Chris O’Brien received her BSN from Auburn University and her Master’s in Public Health degree from Emory University. With a background in cardiac care, home health, nursing research & education, and medical writing, she now enjoys the dual paths of being a freelance medical writer and yoga teacher in Decatur, GA.
Why should I get my BSN?
If you’ve been working as an RN for a while then you may have discovered that nurses with a bachelor’s degree (BSN) have some advantages over those who don’t have a BSN. There is a general trend toward requiring more education for entry level positions in all fields, and you definitely don’t want to get stuck in a situation where your options are limited if you can help it, so it’s good that you’re reading this article.
Limits
In some cases you may be limited in terms of the types of jobs you can get as a registered nurse without a BSN. Management positions in particular may require a BSN. This is partly because non-BSN programs do not cover leadership/management material in any depth.
Some employers may even pay more starting out if you have a BSN. Others pay the same for all staff nurses working in the same type of position. Still others only hire nurses with BSN degrees or those who are actively pursuing a BSN.
The Hardest Part is Done
Getting a BSN once you’re an RN doesn’t take quite as long as it would if you started without your RN, and you will definitely have an advantage in your clinical courses if you have experience. This will allow you to relax somewhat and hopefully learn more than those who are brand new to a clinical setting and taking things in for the first time.
As in most professions, the further you advance your education, the greater earning power you have and starting with a BSN will allow you to move on to a master’s or doctoral degree, which you can’t do otherwise.
Sense of Accomplishment
Challenging yourself to improve helps to provide a sense of accomplishment in life, which keeps you from getting stuck in a rut. We all know people who seem stuck, and we’re all prone to get stuck at one point or another. If you enjoy being a nurse, then going back to school can open your eyes and help you see things differently. Expanding your horizons can get to be a way of life, and starting a BSN program can be the very seed that helps you cultivate the habit of lifelong learning. Go for it!
Jennifer L.W. Fink, RN, BSN is a professional freelance writer with almost a decade of experience as a Registered Nurse. She’s worked in both hospitals and nursing homes as a med-surg, geriatric and transplant nurse. Her national publication credits include Parents, RN, Ladies’ Home Journal, Nursing Spectrum, Pregnancy and Journal of Christian Nursing.
That depends. What are your short- and long-term professional goals?
A BSN prepares you to take on additional responsibility and enhances your clinical and theoretical knowledge. Often, a nurse will pursue a BSN because she’s interested in a career as a nurse manager. Other times, it’s a purely financial decision: Some healthcare facilities pay more for a BSN. And sometimes, it’s a matter of personal interest. After working for a number of years, some nurses want to expand their professional knowledge and desire the recognition conferred by a BSN.
With a BSN, you’ll be eligible to work in almost any clinical setting. You won’t, however, be able to work as an advanced practice nurse - as a nurse practitioner (NP), nurse midwife (CNM) or clinical educator. If you ultimately hope to become an NP, CNM, clinical nurse specialist (CNS), certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), nurse executive, clinical educator or health policy consultant, an RN-to-MSN program is your best bet. While these programs appear to bypass the BSN degree, in actuality, BSN content is included at the beginning of the program. Some programs even confer both BSN and MSN degrees at graduation.
Of course, there are other factors to consider as well? Will you be working while you attend college? What are your other life responsibilities? How much time can you devote to school? Most RN-to-BSN programs can be completed in less than two years; most RN-to-MSN programs take three years. If you can devote three straight years to education, a RN-to-MSN program may indeed save you time and money in the long run. But if you have extensive family responsibilities and want to put your new degree to work ASAP, a RN-to-BSN program might be a better choice.
Before selecting a program, do your homework. There are over 150 RN-to-MSN programs nationwide, and over 600 RN-to-BSN programs. Many allow you to complete at least a portion of the program online. Be sure to ask about prerequisites, areas of emphasis and expected length of study. Ask to speak to previous students. Then, select the program that best meets your needs.
Good luck!
Lorry Schoenly, PhD, RN is a nurse writer and educator with over 25 years of experience. She has been certified in five different clinical specialties including critical care and emergency nursing. Starting as an associate degree registered nurse, she continued her schooling in traditional and distance-learning settings to obtain a BSN, MSN, and PhD in nursing while working full-time and raising a family. Lorry teaches nursing in a variety of settings including webinars and online nursing courses.
What should I look for in an RN to BSN program (how should I pick one)?
You have many options for RN to BSN programs today! Although that means you will find something that meets your needs, it also means there are many choices to evaluate. My original entry into practice was through an associate’s degree. There were not many flexible programs for RN to BSN education at that time. With so many options before you, each program should be investigated and evaluated against your criteria.
All accredited RN to BSN programs bridge your current nursing education and experience with professional nursing concepts such as theory, research and leadership principles. Be sure the program you select is accredited by a higher education body and by a nursing education association such as AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing). Review the list of required courses and the elective courses available to you.
When counseling nurses about obtaining a BSN, I ask that they consider three main components: Learning style, Life situation, Career goals. Let’s look at each one of these individually to help focus your search.
Learning Style: Consider how you learn best. If you gain greater benefit from listening to an instructor rather than reading an assigned text, you may have a better experience in a classroom-based RN to BSN program. If you enjoy learning from reading and also are computer-savvy, an online RN to BSN program might be your best match. Also, consider what motivates you to complete assignments. Self-directed, organized nurses do well in online programs where they must meet deadlines independent of instructor contact. If facing your instructor and peers in a classroom setting is motivating for completing assignments, you will want a classroom program. If you are returning to school after many years away, or if you were never a particularly good student in the past, research the available school options for a program with support services for challenged and returning students.
Life Situation: Select an RN to BSN program that meets your current life situation. Consider your work commitments, family needs and other life components when selecting a program. First determine all your options within driving distance of your home and work. How quickly you can get to class related to your work shifts or school-age child obligations is a huge consideration. Next, check into the level of financial commitment you can make to your education at this time. Look into tuition reimbursement from your employer and any grants that might be available. Consider how flexible your work schedule would be for taking classes. It may be a good idea to discuss your plans with your manager.
Career Goals: The goal you have for obtaining a BSN is also important in your school selection. Be sure to have a specific goal in mind. It will keep you motivated when the going gets tough. If you are considering RN to BSN as a first step toward an advanced degree, you may wish to consider any available RN to MSN programs. There are now programs that combine the BSN and MSN degree requirements for RNs and shorten the time to completion.
Some find it helpful to create a comparison chart of all options during the search process. This chart can be used to evaluate and discuss your choices with trusted advisors. Once you have a clear picture of all your RN to BSN options, compare them against your learning style, life situation and career goals to make the best selection.
Lorry Schoenly, PhD, RN is a nurse writer and educator with over 25 years of experience. She has been certified in five different clinical specialties including critical care and emergency nursing. Starting as an associate degree registered nurse, she continued her schooling in traditional and distance-learning settings to obtain a BSN, MSN, and PhD in nursing while working full-time and raising a family. Lorry teaches nursing in a variety of settings including webinars and online nursing courses.
Yes! Many nurses work full time while attending school. I did that myself many years ago. However, that being said, you need to carefully evaluate your situation and plan accordingly. Here are some tips from my experience going to school while working full-time.
It may be a good idea to discuss your decision with your employer. Many have some tuition reimbursement. I would not have been able to complete my schooling without the generous tuition reimbursement program at my hospital. Also, see if there are any work schedule issues that need to be considered in your selection process. For example, if you work evening shift and the school classes are in the evening, that is not going to be a good match for you unless you are able to switch to a different shift or can be scheduled off for class evenings during the semester.
Look for a program that will meet your other scheduling needs. Chances are you have life and family responsibilities to consider. For example, many online programs have a regular Sunday midnight due date for projects. If you have family commitments on Sundays you may need to determine if you will be able to complete your schoolwork on a weekday and Saturday timeframe.
In considering going back to school while working full-time you may need to determine what extra activities you will need to forgo to accomplish the goal. While I was in school and working full-time, I needed to back away from several volunteer positions that were enjoyable for me. I knew I would not be able to complete homework and attend classes while still participating in community service organizations. However, once graduated, I was able to return to my hobbies and interests with vigor. There is always personal sacrifice involved in meeting important goals. However, that sacrifice most often also leads to great fulfillment and the joy of accomplishment.
