A Nurse’s Journey From RN To BSN

Icy Tales Team
8 Min Read

Post Author

In nursing, a single degree is not enough for your whole career. Eventually, you must return to nursing school and earn a new degree, however daunting it may seem. 

More nurses are motivated to enroll in advanced degree programs to earn a better salary and receive more career opportunities. Hospitals today also prefer nurses with a BSN or MSN degree because of their higher skills and ability to provide better patient care. 

Many hospitals require applicants for nursing positions to hold a BSN degree. Additionally, good organizations encourage currently working nurses to upgrade their educational levels. Many studies vouch that nurses with a BSN can improve patient outcomes. 

A BSN degree assists RNs in their personal development; besides, evidence suggests that education improves health and well-being. An advanced degree indicates that you are improving and developing your skills to be able to take care of others the way they need to be taken care of.

Enrolling in a higher degree program: What it means

Returning to school and enrolling in an advanced degree program means managing your work in the hospital alongside your school homework. More RNs prefer online education if they wish to continue working in a healthcare facility. Taking advantage of this newfound interest, many nursing schools offer an online RN to BSN program. As there is already a shortage of qualified nurses in the healthcare industry, these online degree programs play a significant role in addressing that problem. 

Why is a remote RN to BSN program right for you?

An online RN to BSN program helps nurses develop critical thinking and advance their clinical knowledge and skills to adhere to higher standards of care delivery. As a nurse, the health and wellbeing of your patients are paramount; you cannot compromise it by adhering to obsolete practices. 

Today, an excellent online RN to BSN program combines the industry’s best knowledge and concepts in remotely taught curricula. The courses prepare candidates for higher-level roles in leadership and management. It also enables nurses to develop better care plans by using the knowledge they have gained from their time spent with patients. 

An online RN to BSN program offers an affordable tuition cost. Furthermore, nurses can take classes from home and manage their time according to their work schedule.

How is an RN different from an ADN or a BSN nurse?

Some people might get confused by these terms. An RN is working in healthcare with a license from the board of nursing, which makes them eligible to care for patients in a work setting. 

A nurse can become an RN even with a hospital diploma in nursing, implying that not all RNs have a BSN degree. A second path to becoming an RN is to have a professional diploma in nursing, frequently known as Associate Diploma in Nursing, but getting a state license is still a must. The third path to becoming an RN is with a BSN degree, the bachelor’s degree in nursing, which takes four years to complete. So, when someone refers to an RN to BSN program, it means a nurse with a diploma or ADN going for a bachelor’s degree in nursing. 

Many nurses prefer to receive a BSN degree and then start their practice in healthcare. In contrast, others opt for starting an earning stream as soon as they have a basic education in nursing.

If you are thinking about an RN to BSN program, here are the mandatory steps that you must take to become a BSN-qualified nurse.

  • Search about an RN to BSN program that meets your criteria

People complete an RN to BSN program in different lengths of time; some can complete it within a year, while others take as much as two and a half years. The duration of the program depends on your commitment to the coursework, the structure of the program, and the number of credits you already have.

When choosing an RN to BSN program, be mindful of the admission requirements mentioned by each nursing school. A few of these requirements include having an RN license or a date when you plan to take your RN license exam, a transcript showing completion of lower-level courses like English and psychology, and the GPA requirement. The average GPA in previous academic qualifications is normally 2.5 out of 4.0. In addition, some schools may request your criminal record, which should be clean.

  • Get in touch with an RN to BSN program advisor

It is common to get overwhelmed by the number of options available to you, so getting in touch with a program advisor can help you see programs through the lens of your requirements. It can also help you comprehend the requirements of your chosen program and the amount of effort required to excel in it. 

Make sure your chosen program and institute are accredited. Ask your program advisor about the scope and interest of students in your chosen program, any requirement for completing a project or clinical hours to complete the program, the availability of financial assistance, such as grants, scholarships, financial aid, etc. 

You can also take advice about the courses you must choose and the number of courses one can easily manage with a busy work schedule. Completing an RN to BSN program while working in a care setting can be a tough commitment, so you must choose a program that does not add stress or impact your working ability.

  • Prepare yourself to be successful in your BSN degree

Once you have chosen a BSN degree program, you must put yourself on the path to success. Make schedules that work for your work and study, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly to prevent stress knots. 

You can also ask your employer about any financial assistance given to RNs for upskilling; this can offset some of your BSN costs and make the journey a little easier. Discuss your career goals and the path you have taken with your friends, and let them help in any way possible.

Conclusion

An RN with a diploma can take care of their patients, but when it comes to working with complex machines and healthcare technology, basic nursing education may not be of great help. 

Furthermore, primary nursing qualifications don’t prepare you to use evidence-based practices and most current research-supported practices to care for your patients. So, at some point, an RN has to go for a BSN degree in their career; it is just about how soon you take this decision. But whenever you decide, make sure to invest ample time choosing a program and knowing all its requirements to ensure your success.

 

Last Updated on by Icy Tales Team

Stay Connected

Share This Article
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *