If you are a registered nurse (RN) with an associate degree, you may want to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). However, you might be hesitant about the amount of time, cost and workload a baccalaureate program takes to complete. As a working nurse, you are busy, and that is why you should consider an online RN to BSN degree program.
What Are the Advantages of Being a BSN-Prepared Nurse?
The nursing practice is demanding and challenging. Nurses need the necessary preparation to fulfill their nursing responsibilities while withstanding the rigors of the profession. A BSN program prepares nurses to provide care to an aging population who suffer from chronic illnesses. Nurses also are skilled in the use of new technology and complicated equipment. They learn communication and collaboration skills so they understand how to work as part of a team with other healthcare professionals.
In addition, nurses with a BSN tend to have a wider choice of job opportunities. Employer preference for BSN-prepared nurses is, in part, a response to the recommendation set forth by the Institute of Medicine, renamed the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) in 2015. In a 2010 report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, the IOM advocates for 80 percent of the nursing workforce to consist of BSN-prepared nurses by 2020.
What Is the Focus of an RN to BSN Program?
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), an RN to BSN program centers on key areas such as professional development, nursing practice competencies and cultural awareness.
Students receive instruction on how to treat a broad range of patients in all types of healthcare settings. Courses in a BSN degree program cover leadership, communication and critical thinking skills. Moreover, students learn the importance of understanding how a patient’s racial, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic background may impact the delivery of care.
How Can You Complete a BSN Quickly?
Many colleges and universities offer online RN to BSN programs. These programs allow RNs to complete a degree while continuing to work full or part time. The flexibility and affordability of online programs enable nurses to complete a BSN degree at their own pace.
Lamar University offers an accredited RN to BSN program that is 100 percent online. Typically, students can complete the program in about 13 months. The program has several start dates, which allows students to adapt their schedule. You can enroll in the accelerated eight-week sessions or select the traditional 15-week semester. The duration of the program depends on a student’s existing credits. Coursework in the Lamar University online program includes the following:
- Community nursing.
- Evidence-based practice.
- Holistic health assessment.
- Nursing leadership and management.
Nurses today have more options for advancing their education. They are not tied to enrolling in an on-campus program that is time-consuming and expensive. An online RN to BSN program enables nurses to pursue a baccalaureate degree at their convenience without compromising the level of preparation required to provide quality patient care. Once nurses complete an RN to BSN program, they are ready to move forward in their careers.
Learn more about the Lamar University online RN to BSN program.
Sources:
EveryNurse.org: Is an Online Nursing Degree Program Right For You?
Nurse Journal: Nursing Bridge Programs: How They Work
Minority Nurse: Online Versus Traditional Nursing Education: Which Program Meets Your Needs?
National Academy of Medicine: Report Recommendations
