At the heart of the healthcare industry in the U.S. are the nursing professionals. They are often called the patient’s voice because nurses not only provide care but also speak on the patient’s behalf if necessary.
Because of this, the nurse’s position is growing fastest than ever. In fact, over the next few years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of Registered Nurses (RNs) to rise at least 12 %, which is much faster than the average for many professions.
If you are thinking about your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), whether you are already employed as an RN or you are considering moving into a more rewarding area of nursing expertise, read on to discover important information about getting your nursing degree in 2021.
Nurses Will Always Be Needed: Job Security
According to a fact sheet from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), a rise of just 10% in the number of BSN nurses within hospital wards causes an 11% decrease in patient mortality along with a lower incidence rate of problems such as postoperative deep vein complications and ulcers. Lastly, treatment given by nurses can also contribute to lowering readmission rates.
Nursing Salary
Nursing is not only an emotionally rewarding career but financially lucrative. The average salary for a registered nurse is $64,830. This means you can expect to earn anywhere from $28-$36 per hour according to salary.com.
What is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree?
A BSN is a rigorous four-year degree program that covers the basics of the nursing career. It offers a well-rounded education that can help you grow as an individual and as a physician. If you plan to continue to move upward in your nursing career, then you will need this four year degree. It brings with it access to a wide range of career openings, along with leadership positions, job stability, and improved earnings. Furthermore, the BSN offers in-depth preparation in terms of professional growth, which will boost your expertise and the standard of treatment. Once you have your degree you become a registered nurse.
Benefits of a BSN Degree
A BSN degree program provides many advantages worth considering. You may be the ideal choice for a BSN if you are passionate about improving both your income opportunities and your willingness to deliver outstanding treatment to your patients. A BSN degree offers you:
- More job opportunities: You may know that certain nursing careers are only available to those with a BSN degree. Teaching nurses, research nurses, and nurses employed by several governmental institutions in the U.S. all required a BSN. The military also requires a bachelor’s degree. To get into most graduate nursing programs and seek senior nursing jobs, you need a BSN. Four of the top-paying nursing occupations require a BSN as a starting point: specialist nurse, anesthetist nurse, midwife nurse and practitioner nurse. Also, you need a BSN degree if you wish to move away from simple clinical treatment and apply to a variety of career opportunities in areas like pediatrics, diabetes, oncology, surgery, and much more. With a BSN, you can select several popular working areas like health care institutions, clinics, nursing care institutions, doctors’ offices, and teaching.
- Higher paying jobs: Nurses with a BSN degree are eligible for higher-earning opportunities because they can apply for senior positions. According to PayScale, nurses with an associates degree in nursing earn around $64K, while BSN-educated nurses make double this amount.
- Better professional training: BSN students develop critical and innovative thinking skills, learn to interact and connect with patients and families, use ethical decision making, and practice skilled nursing.
- More specialized patient care: Nurses with a BSN usually provide superior patient treatment thanks to the specialized abilities acquired from a BSN curriculum. According to the AACN, higher education in nursing provides a noticeable difference in patient care. Nurses with a BSN achieve higher patient recovery rates, lower death rates, and lower rates of failure-to-rescue.
- Next step in your career as a nurse: The field of nursing will require all nurses to have a BSN degree as competition continues to grow. According to the New York Times, students seeking a nursing career in today’s workforce are urged to get their BSN within several years of receiving their associate certificate unless they want to get stuck in their career path. Most advanced nurse positions are filled with nurses possessing a BSN.
- Eligible for leadership positions: Nurse manager and upper-level nursing staff jobs require a BSN. If your future plans include upward mobility in your career, then you need to earn your BSN.
Other Types of Nursing Degrees
If a four-year degree is not something you can pursue at this time, then consider becoming a certified nurse’s assistant (CNA). You are not officially a nurse with this certification but for many it serves as a beginning point to see if you really like nursing without committing to a full four year program. The training program usually lasts from three to six weeks. With a CNA you can work in a nursing home, assist in bathing patients, helping them to dress or eat and other daily activities. Licenses Practical Nurses (LPN) monitor the basic care of their patients and can so more medical procedures than a CNA. This certification is a lower level nursing degree and is often completed in one year. If you feel you can go to school for an additional year then you can receive your associate’s degree in nursing, which means you are considered a registered nurse. The difference between the associate’s degree in nursing and the BSN is that you only go for 18 months to 2 years, will make less in salary, and will have the types of procedures and tasks you are allowed to take on.
