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RN VS BSN: What You Should Know Before Choosing A Nursing Degree

By Susan Haubrich

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 27Feb2012 Word count: 643 Viewed: 43 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

Nursing is not only an important career that directly improves people's lives; it is also a field with excellent employment opportunities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects there will be over 3.2 million jobs available for Registered Nurses alone by 2018. The job market is growing, salaries are growing, there are more career opportunities in the field of nursing than ever before, and there may be more nursing degree choices than you're aware of. Before choosing a nursing degree that is best for you, consider the following points:

Educational Commitment

For most students, the cost and length of education is a crucial factor when comparing nursing degree choices. The minimum educational degree required to qualify for registered nursing is an Associate Degree in Nursing. An ADN takes 2 to 3 years to complete and many community colleges offer ADN programs. The cost to attend a community college is typically much lower than a four-year college or university. Passing the National Council Licensure Examination-RN is also required before an ADN graduate can qualify as a RN.

A BSN or Bachelor of Science in Nursing requires a minimum of four years to complete. A nursing student can opt to begin their education at a community college and complete a bachelor's degree at a university or enroll in a four-year school from the start. A BSN graduate is also qualified to take the NCLE-RN if they are choosing Registered Nursing as a career.

Career Choices

While there are several options available for a Registered Nurse, more than 50 percent of RNs work in a hospital setting. A Registered Nurse may care directly for patients and/or supervise Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants in a hospital, clinic or skilled nursing facility. Other career choices for a RN include:

• Case Management
• Assistant Unit Manager
• Medical Sales
• School Nurse

Increasingly, administrative jobs require the minimum of a bachelor's degree. For nursing students who aspire to positions such as Unit Manager, Director or Chief of Nursing, completing a BSN would be a decisive career advantage. Other opportunities for BSN graduates include:

• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Anesthetists
• Psychiatric Nurse
• Nurse Educator

Eager students may land their first "dream job" in nursing with only an associate's degree. As their dreams expand they can return to school and attain the education that will feed the next dream. Choosing a nursing degree that supports your career goals is the best educational choice you can make.

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