Over the years, expectations of nurses have evolved to meet the demands of the industry. Healthcare employers are now seeking nursing candidates who can think critically, adapt to new research, lead teams to new heights, and provide a high quality of patient care. As such, more employers are seeking registered nurses with advanced education, such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

In fact, a BSN degree is becoming the standard in nursing education. While it’s entirely possible to begin your nursing career with an associate degree, the majority of RNs today now hold a BSN or MSN in nursing. According to the latest National Nursing Workforce Survey, almost 72 percent of nurses now hold their BSN degree or higher – the highest recorded in history. Many nurses (about 51 percent) enter the field with a BSN or MSN degree, while others go back to school for their BSN or master’s after earning their initial RN licensure.

It’s natural for nurses to question the importance of a bachelor’s degree, in a time when an associate degree in Nursing is the standard requirement for launching a career. However, as the job market becomes more competitive and the demands of nursing evolve, earning a BSN in nursing will be incredibly impactful.

Let’s look at some of the reasons why a BSN in nursing is so important, in 2024 and beyond.

Why is a BSN degree important for nurses?

You can expand your career horizons.

A bachelor’s degree in Nursing is becoming the preferred degree for RNs today. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), roughly 70 percent of employers express a strong preference for BSN program graduates.

Additionally, about 1 in 4 hospitals and other healthcare settings now require new nursing candidates to have a BSN degree before applying; many others encourage RNs to go back to school for their bachelor’s during their career trajectory.

It’s also worth noting that job prospects are very strong for BSN holders right after graduation. According to the same AACN study, the job placement rate is 96% for entry-level nurses holding a BSN—compared to the 55% rate for bachelor’s degree holders in all occupations.

If you want to qualify for a number of nursing positions, including promotions as an already-licensed RN, a BSN degree will be an important step. Specifically for seasoned nurses who already have their associate degree, a BSN degree can make them eligible to pursue leadership roles as well as jobs that require advanced education (such as military nursing or federal agency positions).

With career advancement also comes higher earning potential. As explained by Indeed: “While registered nurses with either an ADN or BSN may have similar starting salaries, the potential for advancement and higher pay is greater for those with a BSN.”

You will enhance your skills and, in turn, your quality of care.

Investing in a BSN can have a direct impact on your nursing success and competencies in patient care. While associate degree holders have an incredible set of skills, fundamental knowledge, and experience, BSN grads are seen as advanced in those skill sets.

BSN programs dive deep into topics that will build on your experience and propel you forward. According to the AACN, BSN degree programs offer an “in-depth treatment of the physical and social sciences, nursing research, public and community health, nursing management, and the humanities.” This additional coursework, they continue, “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.” This, in turn, translates to their skills in the workforce.

Research supports this, with hospitals reporting great patient outcomes from BSN nurses. In fact, nurses with a BSN degree generally report lower rates of patient mortality, shorter hospital stays among patients, and lower readmission rates than their non-BSN counterparts.

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

Why is a BSN in Nursing important for patients and healthcare as a whole?

A BSN is important because it expands a nurse’s skill set and offers in-depth knowledge that positions them to excel in their career. And this education reflects in their role, their patients, and on the healthcare system as a whole. When a nurse is successful in their career, others directly benefit from it. On one hand, patients benefit from nurses’ advanced knowledge and practice. The added experience that BSN nurses have can contribute to excellent patient outcomes. This also is rewarding for hospitals and clinical facilities that employ BSN-educated nurses.

According to studies over the years, hospitals with higher proportions of BSN-educated nurses were generally connected to:

• Less inpatient deaths
• Lower surgical mortality rates
• Lower odds of failure-to-rescue
• Shorter lengths of stay among patients

As echoed by the AACN, “Clinicians with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree are well-prepared to meet the demands placed on today’s nurses. BSN nurses are prized [by employers] for their skills in critical thinking, leadership, case management, and health promotion, and for their ability to practice across a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings.”

Is a BSN in Nursing important to you?

The choice to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Nursing is entirely optional, unless your career goals require it. As explained previously, the standard for launching a career as a registered nurse is an associate degree in Nursing (ADN). This provides the fundamental knowledge and practice needed to pass the NCLEX-RN examination, earn your RN license, and deliver effective, safe care.

However, more and more nurses are seeing the importance of a BSN degree for advancing their career forward. Many employers are preferring to hire BSN-educated nurses, and some even require a BSN among their nursing staff. Certain areas of nursing, like military nursing, require only BSN applicants.

As such, we encourage you to ask yourself what’s important to you right now. What are your career goals? Do you desire a leadership position in nursing, or are you seeking one of the specific jobs that require a BSN degree? Do you want to position yourself for upward mobility, or expand your skills beyond your current RN job? If so, a BSN degree is the right path for you.

However, if you are looking to launch your career in nursing for the first time, and looking to start providing important care to patients right away, an associate degree in Nursing may be your first step. An associate degree in Nursing offers a shorter path towards your RN license, taking about two years to complete. And it positions you to go back to school, later down the line, via an RN-to-BSN program.

An RN-to-BSN program is a flexible option for nurses who have an RN license but wish to take the leap and earn their BSN degree. RN-to-BSN programs are available entirely online and can be completed part-time – in just 12 months at Goodwin University.

So, what will your move be? No choice is the wrong one, but it’s important to consider your needs, your career aspirations, and your timeline. No matter the pathway, Goodwin University can get you there. Our nursing school offers several entry-level and advanced nursing degrees, designed with flexibility in mind.

Learn more by calling 800-889-3282 today.