HIGHER EDUCATION
Why a BSN Degree Matters: Advantages for Nurses and Patients
-
EveryNurse Staff
- Last Updated: 06/24/2023
In the healthcare industry, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree carries numerous advantages for both nurses and patients. Nurses who hold a BSN degree have access to better career opportunities, higher salaries, improved leadership and management skills, and greater job satisfaction. Meanwhile, patients benefit from better outcomes, lower mortality rates, and higher levels of safety and quality of care. In this article, we explore the importance of a BSN degree and its advantages for nurses and patients.
Understanding the BSN Degree
Before delving into the advantages of a BSN degree, it is important to understand what the degree entails. A BSN degree is an undergraduate academic degree focused on preparing nursing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver high-quality healthcare services in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home health agencies.
What Is a BSN Degree?
A BSN degree is a four-year program that covers a broad range of subjects, including anatomy, pharmacology, microbiology, psychology, and nursing theory and practice. In addition to classroom instruction, BSN students also complete clinical rotations, during which they gain hands-on experience working with patients under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and nursing instructors.
During their clinical rotations, BSN students have the opportunity to work in a variety of healthcare settings, including emergency departments, intensive care units, and surgical units. This exposure to different specialties allows BSN graduates to have a well-rounded understanding of the nursing profession and to be better prepared to handle the diverse needs of their patients.
BSN programs also typically include coursework in leadership, healthcare policy, and community health, which prepare graduates to take on leadership roles in healthcare organizations and to advocate for their patients and communities.
The Difference Between ADN and BSN Degrees
While Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs also prepare students to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), the curriculum is less comprehensive than that of BSN programs, typically taking only two years to complete. ADN programs focus primarily on clinical skills and do not provide as much exposure to leadership, healthcare policy, and community health.
BSN graduates are better equipped to take on leadership roles in healthcare organizations, such as charge nurse or unit manager positions. They are also more prepared to pursue advanced degrees in nursing, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
Furthermore, research has shown that hospitals with a higher percentage of BSN-prepared nurses have lower patient mortality rates and shorter hospital stays. This is because BSN graduates are better prepared to provide patient-centered care and to think critically about complex healthcare issues.
Advantages of a BSN Degree for Nurses
Enhanced Career Opportunities
One of the most significant advantages of obtaining a BSN degree is that it provides RNs with access to a wider range of career opportunities. Many hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare organizations now require RNs to hold a BSN degree, particularly for leadership positions or specialty nursing roles.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, as of 2020, roughly 77% of employers prefer to hire nurses with a BSN degree, with more than 41% of hospitals requiring them for new hires. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve and become more complex, demand for nurses with BSN degrees is likely to continue to grow.
Higher Salary Potential
Nurses with BSN degrees typically earn higher salaries compared to those with ADN degrees. According to PayScale, as of 2021, the average salary for an RN with a BSN degree is around $92,000 annually, while those with an ADN degree earn around $75,000 per year.
Furthermore, RNs with advanced degrees such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) can earn even higher salaries. These advanced degrees typically require a BSN degree as a prerequisite, meaning that obtaining a BSN degree can serve as a stepping stone to higher-paying career opportunities in nursing.
Improved Leadership and Management Skills
BSN programs often include courses focused on leadership and management skills, which are critical in healthcare organizations. These skills can help nurses in positions of authority effectively manage personnel, make informed decisions, and help their organizations achieve their strategic goals.
Additionally, nurses with BSN degrees are often better equipped to advocate for patients and influence health policy decisions at the local, state, and national level.
Greater Job Satisfaction
Finally, research suggests that nurses with BSN degrees report higher levels of job satisfaction compared to those with ADN degrees. BSN programs prepare nurses with a comprehensive understanding of the nursing profession, enabling them to provide better care for patients and feel a greater sense of purpose in their work.
Advantages of a BSN Degree for Patients
Better Patient Outcomes
Research suggests that hospitals with higher numbers of BSN-prepared nurses experience better patient outcomes. Patients treated in hospitals with larger percentages of BSN nurses have lower mortality rates, fewer medical errors, and shorter hospital stays compared to those treated in hospitals with lower percentages of BSN nurses.
Lower Mortality Rates
In addition to better patient outcomes overall, hospitals with higher numbers of BSN-prepared nurses also experience lower mortality rates from common medical conditions such as sepsis and pneumonia. This is attributed to the fact that BSN-prepared nurses have a more comprehensive understanding of patient care and are better able to identify and address potential complications.
Improved Patient Safety and Quality of Care
Finally, BSN-prepared nurses are better equipped to deliver safe and high-quality patient care. They have a greater understanding of evidence-based practice and can incorporate this knowledge into their patient care decisions. Moreover, they are trained to work collaboratively with other healthcare providers, leading to improved communication and better coordinated care for patients.
The Growing Demand for BSN Nurses
The Institute of Medicine's Recommendation
In 2010, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) issued a landmark report recommending that healthcare organizations increase the proportion of nurses with a BSN degree to at least 80% by 2020. This recommendation was based on the growing complexity of the healthcare industry and the need for better-educated nurses to meet the demands of patients in various healthcare settings.
Magnet Hospitals and BSN Requirements
In response to the IOM’s recommendation, many healthcare organizations have sought to increase the number of BSN-prepared nurses on their staff. For example, hospitals seeking Magnet Recognition status, a designation that identifies organizations that deliver high-quality nursing care, are required to have a certain percentage of BSN-prepared nurses on staff.
The Future of Nursing Education
As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, it is likely that the demand for BSN-prepared nurses will continue to grow. Many nursing schools are expanding their BSN programs to meet this growing demand, and nurses with BSN degrees will be well-positioned to take on leadership roles and pursue advanced degrees in nursing.
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