Nursing is an incredibly rewarding career. As the healthcare industry continues to grow, so do the standards for Registered Nurses (RNs). If you are a nurse and you would like to advance your career, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is the next logical step. This advanced degree will open doors throughout your entire career. If you are already working as an RN, you may be wondering how to get your BSN, and how it will pay off in your career.
Earning your BSN can open many doors and often leads to higher pay. In addition to these advantages, more healthcare employers are now looking for nurses with a bachelor’s degree. In fact, according to RN.com, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing expect that hospitals looking to earn Magnet status will soon need to boost their BSN workforce to 80%.
If you’re interested in growing your career and a brighter future in nursing, read on. Here, we will share everything you need to know about getting your BSN, from the steps you need to take to the classes you need to graduate.
Required Steps to Get Your BSN
If you are an RN who is interested in pursuing a BSN, you have already completed a two-year associate degree in Nursing (ADN) and earned your RN license. You likely don’t want to start over and spend another four years in school. The good news is, you don’t have to! At Goodwin University, Registered Nurses may pursue the RN-to-BSN program, which is built for busy working nurses like yourself. (More on that later.)
First, you’ll want to understand the basic steps needed to earn your BSN degree. Below are the steps needed to get into Goodwin’s RN-to-BSN program, as an already licensed RN:
- Make sure you have your high school diploma or GED. This step may seem obvious, since you already have your RN certification, but be sure you have your documents. This is a must-have prerequisite since subjects like English, Math, Science and Social Studies are required before beginning an RN-to-BSN program.
- Make sure you have a current RN licensure and have passed the National Council Licensure (NCLEX-RN) exam. This will be required for RN-to-BSN programs like Goodwin. If you are completely new to nursing, skip this step.
- Apply to an accredited BSN program and complete the application process. At Goodwin, students must first be accepted into the school, and then accepted into the specific program of choice. It is important to know that the college you wish to attend has all the required accreditation, because without it, you may not get very far with your degree.
- Apply for Financial Aid, if necessary. Goodwin offers one of the lowest tuition costs for private, nonprofit colleges in the state and 92% of students received financial aid in the form of grants of scholarships in fall of 2019.
- Attend the BSN program and complete all of the course requirements. This will include courses in advanced sciences, healthcare policy, leadership, public health, and more.
To help you prepare for your BSN courses and have more hands-on experience in the field, you may choose to:
- Volunteer at a local hospital, if you have the time. If you are already working as an RN, you have all the direct-experience you need to get started on a BSN.
- Connect with a nursing organization. This can help you connect with peers in your profession and learn more about the challenges and opportunities ahead.
- Sign up for nursing camp! A few extra weeks of work in the nursing field will help you gain an even wider perspective, which will only help you throughout your program.
Goodwin University offers several nursing programs to fit into the various lifestyles and career goals of students, such as the accelerated BSN, which is a great choice for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another area of study, and the RN-to-BSN program for nurses who already have experience in the field.
The RN-to-BSN degree program at Goodwin is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Goodwin is a member of SARA and therefore can offer our RN-to-BSN program to residents of other SARA states. Success rates are also a good indicator of how strong a program is. Our first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is 85%, and the overall pass rate within the permissible time frame for the Nursing program is 96.5%.
Do your own research before starting a program, so that you know about the different types of accreditation and whether your program of choice is properly accredited.
Essential BSN Courses to Take
The RN-to-BSN program at Goodwin offers a comprehensive and challenging curriculum, so that students are prepared for the advanced career choices that they will soon be qualified for. In addition to the required “Gen Ed” courses and electives, the BSN courses include:
- Foundations of Professional Nursing
- Health Assessment
- Introduction to Nursing Research
- Public and Community Health Nursing
- Clinical Nursing Leadership
- Introduction to Healthcare Policy and Advocacy
- Seminar in Professional Nursing Leadership
At Goodwin, we understand the challenges that come with earning a degree while working. That is why we focus on flexibility for students. The RN-to-BSN program can be completed part-time in 16 months, and all of the BSN courses are available online in 15-week formats.
If you are ready to advance your career, learn even more about Goodwin’s RN-to-BSN program, contact us today. Call 800-889-3282 or visit us online to request more information.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.