RN to BSN Programs Online
Online RN to BSN programs are designed to develop the professional knowledge and skills of working registered nurses. RN to BSN curriculum is built upon a foundation of physical, biological and social sciences. Students will take courses in the liberal arts where they will further develop their understanding of the cultural, social and intellectual sides of nursing. The Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) has become a critical step for career advancement in professional nursing.
What is the AACN Saying about RN to BSN programs…
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and other leading nursing organizations have released statements to the effect that the BSN degree should be considered the minimum education needed prior to entering practice as a professional nurse. As a result, many RN’s with an associates degree or a diploma in nursing are going back to school to enhance both their education and nursing career opportunities. In fact, according to the AACN RN to BSN program enrollment increased 20% from 2009 to 2010. This is actually the eighth consecutive year seeing an increase in enrollment in these programs. The AACN is also a proponent of online RN to BSN programs, stating that they feel the online format enhances the accessibility of advanced education and career advancement for associate’s and diploma educated nurses.
The AACN has also promoted that job placement rates after graduation are better for BSN Nurses than for their ADN educated counterparts. A recent stud/survey conducted by the AACN found that those Registered Nurses who had graduates with either a BSN or an MSN found jobs within six months of graduating from their program. However, job placement rates will vary significantly based on geographic location.
Why Choose to Take the Online RN to BSN Route?
Colleges and universities around the United States have developed Online RN to BSN programs in addition to their campus based programs for students seeking additional flexibility while earning their BSN. The online format allows many nurses to work in their professional nursing position while completing their education. Online RN to BSN completion programs are also an appealing alternative for nurses in rural locations without convenient access to a campus offering an RN to BSN program.
Earning an RN to BSN online provides RN’s with an often accelerated option for obtaining their bachelors in nursing while gaining the same education they would at a traditional campus based program. Most online RN to BSN programs accept prior nursing education credits by way of articulation agreements, significantly shortening the length of the RN to BSN program. In some cases an online RN to BSN program can be completed in as little as 12 months and there are most often no residency requirements for admissions. There are hundreds of online RN to BSN program options to choose from, which makes the decision a little more difficult. The large number of programs has also created a situation where tuitions are fairly comparable amongst schools. Check multiple programs to see which one fits your budget and schedule the best.
If an online RN to BSN program does not fit your needs, then research dozens of campus-based RN to BSN programs using the site search function at the top of the page. You will find the accredited RN to BSN programs offered in each state along with contact information.
What Can Registered Nurses with a BSN Make?
For registered nurses, earning an RN to BSN is the fastest way to career advancement and increased earnings. According to the Nursing Salary Survey, the average annual salary of registered nurses with an associate’s degree was $50,100. You can expect that nurses with a BSN degree will have greater earning potential than those with an ADN or ASN based on the more advance, therefore higher paying, career opportunities the BSN educated nurse is presented with. According to Indeed.com, a company who takes an average of salaries posted in current job postings, Registered Nurses with a BSN earned an average annual salary of $75,000. Those nurses working in hospitals had the highest salaries with university affiliated hospitals reporting the highest average annual salaries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics Labor and wage data show that on average that Registered Nurses make between $45,000 and $75,000 in the hospital setting. Wages are highly dependent on experience and location though. Hospitals in urban areas often offer much higher salaries than those in rural areas.