BSN Benefits for Nurses

While the role of a nurse historically required skill-based competencies, nurses are now expected to make decisions, understand health policy, and perform successfully in a collaborative, team-based environment. As healthcare continues to advance and patients’ needs become more complex, a growing number of hospitals are establishing new standards for their nursing staff, mostly hiring nurses who hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

The BSN benefits are numerous when compared to an associate degree. Some of the reasons to pursue a BSN include:

  • Employment opportunity
  • Job security
  • Readiness for graduate study
  • Career advancement
  • Potentially higher salaries
  • Specialization
  • Flexibility
  • Potential for leadership roles
  • Improved patient care

Employers Prefer Hiring BSN-Prepared Nurses

One of the primary BSN benefits is that a bachelor’s degree sets you up to have better job prospects. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) considers a BSN the minimum preparation for RNs because of their higher skill level. More and more, employers prefer or require RNs to have earned a BSN. A 2022 AACN survey found that more than 27% of hospitals and facilities require new RN hires to hold BSNs. The survey also showed that more than 71% of employers strongly prefer hiring BSN program graduates. It’s also worth noting that many acute care hospitals and public health agencies will only hire BSN nurses.

BSN-Prepared Nurses Lead to Improved Patient Outcomes

Hospitals with Magnet status are known for nursing excellence and superior patient outcomes and are looking to hire BSN-prepared nurses. Several studies have shown that having better-educated nursing staffs leads to better patient outcomes, including lower mortality rate, shorter hospital stays, and decreased readmission rates.

Some States May Require a BSN

The state of New York has already enacted legislation requiring all registered nurses to earn a BSN within 10 years of licensure. More U.S. states are likely to follow suit in the upcoming years.

By earning a nursing BSN degree, you can start your career without interruption.

Contact our team of admissions counselors to hear more about all the BSN benefits that come with earning your nursing degree at CTX.

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