RN-to-BSN Degree Overview

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, PayScale

*Source: Payscale.com

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), hospitals, and other employers increasingly view the BSN degree as the minimal preparation for professional nursing practice. As nursing roles expand in the changing healthcare environment, registered nurses with BSN degrees will find rewarding employment opportunities in an array of medical settings.

The RN-to-BSN requires about half the time as a traditional bachelor of science in nursing and builds on already acquired nursing experience and training. This type of program can often be completed entirely online. An RN-to-BSN also provides a strong academic foundation for graduate studies in advanced practice nursing.

While hospitals continue to rank among the major employers of RNs, BSN-holders can expect to enter a variety of nursing roles beyond traditional inpatient treatment and acute care. The RN-to-BSN opens up careers in community health clinics, outpatient centers, HMOs, schools, and homecare, where professionals provide primary and preventive patient care.

Although eligibility requirements vary by school, all RN-to-BSN programs only admit applicants who hold a state-issued RN license in good standing. Most programs take 1-2 years to complete. Students with an RN license who have completed their associate degree in nursing may choose to enter accelerated bridge programs, therefore finishing their degree in 9-12 months depending on the number of prerequisites accepted in transfer.

While an ADN or diploma program emphasizes entry-level nursing skills in preparation for the NCLEX-RN exam, the BSN provides a foundation in general education courses from across the liberal arts and sciences coupled with training in generalist nursing with applications in a variety of healthcare settings. The RN-to-BSN curriculum covers advanced nursing competencies not typically offered in associate or diploma programs.

In addition to foundational courses in anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and pharmacology, BSN students can expect coursework in the following areas:

While most programs focus on generalist practice, some programs offer content in specialized areas such as nursing informatics, sociocultural issues in health and illness, and forensic nursing.

Besides the didactic, lecture-based curriculum offered by RN-to-BSN programs, this program may include practical training in clinical and lab components:

Working nurses completing an RN-to-BSN program can often meet these clinical requirements in their current work setting.

An online RN-to-BSN degree offers a flexible option for RNs seeking a bachelor’s degree while working full-time and/or keeping up with family responsibilities. Before choosing an online program, nursing students need to consider whether distance learning fits their personal needs and situation.

For example, some online programs include mandatory on-campus sessions or use blended formats incorporating some campus-based courses. While online nursing education offers convenient and accessible virtual delivery of the didactic, classroom-based segment of the degree, all students must complete clinical hours in person. Some programs allow RNs to fulfill clinical requirements where they work or find placements near their communities. However, some nursing schools require online learners to complete their clinical experiences at specific hospitals or sites requiring travel that may not be convenient.

Bridge programs refer to accelerated instructional plans that provide a quick route to a nursing degree. Bridge programs generally allow working or prospective nurses to build on prior coursework to earn a higher-level degree. RN-to-BSN bridge programs accept RNs with a valid license and an associate degree or nursing diploma. This degree path leads to a bachelor’s in half the time of a traditional BSN. ADN-to-MSN bridge programs offer an accelerated path to an MSN degree and a career in advanced practice nursing.

Students without a BSN who want to pursue nursing can also take advantage of bridge programs. An accelerated BSN designed for non-nursing degree-holders requires less than two years of study. The direct-entry MSN takes approximately one year to complete BSN requirements followed by two years of graduate coursework.

The AACN, the primary professional organization for nurses, has championed the BSN degree as the minimal educational qualification for nurses. Healthcare employers, while continuing to hire RNs with ADN or diploma degrees, increasingly prefer highly skilled nurses prepared for professional roles beyond the traditional hospital inpatient settings. Recent studies support the quality of patient care provided by BSN-trained nurses.