BSN degrees are increasingly necessary to successfully practice as a nurse today. Some of the top benefits of a BSN in nursing include improved patient outcomes, increased opportunities for specialization and the ability to meet rising educational standards for nursing in Magnet Hospitals, among others.
For many, nursing is a calling as much as it is a career. Being able to apply their skills to help others is an important aspect of the career field, and nursing is famous for the amount of flexibility and specialization that it can offer. However, to be able to succeed in the long run as a nurse, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree has proven to be increasingly important. Holding a BSN degree rather than an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) can increase employment opportunities, earning power, and the ability to specialize while also ensuring a higher standard of care for patients. In today’s modern nursing landscape, a BSN degree is a vital foundation on which to base a nursing career.
So, what are the benefits of a BSN, and how can Marian University’s 16-month Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program put students on the right track to a long, successful career? Here we’ll discuss the top six advantages of a BSN and share how the right education can make all the difference within the profession.
1. More Job Opportunities
As a BSN-holding nurse, you will have the ability to access positions across a variety of healthcare settings. Outside of traditional hospital environments, BSN-holding nurses can work in care settings, including clinics, assisted living facilities, schools, and more. Many of these facilities have specific educational requirements to be able to work in the position. By earning a BSN, you can enter the nursing field able to access a wide array of career opportunities from the start.
Beyond the requirements imposed by healthcare facilities, the type of position you are looking for might require a BSN degree. Many management positions, as well as unit coordinator or nurse educator roles, additionally require candidates with a bachelor’s degree.
2. The Ability to Specialize
Having a BSN degree is an important foundation for your nursing career because it gives you the ability to pursue new certifications and transition from basic practice into specialty care. Because of the well-rounded base of knowledge that you can gain through a BSN, you can continue to build on it through certifications that qualify you to practice within specialized areas. Some of the specialties you might go into could include:
- Mental Health
- Behavioral Health
- Acute Care
- Long-Term Care
- Adult Health
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
With so many potential specialties, deciding which to pursue can seem daunting. Luckily, as part of Marian University’s ABSN program, you will complete clinical rotations, which provide the opportunity to witness how multiple care areas operate while under the watchful eye of experienced preceptors. With this experience, you can begin your new career with a plan for the future.
Learn and hear from former Marian ABSN students on what it means to be a nurse.
3. Opportunities for Education and Career Advancement
Beyond specialization alone, a BSN degree affords the opportunities to pursue future degrees and enter advanced practice nursing careers. Graduate nursing programs offering degrees including a Master of Science in Nursing usually require previously having earned a BSN. Your bachelor’s degree can open the door to these programs. Future degrees can help you access advanced practice nursing careers, including nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, and clinical nursing specialist.
These career paths are not for everyone, but keeping the option available to continue progressing your education and career is a key element of BSN degrees. With the ability to spend as few as 16 months earning your degree through Marian’s ABSN program, you could have more time to continue your educational journey.
4. Improved Patient Outcomes
Nursing is a valued career filled with opportunity for advancement. But it’s important to remember that at the end of the day, nursing is about caring for patients and ensuring positive health outcomes. Those called to nursing naturally want to provide the highest standard of care possible.
It’s been proven that higher proportions of BSN-educated nurses in a care setting correlate to improved patient outcomes. In fact, according to a 2014 study highlighted by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, a 10 percent increase in the proportion of baccalaureate-prepared nurses on hospital units was associated with lowering the odds of patient mortality by 10.9 percent.
The study authors also asserted that increasing the amount of care provided by BSN-educated nurses to 80 percent would significantly lower readmission rates and shorter lengths of stay. As someone called to help others, a BSN can help you provide the high-quality care that’s most needed.
5. Higher Earning Potential
We’ve been through some of the many reasons why a BSN is important, touching on opportunities and patient outcomes. However, if you’re considering nursing as a career, you’ll also have financial considerations. A BSN degree can help in two ways.
Firstly, you will be eligible for more high-paying nursing positions and specializations by holding a degree. Secondly, you will be able to enter your career at higher-paying organizations (such as Magnet Hospitals, which we will cover below).
According to salary data cited by leading publication NurseJournal, BSN-educated nurses have an average earning potential that is $16,000 higher each year than nurses with an ADN. The up-front investment in your education will certainly pay off in the long run.
See how you can become a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree through Marian ABSN.
6. Increased Demand by Magnet Hospitals
Finally, as nursing becomes more professionalized, top healthcare organizations increasingly requiring a bachelor’s level education.
For instance, the Magnet Recognition Program® is used to recognize top healthcare organizations committed to nursing excellence. These organizations are often recognized as among the top healthcare providers in the nation. They implement quotas requiring a large percentage of the nursing workforce to have a BSN-level education. As more organizations strive toward this Magnet status, a BSN qualifies you to work in some of the most desirable environments.
Take the First Step Toward a BSN Degree
With so many benefits to a BSN, you can see how earning your bachelor’s degree opens doors to a longer, more successful nursing career. A BSN degree has never been more accessible than it is now through Marian’s ABSN program.
With the prospect of a nursing career waiting, why not take the first step now and achieve your dreams? The accelerated program helps students with a previous non-nursing bachelor’s degree earn their nursing degree in as few as 16 months while maintaining standards of excellence in nursing education. Contact an admissions advisor today to receive more information and begin your nursing journey.