What Schooling Does a Nurse Anesthetist Need

What Are the Goals of a BSN Program?

All states require individuals who wish to practice as registered nurses to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The National Council of State Boards of Nursing maintains the integrity of the test and administers it through state nursing boards across the country.

Currently, nursing students with a two-year associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution can sit for the NCLEX-RN. However, the nursing field shows a growing trend toward establishing the BSN as the minimum educational requirement to sit for the NCLEX-RN.

Nursing professionals cite several reasons for this trend, including the ability of BSN-trained nurses to provide more comprehensive patient care that often results in improved patient outcomes. New York recently adopted the "BSN-in-10" law that requires ADN-trained RNs to complete a BSN within 10 years of getting their initial RN license. A BSN also gives nurses who plan to continue on to a master of science in nursing (MSN) a solid educational foundation. Indeed, many MSN programs often require a BSN.

FAQ

How long does it take to earn a BSN?

Like most bachelor's degrees, it takes four years to complete a BSN. Other factors, such as enrollment status and a student's educational background, may impact the typical time frame.

What if I'm already a registered nurse?

Most ADN-trained RNs complete a BSN in two years. However, some schools and districts list additional requirements that affect the time it takes to earn a BSN.

Is a BSN required to become a nurse?

Currently, students do not need a BSN to work as an RN. Students only need to complete an accredited nursing program and pass the NCLEX-RN.

Do nurses with BSNs earn a better salary?

As a rule, earning a degree correlates to a higher income in most industries. However, the state and the specific nursing arena also impact RN salaries.

Recommended Online Programs

Accreditation for BSN Programs

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) oversee the process of higher education accreditation. The accrediting process is voluntary in the U.S. The ED and CHEA ensure that accrediting bodies conform to the highest recommended educational standards.

Accreditors evaluate an institution's academic programs along with several other factors, including a school's financial policies, student services, and campus facilities and operations. Importantly, the ED channels federal financial aid only through accredited institutions. Students may not qualify for scholarships and grants if they choose to enroll in an unaccredited school. Regional accreditors focus on both private and public degree-granting nonprofit institutions, while national accrediting bodies review career-oriented, sectarian, and vocational schools.

Relatedly, programmatic accreditors focus on specific programs rather than entire schools. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education serves as the main accrediting body for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral nursing degrees.

Career and Salary Outlook for RNs

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 12% growth rate RN jobs between 2018 and 2028, much faster than the projected 5% growth rate for all other occupations during the same period. BLS data also shows medical and surgical hospitals as hiring the highest number of RNs (1,698,700), in fact, employing almost one-third of RNs in the country. The states hiring the highest number of RNs include the following: California (294,510), Texas (210,350), New York (182,490), Florida (177,600), and Pennsylvania (148,520).

RNs also earn a higher median annual salary than the average worker, $73,300 versus $39,810, respectively. The top paying states for RNs include: California ($106,950), Hawaii ($98,080), Massachusetts ($92,140), and Oregon ($91,080). Additionally, the table below shows that RNs earning salaries in the bottom 10% of the profession still earn a higher salary than the national median.

Bottom 10%	Median Annual Salary	Top 10%
Less than $50,800	$71,730	More than $106,530

Source: BLS

Certifications and Licensure for Nurses

RN licensure usually requires applicants to meet two basic criteria: graduating from an accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN. The exam focuses on four practice areas: safe and effective care environment, health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity. The last practice arena, which tests the ability of applicants to deliver proper nursing care, typically constitutes 43-67% of NCLEX-RN questions.

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) enables licensed nurses to practice in more than one state. States who join the NLC allow licensed nurses from member states to practice within their jurisdiction. To date, NLC counts 32 states as full members, with several more waiting for implementation.

Many states require RNs who hold postgraduate degrees or advanced practice training/certification to apply for an additional license in the specific nursing arena which they chose to pursue. Examples of additional nursing licenses include the certified registered nurse anesthetist and psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialist.

Courses in BSN Programs

A four-year bachelor's degree in nursing typically consists of 120 credits. Students with an ADN can often earn a BSN in two years, depending on their academic background and the school's coursework requirements. Although BSN courses, especially at the junior and senior levels, often differ greatly among schools, many cover essential nursing topics, including anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and basic pharmacology.

Accredited BSN programs give students the opportunity to develop strong research, analytical, and communication skills that help them throughout their nursing career. The courses listed below represent a typical cluster of offerings by BSN programs.

Ethics in Nursing and Healthcare

Students learn about important healthcare issues that often raise ethical concerns in nursing practice, such as informed consent, advanced care planning, and disclosing medical conditions. The course also demonstrates how different factors influence ethical nursing practice, including cultural norms, economic constraints, and legislation.

Introduction of Basic Statistics for Evidence-Based Practice

Students learn about the principles and concepts of inferential and descriptive statistics commonly used in health science research. Learners can also perform statistical tests and evaluate, summarize, and present their findings.

Nursing Informatics

Students learn how to analyze different types of healthcare data and incorporate them into an effective treatment plan for patients. Learners examine current and emerging information technologies that enable them to better collect, interpret, and manage clinical information to support timely patient care.

Pharmacology and Therapeutics Across the Lifespan

In this foundational pharmacology course, students learn how to administer drug therapy to patients by studying and integrating concepts in chemistry, physiology, and pathophysiology. Additionally, the course covers topics relevant to the pharmacology field such as drug testing and approval, dosage calculations, and pharmacokinetics.

Transition into Professional Nursing Practice

Usually taken during a student's senior year, this course helps students synthesize knowledge from previous coursework. Students explore how healthcare policies and nursing leadership shape current nursing practice and impact the direction of the nursing profession.

Scholarships for BSN Students

Begin your search for financial assistance by exploring the five scholarship opportunities presented below. Keep in mind that colleges and universities with BSN programs often offer scholarships for students that meet specific criteria. Additional funding sources include federal grants, local and national civic organizations, and private special-interest groups.

Barbara Rhomberg Excellence in Nursing Scholarship

Who Can Apply: The program accepts nontraditional nursing students pursuing an associate or bachelor of nursing degree on a full-time basis. The program defines nontraditional students as those having at least a three-year gap between graduating from high school and enrolling in a college or university.
Amount: $1,000

Behavioral Health Academic Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Administered by the American Addiction Centers, this scholarship accepts applications from undergraduate students enrolled in a program focused on substance abuse disorders and mental health treatment. Eligible programs include nursing, counseling, and social work.
Amount: up to $5,000

Geraldine "Polly" Bednash Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.2 and be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in nursing through an institution accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
Amount: $5,000

Dr. Lauranne Sams Scholarship

Who Can Apply: This scholarship program only considers applications from members of the National Black Nurses Association. Applicants must currently be enrolled in a nursing program and have at least one year left in their studies at the time of application.
Amount: $5,000

National CPR Association Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Applicants must submit an essay (500-1,500 words) concerning their personal thoughts on or experience with administering CPR. The program accepts applications from students pursuing a degree in the medical or healthcare field, including nursing.
Amount: $3,000

Best Campus BSN Programs

Begin your search for the ideal BSN program by examining the following list of schools. Contact the school or department directly for any specific questions you may have regarding admission, transfer credits, or course availability in order to ensure the most accurate and current information.

See our rankings methodology page.

[accordion-rankings gid="2PACX-1vS7rnQ_7OUUpscaLWDhfiqLc5iSLTTb3fbskOAsJecdp0v9FODe1OTsz9bw4OHgSbndGNcIp__n-wnz"]

Learn More…

• What Kinds of Degrees Are Available in Nursing?

Online College Resources

Helping you prepare and gain the most out of your educational experience.

Most Affordable Online Law Schools 2021

November 23, 2021   |   CollegeChoice.net Staff

A law degree can increase earning potential and career opportunities. Here, we list the best online programs available.

Best Online Colleges and Universities

November 22, 2021   |   Staff Writers

According to the , 7,313,623 students enrolled in at least one distance education course at degree-granting postsecondary institutions in fall 2019. The year 2021 is an ideal time to pursue...

What Schooling Does a Nurse Anesthetist Need

Source: https://www.collegechoice.net/healthcare/nursing/bsn/best-programs/

Share this post