There are many benefits of a BSN degree, including better patient outcomes, higher pay, and diverse career options. A BSN also prepares you to obtain graduate-level nursing education, which is often necessary for pursuing career advancement.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is valuable for nurses who desire to provide better patient care and are interested in advancing their career. As healthcare becomes increasingly complex, so does the work of nurses, and healthcare employers are taking notice. Many employers prefer that registered nurses hold a baccalaureate degree because of the many benefits of a BSN degree for patients and healthcare organizations.
Starting your nursing career with a BSN degree is a smart choice, but earning one does not always require committing to a four-year degree track. Instead, students with a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree can earn a BSN in as few as 12 months with Mercer University’s Second Degree Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) track. This track confers the same degree as you would earn through a traditional four-year BSN program, with the same advantages for your nursing career.
Before submitting your nursing school application, take a closer look at why a BSN is generally preferred by employers over a nursing diploma or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Learn about how a BSN benefits nurses and patients and then get started on your academic pathway.
What Is a BSN and Why Is It Preferred?
A BSN is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. It provides the nursing education and immersive experience necessary to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and obtain a registered nurse (RN) license. Although there are other educational pathways toward becoming an RN, a BSN is preferred.
In the National Academy of Medicine’s report, The Future of Nursing 2020-2030, they cite the ongoing industry-wide goal of 80% of nurses earning a BSN degree, and reference the correlation between the proportion of BSN-educated nurses and better patient outcomes.
This initiative has continued a dialogue about the need for bachelor’s-level training in the increasingly complex nursing field. Baccalaureate-prepared nurses are associated with better patient outcomes, and earning a BSN can help you to further develop your nursing career.
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The Top Benefits of a BSN Degree
Most nurses focus on making evidence-based decisions that help their patients heal better. A BSN benefits patients by better preparing nurses to develop strong clinical judgment through a more thorough grounding in coursework, labs, and clinical rotations.
1. Better Patient Care Outcomes
When patients are treated by BSN-prepared nurses, they are more likely to experience better outcomes. One study in Research in Nursing & Health found that increasing the number of BSN-prepared nurses in hospitals reduced mortality rates and even led to shorter hospital stays.
This could be attributed to the effectiveness of BSN tracks in teaching nursing students critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and clinical judgment. For example, students in the ABSN track at Mercer University learn more than essential nursing skills. Through a combination of online nursing theory coursework, skills and simulation labs, and clinical experiences at healthcare facilities across the Atlanta metropolitan area, Mercer University’s ABSN students learn to care for patients holistically, placing special emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving.
2. Better Career Opportunities
What are the advantages of a BSN for nurses? As a job seeker, compared to RNs whose highest level of education is an associate degree, BSN holders have access to more and higher-quality career opportunities. Some hospitals will only hire nurses with a BSN, while others require a BSN or higher for nurse leadership positions. Others have a strong preference for BSN-prepared RNs.
For example, in order for a hospital to achieve Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, 100% of nurse managers must hold a BSN degree or higher. As more hospitals set their sights on the Magnet designation and more future nurses pursue BSN degrees, it is expected that healthcare providers will give hiring preference to nurses with a BSN.
3. Higher Pay
In most fields, a higher degree level translates to higher earning potential, and that is generally the case with nursing as well. While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics makes no distinction between registered nurses with a BSN vs. an ADN, nurses with a BSN do generally earn stronger salaries.
Nurses with a BSN are also better positioned to pursue higher-level career opportunities, which typically translate to higher pay.
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4. Career Longevity
Many employers have already adjusted their hiring policies by requiring applicants to hold a BSN degree to start a new job. Others have mandated specific timeframes within which RNs must earn a BSN. In light of these growing trends, the industry is approaching a time when a BSN may be a requirement for RNs across the board, which suggests that starting your nursing career with a BSN is a smart way to improve your prospects.
5. Diverse Career Options
With a BSN, you will be qualified for positions in traditional clinical settings as well as some nontraditional settings. Many nurses begin their careers in a hospital, and later transition to careers in specialty clinics or nursing jobs away from the bedside altogether. As a BSN-educated nurse, you will have plenty of options when it comes to places of work and job descriptions. For example, some nurses step into telehealth roles, while others work at insurance companies or legal firms.
6. A Foundation for Career Advancement
Another important benefit of a BSN in the nursing field is that it opens the door to pursue a graduate program in the future. Even if you have not considered a graduate program yet, as you progress in your nursing career, you may find a niche you would like to study further at the graduate level. A BSN lays a foundation for graduate-level nursing education, which can lead to further career advancement.
7. Flexibility of ABSN Tracks
At first, it may seem that pursuing a bachelor’s degree will be challenging due to the amount of time required to complete a traditional BSN track. Earning a BSN through an accelerated track like Mercer University’s is achievable sooner than a two-year ADN degree. Mercer’s ABSN track can enable you to earn your nursing degree in as few as 12 months after completing any necessary prerequisites.
How a BSN Prepares You for the Future of Nursing
Is pursuing a BSN worth it? A BSN is valuable if you are interested in switching careers to the nursing field. With a BSN, you will enjoy a comprehensive education, with immersive learning opportunities and a thorough curriculum that prepares you to tackle complex patient care challenges. You will also be able to adapt to future changes in the nursing field, such as changes in technology.
A BSN also provides a foundation for ongoing nursing education and professional development. With a BSN, you will be prepared to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, both of which can help you advance your career.
Earn Your BSN in as Few as 12 Months
If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, Mercer University’s 12-month ABSN track in Atlanta, Georgia, can provide a faster path toward a rewarding career in nursing. Our students receive individualized attention, thanks to our small class sizes and Academic Success Coaches. Our high-tech, fully equipped labs provide hands-on learning experience, and our comprehensive curriculum maintains a practice-ready focus.
Request information today to find out if Mercer University’s ABSN could be your quickest path to a career in nursing.