The need for nurses is greater than it has ever been, with more than half-a-million job openings anticipated between 2006 and 2016. Registered nurses are generally the highest paid and offered the best opportunities in work schedules and promotions. If you earned your RN credential through a nursing diploma program or an associate degree in Nursing (ADN), your next step may be to acquire a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) through a RN-to-BSN program. RN-to-BSN nurses receive more training in leadership, management, communication, and critical thinking, all of which are becoming ever more vital as nursing care becomes more complex. RN-to-BSN programs also offer more clinical experience in nonhospital settings. Although the RN-to-BSN degree program requires you to return to school, the BSN gives you greater career versatility and opportunity for higher pay.

Depending on the length of your prior nursing diploma or ASN program, RN-to-BSN programs generally do not take as long as BSN program with no previous nursing degree. Your RN credential will provide credits that count towards to your RN-to-BSN, and should reduce the amount of time spent completing your degree, unless you attend the program part-time. There are also hundreds of online RN-to-BSN programs, which allow you to complete all your textbook classwork via the Internet and complete your program with a supervised clinical at a local hospital, possibly where you are already employed. Online RN-to-BSN programs are advertised as one to two years in length, but this depends on each RN’s particular background. You will want to go review your earlier RN program with your RN-to-BSN admissions staff to insure that you get every credit you’re entitled to.

RN to BSN Related Career

The majority of RNs work in hospitals, but many work in community and wellness centers, patients’ homes, rehabilitation clinics, and nursing care facilities as well. Your BSN will qualify you for opportunities that may not have been available to you without the bachelor’s degree, such as senior administration or supervisory positions. With the RN-to-BSN, you may also qualify for graduate programs in nursing specialties such as:

• clinical nurse specialist
• nurse anesthetist
• nurse-midwife
• nurse practitioner
• public health supervisor
• forensic nursing
• nursing research
• nurse consulting
• nurse educator

What’s the Job Outlook?

The demand for RNs is projected to generate about 587,000 new jobs between 2006 and 2016. Caring, patient RN-to-BSN nurses will be especially needed in geriatric services to address the growing population of U.S. elderly and the new types of healthcare facilities built to care for these patients.

How much does it pay?

Salaries for RNs as May 2006 ranged from less than $40,250 to more than $83,440, with a median salary of $57,280.

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