The BSN: A Higher Degree of Nursing Care
By Jessica SantinaA study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and reported by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing found that surgical patients treated by a greater percentage of nurses holding bachelor's degrees had a "substantial survival advantage" over those who didn't.
In fact, a 10 percent increase in nurses with BSN degrees decreases the risk of patient death and failure to rescue by 5 percent. While the nation's overall nursing shortage is acute, a clear lack of nurses holding bachelor's degrees is a problem.
Why Earn a BSN?
There are several paths to becoming a registered nurse. The first is an associate's degree in nursing (ADN), the second is a diploma program administered directly by a hospital, and the third is the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. While all three offer training that prepares graduates to be registered nurses, a BSN offers a broader scope of the field. As such, there are more opportunities available to those with a BSN degree.
Many career paths, including administrative, research, consulting, and teaching positions are only available to those with at least a bachelor's degree. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, all four advanced practice nursing specialties (clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, and nurse practitioner) require at least a bachelor's degree in nursing. It's also required for military nursing, case management, public health nursing, forensic nursing, and school nursing. A BSN program stresses critical thinking and communication skills, and offers more clinical experience in non-hospital settings. Anyone wishing to eventually hold a management position must hold a BSN in order to pursue the required graduate degree in nursing or health care administration.
RN-to-BSN
The health care industry will face a shortage of 800,000 nurses by the year 2020. The aging Baby Boomer population (a large percentage of whom are nurses themselves) as well as an increased life span have the health care industry looking for ways to add to their nursing staffs. The results include huge signing bonuses of up to $14,000 or more, as well as flexible scheduling and accelerated degree programs, which are meant to get nurses out of the classrooms and into the field as quickly as possible. This is where the RN-to-BSN program comes in.
Because of the advancement opportunities available to those with BSN degrees, the RN-to-BSN program is an appealing option that allows registered nurses to continue working in the field while earning their bachelor's degrees at an accelerated pace. Many of these programs are offered online, allowing working RN's to work a schedule that is convenient for them while continuing their education. Such online programs can be completed in about a year to 18 months, and by taking advantage of a program with a local practicum, bachelor's degree candidates get hands-on experience in a local hospital setting that may open doors to future advancement opportunities. Working nurses enrolled in an RN-to-BSN program may also receive tuition reimbursement by their employers.
Upon completion, a nurse with a BSN may earn a significantly higher salary than an RN. According to the American Nurses Association, hospital staff nurses may earn around $35,000 per year, while those with advanced education and specialization may earn $45,000 per year or more, depending on the specialty. Plus, the expanded advancement opportunities mean the sky's the limit for those with a bachelor of nursing degree.
Sources
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Johnson & Johnson's Discover Nursing
Nursing Shortage Fact Sheet
Jessica Santina is a freelance writer with a background in media and marketing. She also teaches first-year writing courses at the University of Nevada, Reno.
