You’ve already become a registered nurse, so why pursue a bachelor’s in nursing? Here we name seven excellent reasons why getting an RN to BSN degree is a smart choice for your future.

  1. More opportunities for advancement are available when you earn your BSN, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some career paths you come across will only be open to nurses holding a bachelor’s or master’s degree. The BSN becomes especially necessary if you ever decide you want to pursue an administrative position.
  2. Hospitals and other healthcare groups are aiming to improve their reputations by expecting more from their RNs, and the demand for nurses having credentials beyond an associate’s degree continues to grow. Earning your BSN can help you meet that demand.
  3. A bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for admission to graduate nursing programs in research, consulting and teaching. Not to mention all four advanced practice nursing specialties, which include clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners, require their candidates to have a bachelor’s degree, according to the Bureau.
  4. Earning your BSN means you will receive more training in key areas like communication, leadership and critical thinking. These types of training are becoming even more vital as nursing care increases in complexity. Not to mention bachelor’s degree programs requires more clinical experience outside a hospital setting.
  5. Online RN to BSN degree options are designed for working nurses who already have active careers so that they won’t have to put their job on hold to advance their careers. Online programs give you the flexibility to manage your own weekly schedule and set your own pace toward graduation. And if you find an accredited RN to BSN program, you won’t have to sacrifice quality either.
  6. You have the opportunity to earn a higher income. Nurses’ wages are set based on their degree level and experience, so give yourself the potential for a boost by earning your BSN.
  7. Many times, your current health care organization employer will pay for it. Ask your boss if you have the option to further your degree and whether or not your company will pay for your courses. Often, employers will be eager to equip their employees with better credentials. This will mean a win-win situation for both you and your employer.