What is a BSN?
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four-year undergraduate degree program that prepares students to become licensed and register professional nurses. BSN degree programs provide the necessary foundation of knowledge and skills required to effectively deliver evidence-based nursing care, promote wellness, and manage healthcare environments.
A BSN degree allows students to learn the basic principles of nursing and develop critical thinking skills. Through coursework, students are taught about public health, physical assessment, population health, legal/ethical issues, pharmacology, and research, in addition to traditional nursing skills. By completing a BSN program, students become skilled in providing compassionate, patient-focused care to individuals in both medical and non-medical settings.
Benefits of Earning a BSN
There are many benefits of earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Earning this degree allows students to become change agents in healthcare and public health. Graduates of BSN programs can promote the delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality care in an increasingly complex healthcare environment. Plus, a BSN degree provides graduates with the opportunity to pursue a variety of positions and career paths.
Additionally, BSN graduates become qualified to pursue advanced practice and graduate-level nursing positions. In these positions, they may serve as clinical nurse leaders, registered nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives, and nurse educators. Earning a BSN also opens the door to management and administrative roles, such as nurse administrator or healthcare policy analyst.
BSN Programs
BSN degree programs are available at many institutions of higher education, including state universities, community colleges, and private institutions. Depending on an individual student’s needs, a traditional BSN program or an accelerated nursing program may be the best fit.
Traditional BSN programs involve two to four years of coursework, depending on if it is a full-time or part-time program. These courses cover topics such as anatomy and physiology, nutrition, mental health, pharmacology, healthcare policy, and leadership. After the didactic portion, students must complete an internship or practicum to gain hands-on experience in the field. Lastly, students must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to be eligible to become a Registered Nurse.
In an accelerated program, students can earn their BSN in as little as 12 months. Accelerated BSN programs are designed for individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree in a field that is unrelated to nursing. Once admitted, students take the same courses as traditional BSN students but the courses are compressed within the accelerated timeline.
Regardless of the type of BSN program students choose, completing it will set them up for a successful career in the nursing field. With this degree, students can fulfill their dreams of pursuing a career in nursing and begin to make a positive impact in the healthcare profession.