There are many pathways to becoming a registered nurse (RN) today. Typically, though, registered nurses will hold an associate degree in Nursing and an active RN license. This has been the standard expectation until recently, as more nurses (and employers) now recognize the value of a bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN).

According to the latest data available, roughly 70 percent of employers express a strong preference for registered nurses with their BSN. A bachelor’s degree in Nursing can underline a nurse’s skills and experience, showing employers they can tackle a broader scope of work.

So, if you are a current nursing student or a seasoned RN, you may consider pivoting toward a BSN education. A BSN can help you qualify for advanced jobs, increase your salary potential, and deliver an even higher quality of patient care. Of course, a BSN is a commitment—which is where an RN-to-BSN program comes into play.

What is an RN-to-BSN program?

An RN-to-BSN is a type of nursing program designed for registered nurses seeking their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

RN-to-BSN programs are flexible, designed to give current nurses a short and streamlined route to earning their bachelor’s degree. They are typically offered online and in a part-time format so that RNs can maintain their current careers while pursuing an advanced degree.

Also known as a BSN bridge program, an RN-to-BSN program is designed to build upon the fundamental knowledge and skillsets that registered nurses already have. These programs offer an in-depth exploration of advanced topics—such as public health, nursing research, and leadership—to enhance nurses’ experience and position them for career advancement. Nurses with a BSN degree, for example, can qualify for more leadership positions or certain specializations that are otherwise not available with an associate degree.

As its name implies, only licensed RNs can enroll in an RN-to-BSN program. In other words, you must pass the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) and hold licensure as an RN to qualify for this type of BSN program.

How is an RN-to-BSN different from traditional BSN programs?

When most people hear “bachelor’s degree,” they think of a four-year educational program. And if you are entering nursing school for the first-time, this is typically what a bachelor’s degree in Nursing will entail. Most traditional, entry-level BSN programs take four years to complete. Classes are offered in a full-time format, involving a blend of lecture and clinical training. At the culmination of a traditional BSN program, you become eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination, which will qualify you for RN licensure.

As you can already tell, this is very different from the RN-to-BSN program format. One of the main differentiators of an RN-to-BSN program is the quick time to completion: In total, the RN-to-BSN program can take nurses about 12 months, part-time, to complete. Alternatively, these programs can be designed according to a nurse’s scheduling needs.

RN-to-BSN classes can also be taken online, which is great for nurses who do not have the time or capacity to travel to campus. This is possible because the students, who are current and active RNs, have already met the experiential requirements needed to excel in nursing. The RN-to-BSN curriculum is meant to build upon their knowledge base—and this can be done online.

Are you an RN looking to advance your career potential? Download our free RN-to-BSN Get Started Guide.

Weighing the BSN options

You may be wondering, why would nurses opt for their associate degree, and then go back for an RN-to-BSN program? What makes this pathway a better choice than the traditional BSN route?

Well, there is actually no “better” choice than another; it all depends on a nurse’s goals and needs. However, many RNs will opt to begin their careers with an associate degree in Nursing so that they can get into the workforce fast. In just two to three years, they can earn their RN license and start practicing, helping patients in need, versus spending four-plus years through the traditional BSN route.

And, as you can see, going back to school for a BSN is straightforward, since RN-to-BSN programs can be completed online, part-time, and in just 12 months.

Furthermore, there are a large number of registered nurses who already have their associate degree in Nursing. Again, this is the standard expectation and requirement of many healthcare facilities today. It’s estimated that close to 85,000 registered nurses have graduated from an associate degree program, making up the largest bucket of education awarded to RNs, according to the National Academy of Medicine. Many of these nurses are now looking to level-up in their careers by earning their BSN.

What an RN can do with a BSN degree

An RN with an associate degree can be an incredible nurse. If you are an RN currently, you probably have a robust skillset and real talent in patient care. You likely know your way around a hospital and know how to work important medical equipment. Associate degree programs are extremely comprehensive, and should not be discounted in the push for more BSN-educated nurses. However, research shows that a BSN holds great advantages.

A BSN degree can open up opportunities for career advancement, specialization, and salary bumps. It can make an RN eligible for a larger share of job opportunities, make them more competitive within the job market, and elevate their quality of patient care.

Through an RN-to-BSN program, you can learn about advanced topics that are not traditionally covered in entry-level nursing programs. You can study public health, pharmacotherapeutics, healthcare policy and advocacy, as well as leadership tactics in nursing. You can become well-versed in research methods and management strategies. You will advance your critical-thinking capabilities. And with these new skills under your belt, you can reach new heights in your career.

Registered nurses who earn a BSN degree have the potential to qualify for advanced careers like:

• Aesthetic nurse
• Military nurse
• Nurse informatics specialist
• Nursing case manager
• Nursing consultant
• OB/GYN nurse
• Public health nurse
• Research associate
• School nurse
• Surgical nurse

And check out some of the non-nursing careers you can land with a BSN here!

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has long recognized the value of a bachelor’s degree in Nursing, and pushed for the adoption of RN-to-BSN programs to equip the modern workforce of nurses. They write, in their latest fact sheet regarding the impact of education on nurses:

“Baccalaureate nursing programs encompass all course work taught in associate degree and diploma programs plus a more in-depth treatment of the physical and social sciences, nursing research, public and community health, nursing management, and the humanities. The additional course work enhances the student’s professional development, prepares the new nurse for a broader scope of practice, and provides the nurse with a better understanding of the cultural, political, economic, and social issues that affect patients and influence healthcare delivery. The BSN prepares nurses to practice the full scope of nursing responsibilities across all healthcare settings.”

The number of registered nurses earning a BSN degree is on the rise. In an increasingly competitive job market, an RN-to-BSN program can help you stand out.

Advance your nursing career in one year, part-time, through an online RN-to-BSN program. Goodwin University’s RN-to-BSN degree is flexible, allowing registered nurses to grow their skills and their qualifications at a pace that works for them and their current obligations.

Learn more by requesting information online, today!