Nurses are among the most in-demand professions, with about 1.8 million projected job openings annually to 2032. Registered nurses make a median annual salary of $81,220, with the highest ten percent earning more than $129,400, so learning the skills to snag one of these many job opportunities is well worth the investment.
Due to high levels of job security and satisfaction in nursing, candidates passionate about helping others often feel called to the field. To get started, aspiring nurses have the option to pursue an associate degree in Nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN). Many nurses complete both types of degrees for their varying benefits.
When weighing the educational options, many prospective nurses wonder, “What do you learn in a BSN program?” Even seasoned nurses, who have been working in the field for some time, look at the prospect of advancing their degree. They ask questions like, “How will a BSN program advance my knowledge and skills in nursing?”
Below, we’ll answer these questions and more. We will highlight examples of the BSN courses available, typical program outcomes, and the next steps to take if a BSN program is right for you.
What is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program?
Although a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree isn’t required to become a registered nurse, it offers many benefits to registered nurses and those just entering the field. While an associate degree in Nursing covers the fundamentals of patient care, a BSN program gives candidates the skills, knowledge, theory, and practice needed to think critically, creatively, and ethically and demonstrate leadership skills when coordinating patient care.
Plus, a BSN positions nurses for advanced study and graduate-level nursing education, including a Master of Science in Nursing or various APRN programs later in their careers.
Not to mention that Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees are increasingly preferred among employers, with some even having this degree as a requirement. For example, the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Veterans Administration, and the U.S. Public Health Service all require candidates to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited BSN program.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees provide nurses with the skills and in-depth knowledge that also readies them for senior-level nursing roles. These programs go well beyond the basics of patient care, diving into advanced topics like nursing theory, healthcare policy, nursing leadership, research methods, and more.
Like associate degree programs, BSN programs also prepare students to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®), the standardized test used to determine whether a nursing student is prepared for entry-level nursing practice and a requirement for their registered nurse licensure.
What courses do you take in a BSN program?
There are several different types of BSN degree programs, depending on your level of experience and education.
Those entering the nursing field and going to college for the first time will require a traditional, entry-level BSN program that takes four years to complete.
Aspiring RNs who already have a bachelor’s but are changing careers to nursing should seek out a shorter-term, full-time accelerated BSN program.
For already licensed RNs looking to advance their careers and skillsets, a fast-paced, online, and part-time RN-to-BSN program is the best fit.
Learn about the different pathways to earning a BSN degree at Goodwin University here!
Entry-level BSN programs cover introductory nursing courses as well as more advanced clinical matters, while RN-to-BSN programs focus on the more advanced nursing topics. No matter the type of BSN degree, though, students can expect to take the following classes:
- Community and Public Health Nursing: This course teaches the knowledge and skills needed to promote health and wellness within communities and address population-specific needs.
- Foundations of the Nursing Profession: This course explores the historical and ethical foundations of nursing, fostering professional identity and a commitment to ethical practice.
- Health Assessment and Skill Development: Through hands-on training, students gain the ability to conduct comprehensive patient assessments.
- Healthcare Policy and Advocacy: This course covers healthcare policy issues and candidates’ role in advocating for patients and the nursing profession.
- Leadership and Management in Nursing: This course teaches skills to effectively lead and manage nursing teams.
- Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice: Students learn to use research findings in evidence-based nursing practices.
- Pharmacology for Nurses: This course helps nurses gain a deep understanding of medications, their uses, and potential side effects, ensuring safe and effective medication administration.
- Principles of Pathophysiology: This course covers the underlying mechanisms of disease processes, enabling you to provide informed care.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program outcomes
Candidates can pursue a variety of positions in the healthcare industry by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
In addition to hospitals, BSN nurses can work in primary and preventive care settings within the community, in patients’ private homes, outpatient centers, and neighborhood schools and clinics.
Furthermore, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree holders enjoy the following benefits when compared to an associate program alone:
- Advanced level of clinical confidence for patient care, especially in high-pressure settings
- A more robust résumé
- Increased job stability
- Career flexibility. Further professional opportunities in a wider range of environments, such as clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners
- Higher earning potential. More possibilities for raises and promotions
- Using education credentials to climb the career latter and stand out among the competition
- Ability to apply for nursing jobs that require a bachelor’s degree, such as Military Nursing or School Nursing.
Lastly, if individuals want to move into administrative or educational nursing roles, they will need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
Earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree at Goodwin University
Now that we’ve answered the question, ‘What do you learn in a BSN program?’, it’s time to take the next step by applying to our programs at Goodwin University.
We offer the following Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees:
- Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN): Our program can be completed online and part-time in 16 months. Courses can also be customized to meet your scheduling needs. The part-time, online format allows you to continue working while attending school. You can enroll in this program anytime after receiving your RN license.
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN): Our accelerated program can also be completed full-time in as few as 16 months in an online/on-campus hybrid format. This program is designed to help students earn their bachelor’s degree fast.
Our nursing programs operate on a three-semester academic year, and applications are accepted three times a year, with no waitlist for enrollment.
Whether you are an aspiring or seasoned nurse, working in the field, or just starting out, Goodwin University has a flexible, fast-paced nursing program for you. Apply today or contact us for more information. We’re ready when you are!
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.