Four-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs
The traditional path to acquiring a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) spans four years and is open to high school graduates. Continue reading for details regarding the four-year BSN programs.
Average Program Length: 4 years
Average Credits Required: 120
Average Earning Potential: $52,080-$111,220
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics / PayScale
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Opportunities With a BSN
– Partial online offering
– Clinical hours required
– Good career mobility
– Most administrative and supervisory positions require a BSN.
– Path to advancement
– Grants entry to master’s or doctoral nursing programs, leading to career advancement and higher salaries.
– Job potential
– With a BSN, a range of specialized nursing jobs outside of the traditional floor nursing is available.
Skills Learned
Clinical and leadership skills, case management, community participation, nursing care of children and adults
What To Expect From a Traditional BSN Program
While curriculum content and timelines vary by program, the University of Washington’s (UW) BSN program offers a general idea of the traditional, four-year nursing school progression during each year of study. BSN students typically spend the first two years completing prerequisite coursework and their final two years immersed in their nursing studies.
Year One
Applicants begin with prerequisite coursework. UW’s School of Nursing, for example, requires 90 quarter credit hours, with a 2.0 cumulative GPA and at least a 2.0 in each course. Students might also consider volunteer work at a hospital or healthcare facility during their first two years to gain experience and augment their applications.
Sample Year One Courses:
– English composition
– Mathematics: algebra with applications, precalculus, calculus with analytic geometry
– Nutrition
– Philosophy: practical reasoning or introduction to logic
– Principles of chemistry
– Statistical reasoning or elements of statistical methods
– Survey of physiology and elementary physiology lab
– Visual, literary, and performing arts classes
Year Two
During their second year, students complete their remaining prerequisite coursework and apply to nursing schools. Candidates must have enough time to order transcripts, arrange for recommendation letters, and write personal statements. Some four-year nursing programs require an entrance exam (HESI or the Test of Essential Academic Skills), which requires preparation, as well. Students should also plan to prepare for nursing program interviews if required.
Sample Year Two Courses:
– Accelerated (honors) calculus
– Chemistry covering general, organic, and biochemistry
– Intermediate logic
– Introduction to probability and statistics
– General microbiology with lab
– Growth and development through the lifespan
– Literature and medicine
– Preparing for college writing
Year Three
Once students begin nursing school, their workloads increase and intensify. Four-year nursing schools usually discourage employment during the final two years of BSN programs, due to the full slate of nursing coursework, labs, seminars, and practicum hours focusing on clinical practice and specific patient populations. We’ve compiled the following course lists from the UW School of Nursing.
Sample Year Three Courses:
– Health assessments
– Healthcare systems and policy
– Health equity
– Foundational skills for professional nurses
– Foundations in pharmacotherapeutics and pathophysiology
– Fundamentals of nursing practice for illness care
– Introduction to research
– Populations health through community health nursing partnerships
Year Four
The fourth year typically includes classes at least three days a week, one 6-8-hour day of clinical work, and a significant amount of homework. In general, for every credit hour of coursework, learners should expect a minimum of two hours spent reading, writing, and studying. In addition, students must look ahead to their NCLEX-RN licensure exam and begin preparing at least six months before their test date.
Sample Year Four Courses:
– Ambulatory care
– Care coordination and case management
– Child health
– Informatics, patient safety, and quality improvement
– Foundations of interprofessional practice
– Nursing care of childbearing families
– Psychosocial nursing in health and illness
– Transition to professional practice
Admission Requirements for a Traditional BSN Program
Four-year nursing programs maintain distinct application requirements and timelines, but a program beginning in the fall typically sets a January or February deadline to apply. Students should begin assembling their application materials early, particularly if the program requires test scores. Common admission requirements for four-year BSN programs include the following:
– Prerequisite coursework
– Online application
– Minimum 2.5 GPA (potentially higher for individual courses)
– High school transcripts (and college transcripts, if applicable)
– Test scores
– 2-3 letters of recommendation (professional or academic)
– A personal essay or letter outlining academic and career goals and reasons for pursuing a nursing degree
– Volunteer/work experience (50-100 hours)
– Interview with admissions department (in-person, pre-recorded, or virtual)
– Resume or CV
– Writing sample or short-essay question responses
Traditional BSN vs. Bridge Programs
In contrast to traditional BSN programs, bridge programs cater to nurses already holding RN or licensed practical nurse licenses. These programs often offer flexible options, including online and full-time or part-time formats, to accommodate working nurses.
Bridge programs also facilitate the process of obtaining additional degrees. For instance, an RN with an ADN can pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) through an RN-to-MSN bridge program, bypassing the traditional four-year BSN. RN-to-BSN bridge programs online enable RNs with ADNs or nursing diplomas to earn their BSNs in 18-24 months of full-time study.
Traditional BSN vs. Accelerated BSN Programs
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs provide an avenue for individuals with bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing fields to transfer undergraduate credits and fulfill general education and prerequisite coursework requirements. ABSNs allow some students to complete their studies in 1-2 years.
Many programs set a GPA requirement of 3.0 or higher for applicants. The rigorous, full-time nature of the ABSN curriculum mirrors other admission requirements found in four-year BSN programs. In some nursing schools, ABSN students can take classes online and fulfill their clinical hours at hospitals and medical facilities near their homes.
Featured BSN Specialties
Beyond working as RNs in hospitals, individuals with a BSN degree can pursue careers in various specialties, including geriatric nursing, OBGYN nursing, and neonatal nursing. Below are descriptions of these specialty occupations.
Registered Nurse (RN)
– Requirements: ADN or BSN
– High Demand
– Salary: $73,300
– Job Outlook: 7% growth from 2019-29
Geriatric Nurse
– Requirements: RN license
– Salary: $64,870
– Job Outlook: Positive growth in the coming years
OBGYN Nurse
– Requirements: ADN or BSN
– Salary: $60,000
– Job Outlook: 7% growth from 2019-29
Travel Nurse
– Requirements: ASN or BSN
– Salary: $79,000
– Job Outlook: 7% growth from 2019-29
Neonatal Nurse
– Requirements: ADN or BSN
– Salary: $60,797
– Job Outlook: 7% growth from 2019-29
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, PayScale
How Much Will I Make With a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing?
– Average Hourly Pay: $32.62
– Average Salary: $85,700
SOURCE: PayScale.com
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