What is a BSN Degree?
Recognizing the urgent need for qualified and educated nursing professionals, the World Health Assembly has designated 2020 as the “International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife,” and launched a global campaign to “advocate for increased investments in the nursing and midwifery workforce.” According to the World Health Organization, “The world needs 9 million more nurses and midwives if it is to achieve universal health coverage by 2030.”
One investment — for a growing number of nurses — is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a four-year college degree that addresses changes in patient care policies while outfitting nurses with critical management and leadership skills.
What is a BS in Nursing?
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or BSN, is an undergraduate degree program that provides registered nurses the education they need to stand out from the competition and excel in their field. By enrolling in a BSN degree program as an RN, nurses will receive the latest knowledge and skills needed to care for patients in the ever-changing nursing field. Additionally, a BSN can provide nurses with the educational experience to take on more responsibilities and pursue management-level roles that often require this in-depth training.
Ashford University launched its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program in 2016 in order to provide nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to advance in their careers. The undergraduate program, which is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), is comprised of 14 core courses, totaling 42 credits of the 120-degree program, and covers a wide range of increasingly relevant content, from patient care quality and safety to leadership, community health, transcultural care, ethics, and health information technology.
“Many nursing procedures change over time, and the program addresses those changes,” explains LaTonya Santo, EdD, MSN, RN, an associate professor who serves as lead faculty for Ashford’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program. “Additionally, many nurses want to obtain leadership positions, and often those positions require a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree.”
Students enrolled in the program are eligible for the RN to BSN Grant, which reduces tuition. Those who have also completed the NCLEX-RN® exam — which is required for licensure — prior to enrolling in the program, may also be eligible for college credit, which can shorten their path to graduation.
Why Do I Need a BS in Nursing?
For many nurses who have already obtained licensure, the motivation to earn a bachelor’s degree comes down to job security. In 2017, New York became the first state to mandate all nurses to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing as part of the “BSN in 10” law. BSN-educated nurses are able to provide “optimal patient outcomes,” says Santo.
“Nurses are looking to higher education in order to be more prepared, and Ashford is there to support that need,” she adds.
It’s not just state mandates that are driving the push for college-educated nurses. Demand for registered nurses is growing much faster than average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, due to “an increased emphasis on preventive care; growing rates of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity; and demand for healthcare services from the baby-boom population, as they live longer and more active lives.”
What Will I Learn in the BS in Nursing?
Ashford University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing will help you develop the technical and personal skills required to meet the needs of a growing patient population. While many nurses begin their careers with a two-year degree or diploma, Santo says a bachelor’s degree program better prepares you by focusing on three critical areas: research, leadership, and community public health.
“The bachelor’s program focuses on caring for a population of people versus one patient,” she explains. “Gone are the days when you could stay in the hospital for weeks with a minor illness. Healthcare has moved from hospitals into the community