What are the reasons you should get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)? For years, Registered Nurses have debated the necessity of earning this degree.
During the darkest periods of the COVID-era, clinical RNs have stepped up to the plate in a significant way. They’ve been put into the spotlight like never before, and it’s reignited the debate: should you upgrade your RN to a BSN?
We certainly think so! Here are five compelling reasons why you should earn your BSN.
1.To advance your nursing career.
Advancing your career is a common desire among nurses. A BSN can start you on the path toward becoming a designer, manager, and coordinator of care, as well as opening up opportunities to leadership and management positions. This degree can also open doors to diverse positions like clinical education, case management, or nurse informatics roles. Whichever role you choose, earning your BSN will help you advance your career and the nursing profession.
2. To improve clinical judgment.
While your RN made you a nurse, numerous studies show that a BSN will make you a better nurse. In fact, many of those studies have confirmed that higher nursing education leads to better patient outcomes, fewer medical errors, and lower mortality rates. Additionally, BSN nurses also learn how to function as an advocate and leader, how to promote wellness and disease prevention, and how to drive quality improvements in the delivery of care.
3. To fill a need.
Not since World War II has our country faced such an expected shortage of nurses. Retirements of existing nurses, an aging workforce, and financial pressures on hospital systems will all act together to drive up the demand for nurses over the next ten years. Nurses can expect up to 1,000,000 new job openings by 2025.
4. To get a head start on graduate education.
You may not be thinking about it now, but a BSN is a prerequisite for graduate degrees in nursing. Whether you want a career as a Nurse Educator, a Nurse Administrator, or a Nurse Practitioner, you’ll need a graduate degree to open the doors to many of these opportunities. Preparing yourself now by taking a high-quality, online RN to BSN degree program, such as the one at Oklahoma Wesleyan University, will help set you apart when the time comes to apply to graduate school.
5. To meet the demands of a magnet hospital.
If your hospital is seeking Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, you may not have a choice as to whether to pursue your BSN. Your hospital must show that a certain percentage of its nurses hold a BSN degree or higher to obtain this distinction. In many cases, hospitals offer financial incentives, such as tuition reimbursement or salary increases, for RNs who upgrade to a BSN.
Interested in learning more? Oklahoma Wesleyan University offers several accelerated options for earning your BSN online. Click here to get more information!
