A Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Nursing (BSN) is a four-year undergraduate degree program that prepares students for a nursing career.
The degree curriculum comprises classes in the liberal arts and sciences as well as specialized nursing courses. Graduates of the accelerated BSN program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become licensed registered nurses (RNs) and, therefore, qualified practitioners.
Many employers are increasingly favoring a nursing degree since it provides graduates with the skills and knowledge required to provide high-quality patient care. Moreover, the BSN provides opportunities for further advancement in the nursing field, such as earning a master’s or doctoral degree.
The Advantages of a nursing degree
The degree can open you up to great employment prospects and a higher wage and provides the knowledge and skills needed to offer quality patient care.
With a nursing degree, you will be qualified for positions that qualifications like an associate degree or diploma in nursing will not offer you. You may also be considered for advancement to managerial positions.
Nurses with a degree often earn more than those with an associate degree or diploma in nursing. A higher wage may result in a higher standard of living and greater financial security.
Having this degree means you have been able to pursue training in a wide range of areas connected to nursing practice. The training teaches you how to offer safe, high-quality patient care. For a career in nursing, the advantage is to start with a nursing degree as much as it is within your means.
Admissions Criteria
To be considered for admission to a nursing program, you must have completed high school or equivalent coursework and obtained a good GPA.
Some programs may require coursework in subjects like biology and chemistry, but others may have a more open admissions policy.
After being accepted into a program, you must complete the academic and clinical components of the program. Anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and nursing theory are some of the courses that will be covered in the academic component.
The clinical component offers students hands-on experience in hospitals, clinics, long-term care institutions, and home health agencies. After completing the program, you will be qualified to take the NCLEX-RN exam and become a registered nurse.
Job Possibilities
Those with a BSc in Nursing degree have many different types of work prospects available to them. Here are a couple of such examples:
• Acute care nurse: These nurses care for patients with serious diseases or injuries in hospitals and other medical facilities.
• Nurse anaesthetists provide anaesthesia to patients who are about to undergo surgery or other medical procedures.
• Nursing informatics specialists: These professionals employ computers and information technology to help nurses deliver their services.
• Nurse researcher: Nurse researchers undertake research on a wide range of nursing practice and patient care themes.
Whatever your professional objectives for nursing are, a degree will set you on the path to achieving them.
Featured image credit: PeopleImages, iStock.
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