Top 9 Advantages of Having an RN BSN Degree

Moving up the career ladder requires professional degree qualifications and the medical field is not immune to this adage. One such degree that can help nurses stand-out in a competitive industry is the RN BSN degree . According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for registered nurses is going to rise by 20% by 2020, and enrolling for the RN BSN degree program is the smartest thing you can do to advance your career in the nursing field.

Given below are the top 9 advantages of having an RN BSN degree :

1. Higher pay

Research conducted on the pay scale of nurses having only an RN degree and those holding an RN BSN degree points out that the former earns around a median of $40,000 and the latter a figure close to $70,000! So if the pay is your motivating factor, you know what you need to do!

2. Opens doors to wider career choices

Having a bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for working in the top four nursing positions, namely nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist and clinical nurse specialist. Also, nurses who want to land a teaching or administrative job must hold a BSN degree.

3. BSN course refines your personality

Apart from learning the basics of the course, BSN also improves your communication, critical thinking ability, and leadership skills. These are the essential skills for attracting higher paying jobs with more responsibility.

4. Provides better patient care

The American Association of the Colleges of Nursing (AACN) indicates that receiving higher education has a direct impact on the clinical outcomes. These include reduced mortality rates, better patient outcomes and experience, and lower failure to rescue rates. Research conducted in this area suggests that nurses holding an RN BSN degree have higher proficiency in the medical diagnosis of health issues.

5. The rising demand for qualified healthcare professionals

According to the American Nurses Association, 75% of the nurses held the RN degree in 2011 whereas 100% of them held a BSN degree in 2013. Also, around 50% of the latter held a higher degree in addition to BSN.

6. Flexible study schedules

Because of the advent of online learning courses, completing the RN BSN degree program has become easier than ever. There is no need to start from scratch a nursing school, and nurses holding an RN degree can complete the BSN degree in just a span of two years! And, since the programs are also available online, you can complete them at your own pace and convenience!

7. A BSN degree empowers you to tackle the future

Starting your career as an RN is totally fine, it’ll add value and emphasis on your overall profile. However, the demand for nurses holding a BSN degree is to rise from 50% to 80% by 2020! Thus, even if you have started off as a registered nurse, it is recommended that you complete your BSN degree within five years of getting your diploma or RN degree.

8. Opens doors to professional advancement

If you hold an RN BSN degree , you can expect to direct your career in specialized domains of pediatrics, gynecology, surgery, anesthetics, oncology, psychiatry, etc. Just imagine the wide door of career prospects that waits to greet you post the completion of your RN BSN degree !

As you have seen, it only makes logical sense to go for a BSN degree. It is not only a higher qualification degree but also your key to propelling your career in nursing! Because the course trains you to handle critical situations with expertise, lands you a higher paying job, prepares you for the challenges of the future, widens your career prospects and provides you with the freedom of studying from the comfort of your home, the RN BSN degree is what you should count on for advancing your nursing career. Are you ready to let your career fly high?