Benefits of Earning a BSN Degree: How to Tell You're Ready to Move from RN to BSN
Working as a nurse can be an incredibly rewarding career, but at some point, you may find yourself wanting more. If you are looking to take on additional responsibilities and challenges in your career, it could be time to consider moving from RN to BSN by completing your bachelor's degree. Here's what you need to know to decide if you are ready to make this transition and open yourself up to new opportunities in your nursing career.
RN and BSN Basics
In order to receive the Registered Nurse (RN) designation, you must complete a two- to three-year associate's degree or diploma program. This will get your foot in the door in a variety of entry-level nursing jobs. For example, you might work in a long-term care facility for seniors or assist a general practitioner on a daily basis. Depending on the size of your employer, you may also have opportunities to move up into more challenging roles as you gain experience.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is a traditionally four-year program, though you can complete it in less time if you are already an RN. Even less than that if you take an accelerated course of study. This could open up new roles in your career path, like managerial roles and those in surgical settings. While it is not possible to guarantee an increase in salary, it is likely that your additional duties and responsibilities will generate higher pay.
Knowing When the Time Is Right for You
There are many ways you can tell that pursuing additional education might be the right path for you:
- You Love What You Do: If you truly enjoy your work and find fulfillment in it, that is a sure sign that you are committed to nursing as your career. Furthering your education should enable you to grow and develop into an even better nurse.
- You Have Learned All You Can in Your Current Role: Your first job--or first few--can provide great learning opportunities to help you build your skill set. However, you'll likely reach a point where you feel that growth is tapering off. To make a larger leap forward, going back to school could be a great option.
- You Enjoy Challenging Yourself: As you might expect, the coursework in a BSN program will be more complex than in your previous courses, so you'll need to be up to the challenge. If the thought of that extra work excites you rather than scares you, you'll likely have a good chance of success in a BSN program.
Benefits for Your Nursing Career
Completing additional schooling, like a BSN program, will typically create new opportunities in your career. For starters, you may be able to take on a leadership role or work in more critical scenarios.
Later on, you could even decide to specialize in a particular area of nursing, allowing you to focus on what you are truly passionate about rather than providing more general nursing care. The more skills and greater expertise you have, the more opportunities you'll find coming your way.
Complete Your Degree at ECPI University
ECPI University is here to help you take the next step in your nursing career. We are proud to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree program specifically for RNs looking to become BSNs. What’s more, this program runs at an accelerated pace. Helping you to reach your goals without spending years upon years in school. For more information, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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