The Most Important Reasons to Get Your BSN Degree

Nursing is the dream career you always hoped you would have. And you worked hard to get where you are today. You took classes, studied, performed practicums, sat for the NCLEX exam, and earned your license. You even have experience out in the real world. But that doesn’t mean your education is over. A Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing can set you up for improved job satisfaction and long-term career success. It can prepare you for a variety of career paths, increase your earning potential, and most importantly, help you provide better quality patient care.

A BSN Program Teaches Next Level Patient Care

Why did you become a nurse? To help people. To treat them when they’re injured, ill, or recovering, and to provide them with resources to improve their overall health in the short and long-term. Studies show that nurses with a BSN have more positive patient outcomes and a lower mortality rate due to better preparation and a better understanding of safety standards.

With the knowledge you attain in a RN to BSN program, you will learn to provide even better patient care than you already do. You’ll gain more in-depth knowledge about the mechanisms and manifestations of disease and disorders and their symptomatology, and better understand nursing and pharmacological interventions. You’ll learn how to perform more comprehensive health and physical assessments of diverse clients across their lifespan and gain practical experience in areas of quality and safety. And you will have the opportunity to explore broader concepts of patient care in today’s healthcare systems. All of these skills will make you a better, more skilled nurse able to provide better patient care.

A BSN Degree May Become a Requirement

Back in 2010, the Institute of Medicine set a goal for 80% of nurses to have a BSN by the year 2020. Although we haven’t gotten there yet, the push remains to have more nurses attain their bachelor’s degree. More than half of RNs have the degree already and many states and individual facilities require it for employment. For example, the State of New York passed legislation that requires RNs to earn a bachelor’s degree within 10 years of earning their license, and other states are looking to pass similar laws. Because nurses with BSNs have better patient outcomes, and tend to be more satisfied with their jobs, more and more hospitals may require the degree. With a BSN, you’ll be ahead of the curve—and have an edge over the competition.

Your BSN Can Lead to Higher Pay

There is demand for nurses from all school and skill levels. However, if you have your bachelor’s degree, you will likely earn more than someone with an associate degree or certificate. Registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree earned a median salary of more than $75,000 in 2020, while licensed practical nurses without a degree earned a median salary of $48,820.

A Bachelor of Nursing Degree Can Provide More Career Options

With a bachelor’s degree, you can pursue a specialized area of nursing such as pediatrics, obstetrics, or intensive care. You can also specialize in a certain type of care, such as infection control or healthcare informatics. As you progress in your career, you may want to work outside of a hospital setting. A BSN will also prepare you to work as a:

• Travel Nurse
• Home Health Nurse
• School Nurse
• Legal Nurse Consultant

With a BSN, you might choose to work for an insurance agency or a pharmaceutical company. A BSN is also a good steppingstone for more advanced job opportunities and education. You may want to continue on for a master’s degree, which can prepare you for leadership positions such as a nurse manager or educator, or in-demand positions such as nurse-midwife or nurse anesthetist.

You Can Earn a Degree at Your Convenience with Online Classes

It’s now more convenient than ever to earn a BSN. At Limestone University, we offer an online BSN program so you can fit classes into your busy work schedule. The program is tailored to registered nurses who wish to further their knowledge and skills in the social sciences, nursing research, leadership, and information management. Request more info now to get started on the path to a better degree and a better career.