Medical facilities strive to meet the growing needs of patients through research, specialization and technological advances, but patient care remains the top priority. Since registered nurses (RNs) are at the forefront of medical care, having skilled nurses on staff is a major priority for most hospitals and other medical care facilities.
Hiring talented RNs usually means looking for a balance of education and experience. Nurses who pursue a bachelor’s of nursing (BSN) degree can help increase their hiring potential for specialized areas of practice or leadership positions.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses are projected to have a 26% growth in employment from 2010 to 2020. The BLS also explains that RNs with a BSN degree have even stronger job prospects, and earning a BSN degree is becoming a priority for many RNs.
RN to BSN Degree Program Requirements
Online RN to BSN degree programs are designed for working nurses to further their education while maintaining their careers. Most RN to BSN programs require applicants to have a specific number of credit hours of prerequisite courses, many of which will likely be covered in a nurse’s initial RN education.
Some programs have minimum grade point average for prerequisite courses or overall coursework. Each program has its own application process, so potential students might need to write a personal statement or include a resume. Entrance exams might be required to apply for some RN to BSN programs.
Benefits of Online RN to BSN Programs
Since RNs often work such busy schedules, online RN to BSN programs can allow them to fit education into their work and home schedules. All of the academic portions of these programs can be done 100% online, allowing RNs to participate in their classes at their own convenience.
Potential students should always research their programs of interest. There are programs that are entirely online, while others may have an in-class portion as well. Research can help students find the option that best suits their needs.
Enrolling in an online program can also allow nurses to attend prestigious colleges and universities that are outside of driving distance without needing to move away. Plenty of accredited schools now offer online RN to BSN degree programs, so students across the country can get the same high-quality education as on-campus students.
Some online courses may cost less money than traditional, on-campus bachelor’s degree programs. Students can also save money by not having to drive to and from classes, or live on campus.
Online programs can save the student time as well. Not traveling to and from class is a major time-saver. Working online also allows students to work at their own pace, so they can take as much or as little time as they need.
What About Clinicals?
Clinicals are not always a mandatory component of online RN to BSN programs, so students can tailor their program search to help meet their needs. Some programs do not require clinicals at all, while others may have an online clinical practice. Students who learn better from lectures and studying might prefer a program without clinicals.
However, if a student would rather get some hands-on experience, clinical components are included in a majority of online RN to BSN programs. Some universities have relationships with specific medical facilities across the country and will place online students in a location for clinicals. Other universities allow students find their own location for clinicals. Working RNs might be able to participate in clinicals at their place of employment, depending on the requirements of their RN to BSN program.
Research is vital for students who are required to find their own facility for clinicals. Finding out all of the specific clinical requirements for the student’s program is the first step. Next, the student can use the Internet to research the options that are within driving distance. Talking to a trusted peer or an experienced professional at the medical facility can help the student make the final choice.
BSN in 10
Though a bachelor’s degree is not required to be a registered nurse, some states may be on their way to actually requiring one. States like New York and New Jersey have been considering legislation that would require RNs to get their bachelor’s degree within ten years of acquiring their initial licensure.
These proposals have yet to pass through Congress, but it is something that RNs and future nurses should take into consideration when choosing their education options. Organizations like the Institute of Medicine and the American Nurses Association have supported the push for BSN-trained nurses.
Since a BSN degree can help increase job options and salary, getting a degree could help RNs whether or not this legislation passes. If a BSN degree can help a nurse get hired at a top facility, why wait for legislation? Taking advantage of online options can help nurses stay ahead of the curve and start an RN to BSN degree program today.
