the RN to BSN program improves critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills by:

• Enhancing evidence-based practices in patient care. Throughout the program, nurses learn how to apply the latest research findings in clinical settings, allowing them to implement evidence-based practices better.
• Developing advanced problem-solving skills. Through didactic coursework as well as clinical experience, nurses in this innovative program can hone their problem-solving skills and improve their ability to make swift and confident decisions in clinical settings.

Better Communication and Collaboration in Healthcare Teams

The RN to BSN program goes beyond clinical skills as it works to strengthen communication, leadership, and interprofessional collaboration. These competencies are essential for nurses who want to take on a more engaged, decision-making role within healthcare teams. By learning to communicate clearly across disciplines, advocate for patient care, and contribute meaningfully to care planning, graduates are empowered to:

• Build stronger nurse-patient relationships. Nurses will learn about the importance of cultural awareness in clinical settings throughout the RN to BSN program. They will learn how to better communicate with different patients, and develop the strong nurse-patient relationships required to improve patient outcomes.
• Improve multidisciplinary collaboration for holistic care. Nurses will develop the communication and collaboration skills required to partner with healthcare providers across specialty areas to provide patients with comprehensive, personalized care.

The Role of Advanced Education in Preventing Medical Errors

Higher levels of education directly impact the number of medical errors that occur in healthcare settings. Higher education can lead to fewer mistakes in care delivery because nurses are required to complete extensive, comprehensive coursework that covers a wide range of areas. In an associate degree program, nurses primarily focus on learning the basic skills required to care for patients at their bedside. In an RN to BSN program, nurses can build upon that foundation to provide all patients with safe, high-quality care. The program emphasizes the importance of safe, effective and efficient care, allowing nurses to become confident in their skills and comfortable making decisions in clinical settings.

Research Linking BSN Education to Improved Patient Outcomes

It's not just circumstantial evidence that proves that BSN-prepared nurses can offer improved patient outcomes. Ongoing medical research proves that hospitals and other healthcare facilities that employ a higher percentage of BSN-prepared nurses are more likely to improve patient outcomes than those with a lower percentage of BSN-prepared nurses.

Studies Showing Better Patient Outcomes in Hospitals With More BSN Nurses

Higher levels of nursing education have a direct impact on improved patient outcomes. Hospitals with a high percentage of BSN-prepared nurses can:

• Improve their mortality rates. The AACN notes that hospitals with a staff comprised of at least 80 percent BSN-prepared nurses have about 24% lower odds of mortality.
• Improve their patient satisfaction ratings and reduce their readmissions rates. According to the AACN, hospitals that actively worked to increase the number of BSN-prepared nurses on staff were able to decrease the length of patient stays by about 7 percent.

The Link Between BSN Nurses and Lower Infection Rates

The RN to BSN program emphasizes the importance of safe and effective care, which means that BSN-prepared nurses have a deeper understanding of the best steps to take to reduce infection risk and prevent spread within clinical settings. BSN-prepared nurses can often help hospitals lower infection rates because they have an advanced understanding of the infection control measures that should be implemented in hospital settings. This is largely because BSN coursework focuses heavily on these measures. Plus, they have a deeper awareness of the signs and symptoms of healthcare-acquired infections, allowing them to be more vigilant when working with patients in a variety of clinical settings.

Enhanced Leadership Skills and Their Effect on Patient Outcomes

In addition to focusing on clinical skill development, the RN to BSN program prioritizes leadership skill development. By actively working to improve their leadership skills, BSN-prepared nurses can provide patients with more personalized care and better outcomes.

The Leadership Role of BSN Nurses in Improving Care Quality

An increasing number of hospitals require nurses to have a BSN degree, and those who have earned a BSN will find more opportunities to pursue leadership positions in healthcare. BSN-prepared nurses can take on leadership roles by leading quality improvement initiatives, promoting best practices in the healthcare setting, and advocating for the needs of patients to influence policy and practice changes, leading to better care delivery.

Mentorship and Education: BSN Nurses as Leaders in Training

Essentially, BSN-prepared nurses are considered the next generation of nurse leaders. They have the educational experience required to pursue advanced positions or specialty areas and are more likely to be motivated to continue their nursing education by pursuing a graduate degree.

BSN nurses can establish themselves as leaders and mentors by working closely with new nurses to teach them the importance of patient-centered care. By modeling the best practices for evidence-based care and patient-centered care, BSN-prepared nurses can pass their experience down to the next generation of nurses. They also improve workplace morale through effective nurse leadership. BSN-prepared nurses can help create a positive and supportive work environment by being a fair and effective leader.

The Future of Nursing: How RN to BSN Programs Contribute to the Evolving Healthcare System

RN to BSN online programs are directly impacting the evolving healthcare landscape. These innovative educational programs are helping to fill the gaps that exist within the nursing workforce and address the complex challenges facing the healthcare industry today.

Addressing the Nursing Shortage with Better-Prepared Nurses

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing notes that the United States is facing a nursing shortage that will likely intensify in the years to come, particularly as some of the most experienced and skilled nurses retire. The RN to BSN online programs allow nurses to expand their skills and become better-prepared nurses, which will help reduce the impact of the nursing shortage in this country.

How the Healthcare System Benefits from a More Educated Nursing Workforce

The healthcare system benefits when the nursing workforce becomes more educated. BSN-prepared nurses can prioritize patient safety and provide more personalized care, which can lower healthcare costs by reducing the number of emergency room visits each year and hospital readmission rates. These skilled, qualified and educated nurses can meet the needs of a changing demographic in healthcare, making them incredibly important to the success of the healthcare system as a whole.

Explore Your Options for RN to BSN Online Programs at Nebraska Methodist College

RN to BSN online programs are designed for registered nurses who want to accelerate the path toward earning their BSN degree and develop the skills required to pursue advanced and specialized positions in nursing. At Nebraska Methodist College (NMC), we offer an online RN to BSN program with a population health-based curriculum, allowing you to develop the nursing skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills needed to advance your career.

Apply now, and begin the path toward earning your BSN degree.