If you’re a registered nurse (RN) and hoping to grow in your career, a BS in Nursing could be the key. Education makes a huge difference in the jobs that you’re eligible for, and nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) are often preferred or prioritized over RNs without a BS in Nursing.

With the constantly evolving healthcare system, a bachelor’s education can help you keep up with the complex needs of patients and organizations. You’ll gain advanced clinical knowledge and preferential hiring with a BS in Nursing. You’ll also benefit from long-term career flexibility and the ability to move on to a master’s degree of your choice.

Let’s explore more about the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, including what it is and what these programs entail.

What is a BS in Nursing?

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four-year undergraduate degree program designed to equip graduates with comprehensive knowledge of healthcare, clinical practice, and nursing leadership, while fostering critical thinking skills. Going beyond the baseline requirements for your RN license, BS in Nursing programs dive into more advanced clinical skills, research, public health, policy, and leadership.

As the gold standard for nurses nationwide, the majority of hospitals, healthcare systems, and professional organizations prefer to hire nurses with a BSN over those with only an associate degree.

Common types of BS in Nursing degrees

There are a lot of great schooling options for your BS in Nursing. Traditional BS in Nursing programs take four years to complete. Typically, however, these programs aren’t built for students who are already RNs.

If you’re already a licensed RN, you may complete an RN-to-BSN program. RN-to-BSN programs offer a flexible and fast-paced path to earning a Bachelor’s in Nursing, while still allowing nurses to work full-time while going to school. The RN-to-BSN program at Goodwin University, for example, can be completed online, part-time, in just 12 months.

There are also Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs, designed for people who have a bachelor’s degree in another major. ABSN programs build on your previous general education and narrow your focus to nursing-specific courses. This allows students to complete their BSN quicker than a standard bachelor’s degree. An Accelerated BSN program usually takes between 12 and 24 months.

There are also BS in Nursing online programs. Some are hybrid or fully online, giving students flexibility to continue their education around their schedules. Hybrid programs have become increasingly popular, with much of the coursework online and in-person labs and clinical experiences available with flexible schedule options.

How a BSN degree can help your career in healthcare

While an associate degree in Nursing is valuable and will qualify you for entry-level nursing positions, a BSN often provides more career flexibility. Completing your BS in Nursing can help you achieve your career goals, as many healthcare organizations openly prefer BSN nurses. Some employers even require that you have a BSN to be considered for a nursing position within their organization.

A BS in Nursing prepares you for future advancement, whether that’s leadership, specialization, or continued education. It can help you be better prepared to tackle complex healthcare environments.

More advanced job qualifications

Healthcare organizations understand the value of a BS in Nursing. It is widely regarded as a preferred credential, especially in acute care and hospitals.

One of the most prominent examples of this is New York’s BSN-in-10 law, which requires nurses to earn their BSN within 10 years of their initial RN license. Similar policies are in the works in other states and directly within healthcare organizations to encourage a BSN as the baseline education for the majority of nurses.

Expanded career opportunities

A BSN can open the door to advanced roles within healthcare. With a BS in Nursing, you’ll be more likely to qualify for leadership positions.

If you’re interested in advancing your career down the road, a BSN is often a prerequisite. It makes you eligible to pursue a graduate degree to become a nurse practitioner (NP) or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). A BS in Nursing will give you the opportunity for long-term career mobility.

Elevated skills and knowledge

A BS in Nursing program gives you an extra two years’ worth of education. If you already have your associate degree in Nursing, that timeline is shortened, and you could complete your BSN in as little as one year. The BSN coursework that you’ll complete will deepen and expand your comprehension of patient care, the systems within healthcare, and fine-tune your clinical decision-making skills.

The classes in a BS in Nursing program offer a well-rounded education, including guided opportunities to fine-tune essential skills. It’ll cover subjects involving leadership, research, and public health, among others. In a BSN program, there’s also an emphasis on advancing critical thinking skills, which will help you lead with confidence in your nursing career.

Learn how to complete your BS in Nursing through Goodwin University

Curriculum you’ll cover in a BS in Nursing program

BS in Nursing programs cover a number of topics and courses, including:

• Community and public health in nursing
• Foundations of the nursing profession
• Health assessment and skills development
• Community and public health nursing
• Healthcare policy and advocacy
• Leadership and management in nursing
• Nursing research and evidence-based practice
• Pharmacology for nurses
• Principles of pathophysiology

This comprehensive curriculum helps make sure that students have the skills necessary for clinical excellence.

Advance your nursing career today with a BS in Nursing from Goodwin University

Ready to elevate your career in healthcare? Become a part of the Goodwin community and apply for a BS in Nursing today. With supportive faculty and staff ready to assist you, you’ll be able to complete your nursing education with ease.

See how Goodwin University can support you in the pursuit of your dreams. Take the next step toward a fulfilling future.

Learn more about Nursing programs at Goodwin University to see if a BS in Nursing is a good program choice for you.