Bachelor"s Degree in Nursing (BSN) Information
Thanks to the aging baby boomer population and the ongoing nursing shortage, the demand for nurses all over the USA has skyrocketed, making now the perfect time to earn your bachelor's degree in nursing.
Choosing the right degree can make a substantial difference to your nursing career.
Not only will your degree play a large role in your earning potential, but it will also affect your on-the-job responsibility, chance for promotion, and job opportunities in general.
If you are planning on entering into a career in nursing, you should no further than a BSN degree.
This is because it will equip you with the credentials and skills that many employers are looking for from their nurses.
In addition, a BSN provides a strong platform for career advancement, and possessing the degree is a prerequisite if you want obtain a MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) at some point in the future.
A BSN degree will prepare you to work in many health care settings, some of which include: hospitals, physicians' offices, home health services and nursing care facilities.
Not only do nurses who hold a bachelor's degree receive a higher salary, but they also hold supervisory roles and are given a high level of responsibility and independence, making their work much rewarding than their peers.
Bachelor's Degree in Nursing Information What to Expect from a BSN Program Typically, BSN Programs take 4 years to complete.
During the first two years, in order to fulfil college requirements, students take general education courses.
The final two years consist of learning the science, theory and principles of nursing.
Type of BSN Degrees There are five different types of BSN Degrees which nurses can enrol in.
These are as follows: -BSN: As mentioned, this is a 4 year program and is the entry point for professional nursing practice.
A BSN program is required for graduate nursing programs in teaching, research and advanced practice nursing specialities (certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse anaesthetists, nurse practitioners.
- RN to BSN : Registered nurses who already hold a diploma or an associate's degree can obtain their BSN degree through an RN to BSN program.
This type of program offers a flexible schedule as it is designed to enable RNs to better their credentials while they continue to work.
-LPN to BSN: This type of degree gives licensed practical nurses the opportunity to obtain a BSN in just 4 academic semesters.
-Second Degree BSN: Second Degree BSN Programs are designed to help adults who are interested in switching from their current profession to a career in the field of nursing.
These programs give students credit for having completed liberal arts requirements for a non-nursing degree, and enable students to earn a BSN degree in 1-2 years.
-Accelerated BSN: Accelerated BSN programs are similar to Second Degree BSN programs in the way that credit is rewarded for having completed liberal arts requirements.
This type of Bachelor's Degree in Nursing takes an average of 15 months to complete, hence the name.
The work load is intensive, and it is not designed for those who want to continue to remain in full-time employment as they work towards obtaining their degree.