Whether you are already a working nurse or you are considering a career in healthcare, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a great choice. Entry-level job hunters can use a BSN to pursue a fruitful career in nursing. It is the first academic step for many aspiring nurses, and with a BSN, you can begin your educational journey towards an advanced degree to achieve an advanced career in the field of nursing. A bachelor’s degree in nursing is also ideal for nurses with an ASN who want to add to their existing knowledge. Working nurses can enjoy a plethora of professional benefits with a BSN. Not to mention, the nursing world is ever-evolving, and people who truly want to flourish in this field, and continuously develop their career, should be willing to pick up more knowledge and skills. Here are a few compelling reasons to achieve a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
A Career as a Registered Nurse
According to a poll carried out by Gallup, nurses are the most trusted group of professionals in the United States, with 85 percent of US citizens commending nurses for their high honesty and ethical standards. Nurses are entrusted with patient care delivery to a wide range of people and can administer medication and operate medical equipment. Registered nurses (RNs) also provide counsel and advice to the family members of their patients, and offer assistance to doctors. Becoming a registered nurse can be incredibly rewarding. This job role revolves around caring for patients, which in itself can be fulfilling for many people. In addition, registered nurses are able to change the lives of their patients for the better. For many RNs, the job goes beyond the paycheck and offers working nurses fulfillment that cannot be achieved in other roles.
How to Become a Registered Nurse
A registered nurse is a nurse who has gained a qualification, such as an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree, from an accredited program. Although the shorter length of time to achieve an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) may seem favorable for aspiring nurses with little prior experience, a BSN gives nurses a wider scope of practice and can open up doors for those who are unable to advance their careers in the field.
Develop Your Professional Career
As mentioned earlier, individuals with a desire to get into the nursing profession need to be ready to take on a career filled with continuous learning in order to develop professionally. In the ever-changing field of nursing, it is easy to fall behind, and so lifelong learning is common in this field. A BSN is a great place for complete beginners to start and an ideal next step for those with an associate’s degree in nursing. With a BSN, a working nurse can stay competitive in their job role while picking up new, essential knowledge. Further education can even give working nurses the means to achieve a promotion and apply for other related nursing roles. A healthy combination of on-the-job learning, relevant work experience, and formal nursing programs can help update your existing knowledge and reinforce your skills and techniques. In fact, with the right nursing program, existing nurses can build on their clinical practice and people skills, which will help them with both their personal and professional development. The Wilkes University Passan School of Nursing is a reputable institution that provides a number of nursing programs for people at different stages of their career. During the program, nursing students will undertake a high-quality placement experience that will prepare them for success in their prospective career.
Infographic provided by SkyBridge Healthcare, a top company to find traveling physical therapy jobsBetter Employment Rate
According to a 2020 survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 94 percent of BSN graduates were able to secure employment in as little as four months after completing their program. Additionally, studies show that 82.4 percent of employers prefer individuals with a BSN, while 41 percent of healthcare facilities and hospitals have made it compulsory for candidates to obtain a BSN before they are considered for a job. Research suggests that registered nurses with a BSN are better prepared for a demanding nursing role than registered nurses with an ADN. In addition, studies show that they are better prepared in terms of project implementation, evidence-based practice, and data analysis. The qualification places emphasis on treatment for patients with chronic illness and preventative care, which enables BSN graduates to provide overall enhanced care. With a BSN, job candidates have the edge over candidates without a bachelor’s degree, which means they benefit from a better employment rate.
A BSN May Soon Be Compulsory
As highlighted above, a high percentage of healthcare facilities and hospitals have made earning a BSN a criterion for job candidates. Furthermore, the state of New York signed the BSN in 10 law in 2017. This law means that all nurses within their state need to achieve their BSN within 10 years of their career as a nurse if they want to continue practicing. Similar bills are being considered by other states.
Higher Earning Potential
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are around 2.7 million registered nurses, and they earn approximately $75,330 per year, making the nursing profession a profitable career choice. Although the earning potential depends on various factors, such as the area a nurse practices, the 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey reveals that RNs with a BSN earn more per year than those with an ADN. Furthermore, there is a growing demand for registered nurses with a higher level of experience and advanced knowledge.
Enhanced Job Security
Nursing professionals play an integral role in healthcare, and to meet demands, in the United States, over one million registered nurses are needed by 2030. If you are working in the field already, you probably know that there is a shortage of trained, qualified nurses and that there are not enough professionals when compared to patients. This deficit means that registered nurses with a BSN are highly sought after. A BSN will help you stay on top of new trends, new knowledge, and new techniques. It will help secure your existing job and protect it against the competition.
Pick Up New Skills
The healthcare and medical industry is constantly changing, which means you need to pick up new skills and knowledge just to keep up. A BSN will equip you with relevant skills for your job role and fortify your current skill set. Adding new skills to your current repertoire will also give you an advantage over nurses who have acquired less training.
Stay Up to Date
Lifelong learning is a must for nursing professionals, and registered nurses should make continuous learning a high priority in their career. RNs are responsible for excellent care delivery and high patient outcomes, and they can only offer this by staying up to date with the latest nursing news. Although the role is practical and involves a lot of on-the-job learning, nurses need to stay informed about the latest technology, recent medical breakthroughs, and new research. At the end of the day, a nurse who makes it their business to stay up to date is better able to provide positive patient outcomes than one who possesses less knowledge and is less educated.
Make Better Healthcare Decisions
With the combination of up-to-date knowledge in the field and relevant skills gained from a BSN, a registered nurse can grow their professional judgment and make better decisions in their role. A BSN gives students the confidence and ability required to resolve issues in the workplace by conjuring up optimal solutions, which stem from clinical experience and excellent reasoning skills gained from a higher education qualification such as a BSN.
Deliver Better Care to Patients
Having the ability to make better healthcare decisions means that registered nurses are better able to deliver good patient care and provide patients with an overall improved care experience. Not only does a BSN offers nursing students the chance to gain on-hand experience through a clinical placement, but it also helps students establish good problem-solving skills and research techniques. In turn, this helps nurses offer a higher quality of care to patients and boosts patient outcomes. With a primary focus on direct care, delivering optimum care to patients is highly valuable for a registered nurse, and this quality can help increase a nurse’s employability rate.
Offer a Higher Level of Care to Your Community
Registered nurses are able to provide care to a wide variety of people in a number of settings. These settings can include large hospitals and independent clinics to patients’ homes and community centers. In some instances, nurses choose to specialize in community care in both urban and rural areas. The patients often have poor accessibility to healthcare which puts them at a disadvantage. Registered nurses are able to deliver direct care, impart knowledge and offer sound advice to large numbers of people in different types of communities. By teaching communities about good practice in healthcare, nurses are able to provide preventative care. These nurses are invaluable as they help groups of people develop a deeper understanding and build on their healthcare knowledge. In turn, enhanced knowledge and better care can lead to a significant change in a local community.
More Job Opportunities
Statistics drawn up by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing reveal that 58 percent of RNs work in medical and surgical hospitals, which means that there are plenty of nurses working outside of the traditional hospital settings. With a BSN, patient care outside of the conventional bedside setting is entirely possible. Alternative settings can include working in educational institutions, a physician’s office, directly in the home of a patient, and with third-party agencies. Some nursing professions require an advanced degree, but a BSN is a great stepping stone to further learning in nursing.
Alternative Nursing Careers
Some alternative careers include nursing on the go in the form of a flight nurse. Flight nurses provide patient care to people who require assistance when traveling. Duties include monitoring a patient’s health throughout their journey from the moment they leave their front door until they reach their destination. Public health nurses help communities by implementing health programs and creating awareness about good health practices. Forensic nurses provide care to people victimized during criminal activities. They work with legal firms and are qualified to give testimony in court.
Nursing Overseas
Following on from the previous point, a registered nurse with a BSN can take their career abroad. With the right qualifications and fluency in another language, registered nurses can practice in different countries. Although processes and technology can differ depending on the location, a recognized BSN can help you secure a nursing job in your dream destination.
Next Step to an Advanced Career in Healthcare
For many nurses, the first step in their educational journey is a BSN. A BSN gives RNs foundational knowledge which is necessary to progress to an advanced degree which can help them achieve an advanced career in nursing. With an anticipated deficit of physicians in the United States (130,000 by 2025), it is the right time to take the leap and progress with further education. The deficit opens up new opportunities for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who are qualified to provide primary and preventative care and a variety of healthcare services. Besides the growing demand for skilled nurses, APRNs enjoy further perks such as higher salaries, better benefits, and good job autonomy.
Further Education Will Boost Your Proficiency
For the working nurse, the reasoning behind getting a bachelor’s degree often revolves around salary, increased autonomy, and job advancement. However, nurses who are completely satisfied in their current role will still benefit from gaining a BSN. A higher qualification can help you stay proficient in your job. It can motivate you to become a better nurse and help you find better ways to work. Being a great nurse means providing the most effective care for patients, which means you need to keep up to date with nursing trends and stay on the ball with the latest healthcare and medical research. With up to the minute knowledge, you can become better at your job.
