A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN or BSc) is a three- to four-year degree program designed for registered nurses (RN) who want to upgrade to supervisory roles and be eligible for high-salary jobs. Programs are offered with a combination of academic classwork and on-site clinical training.
A Bachelor of Science is awarded by universities to students who fulfill the requirements for an undergraduate academic program. This degree qualifies a student to be a graduate. In turn, he or she is qualified for a career in his or her field of endeavor.
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What is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing?
Bachelor of Science in Nursing is an award for an undergraduate program that equips nursing students with the right knowledge, competencies, and experience relevant to providing patients with the necessary high-standard healthcare. Given the award, students receive classroom instructions in the form of lectures and laboratory research.
Courses may be taken in health, natural and social sciences. Specific course titles may include an introduction to psychology, microbiology, general chemistry, anatomy, and physiology. Some programs are offered to qualify the students for different career paths such as becoming a registered nurse.
The training undergone during the undergraduate program will equip students with strong communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. They would also be able to pay attention to details. These skills can be useful, not only in their career life but in every other aspect of their lives.
Why Get a Bachelors Degree in Nursing?
Graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing are hotcakes in the job market. As a result, obtaining a license to practice or becoming a registered nurse may not be optional for you. However, it is a positive step towards your career advancement. You could become a family nurse practitioner, certified midwife, psychiatric nurse, or any other career path in nursing. There is an increased demand for nursing professionals abroad. With your certificate, you can practice in various environments. Some of these include government agencies, community centers, hospitals, care facilities, and outpatient offices.
Nurses account for the widely held healthcare positions as it plays a very critical role in ensuring that quality healthcare is delivered to patients, whether in a hospital setting, or a home.
Types of Nursing Degrees
Not sure where to start your nursing career or you are wondering what next step to take toward your career? You ou might check this out:
1. Diploma in Practical Nursing (PN)
Additionally, the fastest way to kick-start your nursing career is by obtaining a diploma in practical nursing and going ahead to obtain a license as a practical nurse. You will closely work with registered nurses and physicians in a range of healthcare settings, like hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, and doctor’s offices.
Many nurses started as licensed practical nurses (LPNs) before deciding to advance their education and career.
2. Associate in Nursing (AN)
With an associate degree in nursing, a student can become a registered nurse (RN) within two years. In many healthcare settings, registered nurses are the first line of care.
3. Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN)
A Bachelor’s degree in nursing is fast becoming the new standard qualification for registered nurses. Most hospitals and healthcare providers are responding to the Institute of Medicine’s call to increase their nursing strength by 80% as of last year.
Earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing is a big step toward becoming a registered nurse. After earning your bachelor’s degree and becoming a registered nurse, you could proceed to the next stage.
4. Master’s in Nursing (MSN)
Some roles in nursing, especially, at the managerial level require additional training and education other than a bachelor’s degree. With a master of Science in Nursing, you are qualified to assume some higher roles and expand your scope of practice.
There are three common specialties under the Master of Science in Nursing and they include:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Nurse Educator (NE)
- Nurse Leadership and Administration
- Post-masters’s Nursing Certificates (PMC)
Furthermore, this position allows nurses to build on the existing graduate education with more specified knowledge and skills. For instance, with a post-master’s nursing certificate, you can become a board-certified family nurse practitioner. You are certified for educator roles in the field of nursing.
What are the Prerequisites for Nursing Schools?
Requirements for individual schools vary for different programs. For lower-level degrees, you might need to complete general education courses like English and maths, then, a few science-focused studies like anatomy, chemistry, and biology. The advanced-level degree might require more specific options, depending on your area of specialization.
Entrance Exams
Most programs require that you take entrance exams in general tests like the SAT or ACT exams that are designed specifically for nurses. The exams are meant to evaluate your competencies in areas like maths and reading. Some entrance exams you are likely to encounter include:
- The National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Exam (NLN PAX)
- Kaplan Admission Test
- Psychological Services Bureau Aptitude Exams
- ATI Test of Academic Skills (TEAS) Exam
- Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) Exams.
Who is Eligible for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program?
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing is for any individual who is ready to work as a registered nurse. You must have the time and financial resources to commit to three or four years to become a professional in this category. If your ultimate is to earn a master’s degree in nursing and work in advanced positions, the Bachelor of Science is the ideal platform to start.
Additionally, second-degree BSNs are designed to help individual students who hold a previous bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing profession and wish to change their profession. The program allows students to satisfy some of the BSN’s liberal arts requirements by transferring credits from their first degree and also shortening the length of their study time.
Where to Get Your Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree
There are several ways to follow as you seek to obtain a bachelor of science in nursing degree – from traditional programs that you can go for right after high school, to programs that fast-track your degree by building on your existing knowledge. Here are schools that offer Bachelors of Science in Nursing degrees
1. South University
Southern University provides a warm, solid foundation for students by encouraging them to engage with the community of faculty, staff, and students who are eager to play a key role in their education.
Moreover, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at South University is designed for students who are keen on having a solid educational foundation that gives them the right footing in the nursing profession. The program makes room for full-time students to complete their courses in a satisfactory period.
At graduation, the BSN students should be able to integrate the model of caring, communication, critical thinking, competence, and complete approach into their profession. The graduate, in addition, is expected to pass the National Council Licensure Examination Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) to obtain the licensure to practice as a registered nurse.
2. University of Malta
The University of Malta is the highest teaching institution in Malta. It is publicly funded and open to all and sundry for a solid education.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSc) at the University of Malta provides an enabling for students to meet the demand of the healthcare industry at graduation. The program provides students with an understanding of nursing’s distinctive knowledge base and knowledge resulting from the other life and social life sciences. The three-year program adapts to the standards set by the European Union Directives on Nursing Education and secures recognition across the EU member states.
3. Semmelweis University
Semmelweis University is a top university in Hungary and the Central European region within the area of medicine and health sciences.
The Bachelor of Science (BSc) Nursing program equips students who have an interest in hospitality treatment and rehabilitation in diverse fragments of medical service and social care. Graduates of BSc can go ahead to obtain a master’s degree to participate in solving the scientific problems of nursing.
4. Glasgow Caledonian University -The School of Health and Life Sciences
The School of Health and Life Sciences is one of the three academic schools in GCU. It has created a unifying vision designed to embed excellence, engagement, and energy in all sectors of life.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Adult) at the university helps to develop nurses who are keen on delivering person-centered, safe, and effective care as well as working with other professions and agencies in an evolving and intricate healthcare environment.
Students will experience a range of clinical placements to learn diverse techniques and approaches used in community and hospital placements as well as independent and voluntary sector experience.
5. University of Szeged
The University of Szeged, located in the sunniest of Hungary, is one of the best institutions in the country. It was established in 1581 and has been consistent in bringing the best educational value to the students.
The Bachelor of Nursing (BSc) program at the University of Szeged provides theoretical and practical knowledge of nursing science. Students acquire knowledge in lectures and demonstrational classroom practices. At the end of the program, they commence their clinical practices, then, field practices which help them to develop their professional skills.
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What can You Do with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree?
Earning a bachelor’s in Science degree will qualify you to sit for the required National Council Licensure Examination Registered Nurse (NCLEX –RN) licensing examination, except you have already obtained one. You are likely to find a wide range of job opportunities with this degree.
The majority of registered nurses work in hospitals, though with advancements in technology and job outlooks, you can find less traditional roles in different fields. Such roles include:
- Forensic nurse
- Case manager
- Home health nurse
- Nursing informatics specialists
- Public health nurse
- School nurse
- Mid-level nurse administrator; and a lot more.
Opportunities for Current & Prospective Nursing Students
- Top Nursing Scholarships for International Students
- 15 Affordable Nursing Schools in the USA and Their Tuition Fees
- University of Glasgow Nursing Scholarships for International Students 2018
- 10 Best Nursing Schools in Canada
Salary Outlook for Bachelors of Science in Nursing
The salaries of BSN professionals vary due to several factors like location and specific job roles. However, the average salary for RNs is $77,460, with those in the top 10% earning over $111,000.
Finally, since so many working professionals are advancing in their careers by pursuing a bachelor of science program, there are more flexible options for part-time and online programs. But you have to find out their requirements to be sure they suit your demands before committing your time and money.
Becoming a professional nurse, like most other professions, is not quite easy. However, do your best to get to the top, that is where you are meant to be.
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