Registered nurses (RNs) are often experts at time management because they routinely tend to multiple patients at one time, so they must work efficiently and effectively. While this is a skill learned out of necessity, a strong academic foundation can also develop proficiency in this area. One of the biggest ways to improve your time management skills as a nurse is by pursuing a Bachelor of Science (BSN) degree.

BSN-prepared nurses have the distinct advantage of furthering their careers thanks to their expanded skillset and knowledge within the field. However, those considering the degree might ask themselves, “Do I have time for that?” Working nurses might be hesitant to put their employment on hold to enroll in a BSN program.

Eastern Michigan University’s online RN to BSN program, RNs can progress through the program at their own pace while still working and discover the many benefits of online education.

Benefits of a BSN Degree

There are many benefits to earning a BSN degree. One primary benefit is addressing the increasing demand for BSN-prepared nurses. According to Wolters Kluwer, “to successfully face the challenge of an increasing aging population and pending nursing shortage, nursing education programs need to increase the number of nurses they are graduating with BSN degrees.”

With an online RN to BSN program, nursing students seeking a more flexible schooling method also have a clear pathway to achieving their career goals. In addition to expanded career opportunities and higher pay, nurses who earn their BSN degree also ensure patients and healthcare facilities as a whole benefit from their improved expertise and experience.

For any nurse who might be on the fence, you can be sure that a BSN degree is well worth it. The degree has the potential to shift the healthcare industry and provide top-level healthcare for all.

Specific Perks of BSN

Some of the advantages of enrolling in a BSN program include:

  • Informative courses. Students will gain current, relevant and advanced knowledge and skills in the field. In most BSN programs, students will typically study nurse leadership, nurse advocacy, health disparities and health equity development, global health issues and much more.
  • Influential roles. Graduates can expand their career opportunities and have the freedom to decide what they want to do with their degrees. The most popular job titles include nurse leader/manager positions at Magnet-designated hospitals.
  • Salary benefits. Nurses with a BSN degree often earn a higher median salary and can boost their earning potential, depending on expertise and experience. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary of an RN is $77,412 while BSN graduates earn $98,929 annually (as of January 2023).
  • Higher education choices. Graduates can continue their education with graduate-level programs to pursue high-earning, in-demand, advanced-practice registered nurse (APRN) roles that require specialized Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees. There is also a need for more nurse practitioners, one of the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S., according to the S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
  • Need for clinical nurse specialists. The need for clinical nurse specialists as an APRN role will continue. According to Zippia, projected job growth for clinical nurse specialists is 12% from 2018 to 2028, and salaries for the role are expected to increase in the next five years.

Benefits of the Online BSN Model

The standard degree model has changed dramatically. Online models provide increased academic, professional and personal flexibility that in-person programs do not. Some of the benefits of enrolling in an online model of a BSN program include:

  • Personalized schedule. An online model facilitates the options and convenience needed to complete a BSN degree while working long, oft-irregular shifts as a nurse, allowing individuals to study anywhere, anytime.
  • Work balance. Students can continue working and receiving a wage while earning a BSN. This allows them to avoid the potentially high opportunity costs of traditional campus-based programs.
  • Skills application. Online courses teach knowledge and skills students can use on the job, deepening experiential learning and retention. Such programs help students excel during their shifts at the hospital and develop a better approach toward compassionate care.

Transform Your Practice with a Bachelor’s Degree

If you want to transform your nursing practice by earning a BSN degree, it’s within your reach. Those who enroll in the online RN to BSN program at Eastern Michigan University will meet the demand for BSN-prepared RNs and prepare for career advancement.

Students will expand their leadership and advocacy skills, learn how to apply evidence-based research and gain a foundation for systems-thinking and quality-improvement processes. Due to the program’s accelerated nature, students can achieve this in as few as 12-24 months.

This intensive program allows students to cultivate diverse approaches to community health nursing, including ethical decision-making and cultural sensitivity. For example, the Global Health Issues course covers contemporary issues in global health, such as systems used and health disparities across countries. In the Health Environments for Patient Care course, students focus on the multiple determinants of health and interventions that can benefit community members.

Each graduate will obtain the knowledge and skills required to enter influential roles in the healthcare field, such as nurse manager, nursing specialist, nurse educator, nursing informatics specialist or gerontology nurse.

Learn more about Eastern Michigan University’s online RN to BSN program.