As a registered nurse (RN), you take pride in your work. You have seen firsthand the impact capable and compassionate care can have on patients and their loved ones — and you are excited to continue making a difference or perhaps even expand your influence.
The next step in your nursing journey? Elevating your knowledge and your skill set through baccalaureate-level training. This moves beyond strictly clinical education, placing a greater emphasis on evidence-based practice while also exploring meaningful specializations and even leadership opportunities.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) offers a solid pathway to career advancement. But what if you already earned your Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)? Good news — you’re already well on your way to completing your BSN. The right RN to BSN program can help you fulfill this journey, all while empowering you to take the next step in your career. Keep reading to learn the benefits of a BSN degree, and to learn how the RN to BSN works.
What Is an RN to BSN Program?
The RN to BSN functions as a bridge program, offering a pathway from an associate to a bachelor’s degree. This builds on previously mastered clinical concepts but places a greater emphasis on evidence-based practice, with the goal of preparing nurses for specialized or leadership roles.[1]
Also referred to as a post-licensure program, the RN to BSN is meant for current nurses who have already passed the NCLEX RN exam and are already licensed. Because this program emphasizes theoretical learning, it can be completed online, making it possible to continue working as an RN while also advancing academically and even professionally.
6 Benefits of Earning Your BSN
The BSN offers profound personal and professional benefits while also making a positive difference among broader patient populations. For the RN with an ADN or ASN, this represents a natural next step, offering the opportunity to develop new skills and improve clinical practice.[2] This ultimately delivers a respected credential that can open the door to specializations and even leadership opportunities. Different RNs cite different reasons for studying at the bachelor’s level, but the following are among the most compelling BSN benefits:
1. Enhanced Clinical Judgment and Evidence-Based Practice
Evidence-based practice is at the heart of the BSN.[3] This program offers a deep dive into relevant research, highlighting the latest developments in nursing practice along with actionable options for building these findings into clinical care. As a BSN student, you get the chance not only to explore fascinating theoretical concepts, but also the opportunity to think critically about how you’ll build these insights into your day-to-day work as a registered nurse.[4]
These gains can improve nursing confidence and readiness to work across various clinical specializations, but that’s only the beginning. Research confirms that nurses trained at the baccalaureate level also maintain higher standards of care.[5] For example, hospitals with more BSN-trained nurses see fewer readmissions along with dramatic reductions in patient mortality. In other words, earning your BSN could help you become a more capable nurse, leading to better patient outcomes and, perhaps, even lives saved.
2. Leadership, Management & Care Coordination
Bedside care can be rewarding, but what if you’re drawn to other areas of the nursing profession? There are many other ways to make a positive difference, including management and care coordination. These roles are typically only available to those with bachelor’s degrees and extensive clinical experience.
Without a BSN, you may be limited to entry-level clinical roles. Even as you continue to gain nursing experience, leadership opportunities can remain out of reach. The credential, alone, can help fuel career advancement, but you’ll also benefit from leadership-focused courses that introduce you to organizational theory and management techniques.
3. Expanded Settings and Career Flexibility
The ADN provides solid preparation for general clinical practice, allowing you to complete basic assessments or provide bedside care within outpatient clinics or long-term care facilities. Specialized settings, however, often call for advanced skills that can only be developed by studying at the bachelor’s level.
If you want to work in high-stakes settings such as oncology clinics or surgical units, you will likely be expected to earn your BSN along with a specialized certification.[6] Equipped with your BSN, you may choose to transition into passion-driven areas of care, working with specific populations or addressing targeted health concerns according to your unique skills and interests.
4. Higher Educational Credentials & Pathways
The BSN can open the door not only to professional opportunities but also to graduate-level education. This degree is a must, for example, when completing even higher levels of nursing education such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. The MSN can fuel further career advancement, allowing you to prepare for advanced practice roles.[7] Your scope of practice could expand considerably, as you train for the role of nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, or even certified registered nurse anesthetist.
5. Alignment with Industry Expectations
Throughout the nursing industry, there is a clear shift towards baccalaureate training, evident in both enhanced employer expectations and in legislation such as New York’s BSN in 10. This mandates that all RNs obtain their BSN degree within a specific timeframe.[8]
Across specializations, employers recognize the value of bachelor’s-level training, which offers a clear signal of expanded clinical judgment, not to mention a clear commitment to professional development.
Insights from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) suggest that healthcare employers show a strong preference for BSN-prepared nurses, with bachelor’s degrees outright required to work in 25 percent of hospitals.[9] AACN resources highlight many other prominent employers that require baccalaureate credentials, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Veterans’ Administration. This is also required for all nurse managers working within magnet hospitals.[10]
6. Greater Opportunity to Influence Policy, Quality, & Research
The influence of the BSN-trained nurse extends beyond the bedside setting to involve public health, nursing research, and even healthcare policy. This is an opportunity to drive broad systemic improvements, leading to better outcomes for your patients and positively impacting whole communities. The BSN is often a requirement for research and policy-focused nursing roles, promising greater credibility so that nursing voices are trusted and respected.[11]
BSN coursework offers ample preparation for these influential pathways, with advanced classes delving into the ethical implications of health policy, along with research methodologies and even the principles of population health management.
How Carrington College’s Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing Supports These Benefits
At Carrington College, we are committed to supporting nurses in all stages of their clinical and professional journeys. We help aspiring RNs get a strong start through our ADN program, as well as offer a pathway to advancement with our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN). Available online, this degree accommodates busy working students, offering well-rounded and thought-provoking learning activities that can immediately be applied within the real-world nursing environment.
Our diverse BSN curriculum provides an in-depth introduction to nursing research, health policy, and quality standardization, while offering insight into evidence-based strategies that enhance clinical decision-making and even support public advocacy.
Real-World Considerations: Is a BSN Right for You?
The BSN provides many compelling personal and professional opportunities, but the decision to pursue this degree can still feel difficult. Before you commit to an RN to BSN program, you will want to feel confident that this degree supports your long-term nursing goals and that you can handle the immediate challenges presented by high-level nursing coursework.
As you plan for the next big step up in your nursing career, take a close look at where you are and where you’ve been. Are you willing to take more responsibility and autonomy as a BSN-trained nurse? Do you feel driven to work with a particular patient population or to expand your scope of practice? If you’re ready to embrace new responsibilities and help shape the future of care, the BSN could be an amazing opportunity.
Next Steps: How to Get Started with Your BSN
If you’re committed to achieving personal, professional, and academic growth through an RN to BSN online degree, be mindful of eligibility as you prepare for this exciting journey. Confirm your licensure status and take a close look at previously completed ADN courses to ensure you’ve completed all prerequisites. Don’t forget the practical aspects of your online RN to BSN journey. Consider how you’ll balance coursework with your current nursing schedule, and whether you’ll need financial aid to help cover the cost of your degree.
Advance Your Nursing Career at Carrington College
Take the next step in your nursing journal and earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing on your own terms. Look to Carrington College for support as you plan for a bright future in nursing. Learn more about our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) online program or take the next step and get started today.
Sources:
[1] American Nurses Association. “RN to BSN: Advancing Your Nursing Career.” https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/nursing-resources/rn-to-bsn/
[2] American Nurses Association. “ADN vs BSN: Which is Right for You?” https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/becoming-a-nurse/adn-vs-bsn/
[3] American Nurses Association. “What is Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing?” https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/workplace/evidence-based-practice-in-nursing/
[4] Hrelic, D. “RN to BSN: Why and how.” American Nurse Journal. https://www.myamericannurse.com/rn-to-bsn-why-and-how/
[5] Lasater, K. et al. “Changes in proportion of bachelor’s nurses associated with improvements in patient outcomes.” Research in Nursing & Health. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/nur.22163
[6] Indeed Career Guide. “Oncology Nurse Career Guide: Definition, Salary and Requirements.” https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/oncology-nurse
[7] American Association of Colleges of Nursing. “Master’s Education.” https://www.aacnnursing.org/students/nursing-education-pathways/masters-education
[8] American Nurses Association New York. “BS in 10 Law: Frequently Asked Questions.” https://anany.org/policy-and-advocacy/bs-in-10-faq
[9] American Association of Colleges of Nursing. “Employment of New Nurse Graduates and Employer Preferences for Baccalaureate-Prepared Nurses.” https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/0/PDFs/Data/Research-Brief-10-23.pdf
[10] American Association of Colleges of Nursing. “The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice.” https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/fact-sheets/impact-of-education-on-nursing-practice
[11] American Nurses Association. “How to Become a Research Nurse.” https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/nursing-resources/how-to-become-a-research-nurse/
