Nurses with BSN Degree Enjoy Better Career Prospects
BSN Degree a Must for Nurse Midwives
Although America's health care system seems to have nothing but dark clouds on the horizon, some health care professions are faced with nothing but a silver lining. Topping the list is nursing, says the U.S. Department of Labor, which projects that registered nurses will outstrip all but one other profession as the fastest growing segment of the U.S. job market through the year 2020. However, many employers are already projecting a shortage of qualified RNs that are needed to fill the many new positions the economy is likely to create.
Getting in on the expected nursing boom requires a learn-to-earn mentality. Several educational paths are open to those eager to become a registered nurse. These include a Bachelor's of Science degree in nursing (BSN), an Associate's Degree in nursing (ADN), or a diploma program. If you're just now starting out on one of these paths, you may want to weigh the pros and cons of earning a BSN degree as your first step towards a nursing career.
Immediately choosing the BSN path is a great way to jump start a nursing career. According to the Department of Labor, nurses with a Bachelor's degree are more likely to advance in their profession. Higher paying administrative positions, for example, usually require a Bachelor's degree. An undergraduate degree like a BSN is also a prerequisite for all graduate nursing programs and a must if your ultimate goal is to work in an advanced nursing specialty as a clinical nurse, a nurse anesthetist, a nurse midwife or nurse practitioner.
Of course, not everyone is just now preparing to enter the nursing profession. There are many RNs already actively at work in the nursing profession. Nurses like these can also take advantage of the brighter career prospects offered by a BSN degree by completing a RN-to-BSN program. According to the latest figures available, there were about 600 RN-to-BSN programs offered in the United States.
The nation's largest online university, the University of Phoenix (UOP) is often the first choice for applicants looking for a respected BSN or RN-to-BSN degree program. Working adults often find these programs ideal, especially if they want to leverage the many advantages of distance learning while continuing to work in their chosen field. The programs meld online courses with supervised hands-on clinical work at leading hospitals and health care centers. In addition to nursing, the curriculum includes classes in anatomy, physiology and microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology and other behavioral sciences. A sprinkling of liberal arts rounds out the course of study.
Finding answers to your questions about the UOP's BSN or RN-to-BSN programs is as easy as filling out a request for information form at the UOP website. UOP follows up on requests by delegating an experienced counselor from the university's counseling staff to explore your educational and career goals, scholarship opportunities and the possibility of financial aid.
About the Author
Matt Paolini works from home as a distance learner. Visit University of Pheonix Online or http://www.university-of-pheonix-online.com for free distance learning info.
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