RN to BSN Programs Promote Advancement
by Robyn Tellefsen
If you have a diploma or an associate degree in nursing (ADN) and you've earned your registered nurse (RN) license, it's time to take the next step in your higher education: a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN) through an RN to BSN program.
Nursing Program Benefits
These nursing programs provide an efficient education bridge for registered nurses who want to develop stronger analytical and clinical reasoning skills to advance their careers. RN to BSN programs accomplish these goals by building on initial nursing career preparation with coursework that enhances professional communication and leadership skills. These nursing programs also offer more clinical experience in non-hospital settings. RN to BSN programs take between one and two years to complete, depending on the school's requirements, the type of program, and your previous academic achievement.
In addition, RN to BSN programs prepare you for a broader scope of practice, since some nursing career paths, such as administrative nursing, are only open to registered nurses with a bachelor's degree. And, if you plan to pursue a graduate nursing program (to become a consultant, researcher, teacher, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, or nurse practitioner, to name a few), you'll obviously need to earn a bachelor's degree first.
Nursing Programs in Demand
Many professional practice settings, including academic health centers and Magnet hospitals, now require or prefer a bachelor's degree for specific nursing careers. In response to this need for a more highly educated nursing workforce, enrollment in RN to BSN programs is on the rise. From 2005 to 2006, enrollments increased by 14.8 percent, marking the second year of increases in these nursing programs, reports the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
You've got plenty of programs to choose from -- according to the AACN, more than 620 RN to BSN programs are available nationwide, including more than 340 offered at least partially online. In fact, there are more RN to BSN programs available than four-year nursing programs or accelerated bachelor's degree programs for non-nursing college graduates. In addition, RN to BSN programs have become increasingly accessible, since many are available completely online or even on-site at the health care facility where you work. (Note: Don't forget to ask your employer about tuition reimbursement benefits!)
Go further in your nursing career -- enroll in an RN to BSN program today.
Nursing Program Benefits
These nursing programs provide an efficient education bridge for registered nurses who want to develop stronger analytical and clinical reasoning skills to advance their careers. RN to BSN programs accomplish these goals by building on initial nursing career preparation with coursework that enhances professional communication and leadership skills. These nursing programs also offer more clinical experience in non-hospital settings. RN to BSN programs take between one and two years to complete, depending on the school's requirements, the type of program, and your previous academic achievement.
In addition, RN to BSN programs prepare you for a broader scope of practice, since some nursing career paths, such as administrative nursing, are only open to registered nurses with a bachelor's degree. And, if you plan to pursue a graduate nursing program (to become a consultant, researcher, teacher, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, or nurse practitioner, to name a few), you'll obviously need to earn a bachelor's degree first.
Nursing Programs in Demand
Many professional practice settings, including academic health centers and Magnet hospitals, now require or prefer a bachelor's degree for specific nursing careers. In response to this need for a more highly educated nursing workforce, enrollment in RN to BSN programs is on the rise. From 2005 to 2006, enrollments increased by 14.8 percent, marking the second year of increases in these nursing programs, reports the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
You've got plenty of programs to choose from -- according to the AACN, more than 620 RN to BSN programs are available nationwide, including more than 340 offered at least partially online. In fact, there are more RN to BSN programs available than four-year nursing programs or accelerated bachelor's degree programs for non-nursing college graduates. In addition, RN to BSN programs have become increasingly accessible, since many are available completely online or even on-site at the health care facility where you work. (Note: Don't forget to ask your employer about tuition reimbursement benefits!)
Go further in your nursing career -- enroll in an RN to BSN program today.
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