RN to BSN programs are designed specifically for registered nurses with an active RN license and some level of collegiate nursing education – typically an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or nursing diploma. These programs cater to nursing students who are already skilled in the basics of nursing practice by waiving courses that repeat content covered by their associate degree.
RN to BSN programs are often referred to as “bridge programs” because they bridge the gap between two programs that typically require different amounts of education and clinical training. For example, the nursing curriculum for an RN to BSN program will typically focus exclusively on upper-level nursing coursework that was not covered during the student’s associate’s degree, such as advanced health assessment, research practices and processes, and nursing leadership.
RN to BSN programs are designed to build upon the nursing knowledge and skills that students acquired during their associate degree to give them a broader, more well-rounded understanding of the nursing practice. Nursing students will go deeper into concepts that warrant further exploration, like health promotion, evidence-based practice, disease prevention, critical ethical and legal issues related to health professions, cultural awareness, public health, and nursing leadership.
Additional areas of exploration in an RN to BSN program may include:
An important part of earning a BSN degree is completing general education classes, which are designed to ensure that students build a well-rounded foundation in the arts and sciences. Courses such as English, math, psychology, sociology, and anthropology are typically included in the BSN curriculum and required in order to graduate from a BSN program.
Students who have already completed these academic programs while earning their associate’s degree will typically receive transfer credit and may not have to retake them as part of their RN to BSN program.
Community health nursing has been identified as one of the most important practice areas in nursing. RN to BSN students will learn about the concepts and theories related to community health and be trained to think critically about health care and how it affects the unique circumstances of vulnerable populations in a multicultural society.
Community health nursing seeks to understand the social and environmental determinants that impact the health of individuals, families, and communities, and looks to find ways to improve public health through education, resources, and advocacy.
Nursing programs are increasingly utilizing “hybrid” and “blended” course formats to offer students flexible learning options. A blended format includes a combination of traditional face-to-face classes and online nursing courses. This “blend” of traditional classroom instruction and virtual learning is very popular as it provides students with a supportive and intimate learning environment on campus along with the flexibility of distance education.
Online RN to BSN programs that are delivered in a blended or hybrid format typically require students to come to campus for a few days each month, but the majority of the coursework can be completed via online courses. This allows working nurses who are employed full-time to continue fulfilling their professional and personal responsibilities while completing their nursing degrees.
The clinical component of any BSN degree program is a vital part of your nursing education, regardless of whether you are enrolled in a traditional on-campus program or an online nursing program. Clinical experiences are where you apply the theoretical knowledge you have acquired in the classroom to real-world patient care scenarios.
Most online RN to BSN programs include a clinical component that can be completed at a community college or nursing care facilities near your home or work. The clinical experiences offered through an online RN to BSN program are just as comprehensive and rigorous as those offered by traditional nursing programs – you will be supervised and evaluated by experienced registered nurses who are affiliated with your program.
Admission requirements for RN to BSN programs vary by institution. Students should expect a challenging application process as nursing programs carefully evaluate each applicant to determine if they are capable of handling the demands and rigor of the degree program. Candidates must be prepared to meet all of the academic and experience requirements of the program and find ways to make their applications stand out.
The requirements for RN to BSN programs generally include the following:
There are many benefits to pursuing an RN to BSN degree program, both for the nurse and for the healthcare system where they work. On the individual level, a registered nurse who completes an RN to BSN program will have a broader knowledge base and set of clinical skills that can be applied in any nursing setting.
From an organizational standpoint, hospitals and other healthcare organizations that employ nurses with BSN degrees report lower rates of staff turnover, increased job satisfaction, as well as reduced costs associated with recruiting, training, and compensating nursing staff.
A BSN-educated registered nurse typically has higher earning potential and more opportunities for career advancement than a registered nurse with an associate’s degree. Nursing education is a key factor that employers consider when making decisions about compensation and promotions, so graduates of a bachelor’s degree program can expect to see higher salaries and better job prospects than nurses with less collegiate nursing education.
Additionally, many states are implementing laws that require working nurses to earn a bachelor’s degree within 10 years of initial licensure in order to maintain a valid RN license. These new “BSN in 10” laws will push the demand for nurses with a bachelor’s degree even higher.