Nursing Bachelor's Degrees

Whether you're a registered nurse aiming to take your career to the next level, or a nursing novice interested in a more comprehensive and well-rounded college experience, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) may be the perfect route for you.

•    A bachelor's degree is the most common degree path for individuals entering the nursing field today.
•    A bachelor's degree will expose you to the research, science, and leadership side of nursing, preparing you for career options beyond the bedside.
•    Completing a bachelor's degree provides you with a stepping stone to a masters degree and increased opportunities.

But What Will I Learn With a Bachelor's Degree?

That depends on the level at which you start your degree – students enrolled in full four-year BSN programs will start with the basics and ascend from there. Students enrolled in RN to BSN nursing bridge programs, on the other hand, will have had their basics covered during their first degree and can proceed directly to more advanced concepts. All nursing bachelor's programs will cover such basics as:

•    Anatomy and Physiology
•    Safety and Infection Control
•    Disease Detection and Prevention
•    Administering of Medication
•    Patient-Professional Communication
•    Ethics and Legal Issues in Health Care

The latter years of the course will delve deeper into those concepts, as well as covering topics like:

•    Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
•    Promoting a Positive Public Image
•    Current Trends in Health Care Theory

For students taking a full four-year course, the degree will also act as training for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

What Kind of Career Can I Find?

Though an associate's degree is the base education level needed for a license, many hospitals encourage that their employees go for the four-year degree.

If you are new to nursing, a Bachelors Degree in Nursing means a ticket straight from college to a career. The degree qualifies students to take the nursing license exam.  

If you are building on your two-year degree, you may already be working as a nurse—in your case, your options for advancement improve considerably with a bachelors degree, whether you choose to specialize your talents or move into administration.

Of course, if you decide to push your education even further, a bachelor's degree is a huge asset, as it is needed to enroll in higher education programs like master's degrees and doctorates.