Why Get a BSN, Regardless if You Are an Aspiring Nurse or a Practicing RN

Why Get a BSN Qualification When I’m Already Working as an RN in My Ideal Job?

If your ideal job is a registered nurse, you must know how to improve and advance your nursing career. If you are just starting, there is no better way to improve your chances of achieving your desired nursing career than by earning a BSN from a reputable institution. Also, getting a BSN as an RN can help you leverage your experience and improve your earning prospects.

Below, we will present all the advantages of gaining a BSN degree, including enhanced patient care practices it prepares you for, the better resulting career outlook, and the estimated salary projections. Here is why you should get a BSN:

Why Is a BSN Degree Important?

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is considered the highest level of education available for entry-level registered nurses. Earning a BSN prepares you for a broad range of healthcare scenarios and tasks required to provide high-quality patient care, thus becoming a valuable part of the nursing field.

There are two main paths to entering the job market as an aspiring registered nurse: you earn your BSN, or you get an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). The main difference between ADN nursing and BSN is the level of expertise. An RN with a BSN is eligible to take on more responsibilities and get into management roles. From a quality of care perspective, a patient’s overall health depends on the nurse’s academic progression and level of knowledge, and having a BSN means you are better prepared for healthcare provision.

Additionally, getting a BSN over an ADN can drastically improve your chances of landing a job and open up opportunities for various careers, inside or outside the hospital setting.

“It’s great that you have gained your ADN degree, passed NCLEX, and become an RN. It is a dream that many have had, but few have achieved. Now, the next step is to get your BSN. With your RN under your belt, you’ll have opportunities to gain knowledge and grow in the field while you study online for your BSN.

You’ll find working in the field while attending your BSN program will not only help you do a better job but will also give life experiences that contribute to your understanding of your role as a nurse.”

– Linda Flynn, MSN, RN (Manager, Associate Degree Programs)

The Importance of Nursing Education to Patients

In the ever-changing nursing landscape, BSN degree programs offer the most in-depth and comprehensive preparation for future nurses. A fact sheet published by the AACN cites several studies that show how better nursing education is linked to a higher quality of care. In turn, this translates to better patient outcomes and lower mortality rates.

As a BSN-qualified RN, you are essential in improving health care. Besides, with a BSN, you also have more opportunities for advancement and better career satisfaction. Additionally, if you can easily start or advance your education online, such as with the programs at Nightingale College, you will reap the benefits of BSN education while reducing the negatives. Our BSN-level programs include:

• BSN Program – A full-time educational path that combines online instruction with in-person supervised on-ground field experiences (SOFE) and allows you to graduate and gain your RN certification in less than 3 years.
• RN-to-BSN Track – A fast track for advancing your education to the BSN level within just one year or entirely online education. 

Explore our academic programs and find the best option for your career!

Why Should You Get Your BSN as an RN?

“The future of nursing lies in the age-old discussion of the ‘entry into practice’ at the baccalaureate level. That time is upon us now, and it’s only a matter of time before a BSN is a requirement to practice as a registered nurse.”

– Susan Jero, MSN, RN (Area Manager, DDCs)

Having a BSN degree is slowly becoming the de facto standard within the current nursing industry, with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing finding that, since 2022, 51.5% of entry-level RNs started with a BSN, and, overall, 71.7% of all nursing personnel having a BSN or higher degree. 

Advancing your education will also provide many opportunities for advancing your career and can allow you to pursue specific nursing specialties.

“The BSN degree will open doors for you and broaden your opportunities to explore more areas of nursing service. Healthcare is shifting from acute hospital care to acute care in community and home settings. Public health care and health promotion have been traditionally reserved for the BSN level Practitioner. As nurses, we must stay at the forefront of progress and EBP. Getting your BSN is a valuable part of that process. Remember - an ADN prepares you to become an RN, and a BSN prepares you for the future.”

– Linda Flynn, MSN, RN, Program Manager at Nightingale College

If you are a practicing registered nurse and want to advance your education and increase your career outlook, enrolling in an RN to BSN program is the best way to proceed. At Nightingale, you can advance your education by completing the 1-year RN-to-BSN Track that is available 100% online, guaranteeing maximum accessibility and flexibility in learning.

Apply to an RN-to-BSN Track or request more information about our programs!

The Advantages of a BSN Degree Versus an ADN Education

Besides its many benefits to patients and health centers, the BSN degree presents several advantages for nurses. Here are some reasons nurses go back to school to continue their education.

1. A Better Chance at Landing an Entry-Level Job

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 6 percent growth in the employment of registered nurses between 2023-2033, more than double the average growth for all occupations. However, nursing is highly competitive, and many hospitals, especially those seeking Magnet status, will prioritize BSN-educated nurses competing for entry-level positions.

2. The BSN Makes You a Better Nurse & Gives You Credibility

The nursing field continuously advances, develops new systems, and discovers new patient treatment methods. Nurses are constantly challenged to become lifelong learners to serve better patient care and improve health care throughout their community.

A more solid theoretical background and longer preparation times mean that nurses with a BSN degree are better equipped to give excellent patient care. Nurses say the degree gives them more credibility and can pave the way to financial and professional autonomy.

3. More Opportunities for Advancement to Leadership Positions in Nursing

The additional training you receive during a BSN makes you better suited for leadership and management positions requiring sharp decision-making and critical thinking skills. If you pursue a Master’s or Doctoral degree after your BSN, you can expand your horizons even more and become part of the next generation of policymakers.

4. Some Nursing Careers Are Open Only to BSN Holders

As a nurse, you can choose to spend your entire career in hospital care, in which case an ADN and license will likely suffice. However, for non-hospital careers, such as teaching, case management, or nursing informatics, a more advanced level of education is necessary, usually a BSN or above.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is also the first step towards advanced practice nursing roles, which entail more responsibility. For example, a BSN is essential if you are considering becoming an APRN.

Further your education and land your dream job with a BSN!

5. You Earn More Money as a BSN Nurse

Nurses with a BSN education receive better rewards for their labor, meaning they have higher salaries and more benefits. A BSN degree will undoubtedly give you an advantage in salary negotiation and put you ahead of other candidates with the same experience level.

How Does the BSN RN Salary Compare to the ADN RN Salary?

Although ADN and BSN nurses earn similar pay at the beginning of their careers, the salary gap becomes more apparent as you gain more experience. Therefore, the income level motivates registered nurses to return to school for an advanced degree.

The most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the mean annual salary of RNs (both ADN- and BSN-level nurses) is $94,480.

According to the BSN Nursing Portal, BSN nurses represent the top 25% of earners in their field. Thus, we can estimate that the average BSN nurse salary is equivalent to the annual wage of 75th-percentile earners: $104,670 per year or $50.32.

You can explore how BSN salaries differ by state and how they compare to other levels of education in our nurse salary by state report.

If you want to explore more career options that you can pursue with a BSN, look at our guide to BSN nursing jobs. You can also read about the best-paying BSN jobs.

What Do You Study During a BSN Program?

Although BSN curricula vary across teaching institutions, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing will give you extensive skills that outstrip any ADN's scope. Alternatively, you can opt for an RN-to-BSN program with the same benefits, provided you already work as a registered nurse.

Main BSN degree subjects include:

1. General Education Courses – You will complete all necessary GE courses, including English, Math, Psychology, and others.
2. Specialized Nursing Courses – You will study specialized nursing subjects such as psychiatry, gerontology, or critical care to determine which specialty is best for you.
3. Critical Thinking and Decision Making – You will improve and learn to integrate ethical, political, legal, cultural, and other considerations into your decision-making process.
4. Ethics and Policy – You will focus on ethical issues related to nursing to ensure an invaluable foundation of knowledge, especially once you access leadership positions.
5. Research - you will learn how scientific nursing knowledge is gained and will acquire the means to take action against the prevalent health issues in a community.
6. Technology - in a field with ever-changing technologies, you'll need to have an updated knowledge of computer science and technology to stay current in the workplace.

Read our blog post about what you will study during an RN-to-BSN program to understand the curriculum better.

Talk to the College directly to request more info about the BSN program!

BSN vs ADN Registered Nurses

The primary difference between BSN and ADN teaching programs lies in the length and breadth of study. While you can get an ADN in just 2 years, a BSN is more comprehensive and can take 4 to 5 years to complete.

However, you can graduate from an online RN-to-BSN program in as few as 12 months, which makes it a convenient alternative for registered nurses who want to broaden their perspectives. 

Online RN-to-BSN Track, like the one at Nightingale College, allows working nurses to effectively manage their work-life balance while taking their education to the next level.

The differences between BSN-level and ADN-level nurses extend beyond the level of pay that you can gain with each qualification. The ADN is a great way to start your nursing career, as you can finish the degree quickly and start working to see if you like the profession before entirely committing to it.

On the other hand, a baccalaureate-level qualification like a bachelor of science is designed to improve your critical thinking abilities and give you a solid theoretical grounding in the nursing field. This will enable you to make better decisions and pursue leadership roles in your career.

Challenges of the RN to BSN Program and How to Overcome Them

The popular perception is that balancing work and school is difficult, which hinders nurses from returning to school. Although RN-to-BSN program enrollment has increased since the Institute of Medicine’s recommendation that 80 percent of nurses hold a BSN degree, nurses struggle with the allotted time needed.

When it comes to the challenges that you need to overcome, three main issues need to be addressed:

• Time – You are already working as an RN, but you not only have a balance between your work life and studies. Most RNs also have families that factor into the equation. That is why the RN to BSN program offers most classes online, except for laboratories that require practical, hands-on experience. You can mostly get your BSN degree online. This way, you can have more flexibility in your schedule.
• Money – Covering tuition is sometimes a struggle, but scholarships can always cover your needs. Also, some hospitals may offer to support their employees in advancing their studies since having better-prepared staff will ultimately benefit the institution. There are plenty of ways to get your BSN studies paid for; you only need to find the best one.
• Motivation – It is sometimes hard to understand if the outcome is worth the struggle. However, given the current healthcare climate, it is a given that a few months of struggle will lead to years of benefiting from a BSN degree.

“The largest hurdle for pursuing the baccalaureate degree is its availability, timeliness, and convenience to attend while working as a professional nurse. Nightingale College offers professional nurses an opportunity to pursue their BSN on their schedule and at their convenience." 

– Suzette Scheuermann, Director of Nursing Education Services at Nightingale College

What to Consider When Deciding to Return to Nursing School

Getting licensed as a nurse is a significant accomplishment you should be very proud of achieving. When considering returning to school, the next step is to look for an RN-to-BSN program, but make sure you make a few preparations beforehand. Before even enrolling, you need to consider a few key factors:

• Flexibility and convenience – Balancing everything will be highly challenging, so try to make things as easy as you can for yourself. This means going for a program that suits your needs and offers flexibility.
• Type of program – Attending a school that requires you to travel long distances periodically throughout the week makes little sense. Consider what kind of program fits your needs the best - a full- or part-time program, accelerated, on-ground, or online. It is a big commitment to return to school, but a commitment that, in the long run, will give you jobs and financial security.
• Your support system – As important as understanding the time commitment involved with attending a program, support systems must be in place. The time needed to complete the RN-to-BSN Track is only 1 year. This decision will affect your entire family, so knowing they are willing to take on more responsibilities is essential. Don’t forget to seek support from your employer, as you will need to adjust your schedule.

Nightingale College’s RN-to-BSN Program is a full-distance nursing program with full- and part-time options. The Program is designed with working RNs in mind. The College recognizes the importance of a BSN degree on a nurse’s career stability and wants to ensure nurses can get their BSN degree without needing to move away. It is time to be prepared for your future as a nurse. For more information, check out the College’s RN-to-BSN Program.

What Comes After the BSN Degree? Next Step.

Nursing requires you to be a lifelong learner and keep up-to-date with industry developments. While it’s possible to have a successful career in nursing only with a BSN degree, you will likely study for other specialized qualifications as you gain more experience and define your professional path.

If you want to further your academic studies, the next step after a Bachelor of Science in Nursing is usually an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing), followed by a Ph.D. Find out the difference between BSN and MSN.

There are many advantages to earning a BSN degree, whether you follow a standard 4-year course or a much shorter RN-to-BSN bridge program. With a BSN, you can improve patient care in an ever-changing medical landscape, earn more, and take up leadership roles.

Enroll in our online RN-to-BSN Track today and advance your education!