About a BSN Degree

The BSN or bachelor's of science in nursing is a four-year degree, which is one of the tracks that lead to a career as a registered nurse. You can become an RN with an associate’s degree, but having the bachelor's degree opens more doors for your career. It also allows you ore opportunities for advancement in many areas of nursing.

Returning to School after Practicing as a Registered Nurse 

Many people choose the associates degree (ASN) initially to become a registered nurse so that they can begin working in the field sooner. They may later decide to enter a BSN program, which would take approximately two additional years of study, but it allows the RN to continue working while advancing their academic credentials. 

What Additional Skills are Acquired in the BSN Program?

If you already have your ASN degree, you will have already taken your lower-level coursework, which means you will jump right into more advanced studies in nursing. If you enter a BSN program with no previous college courses, you can expect the degree to take you four years of full-time study to complete. You will take science courses and other basic classes the first two years and the final two years will consist of your nursing classwork.

Earning More with a BSN 

As a BSN, you may not earn a significant amount more than a ASN initially, but it normally comes out to average approximately $1 more per hour. What the BSN does do is open doors to you for clinical work and can offer you interesting career choices that you would not be able to gain with the ASN.