Tag: BSN courses

Difference Between RN and BSN

A lot of us still don’t know the difference between an RN and a BSN. They just simply identify them as a nurse assisting doctors in the hospitals. But in reality, a nurse will never be just a plain nurse. There are a lot of types of nurses such as, a licensed practical nurse, a nurse practitioner, a licensed registered nurse.  All of them are called nurses, but they have specific roles and functions. What is the difference between a registered nurse and a bachelor of science in nursing degree holder?

NurseRegistered nurse is a job title; they have certifications and license to prove that they undergo several intense medical training. A BSN is just a degree. It is what you get when you finish your nursing education program. But before you can achieve the title of a registered nurse, you have to take the licensure exam called NCLEX, and you need a BSN degree before taking it. You should finish the 4-year nursing program to finish the degree.  When it comes to working, registered nurses performs their typical duties, such as recording patient diagnosis,  educate patients about their home treatment, assist surgical procedures and the most important duty of a nurse is to promote life.

BSN degree holders can also work too with great but limited opportunities.  They may want to work as a public health nurse in the community or a nurse educator who teaches about promoting health. In terms of salary, Registered nurses receive a higher salary compared to BSN degree holders since they do intense and critical work. They deserve it because it’s not easy dealing with terminally ill patients, staying with them 24/7. There is a big difference when it comes to their roles and salary. Completing the BSN program is just the key for you to become a registered nurse.  Always remember, hospitals hire more competent RNs.

BSN Degree Career Options

BSNIf you are a nurse with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, then you can pursue a diverse allied health career, you are more secure in your career growth and have good paying job opportunities. As compared to short term nursing courses, BSN graduates are more exposed to clinical settings and the training in communication, nursing techniques and methods are more advanced. Leadership is planned and taught during the course to prepare nurses for specialized positions in research, consultation or healthcare management.

Clinical Hospital Staff Nurse
Hospitals are homes for nurses. BSN graduates usually start their careers here which may assign them to units like in cardiac care, critical care, intensive care, pediatrics, maternity wards, or oncology. There are various duties and responsibilities that will be assigned to a nurse like assisting the physician in many areas and situations. It is a job of a nurse to assist the doctor in doing certain procedures and examinations like getting the vital signs of a patient or assist during operations. They are also expected to dispense medications, evaluate patients, and implement treatments as well as document records in patient charts. Vocational nurses may under the supervision of the BSN nurses including the unit clerks and medical assistants.

Non-Clinical Hospital Staff Nurse
When we say non-clinical we mean to say that a nurse is not assigned in any clinical roles. BSN nurses can be assigned to the administrative sector of the hospital. This position is usually given to a nurse with years of experience with good performance. Nurses in the admin may have the opportunity to be a department manager or a head nurse.

Non-Hospital Nurse
BSN degree holder also has the opportunity outside the hospital. They can acquire an administrative position in a nursing home, insurance companies and government organizations. They may also have career opportunities as researchers, tutors, or instructors.

The BSN degree for nursing offers a wide training and preparation for nurses before they enter the healthcare industry. The opportunities are varied and may offer growth and good salary. The need for nurses is exceeding but quality is needed to improve the healthcare system.

NLNAC and Accelerated BSN Courses

An accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program allows students who have already gained a degree in another subject to fast-track their way to a profession in nursing. There are currently a few approved nursing educational institutions providing accelerated BSN programs on the internet for people who want to earn their degree without giving up their job or family obligations. Most of the programs are approved by either the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or CCNE or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The Accelerated Degree BSN program is designed for learners who already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. With this system, you could possibly finish your Nursing specifications in less time, usually in 12-20 months, based on your amount of work.

NLNACStudents will likely practice Science and Nursing subjects like nutrition, nursing care, clinical problem solving, nursing and health care ethics, nursing informatics, and more. Some classes and Nursing experiences can be quite extreme, but the accelerated BSN offers an eye-catching alternative for people who are interested in getting a degree more quickly. There are several educational institutions that offer the complete accelerated BSN online, which could be a great option for working adults who need a versatile routine to accommodate their work and personal life.

Most educational institutions providing an accelerated BSN program do not need entry examinations, but do need the candidate to hold an active license and a strong educational record. Those looking for an accelerated BSN should choose a system that has been approved either by The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or NLNAC or by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Some educational institutions may reject accessibility to a master’s program if the BSN is not from a properly approved Nursing program.

Why Choose a BSN Degree

Looking at the existing situation in the latest several years, various medical facilities and medical centers has exploded at a quick speed. Consequently, new tasks and specifications for certified medical professionals have appeared and consequently generating a nursing level is switching out to be a successful undertaking. So, if you are also one of those who are awaiting nursing profession, then going for a BSN degree could be the best choice. These days the nursing area is consistently in need of well qualified individuals, which gradually indicate that by generating a BSN degree, you can have job options just around the corner.

These days, it will not sound wrong declaring that a nursing bachelor’s degree provides a great foundation for profession improvement and advanced degree levels, for example Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctoral Degree in Nursing. Actually, if you are already operating in the nursing field as an RN or LPN, getting the BSN degree can open up new opportunities in your profession. Currently, registered nurses who are having a bachelor’s degree in nursing are popular, and at times have the option to choose the type of establishment they wish to work in. Additionally, it also makes and improves your capabilities for operating in inpatient and group configurations, such as medical care, medical centers and home health services.

Generating a BSN degree takes about four years to complete, depending on the courses you take each term. In the beginning two years, you normally choose common teaching applications to meet up with level specifications and in the last two years, you research most of your time specifically on the technology of nursing and principles of nursing exercise. In this degree program, learners are taught how to care for and treat the sick, injured and incapable. It also provides training in the management of treatment and medication. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) curriculum also gives a comprehensive understanding of nursing concept and research, which in turn can lay the platform for your additional education.

Job Outlook of BSN Degree

The Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing or BSN degree is rapidly becoming the defacto standard in the realm of healthcare and healthcare careers. While you will find many ways that you can be a nurse, such as the Associate of Science in Nursing, the Licensed Practical Nurse and RN, the BSN path provides a nurse probably the most chance toward career movement and employment. Although laws and regulations and practices will be different state by state, many states first need a minimum quantity of service for LPNs, RNs and ASNs to earn just before being permitted to operate in critical care models like the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and Overnight Intensive Recovery (OIR) to list a few. Nurses who’ve gained a BSN may have the ability to work in critical care models with a shorter quantity of service time gained than other nurses or might be directly accepted to work inside a critical care unit soon after graduation.

As the initial help to generating a BSN may range from capability to earn employment inside a critical care unit, another advantage originates from a chance to later work at among the advanced practice levels in nursing. Programs offering levels in areas for example Nurse Midwife, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Specialist, and Nurse Teachers are just open to nurses who’ve gained their BSN degree. Using the added prestige to some nurse’s title and also the additional dedication and work needed for one of these simple advanced practice levels in nursing also comes with an additional hike to a nurse’s salary.

Based on the Work Outlook Guide, the task growth for BSN is promising, though this might vary by the kind of employment a BSN seeks and also the geographic location of this employment. In general, many companies have reported difficulty in not just bringing in, but retaining BSN’s for employment, particularly because of competition between other companies. It’s believed that between the years 2008 and 2018, job growth for BSNs will increase by 22%, much greater compared to the national average for other jobs. Roughly 581,500 new job positions are likely to be produced within this area, not counting the 100s of 1000’s of openings which will become available as current BSN’s advance, leave the area, or retire.