Why Become A Nurse
There is an old adage that you need a doctor to diagnose you, but a nurse to save your life. We can all recall a time when a nurse was needed most: from a normal check-up in a doctors office to an emergency situation that required a trip to the hospital.
Most people can think of a nurse who has played a significant role in their life at some time, whether its a family member, close friend, acquaintance, or the person youve been seeing at your doctors office for decades. You might even have a nurse in your phonebook who you dial if WebMD doesnt quite answer your medical questions.
To become a nurse is to become someone who improves and saves the lives of others. If youre looking for a career where you can put your desire to help others to excellent use, becoming a nurse is an excellent career path for you.
What Is An Rn
Registered nurses often hold a BSN degree or an ADN , and have passed the NCLEX-RN exam. RNs provide medical treatment to those in need. Depending on their location, work setting, and level of education, an RN may perform a variety of duties. These different areas of care include, but are not limited to, oncology, pediatrics, and geriatrics. RNs also work in various locations besides hospitals and doctors offices.
Is It Worth Getting A Bsn
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing advocates for the BSN as the minimum preparation for RNs due to their higher skill level. Increasingly, employers either prefer or require RNs to hold BSNs. A 2020 AACN survey of healthcare organizations found that just over 41% of hospitals and facilities require new RN hires to hold BSNs. In addition, the survey revealed that more than 82% of employers strongly prefer hiring BSN program graduates.
Don’t Miss: Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Accelerated Program
A Bsn Can Help You Earn A Better Salary
Then theres the issue of pay. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a registered nurse in Michigan is $80,010.
To put this in perspective, according to PayScale, an RN with ADN and BSN degrees will start out with different pay based on their education levels, with the BSN making around $86,520 compared to $70,700 for the ADN.
Additionally, the RN with the BSN will see his or her pay increase faster and by a greater amount than the RN with the ADN. For example, an RN with a bachelors degree in nursing and five to nine years experience can generally expect to make more than an RN with the same level of experience and an associate degree, depending on geographic location.
Whats more RNs are in such high demand that some hospitals are offering five- and even six-digit signing bonuses, as well as other great benefits, such as free housing, according to CNN Money.
Advantages Of A Bsn Degree
Nursing is one of the most rewarding career choices available. In fact, according to the Medscape Nurse Career Satisfaction Report 2016, practicing nurses have a hard time choosing just one single-biggest reward of their career. Gratitude expressed by patients, job enjoyment, and pride in being a nurse were the top sources of gratification for RNs in general, but among those who earned the more advanced Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, there are additional significant advantages, including:
You May Like: Accredited Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
Work For An Insurance Company
Nurses can be an excellent resource for insurance companies. Insurance companies look for maximum transparency about healthcare processes and costs so that they can evaluate risk and set rates as accurately as possible. Nurses are valuable in collecting that data, interpreting it correctly and understanding how to act on it.
A nurse working for an insurance company may perform clinical research, audits or medical billing and coding. Possible job titles include Health Coach Consultant or Quality Management Nurse Consultant. This is an excellent choice for nurses who are looking for a non-clinical job, since many positions will be in a typical office setting and some may allow for remote work.
Rn Vs Bsn: Which Path Is Right For You
Diploma programs and ADNs often appeal to those seeking quick entry to the nursing profession. Some RNs do not wish or plan to advance into leadership or management positions, making shorter, less expensive diplomas and ADNs efficient, practical options.
RNs with diplomas or ADNs can expect lower overall earning potential. However, these professionals may also experience less stress, since their positions carry less responsibility. Conversely, BSNs generally make a better option for learners who want to maximize their career options and lay the foundation for future study in advanced degree programs.
BSN programs more rigorous and comprehensive curricula also appear to impact patient outcomes. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing notes that RNs with BSNs tend to provide higher-quality care and adhere more closely to safety and quality standards.
The tables below summarize relative advantages and disadvantages of these two educational paths:
Read Also: Chamberlain College Of Nursing Online
Community Organizer Or Community Health Educator
Stress and burnout are significant problems among nurses. As a result, many nurses seek alternate nursing careers in community health education. These nurses dont provide direct healthcare. Instead, In this job, nurses can spend their time educating others about health and how to make the best choices for their health needs. Community organizers and health educators work in all kinds of settings. These settings include hospitals, nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies.
The need for community organizers and community health educators is growing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the demand will grow 11% over the next nine years. Prevention is far more cost-effective than treatment, so communities are looking for ways to improve their overall health. Community organizers and community health educations can expect to make roughly $46,000 per year on average.
Salary: $46,000 annually
What Is A Bachelor Of Science In Nursing
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, or BSN, is a four-year bachelors degree done at a university or college. A BSN degree offers a much broader education than the 2-year associate degree in nursing and opens a whole new set of possibilities for a nursing career. The benefits include a higher salary, better job offerings, and an advancement in the job market.
Lately, its becoming increasingly more common for healthcare facilities to require BSN degrees for the RNs that they hire. While an associate degree will cover the education and training you need to pass your NCLEX exam and work as an RN, a BSN dives deeper by building on the concepts from the associate degree and taking your skills and education to the next level.
For those who are diploma or associate degree RNs, there are different variations of BSN degree programs for those nurses to reach the next level. These programs – called an RN-to-BSN program, allow RNs without a bachelors degree to continue their education and earn the rest of the credits required for the bachelors degree. Well explore this pathway more in depth later.
The longer study length for a BSN allows nurses to participate in more advanced procedures under a doctors supervision, and manage other nurses.
While there are many pathways to a career in nursing, if you don’t have an RN license yet, jumping straight into a BSN will give you a great head start in your nursing career.
Recommended Reading: Wgu Master’s Programs Nursing
Disease Prevention Nurse Specialist
Disease prevention is one of the best alternative careers for registered nurses who enjoy research and data. Disease prevention nursing, also called infection control, prevents the spread of disease among patients, community members, and fellow healthcare workers. These nurses analyze data and make decisions about disease containment, hygiene, and more. They work in healthcare facilities from hospitals to private practices and nursing homes.
Infection control nurses will need some nursing experience under their belts before getting started in this particular field. Many hiring organizations prefer that their disease prevention nurses have a BSN. Disease prevention specialists have widely varying salaries. The average is $84,794 per year. Like all nursing careers, the need for disease prevention nurses remains high and will probably stay that way for a long time.
Salary: $85,000 annually
What Is A Bsn Degree
BSN is an acronym that is short for Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
When you have a BSN, you qualify for the widest range of positions in the nursing field. Like most bachelor degrees, it tends to be a four-year degree. Along with the specific classes for nursing , BSN students also complete general education requirements.
During the completion of a BSN program, students also become RNs, or registered nurses.
Photo by Online Marketing on Unsplash
You May Like: Psychotropic Drug Use In Nursing Homes
A Bsn Creates Career Opportunities
Today, most registered nurses hold a BSN degree or higher, reflecting a growing trend toward higher education. Obviously, this isnt to say that every RN starts out with a BSN degree however, the percentage of RNs entering the workforce with an associate degree is .
Why? Industry pressure is one major factor in the shift toward BSN degrees. When the Institute of Medicine issued its landmark report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, in 2010, it set off a tidal wave of change. In its report, the IOM stressed that a more educated nursing workforce is required to best serve the needs of patients in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.
Thus the 80% by 2020 initiative was born. The goal of this initiative is for 80% of registered nurses to hold, at a minimum, a bachelors degree in nursing by the year 2020.
The impact of this initiative was quickly felt throughout the industry, with many healthcare providers requiring their RNs without BSN degrees to earn them within a certain amount of time.
In fact, for a hospital to receive a Magnet® designation, all of its nurse managers and nurse leaders must have at least a bachelors degree in nursing. Magnet® status is essentially the gold standard for nursing excellence, and to work at a hospital that holds the distinction, youll need your BSN.
What Is A Bsn Degree: A Full Breakdown
Nurses serve an integral role in the medical field. As a nurse, you can work in a variety of settings and affect everything from a patients health to public healthcare policy. In the pursuit of becoming a nurse, there are several educational routes that are available to you. Along your research, youll come across acronyms like RN and BSN. For those who have asked, What is a BSN degree? let this article serve as your complete breakdown of everything you need to know about a BSN degree.
Recommended Reading: Texas A& m Corpus Christi Nurse Practitioner Program
What Type Of Nurse Is Most In Demand
Generalist RNs continue to benefit from favorable job market trends, but a 2021 NurseJournal report listed five nursing specializations with particularly high demand. These programs include certified dialysis nurse, certified legal nurse consultant, and nursing case manager.
Reviewed by: Elizabeth Clarke
Why Earn A Bsn Degree
BSN nursing programs are changing rapidly. Nurses are the leaders of the healthcare field, and in many communities, they are on the front lines of healthcare when people get sick. Modern nursing goes beyond the hospital and doctors office. Nurses are everywhere. They work in patient homes, public health clinics, corporate wellness departments, research labs, long-term care facilities, schools, medical flight firms, and the military. Nurses also play a big role in educating the public and addressing the social and economic causes of health issues.
Why study Nursing at AU?
AU has one Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in two locations: the AU main campus in Aurora, Illinois, and George Williams College of Aurora University campus in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. The nursing curriculum is the same on both campuses. Students take the same nursing courses regardless of location.
Aurora Universitys Nursing program is one of the most respected in the region. The program prepares you to take the NCLEX-RN, a nationwide examination for the licensing of registered nurses. After graduation from the School of Nursing, you must pass the NCLEX-RN examination to become licensed as a registered nurse.
At AU, you can begin nursing classes immediately in your first year. That’s unlike many other colleges that require you to wait until your sophomore or junior year to begin taking classes in the subject.
Accreditation
Recommended Reading: How Much Is West Coast University Nursing Program
What Can You Do With A Bsn 7 Careers Beyond Bedside Nursing
When people think of nursing, they often picture bedside nursing, where a registered nurse works with multiple patients in a medical facility. However, this isnt the only career option for current and aspiring nurses.
What can you do with a BSN? The answer spans a broad field with diverse opportunities.
The following careers are just seven options.
Rn Vs Bsn: Educational Requirements
Its important to recognize that an ADN-RN and a BSN-RN are both registered nurses. They are required to complete the National Council Licensure Examination . The NCLEX is the national test required for licensing and practice as a nurse in the United States. With that being said, the educational requirements for these two degrees will often affect program length and cost.
You can become a registered nurse by obtaining your ADN or BSN degree. Students can earn their Associate Degree in Nursing through a college or university program. ADN programs can typically be completed in as little as 18-24 months, and cost significantly less than a four year BSN program. For those looking for a cheaper and faster route to becoming a RN, earning an ADN might be the best move for you.
However, due to their higher educational status, a BSN-trained nurse can meet more complex demands of healthcare. In order to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, you must have already completed your ADN, or you must have already committed to the four-year BSN program after graduating from high school. Overall, BSN students receive more training in managerial and administrative roles compared to ADN students.
Recommended Reading: Keiser Nurse Practitioner Program Cost
Your Gmercyu Path To Success
If you’re interested in furthering your education to become a nurse at a top school of nursing in Philadelphia, Gwynedd Mercy University’s Frances M. Maguire School of Nursing and Health Professions, can help you acheive your career goals.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree -ABSN
- Weekend BSN Degree
Occupational Or Industrial Health Nurse
Occupational health nurses work with businesses to create better safety conditions for their employees. Some jobs come with a greater health risk than others, and its up to occupational health nurses to help these employees stay as healthy as possible. Occupational health is one of the best alternate nursing careers for those who enjoy both health and business.
Occupational and industrial health nurses have great job prospects. As the population gets older and life expectancy gets longer, people are working into old age. Furthermore, manufacturing and other high-risk jobs have increased. These people and facilities need nurses to help them maintain on-the-job health. An occupational nurse can expect to make about $82,070 per year.
Salary: $82,000 annually
Recommended Reading: Aspen University Masters In Nursing
Increasing Demand For Nurses With Advanced Degrees
Lawmakers have given NPs new authority to treat patients throughout the United States. NPs are licensed to prescribe medication and other treatments in each of the 50 states and Washington D.C., and almost half of all states in the U.S. have granted NPs full practice authority.
Retail health clinics are a popular place for patients to find treatment, and many of these healthcare facilities are staffed by NPs and other medical professionals who are not physicians. Approximately 19 percent of Americans have visited a retail clinic within the past year, either for themselves or a family member.
Among patients who go to clinics staffed by NPs, 53 percent are seeking treatment for an acute illness, 35 percent are seeking the flu vaccine, 32 percent are seeking a health screening, 29 percent are seeking a general health assessment and 19 percent are seeking a general physical.
Health outcomes for patients served by NPs do not differ from those for patients served by physicians. Only 1.9 percent of NPs have been listed as primary defendants in malpractice cases.
What Areas Does A Bsn Degree Cover
A BSN degree is an excellent foundation for any number of nursing-related professional roles and leadership positions. Not only do you receive an extensive education in all critical nursing courses, but the degree also focuses on liberal arts and science, including chemistry, nutrition, anatomy, mathematics, and English giving a more well-rounded perspective.
A BSN program also focuses on developing skills above and beyond nursing practice, including:
- Research
- Management
- Leadership
Essentially, it equips nurses with all of the professional skills needed as well as a better understanding of the cultural issues involved in joining this well-respected vocation.
Recommended Reading: Skilled Nursing Facility Salinas Ca
What Is A Bsn Is There A Difference Between An Rn And A Bsn
Today, both the nursing profession and some employers are calling on registered nurses to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to improve safety and help prepare for future healthcare challenges. RN programs teach basic nursing skills that focus on nursing theory and clinical practice, whereas the BSN program expands on that.
Pursuing a BSN degree introduces nurses to topics such as patient care technology, research, health promotion, safety and quality within the healthcare system, said Elizabeth Christman, DNP, RN, CNE, a clinical faculty member of nursing programs at Southern New Hampshire University.