The First World has seen a steady demand for nurses over the last few years. While there’s no shortage of jobs for registered nurses, those who want to move up the career ladder face stiff competition—since there are so many of them, it often takes more than hard work and dedication to stand out. Most nurses cope by taking additional courses and building up qualifications. One of the most popular paths is the RN to BSN (Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program, which allows you to turn your nursing diploma into a bachelor’s degree.
Some people have trouble understanding the benefits of an RN to BSN course. Why get a higher degree when you’re on the right career track? The most common reason, as mentioned above, is advancement. If you want to eventually want to head your own staff or department, or move on to more prestigious hospitals, a bachelor’s degree is pretty much mandatory. Other nurses simply want a bigger salary or better perks, such as travel opportunities. Some nurses may want to go into the academe and do research, having already built up hands-on experience over the years.
Salary differences between registered nurses and bachelor’s degree holders can be significant. An RN can make about $60,000 to $70,000 a year on average, while an RN to BSN graduate can start at $67,000 or more. Of course, these are only averages—the actual figures can be much higher if you consider years of experience (most BSN graduates have already had experience prior to taking the course), job titles, location, and the size of the hiring institution.
These benefits provide the biggest incentive for nurses to earn a bachelor’s degree. While courses don’t come cheap—you can expect to shell out at least several hundred dollars, or more commonly a few thousand—the returns can be exponential. It’s not just in terms of money, but also job stability and employment benefits (such as health and life insurance).
In most states in the U.S., RN to BSN programs are overseen by local accrediting bodies. This means that authorities look at the course offerings and facilities and decide whether they can produce graduates suitable for the workforce. It’s important to get your training from an accredited college or university, whether online or in person, as employers may consider the quality (or perceived quality) of your training in pitting you against other applicants.
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