Online Education Guide
Guide to College Majors in Nursing: RN to BSN
What is an RN to BSN Program?
An RN (Registered Nurse) to BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program is designed for registered nurses who wish to obtain a bachelor's degree in nursing. The typical student in an RN to BSN program is a registered nurse employed full or part-time. Because the majority of the students in these programs are working professionals, most RN to BSN programs are very flexible and offer courses during the day, at night, and on weekends.
Registered nurses can benefit from a BSN in many ways. Increased responsibility is often given to nurses who complete a BSN. This additional responsibility often leads to increased compensation. Nurses possessing a BSN typically are eligible for more job opportunities within the field of nursing. For example, many hospitals require that pediatric nurses, nurse anesthetists, and operating room nurses possess a BSN.
BSN degree holders work in hospitals, nursing homes, physician's offices, and other healthcare settings. They may work as staff nurses, head nurses, department chiefs, and administrative managers. In many cases, registered nurses who complete a BSN program continue their education to earn a graduate degree. The higher the level of education attained, the more career opportunities typically are available.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outlook for careers in registered nursing is excellent. Employment is expected to grow faster than average; particularly for those RN's who have a BSN degree. Nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing are in particularly high demand. Hospitals and physician's offices often offer signing bonuses and inflated salaries to recruit these high achieving nurses.
Career Education in Nursing: RN to BSN Degree
Undergraduate degree programs
A distance learning or online RN to BSN college degree program expands on knowledge gained while studying to become a Registered Nurse. To enter an RN to BSN program, students must be licensed Registered Nurses. They should have completed some college level courses, including anatomy and physiology, laboratory chemistry, and English courses.
RN to BSN programs typically are the fastest way for RN's to complete a four-year bachelor's degree. They take between one and two years to complete, depending on the amount of education completed prior to beginning the BSN program. RN to BSN programs typically offer courses in the evenings and weekends to accommodate students' busy schedules.
Courses common in RN to BSN programs include information on disease prevention, management theory, ethics, leadership, and healthcare policies. Most RN to BSN programs focus heavily on management and leadership training. Fieldwork usually is required for graduation.
Universities Offering Online RN to BSN Programs:
Indiana State University - Online LPN to BSN Degree, Online RN to BSN Degree
University of Phoenix - Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
Kaplan University - Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Jacksonville University - Online RN to BSN Degree
What can you do with a Bachelor Degree in Nursing?
Career options for Registered Nurses
Many RN's who complete a BSN program choose to stay in staff nursing positions, but seek greater responsibility within those positions. Others may choose to seek a nursing position that requires the BSN. The following are just a few of the positions that typically are available to RN's who obtain a BSN degree.
- School Nurse
A school nurse promotes healthy habits, safety, and good health practices to students in public and private schools. They assess and treat students with injuries and health problems, compile student health records, and present health programs to students and faculty.
School nurses often are responsible for administering medication to children during school hours. The school nurse is responsible for making sure that the medication is taken correctly and that it is stored in a safe location.
School nurses must keep student's health records accurate and up-to-date. They are responsible for obtaining immunization records and other pertinent medical information from parents before the child begins school and throughout his or her school career. Communication between parents and school nurses is essential to keeping these records accurate.
School nurses are responsible individuals who care about children and their health. They are detail oriented, and manage administrative tasks well. They often present health related programs to students and teachers, and are able to create and present them using a variety of methods and materials.
The school principle or other school administrator typically supervises the school nurse. School nurses usually are required to hold a BSN degree and have experience with pediatric or community health. They often follow the traditional school calendar and work a nine-month schedule. Three months off in the summer allows time for continuing education, short-term employment, or leisure activities.
- Operating Room Nurse
Operating room nurses are responsible for caring for the patient before, during, and after surgery. They talk with the patient before surgery and explain the procedure, answer the patient's questions, and listen to his or her concerns.
Operating room nurses help other health care professionals maintain a sterile environment before, during, and after the procedure. During the procedure, they may be responsible for handing instruments to the surgeon. On occasion, the operating room nurse may be responsible for assisting the surgeon with the procedure by helping control bleeding or closing wounds with sutures.
Operating room nurses are quick thinkers. They are responsible and sensible. Operating room nurses are able to communicate ideas and thoughts effectively and to work with many types of people.
Hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgical centers, clinics, and physician's offices all may employ the services of an operating room nurse. It is preferred that operating room nurses have a BSN, but it is not always required. Experience in emergency room or critical care is helpful for obtaining employment as an operating room nurse.
Jobs for operating room nurses are expected to grow more quickly than average over the next ten years. Older people typically require more surgeries, and the aging population in the United States is growing rapidly. The number of operating procedures is expected to rise along with the aging population, requiring more surgeons and operating rooms nurses to accommodate this increase.
- Pediatric Nurse
Pediatric nurses work with healthy and sick children from newborns to adolescents. They work in a variety of locations, including private practices, hospitals, clinics, and schools. They work closely with physicians and other healthcare staff to ensure proper medical care and treatment of their young patients.
Pediatric nurses often work with healthy children visiting the physician for routine check-ups. They take measurements, including height and weight, and record information about the patient relevant to medical history and general health. Pediatric nurses may also do developmental screenings for children at risk for developmental delays and disabilities.
In other settings, a pediatric nurse may provide education on disease prevention, evaluate medical conditions, or help the children and families manage physical and mental disabilities. Pediatric nurses sometimes specialize in one area, such as adolescents or infants. Specializing in working with children with disabilities is also common.
Pediatric nurses have excellent communications skills. They love children and enjoy working with them on a daily basis. They work well as part of a healthcare team, but are also able to work independently with little supervision.
The job outlook for nurses with specializations, such as pediatrics, is very good. Nurses are in high demand, particularly those with a specialization in pediatrics or gerontology.
Most employers prefer that pediatric nurses have a BSN. Certification is available to pediatric nurses through many sources. Most commonly, pediatric nurses obtain either a Certified Pediatric Nurse or a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner certification. With proper education and experience, many pediatric nurses advance to management or administrative positions.
- Certified Nurse Anesthetist
Certified Nurse Anesthetists are responsible for administering anesthesia to patients. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, ambulatory centers, dentist's offices, plastic surgeon's offices, and delivery rooms.
Certified nurse anesthetists work independently, with little supervision, but communicate with the health care team to discuss patient procedures and status. Prior to surgery, nurse anesthetists often talk with the patient about the anesthesia and its effects. Nurse anesthetists may also be responsible for fitting the patient with equipment to monitor his or her vital signs. This equipment is used by the nurse anesthetist to monitor the patient for signs of complications.
Certified Nurse Anesthetists must successfully complete a nurse anesthetist program, which commonly requires a BSN. A current nursing license and at least one year of experience as an RN in an acute care setting is also required.
The demand for Certified Nurse Anesthetists is high. Because nurse anesthetists earn less than anesthesiologists, they are often being hired instead of anesthesiologists in an attempt to keep healthcare costs low. Nurse anesthetists offer excellent anesthesia services, but at a significantly lower price.
- Nurse Practitioner
Many registered nurses looking for greater job responsibility become nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioners have many of the same responsibilities as physicians but also still perform many of the duties of a registered nurse.
Like a registered nurse, a nurse practitioner may take patients' medical history, provide health education, and administer immunizations. Unlike a registered nurse, however, nurse practitioners can diagnose and treat patients. They are able to prescribe medication and request and interpret diagnostic tests.
Nurse practitioners work in a variety of healthcare settings. They work in physician's practices, hospitals, community health centers, schools, and nursing homes. Nurse practitioners often specialize in one area of healthcare such as pediatrics, gerontology, or family healthcare.
Nurse practitioners are required to have a BSN and to complete a nurse practitioner program. Typically, nurses complete their BSN and work as a licensed registered nurse for several years before entering a nurse practitioner program.
- Medical and Health Services Manager
Medical and health services managers are responsible for the administrative duties of large and small healthcare facilities and departments. Registered nurses with a BSN degree often qualify for positions in medical and health services management. They become heads of nursing staffs, head operating room nurses, and managers of physician's offices.
The duties of a medical and health services manager vary with the position and setting. Head operating room nurses, for example, may direct the operations of nursing staff in the operating room. A nurse who advances to become the manager of a physician's office is responsible for the administrative tasks within that office.
Medical and health services administrators direct staff, develop policies and procedures, and ensure that they are complied with. They typically have extensive experience in the medical profession, and possess at least a bachelor's degree. Master's degrees in business or healthcare administration are also common.
Careers in medical and health services administration are expected to grow more quickly than average in coming years, particularly in physician's offices. Opportunities are expected to be best for those with graduate level education and experience in healthcare.
Nurse Educator
Nurse educators work in a variety of settings developing, coordinating, and executing educational programs designed to prepare these students for becoming nurses. They may work in a community college, university, or hospital-based nursing program.
Nurse educators are responsible for creating informative lessons from nursing curriculum. They teach these lessons, evaluate students' knowledge, and document their understanding of the subject matter.
In addition to classroom duties, many nurse educators have administrative duties. They often advise students and participate in school committees. In higher educational settings, such as universities, nurse educators often are required to conduct research applicable to their field and to publish their results.
It is important that nurse educators stay current on trends and advances in the field of nursing. They often work part-time in clinical settings to maintain their nursing skills. In some cases, nurse educators may work in clinical settings advising and monitoring student nurses.
Nurse educators have excellent communications skills, enabling them to work with many types of students. They are creative and able to use a variety of methods to convey information to their students.
Nurse educators typically are required to have at least a BSN and significant clinical experience as a nurse. They usually have a current nursing license and must maintain this license while teaching. For positions in colleges and universities, nurse educators may be required to hold a master's degree or higher.
The outlook for careers in nurse education is favorable. Students are enrolling in nursing schools faster than ever, and universities and colleges are hiring more nurse educators to accommodate this increase.
Salary Information for Registered Nurses with a BSN Degree
The salaries of RNs with a Bachelor in Nursing degree vary with the facility they work in and the amount of responsibility they have. School nurses earn an average of $28, 000 to $49,000 per year, depending on the size and location of the school.
Operating room nurses earned a median annual income in 1997 of $41,400. Pediatric nurses earned an average of $53,000 per year. The level of education and experience required of nurse practitioners typically means that they receive a higher salary than registered nurses. Nurse Practitioners earned a median annual income of $68,000 in 2003.
Certified nurse anesthetists have a great deal of responsibility and are often highly paid for it. The median annual income of experienced certified nurse anesthetists is $121,698. Medical and health services administrators have a large amount of responsibility as well, and earn a median annual income of $61,370. Administrators in hospitals had the highest income, earning $65,950 annually.
The salary of nurse educators varies greatly according to the amount of education they attain and the setting in which they teach. Full time nurse educators earned between $25,000 and $185,000 per year in the 2002-2003 school year. Nurse educators in community and technical colleges typically earned the lower salaries and those in colleges and universities typically earned the higher salaries. Nurse educators possessing a Master's degree or PhD typically earned a higher salary than those with a BSN.
Certification and Licensure
In all 50 states, nurses are required to hold a nursing license. Requirements for this license typically include graduation from an approved nursing program and successful completion of a national examination. A Registered Nurse entering a BSN program typically has professional experience and already holds a nursing license.
Nursing licenses must be renewed periodically. Requirements for renewal vary with state licensing boards, but most require the completion of a set number of continuing education credits every one to three years.
Additional licensure usually is not required to obtain a specialized nursing position, such as a pediatric or operating room nurse. However, certifications are often available through various organizations. Certifications are a way to demonstrate knowledge according to a set of standards. They are required for licensure in some states, though not always.
Pediatric nurses may be certified through several organizations, including the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, and the National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses. Most pediatric nurses become either Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (CPNP) or Certified Pediatric Nurses (CPN).
Nurse practitioners can be certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. They offer 7 specializations for nurse practitioners to be certified in including:
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Family Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners must be licensed Registered Nurses and must meet any educational requirements set forth by state licensing boards.
Certified nurse anesthetists are required to be nationally certified. Successful completion of both a nurse anesthetist program and an examination administered by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists is required for national certification. This certification is recognized by all 50 states.
The examination required by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists is a multiple choice examination administered by computer. Candidates are given three hours in which to complete the 160 question exam. Upon successful completion of this exam, the credential Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is bestowed.
Other Associations and Certification Bodies
Explore Related Degree Programs
- Online Graduate Degrees in Nursing
- Online RN to BSN Degrees
- Online Physician Assistant Degrees
- Online Degrees in Health Education
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