There was an unexpected error with the form (your web browser was unable to retrieve some required data from our servers). This kind of error may occur if you have temporarily lost your internet connection. If you're able to verify that your internet connection is stable and the error persists, the Franklin University Help Desk is available to assist you at helpdesk@franklin.edu, 614.947.6682 (local), or 1.866.435.7006 (toll free).
Just a moment while we process your submission.
Many healthcare-related fields are growing by leaps and bounds these days. That said, something even bigger is happening in the nursing field. For decades, registered nurses (RNs) have been at the center of patient care for hospitals, physicians’ offices, home healthcare services, and nursing care facilities. But now, RNs who have associate degrees (ADN) or diplomas from nursing schools are being asked to gain more education. Healthcare systems increasingly want to staff their floors with nurses who have a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
It’s a major shift that will affect many of the 3 million RNs in the US. But why? In 2010, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) conducted research about nursing care and advised that the U.S. should dramatically increase the number of nurses with a BSN. The recommendation was to increase the percentage of BSN-prepared nurses in the U.S. from 50% to 80% of all nurses by 2020.
The reason for the change is simple and powerful: Having more BSNs saves lives. Research showed that more BSNs translates into a decrease in mortality and an improvement in failure-to-rescue. By bringing better patient care and better patient outcomes, the BSNs prove their worth.
So, here we are, 8 years later—and despite great strides in BSN enrollments, we’re not there yet. That’s why we’re still seeing a continued push to increase enrollment and hiring of BSN-prepared nurses. And you just might need to be one of them!
The IOM summary included four key BSN messages that may fuel your next education and employment efforts:
A BSN is a degree that is often a nurse’s ticket into nursing leadership roles. It’s often preferred for nursing supervisors and managers to have a BSN because its rigorous level of study provides such a strong base for patient care and leadership.
The healthcare world is shifting, in no small part because of the IOM report, which built a strong case for more BSNs. Here are just a few of the ways you can expect these changes to affect your world:
All signs suggest that it’s a smart time to pursue a BSN degree. If you’re currently working as a registered nurse, you can take an RN-to-BSN path, and accelerate time to graduate.
What’s the Coursework like for an RN-to-BSN program?
The bulk of your major coursework will provide practical instruction in nursing, including ethics, health information, community health, and nursing leadership. Though some programs require students to complete clinical rotations, not all of them do. Below is an example of the Accelerated Online BSN curriculum from Franklin University. Their degree-completion program is transfer-friendly and designed specifically for RNs with an ADN or nursing diploma. It includes 9, six-week, online nursing courses that fit your life and schedule.
Each school will have its own list of requirements to enroll in an RN-to-BSN program. Likely, some of the prerequisites will include:
To learn the prerequisites for a program you're considering, look online or contact an admissions officer.
According to the labor market analytics company called Emsi, the sheer number of nursing jobs is expected to balloon by 19% from 2015-2025.
Once you earn your BSN, a whole new broad landscape of career opportunities will be opened to you, Specialized nursing jobs for a person with a BSN degree included nurse manager, public health nurse, school nurse, research nurse, diabetes management nurse, nursing information specialist, psychiatric mental health nurse, and many more.
Of course, that is just a short list of some of the top-paying jobs available to a person with a BSN. Keep in mind, a BSN can also be the catalyst to begin teaching nursing or earning a doctorate.
Returning to school to earn your BSN degree will open a wide variety of career options for you. As you already know from the IOM data, you’ll find yourself in high demand, most likely for years to come. Plus, you’ll be accepting a role where others will appreciate the way you stepped up to the plate in a time of great need. That sounds like a powerful combination of career stability and satisfaction, but only you know whether it’s the right choice for you.