Nursing is one of the only health professions with multiple pathways for entry-level practice. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program includes all the same content taught at the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) level and diploma program. However, it dives deeper into assessment, research, evidence-based practice, community health and nursing leadership.
As a result, a bridge program for registered nurses (RNs) — such as the online RN to BSN program from Northwestern Missouri State University — prepares students for a broader scope of nursing practice. Students gain a better understanding of the cultural, ethnic, economic and social issues that affect patients and healthcare delivery.
The Future of Nursing
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) believes the minimum preparation requirement for registered nurses should be a BSN. The National Academy of Medicine (formerly known as the Institute of Medicine or IOM) issued the Future of Nursing report in 2011, proposing the 80% BSN by 2020 initiative: a move to increase the percentage of U.S. working nurses with a BSN to 80% by the end of 2020.
Driving factors behind this initiative included:
- The increasing complexity of healthcare
- A growing amount of research for better patient outcomes with BSN-prepared nurses
- The rising need for communication and leadership skills
In support, New York passed BSN in 10, a law requiring RNs to obtain a BSN within 10 years of initial licensure. While 2020 was not the year that the BSN-prepared nursing workforce surpassed the 80% mark in the U.S., the percentage of RNs with a baccalaureate degree in nursing or higher hit 70% for the first time in 2022, according to NCSBN’s National Nursing Workforce Study.
Organizational Recognition and Reputation
Organizations may need a certain percentage of BSN-prepared nurses for certification or credentialing. For example, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program is a nod to an organization’s nursing excellence, considered the “gold medal” in nursing. This coveted recognition not only helps attract and retain nurses but also signals the hospital’s commitment to care quality, patient safety and patient satisfaction. As such, Magnet recognition often serves as a marketing tool for recruiting nurses and attracting patients.
For a hospital to receive Magnet recognition, all the organization’s nurse leaders and nurse managers must have a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in nursing. Thus, if nurses want to advance to leadership positions in the nation’s top hospitals, earning a BSN is a must.
Better Patient Outcomes
Organizations that employ nurses with higher levels of education may have better patient outcomes. AACN cites numerous studies that give evidence of this relationship between nursing education level and patient outcomes.
For instance, a cross-sectional study published in 2022 found that higher proportions of BSN-prepared nurses in hospitals resulted in “lower odds of 30-day inpatient surgical mortality.” BSN programs support these positive outcomes by giving nurses thorough preparation in skill-areas like leadership and communication, safety, data analysis and project implementation.
Job Security and Certification
According to 2023 research from AACN, nearly 70% of employers strongly prefer BSN program graduates, and 25% of employers require that new hires have a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Several military branches require a baccalaureate degree for certain nursing positions or to practice as an active duty RN, and the Veterans Administration (VA) requires it for promotion.
Further, employers and the public alike often prefer nurses with certification. Certifications give nurses the expertise and credential needed for nursing practice specializations such as holistic nursing or nursing informatics. Each nursing certification has specific requirements, often including a bachelor’s in nursing or higher. The prevalence of nurses with specialty certifications also appears to positively impact a facility’s patient outcomes as well as nurses’ levels of job satisfaction and well-being.
Expanding Career Paths
A BSN provides nurses with opportunities for career advancements such as leadership roles or non-hospital jobs. Non-traditional roles — such as clinical nursing educators, nurse informaticists, case managers or quality assurance or risk managers — typically require a minimum of a BSN degree. Additionally, most specialties in areas such as pediatrics, oncology or mental health will either highly prefer or require a BSN.
Of course, a bachelor’s in nursing is also the first step toward a master’s degree, which is a requirement for higher and more autonomous levels of nursing practice such as that of the nurse practitioner. The nurse practitioner occupation is one of the two fastest growing occupations in the country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Higher Earning Potential
According to the American Nurses Association, nurses with a BSN can earn about $18,000 more per year than nurses with just an associate degree. ZipRecruiter data from August 2024 shows a more substantial wage premium for the bachelor’s degree, with BSN-prepared RNs making an average salary of $125,323 per year, compared to an average annual salary of $80,321 for ADN nurses.
Employers are also more likely to promote BSNs to leadership roles with higher salaries like charge nurse or manager. In addition, many higher-paying positions — such as legal nurse consultant or pharmaceutical nurse — require a minimum of a BSN.
The BSN is the future of nursing in healthcare. It prepares students for expanding roles and new directions. For example, virtual nurses can provide concierge-like services, working remotely to serve as the patient/caregiver point of contact for all interactions including clinical, reimbursement, education, care coordination and adherence. An online BSN increases a nurse’s competitive edge in the marketplace and, in general, benefits nurses, patients and employers alike.
Learn more about Northwest’s online RN to BSN program.
