In the ever-evolving field of healthcare, nurses play a crucial role in providing quality patient care. As the landscape of healthcare continues to change, pursuing higher education becomes essential for us nursing professionals. Here are some compelling reasons why obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is not just a step forward in one’s career but a leap toward excellence.
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Reasons to Get a BSN
Here are 17 compelling reasons why obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) would not just be a step forward in your career, but a leap toward excellence.
1. More Advanced Job Opportunities
Having a BSN opens up various career paths and opportunities in the nursing profession. Getting your degree helps you to be prepared for specialized roles. Career flexibility is a bonus, as BSN nurses can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, and home health care, among others. Here are some of the jobs that often require a BSN as a minimum requirement:
1.1 Clinical Nurse Manager:
Clinical nurse managers oversee nursing units within healthcare facilities, coordinating patient care, managing nursing staff, and ensuring the smooth operation of the unit. Other leadership positions are:
- Unit Director
- RN Operating Room Team Lead
- Charge Nurse
1.2 Nurse Educator:
Nurse educators work in academic settings, teaching nursing students the practical skills and knowledge needed to become successful nurses. They may also provide continuing education for practicing nurses.
1.3 Public Health Nurse:
Public health nurses work in community settings, addressing health issues at the population level. They may be involved in health promotion, disease prevention, and community education.
1.4 Nurse Researcher:
Nurse researchers conduct studies to contribute to the body of nursing knowledge. They might work in academic institutions, hospitals, or research organizations, exploring ways to improve patient outcomes and healthcare practices.
1.5 Informatics Nurse:
Informatics nurses use technology to manage and analyze healthcare data. They play a crucial role in implementing and optimizing health information systems to improve patient care and outcomes.
1.6 Case Manager:
Case managers coordinate patient care, working with healthcare teams to ensure that patients receive the appropriate services and resources. They often work in hospitals, clinics, or insurance companies.
1.7 Quality Improvement Coordinator:
Quality improvement coordinators focus on enhancing the quality and safety of patient care within healthcare organizations. They analyze data, implement improvement initiatives, and ensure compliance with healthcare standards.
1.8 Nurse Navigator:
Nurse navigators assist patients in navigating the healthcare system, providing support and guidance through complex medical processes such as cancer treatment or chronic disease management. This would be a good option if you enjoy working directly with people, but still want to take a step back from direct clinical care.
1.9 Critical Care Nurse:
Critical care nurses work in intensive care units (ICUs) and other high-acuity settings. A BSN is often preferred for these roles due to the advanced clinical skills required to care for critically ill patients.
1.10 Pediatric Nurse:
Pediatric nurses specialize in caring for children and adolescents. They may work in pediatric hospitals, clinics, or community health settings.
1.11 Neonatal Nurse:
Neonatal nurses care for newborns, especially those born prematurely or with medical conditions. They work in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and other neonatal care settings.
1.12 Surgical Nurse:
Surgical nurses assist during surgical procedures, ensuring the safety and well-being of patients before, during, and after surgery. BSN-educated nurses are often preferred in these surgical settings.
1.13 Labor and Delivery Nurse:
Labor and delivery nurses provide care to women during childbirth. They work in maternity wards, birthing centers, and hospitals, assisting with the delivery process and postpartum care.
1.14 Cardiac Nurse:
Cardiac nurses specialize in caring for patients with heart conditions. They may work in cardiac units, catheterization labs, or cardiovascular surgery settings.
1.15 Geriatric Nurse:
Geriatric nurses focus on the healthcare needs of elderly patients. They may work in long-term care facilities, nursing homes, or home healthcare settings.
1.16 Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse:
Psychiatric nurses specialize in providing care to individuals with mental health disorders. They work in psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, and community mental health settings.
1.17 Flight Nurse:
Flight nurses provide critical care to patients during air transport. They usually work on medical evacuation flights, ensuring the safe transfer of patients to medical facilities.
1.18 Forensic Nurse Consultant:
Forensic Nurse Consultants work with law enforcement agencies and law firms.
2. Medical Impact (Collaborating with Physicians)
I’ve touched upon this topic previously. Given that nurses engage directly with patients and provide hands-on care, they possess a unique perspective that garners respect from many doctors. Occupying a leadership role, such as that of a charge nurse, increases the likelihood of exerting influence on the medical decisions made by doctors in the hospital.
3. Advanced Clinical Skills and Autonomy
A BSN program equips nurses with advanced clinical skills, allowing them to provide a higher level of patient care. From critical thinking to complex decision-making, these skills enhance a nurse’s ability to handle diverse medical scenarios. BSN nurses have more autonomy than ADN nurses, and they are able to make more decisions about patient care.
4. Easily Meet Industry Standards
With the healthcare industry evolving, many institutions are raising their educational standards. Having a BSN ensures that nurses meet these industry benchmarks, positioning them as competent and qualified professionals. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the year 2022, 49.1 percent of registered nurses were mandated to hold a bachelor’s degree.
5. Conduct Research and Provide Evidence-Based Care
BSN programs integrate research and evidence-based practice, empowering nurses to stay current with the latest advancements in healthcare and apply evidence-based approaches to patient care. Research experience is an important (and marketable!) skill in today’s competitive world.
6. Professional Networking
Being part of a BSN program allows nurses to build a valuable professional network, connecting with peers, mentors, and professionals in the field. Networking can open doors to collaborative opportunities and career growth.
7. Leadership Development
Leadership skills are integral to nursing practice. BSN programs often include leadership courses that prepare nurses to take on supervisory and managerial roles in healthcare settings. Effective management is a valuable skill within the health industry, and can even allow you to transition to other fields in the future as your career progresses.
8. A BSN Broadens Your Perspective
Enrolling in a BSN nursing program provides opportunities to delve into subjects such as healthcare policy, among others, that significantly impact the quality of care you can provide to patients. It’s well-established that four-year programs foster the development of problem-solving skills, research capabilities, and the ability to challenge biased thought patterns. These advantages collectively contribute to shaping and guiding your mindset as a nurse.
9. Professional Pride and Confidence
Attaining a BSN instills a sense of professional pride and confidence in nurses, knowing they have achieved a higher level of education and expertise in their field. Beyond career benefits, obtaining a BSN can bring personal fulfillment and satisfaction, knowing that as a nurse, you have invested in your education to provide the best possible care for your patients.
10. Higher salaries
BSN nurses are more likely to have job security, even in times of economic uncertainty. According to Nurse Journal, an RN with an ADN typically earns an average annual salary of $73,000, whereas an RN with a BSN commands an average annual salary of $89,00 (a difference of $16000).
11. Eligibility for Advanced Degrees
According to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, the collective employment of specialized nurses in the field (anesthetists, midwives, nurse practitioners, etc.) is expected to experience a 38 percent growth from 2022 to 2032, surpassing the average growth rate for all occupations.
BSN nurses are also eligible to pursue advanced degrees, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), opening even more career opportunities.
12. More Opportunities for Entry-Level Positions
According to Joyce University, hospitals with BSN nurses are prepared for future laws. Currently, New York stands as the sole state to enact the ‘BSN in 10’ law, necessitating new nurses to fulfill an RN-BSN program. However, the prospect of other states adopting similar measures is high. In anticipation of this trend, numerous nursing employers are proactively instituting mandatory BSN policies.
13. Better patient outcomes
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, BSN nurses have better patient outcomes. They talk about a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association(JAMA). According to that research study, within hospital settings, a rise of 10% in the ratio of nurses possessing BSN degrees, resulted in a 5% reduction in the likelihood of patient mortality and failure to rescue.
Other highlighted findings in studies are improved outcomes for patients experiencing cardiac arrest, reduced rates of failure to rescue, and enhanced skills in diagnosis and evaluation.
14. Better Patient Safety and Quality Care
According to the AACN (previously cited above), studies have proven that significantly higher levels of medication errors and procedural violations are committed by nurses prepared at the associate degree and diploma levels as compared with the baccalaureate level.
15. Stronger Professional-Level Skills
The same article from the AACN, states that there is a research study published in 2002 conducted on RN-to-BSN graduates spanning from 1995 to 1998, which revealed that these individuals exhibited elevated competence in nursing practice, communication, leadership, professional integration, and research/evaluation.
16. Meet Eligibility for Professional Nursing Organizations
An additional advantage of completing a four-year nursing degree is that it renders you eligible for membership and inclusion in professional nursing associations.
Some instances of nursing organizations include:
- American Nurses Association
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association
- Emergency Nurses Association
- Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses
17. More Job Opportunities with a Growing Older Population
According to Marymount University, in 2035, it is anticipated that the number of American adults aged 65 and older will reach 78 million, and by 2060, the elderly population in America is expected to almost double the current figure, reaching 94.7 million. A substantial portion of healthcare is typically accessed during the later stages of life, and this population will need more specialized nurses to take good care of their health.
Final Thoughts on Reasons to Get a BSN: Is A BSN for You?
After reading all of this, is a BSN for you? Use this list to help inform your decision. I say go for it! There are so many job opportunities for BSN nurses today and likely even more coming in the near future. If you are at all interested in health care, graduating with a BSN nursing degree is an investment that will reward you over and over again.
More Nursing Jobs For You
If you enjoyed learning about the BSN, here are some more careers in nursing you should investigate:
