Why Should You Get a Bachelors Degree in Nursing?

As populations` age and health care standards continue to rise, the demand for nurses with professional degrees has increased significantly. Whether you are currently a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), a Registered Nurse (RN) with an associate`s degree, or are just looking for a career change, there is no time like now to complete a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. Highly qualified, skilled nurses are currently in high demand, with nursing shortages expected to last well into the next decade and beyond.

Help to Fill the Nursing Shortage

In May 2005, the National Commission on Nursing Workforce for Long-Term Care released a report entitled "Act Now For Your Tomorrow", which found that there are nearly 100,000 vacant nursing positions in long-term care facilities on any given day. They also found that the nursing turnover rate exceeds 50%. The shortage of qualified nurses is costing long-term care facilities an estimated $4 billion per year for recruitment and training expenses.

Another report by the American Hospital Association from April 2006 found that U.S. hospitals need approximately 118,000 Registered Nurses (RNs) to fill vacant positions throughout the country. With those figures, they found the national Registered Nurse vacancy rate to be at 8.5%. The report, entitled The State of America`s Hospitals - Taking the Pulse, also found that 49% of hospital CEOs reported recruitment of RNs to be more difficult in 2005 than in previous year.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics has also recently reported some pretty grim figures; as of the publication of the report in November 2005, they estimate that more than 1.2 million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2014.

While billions of dollars have been spent trying to recruit new individuals for nursing degree programs and registered nursing positions, the increase in nursing school enrollment was only 9.6% in 2005 over the previous year. The increase is still not enough to meet the projected demand for nurses. With few people entering the profession, the average age of registered nurses is rising. According to a report issued by the Government Accounting Office, 40% of all RNs will be over the age of 50 in 2010.

With no end to nursing shortages across the country expected any time soon, those will the skills and qualifications as Registered Nurses will continue to be in high demand.

Start a New nursing Career

If you have found yourself wishing that your job was more meaningful, or that you could make a difference in the lives of others, a career in nursing may be just the thing for you. A career in nursing may offer you the satisfaction you had been looking for, but not found in other career paths.

If you have no prior medical background, meaning no training as an LPN or RN, you will first need to complete at least an LPN program on an actual college campus. Alternatively, you may enter an online BSN program but will need to take some of your courses on campus. On-campus instruction is necessary to learn the hands-on skills needed to perform the essential job functions of a nurse. It is not possible to complete your entire nursing education online without having ever stepped foot in a laboratory or clinical setting.

Once you have an LPN certificate, you may enter an LPN to RN Associate`s or Bachelor`s Degree program. Both the Associates Degree and Bachelor`s Degree programs can typically be completed online, as long as you have had the necessary clinical experience.

Increase Your Nursing Career Options

If you are already functioning in the nursing field as an LPN or RN without a Bachelor`s Degree, obtaining your BSN degree offers better employment opportunities, more job security, and increased career mobility. In order to meet the increasingly complex demands of today`s health care environment, many healthcare employers now prefer or require a minimum of a bachelor`s degree for their nursing staff.

Additionally, a BSN degree provides the educational preparation for nurses to practice with more independence in diverse settings, both within hospitals, and beyond. A BSN degree enables nurses to pursue more challenging careers in healthcare, obtain professional certification in nursing specialty fields, and also expands career options and job opportunities. Nurses with an BSN degree can practice at a higher level, with greater autonomy and responsibility. Additionally, a BSN degree is also the foundation for future nursing education such as Nursing Masters degree programs (M.S. in Nursing), and Nurse Practitioner programs.

Increase Your Earning Potential

As your experience and qualifications increase, so does your earning potential. Registered Nurses with BSN degrees command significantly higher salaries than non-BSN holding RNs and LPNs. The median salary for an LPN is $39,440, while the median salary of an RN is $68,400. Those figures are current as of January, 2009, and can be expected to continue to increase. Compared to Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses without a BSN, registered nurses with a BSN command a significantly higher salary.

Can I Complete My BSN Degree Online?

Depending on your situation, you may be able to obtain your Bachelor of Nursing Degree entirely online. If you have no prior nursing experience you will need to earn your nursing degree on an actual college campus because nursing school blends both academic learning and clinical experience which cannot be duplicated online. Once you have a nursing degree as an LPN or as an RN (Associate degree), the remainder of your nursing education can be successfully completed online. Today`s nurses can go from LPN all the way to a Doctorate in Nursing degree entirely online!

If you are currently a Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nursing, you will be able to complete your BSN degree entirely online through an accredited LPN to BSN degree program or an online RN to BSN completion program. Online coursework is equivalent to that which would be completed in a traditional on-campus setting, but may be completed at times convenient to you and offers other advantages as well which we`ll discuss next.

Why Choose an Online BSN Program?

Online nursing degree programs offers flexibility that just isn`t possible with traditional on-campus programs such as the ability to do your coursework anytime that`s convenient from any place you have internet access (24/7) rather than worrying about scheduling your work around fixed class times. Earning a BSN degree online allows you to select the nursing school and program that best suits your needs regardless of where you live, to complete your studies at your own place and pace so you can earn your degree without giving up your job and family life, costs less than traditional campus based schools, takes less time to graduate, and let`s you get started faster. There`s no need to be on any waiting list to begin an online BSN degree program either so you get to "skip to the head of the line" and you don`t even have to worry about traffic or parking either!

Explore BSN Degree Programs
Achieve the education you need to turn your nursing career goals into reality by requesting program information from nursing schools that offer accredited nursing degree programs that match your needs:
Online LPN to BSN Program Information,
Online RN to BSN Degree Completion Programs
Find Nursing Schools By State

Walden University

Online

Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at Walden University. Programs offered in management, education, psychology and health and human services.

Programs:

• B.S. in Nursing (BSN)
• B.S. in Health Studies - Health Management
• B.S. in Health Studies - Health Communication

The College Network

Online

Start your nursing career with The College Network. Earn your NLNAC/CCNE Accredited nursing degree online from one of our partner universities: Regis University, Indiana State University, Angelo State University and more at 1/2 the cost and time of traditional universities with no campus attendance, no wait list and local clinicals.

Programs:

• LPN/LVN to RN - BS in Nursing - Indiana St. - (Licensed LPN/LVNs only)
• LPN/LVN to RN - AS in Nursing (Licensed LPN/LVNs only)
• Paramedic to RN

University of Phoenix

Campus

As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.

Programs:

• BS in Nursing (RN Required)
• Licensed Practical Nurse/ Licensed Vocational Nurse to BSN
• BS in Health Administration - Health Management

Campus Locations:

Ontario
Lancaster
Diamond Bar
Murrieta
San Jose
Lathrop
Sacramento
Livermore
Costa Mesa
Fresno
Bakersfield
Pasadena
Roseville
Elk Grove
Oakland
Rancho Cordova
San Francisco
Woodland Hills
Los Angeles
Fairfield
Salida
Gardena

Roseman University

Online

The USN accelerated online program offers accelerated nursing education that allows you to earn a BSN in just 14 months. This new program blends the personal convenience of online course study with enriching clinical learning in Henderson, Nevada.

Programs:

• Accelerated BSN

California College San Diego

Campus

California College San Diego (CCSD)offers degree programs in Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, and Computer Science. Online programs are offered by our affiliated college, Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing (Online)
• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing Administration
• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing Administration with Nurse Case Manager Emphasis (Online)

Campus Locations:

National City
San Marcos
San Diego

West Coast University

Campus

Achieve your educational and professional goals with help from West Coast University. We offer accelerated Health Care Administration degrees designed for working adults like you.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• LVN to BSN
• RN to BSN

Campus Locations:

Ontario
Anaheim

University of St. Mary

Online

Give your career a boost with University of Saint Mary. We offer online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels to help make your educational and professional goals a reality.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Carrington College California

Campus

Carrington College California offers the programs you need to begin a career in healthcare. Choose from Healthcare, Massage Therapy, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, or Veterinary Services.

Programs:

• AS in Registered Nursing
• AS in Vocational Nursing
• AS in Medical Assisting

Campus Locations:

Antioch
San Leandro
Sacramento
San Jose
Stockton
Emeryville
Pleasant Hill
Citrus Heights

Chamberlain College of Nursing

Campus

Take the first step toward advancing your nursing career. Chamberlain College of Nursing offers a highly respected degree coupled with clinical learning experience in your local area.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

Campus Locations:

Addison

Grand Canyon University

Campus

Don't Miss a Day of Your Future! Grand Canyon University is offering Bachelor and Master degrees through our College of Education, Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Nursing & Health Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, and College of Entrepreneurship. Classes start soon!

Programs:

• B.S. in Health Sciences: Professional Development & Advanced Patient Care
• B.S. in Nursing (Registered Nurse - R.N. to B.S.N)

Campus Locations:

Phoenix

Saint Peter's College

Online

Saint Peter's College has prepared its students for academic excellence and professional success for over one hundred years. Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to providing each student with the opportunity for educational and spiritual enrichment. That same commitment to individual support is now available to learners everywhere via the new online degree programs offered by the College.

Programs:

• RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Intercoast Colleges

Campus

Get your career started with Intercoast Colleges. We offer a number of certificate programs in a variety of fields, including medical, allied health, massage therapy, nursing, and electrical training.

Programs:

• Vocational Nursing
• Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

Fairfield
Carson
Orange
Elk Grove
West Covina

Summit College

Campus

Get your career started with an education from Summit College. We offer programs in legal office assisting, licensed vocational nursing, office administration, administrative and clinical medical assisting, medical billing and coding, dental assisting, and accounting assisting.

Programs:

• Licensed Vocational Nurse
• Medical Assistant - Administrative & Clinical

Campus Locations:

Anaheim
Colton

Platt College

Campus

Turn your talents into a career. Nationally recognized and accredited Platt College offers degree programs in Graphic Design, Multimedia, IT Networking and Paralegal.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting
• Respiratory Therapy Associate of Science
• Medical Administrative Specialist

Campus Locations:

Ontario
Alhambra
Riverside

CBD College

Campus

Get career training with CBD College. We offer an associate degree in vocational nursing, plus diploma programs for careers in the fields of medical massage therapy/physical therapy, pharmacy tech, surgical technology, and vocational nursing.

Programs:

• Associate of Applied Sciences in Vocational Nursing
• Vocational Nursing

Campus Locations:

Los Angeles

Keiser University

Campus

Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting, AS
• Health Services Administration, AA (Online)

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

Heald College

Campus

Heald College offers 18-month associate degree programs that will prepare you for a career in Business, Technology, or Healthcare. Small class sizes, hands-on instruction.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting
• Medical Office Administration

Campus Locations:

Milpitas
Roseville
Salida
Concord
Hayward
San Francisco
Fresno
Rancho Cordova
Stockton
Salinas

Santa Barbara Business College

Campus

California is home to beautiful landscapes, a diverse population and countless things to do. Santa Barbara Business College is a California technical school that helps people just like you learn skills for their career. After all, without a good career, it can be difficult to enjoy all the wonderful things California has to offer.

SBBCollege is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. For information on graduation rates, median debt of graduates who completed these programs and other important information, visit http://www.sbbcollege.edu/consumerinformation/disclosures.php. SBBCollege offers financial aid to those who qualify.

Programs:

• Healthcare Administration
• Medical Assisting Associate
• Vocational Nursing

Campus Locations:

Rancho Mirage
Ventura
Santa Maria
Santa Barbara

Empire College

Campus

Empire College, located in Santa Rosa, California, can give you the career training you need to launch or advance your career in the Business, Law, Technology, or Medical fields.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting

Campus Locations:

Santa Rosa

Career Colleges of America

Campus

Get your career started with Career Colleges of America. We have four campuses in the Los Angeles area offering a wide variety of allied health training programs.

Programs:

• Vocational Nurse
• Nurse Assistant
• Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

Los Angeles
Gardena
South Gate
San Bernardino

Mayfield College

Campus

Give your career a boost with an education from Mayfield College. Our academic programs include medical front office, computer support technician, and general office management.

What's another reason that makes Mayfield College the right choice? Students receive a new computer when they graduate.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

Cathedral City

Saint Xavier University

Campus

“Success with Purpose” is the hallmark of a Saint Xavier University education that is grounded in the tradition of liberal arts. SXU offers graduate and post-graduate programs that are recognized and respected by employers and delivered by professional faculty who are experts in their fields. Founded in 1846 by the Sisters of Mercy, SXU is Chicago's oldest Catholic University, and it is recognized as one of the top 40 comprehensive master's universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges 2010.

Programs:

• Nurse Educator Certificate

Campus Locations:

Chicago