5 Things You'll Love about Earning Your RN-BSN Degree

Nurses pursue RN-BSN degrees for many unique reasons. From feelings of personal achievement to career advancement, each person gains something different from adding this credential to their CV, so there are plenty of factors that might motivate you to start enrolling in an accredited program. Here are five exciting benefits to get you hyped about earning your degree.

1. Increased Earning Opportunities

As with many healthcare positions, having more credentials often translates to higher-paying jobs. Although you can’t discount the part that prior experience plays in finding lucrative work, educators say that acquiring a BSN can help you earn slightly more than you might with just an RN. In addition, you’ll be more likely to command higher salaries as your career progresses and you start overseeing others and fulfilling specialized roles.

2. Future Preparedness

Earning your RN-BSN degree could also make you better suited for the job market of tomorrow. Hospitals and other care facilities have long been pushing for their nursing employment candidates to have BSN credentials following a 2010 guideline from the Institute of Medicine. With a target goal of 80 percent of nurses possessing BSNs by 2020, getting a jump on your degree studies might just make your future more secure.

3. Eligibility for Top Positions

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) awards magnet status to hospitals that excel in nursing care. Independent studies and observations reveal varying opinions about whether magnet hospitals actually deliver more superior care than their counterparts do, but working at these facilities may give your track record added prestige.

To get your foot in the door at a magnet facility, you’ll need to have a BSN degree. Many of these hospitals exclusively hire BSNs or those who agree to complete valid BSN programs within a certain timeframe. Getting your degree makes it much easier to compete with other job-seekers and, even in non-magnet hospitals, it may be a prerequisite for serving in administrative positions.

4. A Broader Skill Set

RN-BSN curricula are noteworthy because they go beyond teaching basic nursing skills. In addition to clinical care, these programs focus on topics like leadership, management and effective communication. Having such skills can make you much more proficient at performing your job duties and make you a more valuable asset to your employers.

As nursing continues its pursuit of evidence-based medicine, your BSN skills will increasingly come in handy. For instance, being well-versed in critical thinking empowers you to make smarter decisions that result in better patient outcomes.

5. Greater Career Freedom

Becoming a BSN degree holder gives you more leeway to decide how your career evolves. Although you may not immediately see major pay differences between yourself and your standard RN colleagues, taking time to invest in your career advancement now is sure to benefit you for years to come. With a BSN, you’ll have an easier time specializing in fields like anesthesia or teaching, and you’ll find it much simpler to make nontraditional career moves that help you discover your real passion.

The nursing field is continually changing to keep pace with contemporary medicine, and your academic and practical knowledge needs to evolve too. Obtaining an RN to BSN degree could be an important step in your career trek.