The demand for nurses who hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing is rising. Earning this degree has its own perks and if you are a working registered nurse, you would want to earn this degree as well. For you the Online RN to BSN Programs will be the best option, so you can work while you study for the degree.
Registered nurses are known to provide patient care in a thoughtful way. These individuals work in clinics, homes, hospitals, nursing homes, military, and other such facilities. They serve a vast range of patients from all walks of life. They serve infants and elders and sometimes specialize in working for those who are suffering from addictions.
The responsibilities of an RN differ in some respects, however; the basic roles of an RN include making care plans for the patients, assessing the patient’s condition, administering medication, recording vitals of the patients, doing diagnostic tests, letting the patients know how to manage their illness or injuries after they have been discharged from the facility and more.
What is an RN to BSN Programs?
Before we go further, let’s understand what is an RN to BSN Program. There are different ways in which you can become an RN, these ways include earning an Associate degree in Nursing (ADN), joining a diploma program, or earning a bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Those who earn a BSN degree qualify for positions that are higher paying. So, if you want your career graph to reach the heights, then earning a BSN degree would be a wise decision.
The healthcare industry is growing at a fast rate and thus the requirement of nurses is also increasing by the day. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for nursing is increasing by 16% in general whereas the market is growing by 31% for those who are high-level specialists like the nurse midwives, practitioners, and nurse anesthetists.
If you are a Registered Nurse who is stuck in your career path and you think that your career is not moving anymore then, completing an Online RN to BSN Program will give you the momentum you need. Completing this program will help you get higher paying job roles that will enhance your career path. There are some hospitals that are hiring only those Registered Nurses who have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. So, it has become vital for these nurses to go back to school and earn a BSN degree. However, if you are already working as a Registered Nurse, then the best bet for you is to enroll yourself in the Online RN to BSN program. This way you will be able to carry on with your full-time job while you study for your BSN degree.
The Online RN to BSN programs are quite long, you will need 120 credit hours which should include some hours that you have already completed your Associate’s Degree Program. So the requirements are as listed below-
- 60 credit hours (in the Associate’s Degree Program)
- 30 upper-level courses (BSN)
- 30 clinical or practical hours
Requirements for Online RN to BSN Programs
In order to enroll yourself in the online RN to BSN program, you will need the following –
1. A Licensure
The RN to BSN program wants the students to be registered nurses. The student should possess licensure. Which means there should be no issues with disciplinary actions. If there were issues with disciplinary actions, then check with the school you are about to join.
2. General Admission Criteria
The general admission criteria in most schools are the requirement of a 2.0 GPA along with undergraduate courses. Most students already have satisfied this requirement as they had to pass the Associate’s Degree program.
3. Criminal Background Check
You will need to clear the criminal background check before you enroll in the Online RN to BSN programs. Some schools ask for a physical or a drug test as well.
4. RN Employment (Full- Time)
You will need at least 30 hours of clinical hours or equivalency exams to join RN to BSN programs. If you are working as an RN full-time then you will be able to satisfy the requirements of most schools. If you are not working as an RN, then most schools have exams that will let you satisfy the 30-hour requirement.
The classes needed for Online RN to BSN Programs
- Biology
- English
- Chemistry
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Math
- Foreign Language
- Electives.
The other subjects on needs to study are listed below-
- Evidence-based practice
- Statistics for Nurses
- Nursing Management
- Nutrition
- Nursing leadership
- Nursing Ethics
- Community Health Nursing
- RN Collaborative Healthcare
- Healthcare informatics
The format for learning online will include reading electronic textbooks, emailing, chat rooms, and discussion boards. If you have doubts about your studies, you can contact the instructors directly in some institutions. Most schools provide additional help to students who are facing problems with their studies. Some forums will let you chat with the instructors online, thus helping you get support at all times.
Online RN to BSN Programs
There are many online RN to BSN Programs being advertised on the internet. Finding the right program is easier than ever. All you have to do is type in Online RN to BSN programs in the search engine and click. You will soon come across the lists of programs available online.
Top 25 schools that offer online RN to BSN programs are listed here –
- University of Cincinnati
- California State University—Dominguez Hills
- Sacred Heart University
- Herzing University
- University of Northern Colorado
- State University Of New York (Suny)- Delhi
- University of Louisiana-Lafayette
- Columbia College
- Old Dominion University
- Pace University
- Northeastern State University
- University of North Florida
- The University of North Carolina- Wilmington
- Arizona State University
- Brandman University
- University of Nebraska
- California University of Pennsylvania
- University of Central Florida
- Sam Houston State University
- Fort Hays State University
- Florida International University
- University of Arkansas
- Pennsylvania State University-World Campus
- Ohio State University
- University of Oklahoma
Advantages of Online RN to BSN Programs
There are many pros to online learning, some of these pros are as follows –
1. Flexibility
As the classes are carried out online, there is a lot of flexibility. You can study at the leisure of your time. You will have to work as a Registered Nurse and study at the same time. Thus, it helps you keep your job while you complete your degree. You can maintain your personal and social life as well. However, don’t think that online school is easy. You will have to invest a good amount of your time in studies and assignments. Many hours of school work are needed in this program, so be prepared. Weekly projects should be completed and submitted on time.
2. Learning From Your Home
What can be better than studying from the comforts of your home? You will be able to study and do your paper from your home. This, in turn, reduces the time and energy you need to spend on traveling to and from the school.
3. Virtual Location
As this program is completely online, students living anywhere in the world can attend these classes. This helps the students choose from a vast range of competitive schools to take up their course. So, no matter where you are you can join these classes and study at your leisure. If you are looking forward to studying in a relaxing way, then an online RN to BSN program is the best for you. The virtual location makes it easy to study as there is no need to sit on hard benches in a classroom setup. You can sit on your couch and attend the classes.
4. No Language Barrier
In a traditional classroom set up students from abroad face difficulties in understanding the subjects being taught. However, when the classes are online, the schools sometimes provide the classes in the native language, however, the students can translate their course material using google translate and study at their own pace. This helps in eliminating language barriers of all kinds.
5. Information Available to Review Later
Whatever is taught in the classroom remains recorded on the internet, so the students can go back to those materials and review later whenever they need to. The data is stored until the class is over or longer. You can take printouts of the syllabus and study at your own pace.
Things to Consider When Opting for an Online RN to BSN Program
The points that you must consider while choosing the program are –
1. Length of the Program
The length of the program varies in different schools. However, most schools need approximately a minimum of 30 credit hours of higher level BSN courses which excludes prerequisite classes. For most online RN to BSN courses are 5 to 7 weeks long. Each curriculum differs as most online courses are paced differently. The courses can be taken either one at a time or more at a time. You can take breaks between courses. This is a great model for students who need flexibility in their learning career.
2. Accreditation
See to it that the program you choose is accredited by proper educational and nursing bodies. Avoid future hassles by checking the accreditations of the school you are choosing. If the school is not accredited properly, there is no point. Locate an ideal school that has little potential.
3. Tuition Cost
Before you make your decision, check out the tuition costs of the program. See if it suits your budget and then makes your decision. Determine a budget for the school. Even if you are working and earning money, it is important to consider an end goal.
4. Program Model
There are various types of program models available for RN to BSN programs. There are traditional programs, online programs, and hybrid courses. The best way to choose the right program model is to see the student’s style of learning and the amount of time the program needs to get completed. Ask yourself if you are a self-motivated person or someone who needs to be guided and disciplined to choose the right program model.
Conclusion
So, if you are a Registered Nurse thinking about making your career soar to new heights, then you should go for the online RN to BSN program. This way you will be able to get your BSN degree while you are still working. Consider the points discussed above to come to a decision. There are many colleges and schools out there that offer online RN to BSN programs, all you have to do is choose the right program in your locality. Go to the best school in your state and you will soon see yourself succeed in your career.
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