If you are an RN nurse and you are considering improving your qualification in order to better your job opportunities you should definitely consider doing an RN to BSN program as this will open up many more doors for you in the profession.
What Is RN To BSN?
This is basically a system whereby you can back to school with your ADN in nursing and work towards getting a BSN degree. Getting a BSN in nursing can improve your chances in the medical field and you will not be sorry that you took the step of doing an RN to BSN program. An ADN usually takes two years. If you start a BSN from scratch without first having an ADN it can take four years, but if you already have an ADN you will only have to do two years of your BSN, thereby cutting your studies into neat segments.
Prerequisites For RN To BSN Programs
To get into an RN BSN program you will need to have a high school diploma or a GED. If You don’t you should be working towards getting one, focusing on the subjects of chemistry and biology as these will be most useful for you as a burse later on. You will also have to be over a certain age if you want to get into an RN to BSN program. This however can vary from state to state. You will also need to have already completed some form of RN qualification if you want to become a nurse with a BSN degree through an RN to BSN program.
Four Benefits Of An RN to BSN Degree
There are many people out there who choose to do RN BSN programs or BSN RN programs and it is important that you know why this course of action has become so popular among the nursing profession. Below we have listed some of the more important reasons why doing an RN to BSN program is such a good idea. Once you have read through these points you will come to realize how you can use your RN to BSN program as a way to improve your chances in the future.
1. Expand Your Career Options
If you take the time to do an RN to BSN program you will be expanding your career options. Expanded career options mean a higher chance of a higher salary as well as allowing you to advance in your profession and feel that feeling of pride that comes with such as accomplishment. Once you start advancing in your career you will find that it is very difficult to stop, but this can be seen as a good thing as an improvement in your career will always do you good. This is the main reason people do RN BSN programs these days.
2. Higher Salary
This great advantage has been mentioned already but it is worth reiterating. Of course if you are a good RN then you are not in the job for the money. The money is good, but your primary motivation should be a drive to help others recover from their illnesses or injuries. If you have the right attitude you will be able to be a very successful RN nurse indeed. Despite this, however, money is important and necessary for many aspects of life, so it is a good idea for you to try and earn more money when possible.
3. Higher Chance Of Employment
Hospitals looking for an RN will consider first those RN nurses who have completed RN to BSN degrees. This is because it shows that you simply have a higher level of knowledge and training and that you are more likely to be an asset to the company. Consequently if you do RN BSN programs you will effectively be increasing your chances of being employed. There will be more jobs that you qualify for and you will be in a position to set your own terms in many cases. If you want to be in higher demand, do an RN to BSN qualification.
4. More Training
When you do an RN to BSN program you will be engaging in a lot more training of both a theoretical as well as a clinical nature. As a result you will be far better prepared for your career as an RN nurse. The more practice you have the better you will be at your job as an RN, so it is very important that you take the time to do an RN BSN program. This is for anyone who is proud of their job and who wants to do their best possible work.
Clinical Experience
Although you may have already completed the clinical training needed to be an RN in your previous studies there are several RN to BSN programs that may require you to in fact engage in even more clinical training in order to ensure that you know exactly what is going on at that advanced level of nursing. Generally speaking it is almost always better for you to do extra clinical training as this will always improve your chances of getting a job and make your current job a whole lot easier for you.
Career Opportunities
There are numerous different areas that you will be able to work in once you have completed your RN to BSN qualification. These include hospitals, schools, nursing homes, private practices, clinics, surgical centers, other facilities, critical care or other high-level nursing specialties, psychiatric nursing, obstetrical nursing, nephrology nursing, and orthopedic nursing. In fact regardless of what areas you find particularly interesting in nursing and regardless of the niche that you want to fill in the medical industry there will be a part for you to play in a setting that you enjoy that will suit you perfectly.
Professional Development
It is very important that you keep your skill level up once you are an RN because this is the best way to stay employed and the best way for you to make sure that you are able to do your job well. Continuing education is an important extra, and in many ways your RN to BSN program can be considered to be a form of continuing education as you are taking the DN degree that you already have and converting it to something better and gaining more knowledge with which to do your job more efficiently along the way.
Why Choose RN To BSN?
The question now is why you should choose an RN to BSN program when you can go the route of getting a BSN straight off the bat? Well, many people choose this slightly longer method of getting their qualification because if they get their AD first they are already able to work as RN nurses. It means that you only have to work two years and then you will be able to work as an RN. Once you have saved up enough to study further and when you can find the time, you will then be able to complete your BSN qualification at a later date.
Some Schools Offering RN To BSN Programs
The following is a list of some of the schools you may want to consider if you are looking at doing an RN to BSN program:
- Azusa Pacific University
- California Baptist University
- California State University, Dominguez Hills
- California State University, Fullerton
- California State University, Northridge
- Concordia University – 1530 Concordia West
- Holy Names University – 3500 Mountain Boulevard
- Jacksonville University Online School of Nursing
- National University
- Pacific College
- Pacific Union College
- Rasmussen College
- Stanbridge College
- West Coast University – Los Angeles
- West Coast University – Orange County
- United States University
- University of California, Los Angeles
- Unitek College
- University of Antelope Valley
- University of Phoenix
- University of Texas at Arlington
- Vanguard University of Southern California
With all RN BSN programs you need to consider the fact that the school you attend needs to be properly accredited if you want your studies to mean anything. Look into that carefully and make sure that the RN to BSN program you eventually choose is indeed the best program for you out there.
Offline RN To BSN Schools And Programs
There are a large number of schools and colleges offering offline or face-to-face RN BSN programs. If you are someone who does better in a classroom situation then this is definitely the route for you to take. Not everyone can engage effectively in the level of self study required for an online course, and so it is necessary that you attend actual classes where you will be monitored and encouraged by classmates and lecturers. You will also be able to engage more easily with the other students and classroom discussions often lead to a much better understanding of the course material.
Online RN To BSN Schools And Programs
There are a number of great reasons why you should consider doing online RN to BSN programs. The main reasons are listed below. Remember though that not everyone is able to study in an online situation as it requires a lot if self discipline and an ability to keep yourself focused at all times. If you feel that you do not have these skills you may want to consider rather going to a face-to-face or offline RN to BSN School instead as you may well meet with greater success in a more structured context.
Convenience – If you are someone who has to work full time for practical reasons but who also would like to do an RN to BSN program in order to improve your situation you should consider eh online options available. There are a number of online options, but you need to make sure the one you choose is accredited. Online programs can be completed in your own time and outside of your normal working hours so you will have the opportunity to work and study at the same time. Convenience is one of the main reasons so many people go the online route.
Focus – For a lot of people it is easier to focus when doing an online RN BSN programs than when they try to study in a classroom situation. Some people are easily distracted when they are in a classroom, but all of these distractions are neatly removed if you do an online RN to BSN program. This means that you will have the option to work in a quieter situation at your own pace. Remember though that this does not work for everybody. Some people need the classroom if they want to do well in any form of studying.
Flexibility – Basically f you are studying online you will be in control of your schedule so it will be up to you to create your own timetable and t keep things going in that way. This is great for people with hectic lifestyles and, if something unexpected comes up, you will be able to adjust your schedule accordingly and make allowances for unexpected events without missing out on important coursework. If flexibility is what you need in your life then this may be the answer for you. Look into the online options carefully, however, and make sure that you choose the best possible one.
Travel – When you study online you will go a long way to saving money in the form of travel costs. You will not have to pay ether for public transport or for fuel in getting to and from your classes because your will be doing all the studying from the comfort of your own home. This is also just a whole lot less stressful and allows for you to focus more time on your actual studies and your life rather than on travelling, which can be frustrating and time consuming. When you look at the many advantages to studying online it really does start look like a very attractive option indeed.