An RN to BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program is a degree path that helps registered nurses who don’t have their bachelor’s degree to acquire one. Designed to increase nursing knowledge and skills and provide nurses with a respected credential, the programs are generally more flexible than traditional degree paths, often delivered in an online format. If you are a licensed, registered nurse, an RN to BSN program has many benefits.
What Kinds of Courses are Included in an RN to BSN Program?
In an RN to BSN program, you’ll complete courses intended to strengthen your existing nursing foundation and expand your general knowledge so that you can improve as a nurse and caregiver. Each college will have its own requirements and structure, but here is a sample of some of the courses you may take:
- Concepts of Professional Nursing
- Health Assessment
- Health Tech and Informatics
- Transcultural Nursing
- Nursing Theory and Research
- Nursing Leadership
- Nursing Care of the Older Adult
- Women’s Health
- Pathophysiology
- Nursing Care of Communities
- Evidence-based Nursing Practice
- Nursing Capstone
What Format Does an RN to BSN Program Take?
RN to BSN programs are often delivered in a hybrid format where you learn material online and then put your newly developed knowledge to practice in clinical rotations. They also can be more accelerated than traditional BSN programs. That’s because the courses you will be required to take depend on those you might have already passed and how they transfer to a new institution. This accelerated approach provides you the same course knowledge, clinical practice, and study as a traditional BSN degree, but you can do it in a fraction of the time.
Are There Clinical Hours in an RN to BSN Program
Each school will have its own requirements, but there generally is a clinical component. Whether you’re required to complete it near campus or near your home depends on the institution. Visit the university’s website or its nursing course catalog to find out specific requirements and options.
Why Pursue a BSN?
There are several benefits to the BSN degree. Topping the list will be your ability to provide better patient care and positively influence the profession you love. Also, there has been a push for more nurses to attain the credential. An initiative for 80% of nurses to hold a bachelor’s degree by 2020 may have missed its mark, but more employers now demand the credential. In fact, New York state now requires registered practical nurses to obtain a bachelor’s degree within 10 years of licensure and other states may follow suit. If you want to be the best at your profession, the BSN may be a natural next step in your career. The BSN degree can provide increased opportunities for growth within the nursing profession and in some cases can lead to increased salary.
The Bluefield University School of Nursing offers an online RN to BSN program that you can complete in as few as 12 months. It will provide you with knowledge, skills, and support through digital nursing courses and in-person clinicals in your local area. Our program is CCNE accredited and prepares you for multiple career paths, including patient education, risk management, and community health. If nursing is your Christian calling, it’s time to build upon your God-given talents to make even more of a difference in the lives of others. Contact us today to get started.