10 Reasons Why RNs Should Pursue their BSN Degree
Here are 10 compelling reasons why registered nurses (RNs) should consider pursuing their BSN degree, along with some guidance on how to start the journey. While job security, flexibility, and competitive salaries are likely familiar reasons that drew you to nursing, there are additional advantages to obtaining a BSN degree. In 2010, the Institute of Medicine (now known as the National Academy of Medicine) called for 80% of RNs to hold a BSN by 2020, underscoring the educational requirements needed to address the evolving complexities of healthcare.
The field of nursing becomes increasingly intricate with each passing decade. Nurses must transition from skill-based competencies to making intricate decisions, grasping health policy, and collaborating seamlessly within interdisciplinary teams. The emphasis on a higher number of BSN-prepared nurses in hospital settings aligns with the growing need to meet third-party payer expectations for reducing healthcare expenses while enhancing patient outcomes.
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Comparing Nurse Practitioner Degrees: MSN, DNP, and BSN
In this guide, you’ll discover the top 10 reasons why pursuing a BSN degree can be highly beneficial.
Reasons to Pursue a BSN in Nursing
1. Higher Salaries:
Earning a BSN degree can lead to increased income throughout your nursing career. According to the 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey, RNs with a bachelor’s degree consistently earned higher annual salaries than those with an associate degree. Salary figures vary based on factors such as location.
Data from PayScale reveals that BSN holders reported an average yearly salary of $87,000, compared to $71,000 for individuals with an ADN. This salary discrepancy reflects the demand for nursing professionals holding a BSN, as more hospitals aim to meet the expectations of the National Academy of Medicine.
2. Higher Employment Rates:
A 2020 survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) found that 94% of BSN graduates secured employment within 4-6 months of program completion. Furthermore, 82.4% of employers strongly prefer hiring nurses with a BSN, and 41% of healthcare facilities now require BSN degrees for job applicants.
The AACN cites a 2019 study by New York University, which indicated that BSN graduates exhibit significantly higher preparedness than ADN graduates in 12 of 16 quality and safety domains, including evidence-based practice, data analysis, and project implementation. As emphasis grows on preventative care and chronic illness management, a BSN degree enhances your appeal as a job candidate, better equipping you to fulfill the needs of both your employer and patients.
3. Increased Nursing Practice-Area Opportunities:
In 1980, only 22% of nurses held BSN degrees. By 2018, the percentage of nurses graduating with BSN degrees or higher had risen to 57%, surpassing ADN graduates since 2012.
Over the past decade, hospital admissions have declined, leading to shorter hospital stays and a shift towards healthcare delivery in outpatient settings. This transformation necessitates nurses with the skills gained through BSN programs.
BSN-prepared nurses can practice in diverse settings such as home health services, community clinics, health maintenance organizations, case management, and leadership roles. With a BSN in nursing, you can offer care beyond the confines of a hospital, meeting the growing demand for services.
4. Graduate School Preparation:
As the emphasis shifts towards primary and preventative care, coupled with the fact that RNs outnumber physicians by a 3-to-1 ratio, nurses will continue to serve as primary care providers. Graduate nursing education at the master’s and doctoral levels prepares specialized advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), which serves as the logical step for BSN-level RNs.
Becoming an APRN comes with advantages such as significant salary increases and enhanced employment prospects. Most graduate programs require applicants to hold a BSN.
5. Career Advancement:
A BSN degree can pave the way for improved job prospects and new career avenues. Opportunities include leadership roles, specialized medical positions like pediatric ICU or cardiology, case management, and quality assurance or improvement coordination. Many RN certifications also mandate a bachelor’s degree.
For example, individuals with a BSN in nursing can attain certification in various specialties, enhancing job prospects within their chosen medical fields and boosting their earnings. Nursing certifications cover a wide range of areas, including leadership, critical care, rehabilitation, women’s health, and diabetes, among others.
6. Increased Autonomy:
Nurses play a pivotal role in healthcare facilities. As a BSN-prepared nurse, you gain greater autonomy in critical patient care decisions, a skill essential when practicing outside a hospital setting. The ability to make prompt decisions independently enhances patient care, potentially reducing mortality rates and enhancing patient satisfaction.
BSN education equips nurses to undertake a broader array of responsibilities, including managing new health technologies, making home healthcare decisions, overseeing post-operative and preventative care, and orchestrating comprehensive care plans during a patient’s admission. This autonomy addresses the mounting pressures on the healthcare system due to nursing shortages and an aging population.
7. More Comprehensive Education:
Pursuing a BSN degree offers immediate benefits over starting with an ADN, including a shorter, less costly program that enables you to work while completing your BSN later. The expanded education provided by the BSN program enhances your preparedness for delivering quality care and ensuring safety, ultimately leading to increased autonomy.
Nursing extends beyond clinical competency skills, which may be comparable between ADN and BSN graduates. However, a four-year baccalaureate education offers a global perspective and curriculum encompassing patient education, decision-making, community health, and leadership.
8. Mandatory BSN Programs:
Hospitals often prefer hiring nurses with BSN degrees as a criterion for achieving Magnet status, awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for nursing excellence, innovative nursing practices, and superior patient outcomes.
In 2017, former New York governor Andrew Cuomo enacted the BSN in 10 law, requiring all New York nurses to obtain a BSN within a decade of becoming licensed. Similar bills are being considered in states like Rhode Island and New Jersey.
9. Enhanced Patient Outcomes:
Multiple studies suggest that patient outcomes can improve with BSN-level nurses. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing references studies indicating that BSN graduates demonstrate significantly better preparedness in 12 of 16 patient care domains related to quality and safety.
Additional findings reveal that increasing the proportion of BSN nurses by 10% reduces patient mortality odds by 10.9%. Hospitals with higher percentages of BSN graduates have patients with lower congestive heart failure mortality, shorter hospital stays, fewer bedsores, and a decreased rate of postoperative deep vein thrombosis. A study involving six European hospitals showcased better patient outcomes and superior care quality among a higher percentage of BSN graduates.
The more comprehensive education and increased autonomy associated with BSN-prepared nurses greatly contribute to the elevated level of care they deliver.
10. Easy Transition to BSN:
If you currently hold an active RN license and aspire to enhance your career prospects through a BSN, you have unique options. While nursing programs are generally not offered online due to the profession’s clinical nature, practicing RNs already possess essential clinical skills.
With an ADN degree, you can enroll in online programs to complete your BSN. Some institutions also provide ADN-to-BSN bridge programs or LPN-to-BSN bridge programs, enabling completion in one year or less, often featuring online components.
Frequently Asked Questions
– Why is a BSN important?
BSN degrees are increasingly required or preferred by many hospitals and medical facilities. BSN-prepared nurses possess the skills and professionalism vital in a complex and technologically advanced healthcare environment. An acute care hospital study cited by the AACN demonstrated an increase in the percentage of BSN nurses alongside a decrease in those with only an ADN.
– Is getting a BSN worth it?
With the call for 80% of the nursing workforce to hold a BSN and legislation such as the “BSN in 10” gaining traction, nursing degrees offer insight into the profession’s future. High school graduates can earn a BSN in four years, and licensed RNs can achieve a BSN in 1-2 years through RN-to-BSN bridge programs.
– Why choose to pursue a BSN?
While an ADN or nursing diploma suffices for entry-level nursing roles, many employers increasingly seek bachelor’s-level education for their nurses. BSN degree-holders enjoy a broader range of opportunities, with 64% of the nursing workforce holding a BSN or higher degree.
– What is the difference between an RN and BSN nurse?
The primary distinction between an RN and a BSN nurse lies in education levels. A registered nurse (RN) is a licensure granted by the State Board of Nursing and can be held by individuals with an ADN or BSN. A BSN reflects a nurse’s educational attainment. ADN programs span two years and prioritize clinical skills. In contrast, BSN programs require four years and provide a more comprehensive perspective.
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