Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree Programs
The Bachelors of Science in Nursing is the preferred degree for many professional nurses. The BSN does two things:
- Gives you the skills and practice theory necessary to think critically in patient care as a professional RN
- Positions you for advanced study if you choose to pursue it at some later date.
Where to Study Your BSN
The Bachelors of Science in Nursing is most often conferred at a four-year nursing school, or a medical university that features a school of nursing. You’ll have a dizzying array of school choices, each of which offers something different, including program cost, program of study, location and even particular focus (community nursing, family nursing) and more. The school could be small or large, offer career guidance and job placement and various options for financial aid and scholarships.
BSN Curriculum and Clinicals
While the program you choose may be set up differently from another, what remains fairly standard are the curriculum requirements for a Bachelors degreed nurse. Generally the curriculum you’ll get in a BSN program looks similar to this:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Microbiology
- Psychology/Anthropology
- Statistics
- Nursing Assessment
- Nutrition and Diet
- Life Span
- Basic Pharmacology/Math for Medicine
- Community, Family, Geriatric, Psych overviews
- Nursing Theory
- Nursing Research
Because the BSN is a full-fledged Bachelors degree you’ll complete a number of required courses, such as English/Composition, Art, Literature, History, Physical Education, and Social Sciences.
Clinicals in the BSN encompass a wide array of patient care facilities. Advanced clinicals allow you to choose among unique environments based on your interests and possible goals in the field. For example, you might spend the first part of your degree working in a local hospital, but during the latter part of your studies you may opt to pursue a clinical experience in a long-term care facility, a public health department, a psych facility and more.
Types of Nursing Bachelors Programs
Nursing is a career-centric field and as such the avenues for achieving the Bachelors are multi-pronged. Here are the common degree programs that offer nearly everyone interested in nursing an opportunity to get in on this career:
- BSN is the straightforward Bachelors degree you can start from beginning to end. Plan on four-years to completion when you attend full-time. You’ll have to pass all classes according to your state board of nursing in order to take the NCLEX licensure exam.
- RN-to-BSN is extremely popular. Use this when you already have an Associates degree, have been working in the field and want to finish the final two years of study necessary to be a BSN degreed nurse. Many programs are now offered online so working nurses with busy schedules may also earn their degree.
- Accelerated BSN is designed for nursing students that already have a Bachelors degree but in another field of study. You’ll have to shop around for this program—it’s not offered everywhere. Expect to devote 1 to 2 years. The curriculum expands on the foundation you already poured with your first degree and provides you with an intensive immersion in nursing theory and practice so you are up to speed and on the job quickly, with your full BSN degree.