A BSN is important because it can lead to many benefits, including job security, positive patient outcomes, diversified career opportunities, career advancement and a competitive salary. The University of St. Thomas offers a convenient curriculum that can be completed in as few as 12 months.
Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) through the University of St. Thomas Houston’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is a bold move for your future. The benefits of BSN-prepared nurses include diverse job opportunities and high-salary positions. A BSN also offers substantial job security and career advancement.
While ABSN@UST can help you accelerate your nursing education without compromising quality, there are other paths to becoming a nurse without a BSN. You may be wondering, “Is a BSN worth it?” The answer is yes.
It’s possible to secure a nursing job with an associate degree or a traditional four-year BSN; however, ABSN@UST combines a shorter timeframe with a top-of-the-line baccalaureate nursing education. Our program offers a comprehensive curriculum that combines online coursework with hands-on labs and clinicals to help you earn your BSN in as few as 12 months.
So, is a BSN worth it? Here are six reasons the answer is yes.
1. Diversified Career Opportunities
First on our list of BSN benefits is that a BSN opens the door to more job opportunities than if you stop your nursing education at an associate degree. A BSN empowers you to create a path toward specialization and career advancement and is the first step toward higher education.
As a BSN-educated nurse, you can work at a hospital or other healthcare facility in specialty areas such as:
- Adult health
- Community health
- Mental health
- Obstetrics
- Pediatrics
Through our accelerated nursing program, you’ll gain experience in these areas during your clinical rotations at some of the top healthcare facilities in Texas.
Clinical rotations are the time to see how a nurse successfully manages a shift and determine which specialties interest you. The connections you make can lead to job prospects after graduation and offer networking opportunities with established healthcare professionals.
In addition to the typical bedside roles you can pursue, a BSN paves the way toward diverse positions outside the hospital. These out-of-the-box careers require a BSN:
- Legal nurse consultant
- Nurse manager
- Public health nurse
- Travel nurse
- Home health nurse
- Forensic nurse
- Flight nurse
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2. Career Advancement Opportunities
If you’re interested in pursuing advanced nursing careers such as nurse practitioner or nurse midwife, a BSN is the first step to achieving that goal.
After earning your BSN, you could pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). With an MSN, you’d be qualified to apply to those higher positions like nurse practitioner, one of the most in-demand careers available. Earning your BSN from UST gives you an achievable pathway to these goals.
3. Job Security
When it comes to maintaining job security, you can rest assured knowing a BSN will set you apart from applicants with an associate degree, even if the position you're contemplating doesn't require a BSN specifically.
Current hiring trends in healthcare show that employers are beginning to view a BSN as a minimum requirement to apply for open nursing positions. For example, a recent study found that a staggering 71.7% of healthcare employers strongly prefer BSN-educated new hires.
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4. Higher Salary Potential
A BSN is worth it because it sets you up to earn a steady income for your entire nursing career, especially as you gain experience. A BSN is a more marketable alternative than an associate degree because it allows you to pursue leadership roles and specialization.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for nurses in 2021 was $77,600. The career outlook for RNs is bright and expected to grow by 6% from 2021-2031.
Compared to nurses with associate degrees, those with bachelor's degrees are more equipped to handle complex duties and are allowed greater freedom in the workplace. Studies indicate that nurses with a BSN have better long-term earning potential.
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5. Better Patient Outcomes
Studies conducted over the past decade have shown that patients seen by BSN-prepared nurses experienced better outcomes. One study found that healthcare facilities that employed a higher number of BSN-prepared nurses saw a decrease in congestive heart failure mortality, fewer decubitus ulcers, a lower rate of failure to rescue, and a lower rate of pulmonary embolism. Additionally, patients who stayed overnight in hospitals with more BSN-prepared nurses had a shorter stay.
6. Convenient Curriculum
Another factor that makes a BSN worth it is that with ABSN@UST, you won’t have to spend four years earning your degree. Our program can be completed in as few as 12 months.
Via our intuitive e-learning platform, you’ll experience your nursing courses online using our hybrid learning approach, maintaining communication with teachers and other students through chats and discussion boards. This enables you to complete a portion of the curriculum online and maintain some degree of scheduling flexibility.
Additionally, because we have three start dates each year and no waitlist, you'll have ample time to complete any needed prerequisite courses and start your nursing education journey off on the right foot.
Ready to Start Your Nursing Journey?
If you are ready to take the next steps toward becoming a nurse, now is the time to act. You can put your non-nursing bachelor’s degree toward a future in nursing through our ABSN@UST pathway. Contact our admissions team today to learn more about our accelerated nursing program.