Benefits of a BSN Degree
Nurses consistently rank as the most trusted profession in America in Gallup’s annual poll of professions, a reflection of the crucial role they play in all of our lives.
Nursing is a deeply rewarding career path that allows you to make a difference in people’s lives. It is also one of the most in-demand professions in the United States today. This is, in part, due to the rapidly growing healthcare needs and a looming nursing shortage.
Why Earn a Nursing BSN Degree?
There are many benefits of a BSN that make the education pathway the preferred among healthcare professionals. As with many fields, there’s been a push over recent years to elevate the overall education level of the nursing profession.
For example, 69.8% of healthcare employers strongly prefer hiring new graduates who hold a BSN degree. Why is it that a BSN has such high value within the industry?
One of the many benefits of a BSN is the comprehensive scope and quality of education. Extensive research has shown that a better-educated nursing workforce yields better patient outcomes. Through a BSN education, you will acquire necessary skills and knowledge outside of the fundamental nursing skills, such as:
- Providing compassionate, dignified, and culturally sensitive patient care.
- Becoming adept at applying critical thinking and leadership skills to your practice.
- Understanding how policy decisions and code of ethics influence patient care and outcomes.
Around the country, hospitals and healthcare providers have been pushing already-hired nurses to earn their BSN degrees, and HR departments are increasingly hiring only nurses with a BSN or greater. This makes a BSN degree necessary to work in the nursing field long term.
The Importance of a BSN Degree
Among the many benefits of a BSN are career opportunities. Registered nurses who graduate with a BSN have improved chances of employment at the time of graduation. In fact, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s 2023 survey revealed the average job offer rate to BSN-educated nurses at the time of graduation was 84%.
Considering the demand for BSN-educated registered nurses, earning your BSN poises you for high-earning opportunities. According to data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most recent annual mean salary for registered nurses in New Jersey was $106,990, higher than the national mean salary of $98,430.
Additionally, the benefits of a BSN include finding work outside the traditional healthcare setting. BSN-educated nurses can even return to school to earn a Master of Science in Nursing and an advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) certificate, allowing them to hold such high-paying nursing positions as:
- Nurse anesthetist
- Nurse educator
- Nurse midwife
- Nurse practitioner
At Felician University, your future is our priority. Our Accelerated BSN program will give you the skills and knowledge you need to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and face the challenges of a 21st century healthcare system.
Get Started Today
Take the first steps toward a nursing career by contacting our admissions counselors to learn more about the ABSN program.